Politically Speaking

Charles Modica, San Diego’s independent budget analyst, explains why the city’s budget has been structurally imbalanced in recent years and what needs to happen to avoid painful cuts in the future. And, District Attorney Summer Stephan talks to Politically Speaking host Joey Safchik about Prop 36, a tougher-on-crime measure that went into effect in December.

On Politically Speaking this week, State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson joins us from Sacramento to discuss her legislative priorities, including steeling California against Trump Administration cuts. She said the legislature is hard at work making California more affordable, and answers our questions about when San Diegans may feel some pocketbook relief....

Plus, the mayor of Carlsbad, Keith Blackburn, is in studio...

The San Diego City Council president discusses the city’s $258 million deficit and shares his reaction to the mayor’s draft budget. Plus, the chair of the San Diego GOP reacts to President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, including policies ranging from immigration to tariffs.

This week on Politically Speaking, National City Mayor Ron Morrison takes NBC 7’s questions about the latest in a series of shake-ups in his city government. Plus, the incoming president of the San Diego County Young Democrats discusses how he expects the tides to turn for Democrats in the midterms next year.

Democrats want to fortify California as a Democratic firewall. Republicans, though in the minority, are emboldened by allies in DC. Does it lead to political compromise, or a power tug-of-war? State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones and Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins share perspectives from their respective chambers.

NBC 7 political reporter Joey Safchik spoke with California Senator Adam Schiff to talk about his first 100 days since taking office.

The turnout for the primary special election in the South Bay this week was low, but the stakes are high. The Republican Mayor of Chula Vista, John McCann, and the Democratic Mayor of Imperial Beach, Paloma Aguirre, will face off in a July runoff. The winner will tilt the balance of the board towards his or her party....

Plus, California’s Attorney...

This week on Politically Speaking, a prominent human rights attorney shares her perspective on President Donald Trump’s clash with the courts and what she fears could portend for the oldest democracy in the world’s system of checks and balances. Plus, the mayor of Encinitas discusses his efforts to push back against Sacramento, especially regarding housing development mandates. 

California’s top elected education official speaks with Politically Speaking host Joey Safchik about what the state is doing to prepare for and push back against any imminent changes. Plus, the mayor of Escondido shares why he’s not yet satisfied with his city’s progress on homelessness.

Sen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Mike Levin join Politically Speaking host Joey Safchik to talk about how federal funding cuts could reverberate in San Diego. Plus, the invocation of an 18th-century law — the Alien Enemies Act — is stirring up painful memories for San Diegans whose family members were interned during World War II.

NBC 7 political reporter Joey Safchik speaks with Sen. Alex Padilla about how the Democrats seek to push back against cuts from the Trump administration.

The mayor of Vista sits down with Politically Speaking host Joey Safchik to discuss the city’s effort on homelessness and make his case for repealing a state sanctuary law from the first Trump administration. Plus, NBC 7’s Dana Williams shares some tips for how to digest anxiety-inducing political headlines.

San Diego County supervisors are moving forward with an ambitious plan that would double treatment capacity — both residential and in-patient — by 2030. Politically Speaking host Joey Safchik sits down with Terra Lawson-Remer, acting chair of the board, to discuss the plans and how any federal funding plans could derail them. And, Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow talks about...

The city of San Marcos is not always in the headlines, but the mayor says she likes it that way. NBC 7 political reporter Joey Safchik is sitting down with every mayor in the county. This week, she spoke with San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones.

San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe is sounding the alarm about the impact of federal spending cuts, reports NBC 7’s Joey Safchik.

This week on Politically Speaking, District 4 San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe details concerns about the impact federal funding cuts could have on local programs, including behavioral health, housing and disaster relief. Plus, San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones discusses her city’s efforts to make their local operations more efficient.

In his first interview since being elected to lead the San Diego County Democratic Party, Kyle Krahel-Frolander tells Politically Speaking host Joey Safchik about priorities, ranging from homelessness to transportation, and discusses the upcoming special election. Plus, newly-elected Coronado Mayor John Duncan talks about the impacts of the Tijuana sewage crisis and keeping partisan politics out of city hall.

Host Joey Safchik sits down with the former chair of the Republican Party of San Diego to discuss priorities for local members of the GOP and what policy directives from the Trump administration are most relevant in Southern California. Plus, MSNBC’s Chris Hayes talks about his new book, “The Sirens’ Call,” and comments on the attention economy.

Politically Speaking host Joey Safchik sits down with Bill Wells, the Republican mayor of El Cajon. East County’s largest city has been in the headlines because of a controversial immigration policy put forth by Wells and voted down by the city council. The mayor says he intends to bring back an updated version of the resolution. Plus, the founder of...

The hopefuls aspiring to fill the seat vacated by Nora Vargas have a lot of ground to cover, but not a lot of time, reports NBC 7’s Joey Safchik.