This week on The Signal, Dino kicks off Politics, Tacos & Beer with a deep dive into California’s data-center boom—and why it’s sparking backlash in places like Monterey Park. State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez joins to break down SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, aimed at stopping cost-shifting to ratepayers, demanding upfront grid upgrades, and measuring climate and health impacts.
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TRANSCRIPT
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:11:03
ANNOUNCER
Everybody. This is Kpfk 90.7 FM, Los Angeles, 98.78 FM Santa Barbara and@kpfk.org for the world everybody.
00:00:11:05 - 00:00:15:08
MUSIC INTRO
Who do you?
00:00:15:10 - 00:00:27:11
MUSIC INTRO
The whole run by a handful of greedy bankers and CEOs who nobody elected. What can possibly last?
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MUSIC INTRO
I'm going to tell you the numbers and. But you.
00:00:31:09 - 00:00:32:15
MUSIC INTRO
Really only have to remember I.
00:00:32:15 - 00:00:54:22
DINO
Took. Hey, welcome to Los Angeles. Welcome to The Signal. News, information and analysis. I'm your host, Dino. And, yeah, this week we're going to jump right in because what a week it has been, what, a week? And has been on every front. Now here on the signal, as you all know, were about the news, the information and analysis.
00:00:54:22 - 00:01:23:04
DINO
And since late last year, we started our special series on politics, Tacos and beer. Our series within the program that takes a look at all things, political, particularly at the state level. Sometimes we do touch the federal and international and certainly at the local, and it's our opportunity to bring in, elected officials, candidates and other stakeholders who are part of this infrastructure we call democracy.
00:01:23:06 - 00:01:49:12
DINO
And, today and today's episode, we'll be talking to, George Noonan, a candidate for Los Angeles City Council District nine, who will be in studio and is, in fact, arriving soon. We'll also be talking to Loren Colin, who is running, his bid at the congressional seat at the 34th district. But we're first going to start an episode, or an episode, rather a segment.
00:01:49:12 - 00:02:26:14
DINO
Yes. Thank you for the correction. As my producer looks at me, with, local state senator Sasha Rene Perez, who, whose office put out a notice, an advisory, a press release that still has me and that, you know, that sly, that emoji that has the head blowing off? Yeah, man, it's. So as I look at my engineer, Sly, but first, let me tell you, Senator Sasha and Perez represents a district that reflects the lived realities of working families, immigrants, renters and communities facing rising costs and political uncertainty.
00:02:26:16 - 00:02:52:17
DINO
Elected to represent the 25th Senate District in November of 24. The good senator, was born and raised in Alhambra, which is our district and where her family has lived over 50 years now. Get this. She recently introduced and I got to be honest with you, you know, we had the program plan and I saw an advisory from her office, and it was about this topic at this.
00:02:52:19 - 00:03:19:17
DINO
She introduced a project, Senate Bill 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act to protect Californians and utility tax payers against large data centers rapidly expanding across the state. Here's the emoji slide. Here's what made me blow up. California is home to roughly one third of the nation's data centers here in California. I mean, you know, I've never seen one.
00:03:19:17 - 00:03:47:18
DINO
I might have driven by one. Apparently, they're all over the spots, all over the place. And you know, this is some like this astronomical, these large, huge facilities that absorb, consume, suck the very life out of all things environment, electricity, water, among other things. So the senator introduced SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act to protect Californians and utility taxpayers ratepayers.
00:03:47:19 - 00:04:12:21
DINO
As these large data centers rapidly expand across the state. California is home to roughly one third of the nation's data centers and demand is projected to surge in the coming years. And in communities like Monterey Park, who, by the way, are standing up. They recently also had, this topic front and center, and has grown has sparked huge community response.
00:04:12:23 - 00:04:20:10
DINO
Senator Sasha Perez, welcome back to the Signal.
00:04:20:12 - 00:04:39:01
DINO
Okay. We're going to see if we can get her going. So let me talk a little bit more about this as we wait for the senator to get back on online. And, Senator, just feel free to jump in there once you're ready. So again, these data centers, I referenced the issue that was happening down in Monterey Park right now.
