How do bills really get passed — or stopped — in California? 🏛️
In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer sits down with California State Senator Roger Niello (6th District, Vice Chair of the Senate Budget Committee) to discuss:

- The real process behind passing legislation — and why some bills never see a vote.
- The Title & Summary Bill and efforts to reduce bias in ballot measures.
- California’s budget challenges and the push for fiscal responsibility.
- The role of transparency, bipartisanship, and civic engagement in a supermajority state.
- How artificial intelligence could change government operations.

Whether you’re passionate about politics, governance, or understanding how laws are made, this conversation offers a rare insider’s perspective on the power and process shaping California.

📌 Chapters:
0:00 Intro
3:00 How Bills Live or Die in Sacramento
10:00 Bias in Ballot Summaries
18:00 Civic Education & Engagement
19:00 California’s Budget Challenges
30:00 AI in the Legislature
34:00 Closing Thoughts

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About Evan Meyer

Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

In this episode of Meyerside Chats, I sit down with Vijay Luthra—a UK-based public service reformist, ex-councilmember, and management consultant—to explore the future of government, the crisis in public trust, and why systems must evolve to meet 21st-century challenges. We dive into small “p” vs. big “P” politics, the transformation of the NHS, trade unions, and lessons from Brexit for the U.S.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about government innovation, local leadership, and global civic lessons.

⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters:

00:00 | 🎙️ Introduction & Welcome
01:00 | Vijay’s Unusual Journey from Roadie to Public Servant
03:00 | Big "P" vs Small "p" Politics Explained
06:00 | The Decline of Public Service Ethos
08:00 | Founding Siva: Reforming Public Services from Outside
10:00 | Entrepreneurship & Bureaucracy: Where They Meet
13:00 | Local Government, Risk, and Innovation Constraints
15:00 | The Power of Local Engagement in the UK & US
17:00 | NHS Transformation: The Biggest Reform in a Generation
20:00 | Virtual Wards & Healthcare Innovation
23:00 | Navigating Trade Unions in the UK
26:00 | Cultural Differences in UK vs US Labor Dynamics
28:00 | Class Systems, Military, and Social Stratification
30:00 | Vijay’s Wish: Undoing Brexit’s Damage
32:00 | Lessons for the U.S.: Division, Democracy & Unity
34:00 | 🔚 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

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About Evan Meyer

Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Support the show

About Evan Meyer

Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Support the show

About Evan Meyer

Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

In this powerful episode, Evan Meyer sits down with Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete and Los Angeles Councilmember Traci Park to explore how two neighboring cities are breaking down silos to address homelessness, emergency response, and community safety. From invisible borders on the beach to upcoming global events like the Olympics, this conversation unpacks what effective local collaboration really looks like.

📍 Topics Include:
Joint operations on homelessness
Regional planning for tourism & transportation
Communication breakdowns across agencies
Why political differences shouldn’t stop progress
Building tools for cross-jurisdictional problem-solving

💡 This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in local government, regional planning, and public innovation.

Time | Section Title | Summary
00:00 | Opening: Meet Lana & Traci | Intro to both guests and the purpose of their collaboration
01:00 | Shared Challenges: Homelessness at the Beach | Transit-driven inflows and cross-jurisdiction coordination
03:00 | Joint Policing & Outreach Efforts | Examples of Santa Monica & LA joint operations
04:00 | Future Goals: Olympics, World Cup, and Tourism | Preparing for global events through regional partnerships
05:00 | Origins of Collaboration | How Lana & Traci connected personally and professionally
06:30 | Breaking the “Invisible Line” on Beaches | Using outreach teams like West Coast Cares across borders
07:30 | Post-Fire Response & Mutual Aid | How disaster response accelerated regional unity
08:30 | Why Two Voices Are Louder Than One in Sacramento | The power of joint advocacy at the state level
10:00 | Big Ask: What Should Higher Governments Fix? | Calls for a shared dashboard, streamlined communication
13:30 | County-Level Homelessness Shakeup | LASA changes and the push for local control
15:30 | Vision for a Regional Dashboard Tool | Transparent, real-time issue tracking for agencies and public
18:00 | Navigating Political Differences | Governing across ideological lines and building

Support the show

About Evan Meyer

Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Join us for an insightful conversation with California State Senator Ben Allen as he discusses the complexities of governing through crises, including the devastating wildfires affecting California communities. Senator Allen shares his firsthand experiences and challenges of managing disaster recovery, addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies, and the role entrepreneurs can play in supporting these efforts.

