Can California Reform Itself? Steve Westly On Budget Bloat, Housing, And Hope

Guest: Steve Westly - Founder, 21st Century Alliance & Former CA State Controller

Guest Bio

Steve Westly is a business leader, investor, and former California State Controller who has spent decades working to make state government more efficient and accountable. A longtime supporter of education and economic innovation, Steve brings both private-sector and public-sector experience to bear on some of California’s most stubborn challenges. His expertise spans budgets, accountability, public education, and housing policy, making him a leading voice for reform-minded solutions in the Golden State.

Show Summary

California is the world’s 4th largest economy — so why does the state struggle with massive budget deficits? In this thoughtful conversation, Steve Westly joins Jon to break down what’s gone wrong with the state budget, why education keeps failing students, and how outdated policies have fueled California’s housing crisis.

From the rise of unsustainable spending to the need for a more accountable state workforce, Steve lays out hard truths about what really holds California back. He also shares an optimistic vision for how voters, civic leaders, and the next generation of policymakers can turn things around. Whether you’re frustrated by fraud and waste or still hopeful about California’s potential, this episode offers a clear look at how we might rebuild the California Dream.

Chapters

00:00 – California’s Success: The Bigger Picture

02:00 – Public Education’s Broken Promises

04:30 – The Science of Reading and Reform

06:30 – The Real Role of Teachers’ Unions

08:30 – Budget Bloat and California’s Spending Problem

11:00 – Where to Start Cutting Costs

13:00 – Holding State Agencies Accountable

15:00 – Fraud, Waste, and Missed Oversight

17:00 – The Housing Affordability Nightmare

19:30 – Fixing CEQA and Building Faster

22:00 – Why He Still Believes in California

23:30 – 2026 Elections: Can Real Change Happen?

25:30 – Who Can Lead California Forward?

27:00 – Rapid Fire: Best California Leaders

29:00 – What Outsiders Get Wrong About California

30:00 – What Gives Steve Hope for California’s Future

Connect with Steve

X: https://x.com/SteveWestly

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevewestly/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevewestly/

Website: https://westlygroup.com/steve-westly/

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