00:04:39:01 - 00:05:03:17
DINO
Let's talk a little bit more about the data centers. Data centers negatively impact communities as we understand as a result of this massive amount of energy and water consumption that they use, training local grids and resources and contributing to climate change. While they do sometimes have these backup generators, these massive, generator generators, they to release harmful weapons.
00:05:03:19 - 00:05:42:19
DINO
So let's recap, right, high energy use, water depletion, massive carbon footprint and all of these things, not only from a physical infrastructure perspective. They also lead to this increase in utility rates, high energy demand, strains on local grid, and leading to costly infrastructure upgrades that are oftentimes passed on to the consumers, to the ratepayers. And that is why Senator Peters, authored this, particular piece of legislation, SB 978, the data center Community Accountability Act.
00:05:42:22 - 00:06:09:07
DINO
Do we know if the Senate is back online? Okay, we're still trying to connect with her. We did have her online, a short while ago, but this is this is public radio. This is live radio, ladies and gentlemen. And these things certainly, do happen. So let's continue with this topic. Right. So increase, increase utility rates, high energy demand, strained high energy demand, strained local grids, strain on other resources.
00:06:09:09 - 00:06:46:03
DINO
These data centers require massive amounts of water and power needs, sometimes overwhelming local infrastructure. Now, sometimes these big centers end up with tax breaks that oftentimes fail to provide the promised jobs end up with reduced revenues for schools, which as a result, end up with reduced revenues for schools and other local services that are sometimes negotiated. When these massive, centers go up and places like California.
00:06:46:05 - 00:07:01:07
DINO
So on top of all of the other challenges that that they create, we end up with falling short on promises that are made to the consumers and to the local residents.
00:07:01:09 - 00:07:37:15
DINO
And then there's this issue that's come up, as in the case of Monterey Park. You know, we've seen there's another political causes and issues, and that's the issue of not in my backyard, the Nimby movements. Right. We've seen it on a lot around these issues of, those that are unhoused homelessness issues, when, you know, the city has sought to bring back or create, shelters and other accommodations to help folks who are unhoused, many, many in the community and the relative respective community said, well, you know what?
00:07:37:15 - 00:08:10:20
DINO
Not in my house, not in my yard, not in my backyard. And so that is something that also has begun to, come out as a result of these centers being put in areas like the city of, Monterey Park, which is, again, part of what prompted us to do this, the 1977 Saturn Data Center project, according to our friends over at Abc7, is a proposed 247,000 square foot facility.
00:08:11:00 - 00:08:33:21
DINO
That's massive folks. I mean, that's large. It would replace an existing two story office building located, at 1977 Saturn Street next to La Loma Park, which, the city records. Would demolish.
00:08:33:23 - 00:08:38:15
DINO
As part of the project.
00:08:38:17 - 00:09:09:18
DINO
So on top of all that we're discussing, there is this other real life opportunity or experience that is the potential demolishing of existing infrastructure or the resources there that are available, to our community. The according to the developer, the center would generate more than $5 million in annual tax revenue, and that would include the construction or the reconstruction of a public park.
00:09:09:19 - 00:09:40:12
DINO
But in the city again, this, according to our friends at ABC seven local news opponents warned that the center would place enormous strain on local utilities. Now, that's you know, what's Monterey Park, to Working-Class community here in Southern California. And, you know, communities that certainly would benefit from a lot of different available resources. Would their money come in play?
00:09:40:12 - 00:09:55:16
DINO
Sure. But Monterey Park is over by what is it? The San Gabriel Valley, a part of L.A. County, approximately seven miles, eight, ten miles, east of downtown L.A. and,
00:09:55:18 - 00:10:31:14
DINO
It is not a large city, but having this kind of massive infrastructure would certainly put a strain. This, according to a lot of the local voters there who have been saying or expressing concern, and are now facing a resistance. The developers are the residents are mad. In short, very frustrated and mad. Some community members also raised the concerns that the project, would be pushed without an environmental impact report.
00:10:31:16 - 00:10:58:07
DINO
So this is something that we're going to keep an eye on. This is something that we wanted today to introduce. So it looks like we made up had, a hard time, connecting with the senator. But we'll definitely bring her back when the time is right as we start keeping an eye on this. Because in part, you know, for us at the signal, you know, we we want to cover these issues that are local, right?