In this candid interview, Senator Allen also dives into pressing topics such as artificial intelligence regulation, the future of Prop 13, environmental sustainability, and the importance of public-private partnerships. Gain valuable insights into how California plans to balance innovation, economic growth, and regulatory frameworks to ensure a resilient and prosperous future.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, policymaker, or concerned citizen, this conversation offers meaningful perspectives on how communities and government can collaborate effectively.

Hosted / Video Production by the Kinn, in Venice, CA.

#CaliforniaPolitics #WildfireRecovery #AIregulation #PublicPrivatePartnerships #Entrepreneurship #BenAllen #Innovation00:00

Introduction and Welcome
00:29 Addressing the Fires: Challenges and Responses
05:02 Understanding Government Levels and Functions
09:04 Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Government Interaction
14:45 California's Innovation and Regulatory Landscape
26:51 Audience Q&A
29:26 Governmental Dysfunction and Deferred Maintenance
30:02 COVID Loans and LLC Costs
31:35 Regulating AI and Protecting Creativity
34:11 Challenges of Starting a Mining Company in California
36:18 Prop 13 and Real Estate Tax Issues
39:38 Rebuilding After Fires and Climate Resilience
43:56 Toxic Waste and Fire Cleanup
49:54 Engaging with Government and Procurement Processes
55:52 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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About Evan Meyer

Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.

He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.

As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.

He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with the Mayor of San Jose, as he discusses his journey from the private sector to public office. Discover the nuances between running a business and managing a city, and learn about the challenges and strategies in tackling issues like homelessness, public safety, and civic engagement. Get an inside look at the importance of performance management, the role of technology, and the need for transparency and accountability in government operations.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:27 Entrepreneurial Mindset in Government
00:49 Differences Between Private Sector and Government
02:18 Performance Management in Government
03:22 Motivation and Challenges in Public Sector
04:24 Setting and Achieving Goals in Government
04:54 Addressing Homelessness in San Jose
11:34 Community Engagement and Civic Participation
21:06 Balancing Priorities in Government
29:09 Rebuilding Trust in Government
34:12 Closing Remarks and Future Topics

Support the show

About Evan Meyer

Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.

He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.

As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.

He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Navigating Civility: A Deep Dive with Shola Richards

Join me and special guest Shola Richards as we discuss the importance of civility in today's world. Shola shares insights from his latest book, 'Civil Unity,' and reflects on its relevance to relationships, workplace environments, and social media conduct. We touch on Shola's testimony before Congress, the impact of the LA fires, and the nuances of maintaining civility amidst disagreements. Shola also delves into the concept of intellectual humility, the dangers of radicalization, and shares personal anecdotes that highlight the power of kindness and understanding in transforming lives. Don't miss this profound conversation on how civility can change the world.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:15 Discussing the Book 'Civil Unity'
01:33 Survivor's Guilt and Helpers
02:22 Uncivil Narratives on Social Media
03:55 Cognitive Biases and Confirmation Bias
07:00 The Importance of Intellectual Humility
08:04 Personal Anecdotes on Bias
11:40 The Pie of Knowledge
13:59 Engaging in Civil Discourse
27:04 The Role of Local Politics
32:11 Emotional Intelligence and Inner Work
33:05 The Power of Civil Discourse
33:50 Navigating Hard Lines in Civility
38:01 Social Media and Civility
46:52 Radicalization and Substance Abuse

Website: Sholarichards.com
Civil Unity (Book):

Support the show

About Evan Meyer

Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.

He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.

As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.

He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.