00:10:58:07 - 00:11:13:05
DINO
And this is very much a local issue, a local topic, that will be keeping an eye on the, again, the creation of these massive data centers that are springing up all across the state of California. But you really.
00:11:13:05 - 00:11:15:07
MUSIC INTRO
Only have to remember a tour.
00:11:15:09 - 00:11:17:05
DINO
So just stay with us. We'll be right back.
00:11:17:07 - 00:11:20:09
MUSIC INTRO
The the signal.
00:11:20:11 - 00:11:30:06
MUSIC INTRO
Coming with Mighty Dino only on Kpfk, 90.7 FM.
00:11:30:07 - 00:11:40:04
ANNOUNCER
Los Angeles I in the US Gallagher Calipers. I live in Coleman. That same yours.
00:11:40:06 - 00:11:41:17
MUSIC INTRO
Know five years on and.
00:11:41:17 - 00:11:52:00
MUSIC INTRO
I say that again. I'll get inside and let you pull it up outside of la maladie. And like I say, if you say out of them all.
00:11:52:02 - 00:11:55:18
MUSIC INTRO
You. Oh.
00:11:55:20 - 00:12:39:07
DINO
We'll come back to the signal. I'm Dino, your hosts and, thank you. All of you who are tuning in, two Kpfk, Los Angeles 90.7. If we are broadcasting on 98.7 FM. Santa Barbara, 93.7 FM, San Diego and 99.5 FM in Ridgecrest. So yeah, we're going to transition onto our political series, politics, tacos and beer as we start, or we continue to look at some of the political issues that are dominating our news, waves here in the studio at, at the signal, but also across the region.
00:12:39:09 - 00:13:09:19
DINO
You know, this week was a huge week for politics, right? I mean, it seems like these days under the current administration, that tends to be the case regardless. But, you know, we just had a huge announcement come through yesterday, on local level politics, the announcement the current assembly member, excuse me, current city councilwoman Nithya Raman will in fact be running for mayor and is perhaps, well, not perhaps she is going to be.
00:13:09:19 - 00:13:41:10
DINO
I think, a formidable challenge to current Mayor Bass. I can tell you that my, my, signal chat, my WhatsApp chat, all the chats that I have nine out of ten, which I don't even look at, are blowing up about this topic because, you know, this is a time of change, a time of flux. And how will this race play out at the local, city level in L.A relative to the mayor's office?
00:13:41:12 - 00:14:27:18
DINO
Well, we'll soon find out. And then, of course, you know, the, more recent at the federal level, this absolute disgusting, vile and racist posting by the. You know, what I would call, authoritarian, you know, micro mini dictator, President Trump is something that just incredible that it's that even happens, right? I mean, the video depicting the former first lady and former president, Obama, as a caricature.
00:14:27:20 - 00:14:58:04
DINO
And as an ape has just absolutely turned what I hope even the GOP upside down on its head because, look, you cannot stand by there. And the audacity that he's now saying, look, I'm not going to apologize for it simply because I didn't know it was there. And but nonetheless approved requested that it be posted. The very least, apologize for your stupidity of not knowing what you're doing if not for the vile races, racism that you're promoting.
00:14:58:06 - 00:15:33:17
DINO
And with that. With that said, with my little rant over, let's bring in our next guest. Lauren Carlin is actually somebody who would be confronting this kind of, vile racism firsthand, front and center, as he makes his bid for the state House of representative, California, 34th Congressional District. He is a candidate. And in his area, you know, he is he reflects part of that growing frustration among independents and other, you know, candidates who may or may not come with large purses, who are saying, look, I don't care.
00:15:33:17 - 00:15:47:03
DINO
I'm going to do this. I'm going to give it a shot and I'm going to put my issues front and center, because I feel that my issues represent the interests of the community. And with that, Lauren, welcome to The Signal.
00:15:47:05 - 00:15:49:04
LAUREN CARLIN
Thank you. You know, I'm excited to be here.
00:15:49:06 - 00:16:10:23
DINO
Wonderful. So yeah, Lauren, let's let me start off with one of my favorite questions for all candidates. And I ask this of everybody, you know, I always have this moment of, you know, I like to think that for some of you all, you have these moments of, like, absolute clarity, the clouds part, the light comes through. And that light for you said run for Congress.
00:16:10:23 - 00:16:16:05
DINO
Did it happen that way or how did it what motivated you to come into this position?
00:16:16:07 - 00:16:38:11
LAUREN CARLIN
Hold. Does, you know, I had an early start in politics. My very first, campaign was in 1997, helping someone out of the Valley run for the elected City Charter Reform Commission. And it was an interesting time. And then I actually served out of that charter reform. We got three neighborhood councils, and they served on the Silverlake neighborhood Council from 2006 to 2009.
00:16:38:11 - 00:16:55:02
LAUREN CARLIN
And I was the co-chair. And then life happened and assassinated, and I wasn't sure what politics was for me. So I continued my life in, in the professional thing. And then my startup, stopped starting two years ago and was like, what do I want to do? And I've probably wanted to do this honestly, since I was 17 years old.
00:16:55:02 - 00:17:06:08
LAUREN CARLIN
And it just felt like this was the right time in my life. This was the right political climate for independence. And I think people want not just change, systemic change. And that's what I'm able to offer with this race.
00:17:06:10 - 00:17:11:03
DINO
Okay, so you know what? Great.
00:17:11:05 - 00:17:27:03
DINO
Great segway to to this idea of, you know, if elected. What? Now let me go back. Right. What do you feel Washington is misunderstanding about local politics right now and about local communities?
00:17:27:05 - 00:17:55:13
LAUREN CARLIN
I think it's just become two national parties that ultimately have the same donors, Democrats and Republicans respond to the same corporations and the same billionaires. And there's a study out of the University of East Coast. Basically, there's a 0% correlation between what the people want is popular policies and what promise houses. There's 100% pass rate of what donors, billionaire donors and corporations want.
00:17:55:15 - 00:18:13:21
LAUREN CARLIN
And that's the disconnect. And if you are running for a party, if you are Jimmy Gomez and you are part of the Democratic Party, if you're any of my challengers who are 4 or 5 of them are the Democratic Party, you owe your fealty to the party and not to the people of your district. I will only owe everything to the people of California.
00:18:13:21 - 00:18:37:10
LAUREN CARLIN
34 that's what I represent. There's no no, no tax, no corporations, no unions, just the people. And that's why I think, the national parties don't get. Which is why there's 48% of Americans now identify as independents. What they've never had before was an independent to vote for. And I am one of those. And there's 50 of us across the country, and we're all coming together to give people a real option.
00:18:37:12 - 00:18:49:16
DINO
So give it to me. I'm looking as I look at your at your website. Lauren, you know, at its core, you know, you describe the five guarantees. What are they?
00:18:49:18 - 00:19:17:08
LAUREN CARLIN
Yeah. The five guarantees are a living wage. For every worker that allows you to pay for your own home, your own food, your own clothing. Today, that's probably about $25 an hour. And people see what? Small businesses can't afford it, but that's because it goes to the next thing, which is tax funder, a taxpayer funded public health care, copying the systems that they have in Germany and Japan that cost one third less.
00:19:17:10 - 00:19:43:18
LAUREN CARLIN
And deliver the best health care outcomes in the world, not just for health care, but cradle to grave, your health care, your, dental vision, mental health care, long term care, all the things wrapped up. And each person will spend 8% of their income for health care instead of what could be about 25 to 30. And after the ACA is being dismantled, some people are paying 50% of their income for health care.
00:19:43:23 - 00:20:09:08
LAUREN CARLIN
It's disgusting. And I'm here to change that. Additionally, and then also when we do that for universal health care, it's what will actually unleash small businesses. It will allow people to be entrepreneurial. It will make Hollywood competitive again across the world. The third is universal education, right? Education not just for K through 12, but really rethinking what it means that education should be your lifetime.
00:20:09:10 - 00:20:30:04
LAUREN CARLIN
And if you're in your 60s or 70s and you want to go back to school, you should be able to go back to school and everyone's on a different train. And we have to get away from this 1950s, 1960s. Education number four is cutting our defense budget in half. Jimmy Gomez just voted for the 900 billion, which is really $1 trillion for our military that doesn't benefit anyone in California.
00:20:30:04 - 00:21:00:19
LAUREN CARLIN
34 it is time to cut that number to 500 billion and invest it in the American people. And finally, the most important thing, which I think everyone here in California, 34, in Los Angeles feels right now is the freedom to live your life without interference from the government or anyone else. We need to abolish Ice. We need to restore the Fourth Amendment, and we need to make sure that we change our culture so that every single one of us recognizes the dignity that we each have, and that means that we each get to live our life however we want without interference.
00:21:00:21 - 00:21:11:15
LAUREN CARLIN
And honestly, I say real quickly enough is that the job of government is not to protect, society from the individual. The job of government is to protect the individual from society. And that's what I'm going to call.
00:21:11:17 - 00:21:36:17
DINO
And Lauren, so I appreciate the context, especially given the deep political polarization that we're going through. And right now, some would argue indeed I would I even dare say that, those within existing parties, that this is the time to come together under the banner of the party and in your case, as an independent, you know, what's your response to that?
00:21:36:19 - 00:22:06:22
LAUREN CARLIN
This is the most exciting time to be an independent. And there's actually a theory to power of independents here in 2026. I forget, you know, who are you going to caucus with? That's the wrong question. I'm actually working with a group of about 50 independents who are running across the political spectrum. And our goal in 2026 and we will succeed is imagine waking up on November 4th to 210 Democrats and 210 Republicans and 15 real independents from across the political spectrum.
00:22:07:03 - 00:22:28:05
LAUREN CARLIN
That has stopped both parties from a majority. We instantly get the House of Representatives back. No more games. One of two things happens either the hyper partizanship has that effect, and they really are a unit party, and the Democrats and Republicans have to choose a speaker between the two of them. And the Emperor is very naked, or the hyper partizanship is real.
00:22:28:07 - 00:22:48:00
LAUREN CARLIN
And one of these 15 independents will be chosen as speaker. Either way, once we start both parties from a majority, we get our House of Representatives back, starting by making it return to regular order, which it hasn't been since 1994, since Newt Gingrich made it the dictatorship of the speaker. And it didn't matter who the speaker was with an R or D next to their name.
00:22:48:04 - 00:23:14:19
LAUREN CARLIN
For 32 years, the House of Representatives has not worked. And when we elect enough independents, including me, here in California, 34, in 2026, we get our government back. And it's imperative that those people in California, 34 one out of every three voters is registered nonparty or non party preference, and they've never had an option in the 12 year history or 14 year history of nonpartisan open primaries.
00:23:14:19 - 00:23:32:00
LAUREN CARLIN
No one has ever tried to do what I'm doing in California. 34. And there's 45 of us nonpartisan people running in California in 2026. And we're going to be a hot, open primary. And the people have to have the courage to vote that independent mind and vote for that independent candidate. And that's how we'll get our government back.
00:23:32:03 - 00:24:04:09
DINO
You know, Lauren, I got to tell you, man, I I'm really digging your enthusiasm because I think you're right. I think you're absolutely right that there is, I think, something happening in this country. Again, just yesterday hearing the announcement, an EPA Rahman world challenge, mayor Bass, for the, mayorship, is is I think, part of that, you know, as somebody said to me just this morning, you know, riding the wave of independence, riding the wave of of, younger different, new candidates, running for office.
00:24:04:09 - 00:24:26:10
DINO
Indeed. We're going to go right back to, our previous guest, Senator, Ronnie Perez, who herself was recently elected in this part of that younger generation that's looking to create some of these important challenges. Colin, where do our audience get to know more about you? Give it to us. This is the proverbial plug on politics, tacos and beer part of the signal.
00:24:26:12 - 00:24:30:08
DINO
How do people get to know more about you?
00:24:30:10 - 00:24:51:12
LAUREN CARLIN
Well, the easiest way, certainly to go to any handle of law and calling for Congress l o r e n c o l I n for Congress. The website is long time to go underscore them on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram threads. And what is the blue sky? I'm everywhere under at one time.
00:24:51:14 - 00:25:02:13
DINO
That's awesome. Before you leave, Lauren, our series is called politics. Tacos and beer. And everybody I have a theory has a favorite taco, which was yours.
00:25:02:15 - 00:25:05:19
LAUREN CARLIN
Well, our pastor had pastor.
00:25:05:21 - 00:25:17:15
DINO
That's Lauren Colin running for Congress at the. And the third or fourth district. Lauren, I love your enthusiasm, brother. We will have you back, in the coming months. Thanks for joining us.
00:25:17:17 - 00:25:19:16
LAUREN CARLIN
I appreciate you, you know, have a great day. Thank you.
00:25:19:18 - 00:25:42:16
DINO
Great. Wonderful. Thanks. Yeah. Listen, this is live radio, and, you know, we, we started the show with this topic that I refuse to let go because it is something, as I said, early on, is, Yeah, it's the emoji. Right? Slide that I was telling you, my head blowing off when I read this.
00:25:42:18 - 00:26:06:18
DINO
So let me reintroduce, my next guest, Sasha. Senator Sasha Perez represents the district that reflects that live reality of work and the live realities of working families, immigrants, renters and communities facing rising costs. Her office, she represents the 25th Senate district here in California, was elected in 2024, has made and she's been on our show before.
00:26:06:20 - 00:26:33:23
DINO
Some of the politics that she's put forward by way of our legislation has sought to really, change the way California state politics are working. Senate Bill 978, the data centric Community Accountability Act to protect California and utility ratepayers as large data centers rapidly expand across the state, roughly one third of the nation's data centers are here in California.
00:26:34:00 - 00:26:41:08
DINO
That's the emoji head explosion that I'm in. And that's that is Senator, welcome back to the signal.
00:26:41:10 - 00:26:46:02
LAUREN CARLIN
Yes. No, thank you for having me here and having me on again.
00:26:46:04 - 00:27:10:11
DINO
So yeah, Senator, talk us through it. I've talked a little bit about this topic. I understand that, you know, California hosts about one third of the nation's data center. I had no idea. And, you know, why is that a topic of importance right now? Why regulating these data centers has become a top priority for you?
00:27:10:13 - 00:27:40:04
LAUREN CARLIN
You know, I think what we've seen over the last several months really is like a rise in data centers throughout California. And I've heard from people in my district currently, you know, Monterey Park has been discussing, the that building of a data center that would be one of the largest that we've seen in Los Angeles County. And frankly, the community had a very significant response to it, which I am not surprised by.
00:27:40:06 - 00:28:06:18
LAUREN CARLIN
You see, people all over the country asking questions about energy usage, asking questions about electricity rates, because, frankly, we've seen some really horrific examples of data centers driving up costs for consumers in the area. Electricity costs. We've seen environmental damage and pollution caused by data centers. And so people have a lot of real concerns that are very valid.
00:28:06:20 - 00:28:15:04
LAUREN CARLIN
And frankly, those questions have gone unanswered because these infrastructure are relatively new and there's not a lot of research in this area.
00:28:15:06 - 00:28:33:13
DINO
Now, you mentioned this idea that, that these, hyperscale, you know, centers oftentimes will lead to what your bill calls cost shifting. Tell us a little bit more about what that means and why is that important to consumers?
00:28:33:15 - 00:28:59:15
LAUREN CARLIN
Well, what what we've seen happen in other places throughout the country is that when these data centers are being built, oftentimes they require so much electricity, but rather than the data center building enough infrastructure to handle that electricity load and to make sure that they are fully covering the cost of that electricity, they place it on to surrounding consumers in the region.
00:28:59:15 - 00:29:29:00
LAUREN CARLIN
And so consumers will then see their electricity rates go up at an alarming rate. In other cases, when these data centers need to build new infrastructure, they will not cover the cost of the new infrastructure build and instead place that cost onto consumers. Both of those situations are simply unacceptable. And so what our bill is doing is saying, if you are going to build a data center, you need to cover the full cost of new equipment that needs to be built.
00:29:29:02 - 00:29:37:05
LAUREN CARLIN
You need to be taking on the full cost of that electricity load, and you cannot be placing that cost onto consumers.
00:29:37:07 - 00:29:51:13
DINO
So this is what your bill describes as paying for upfront of the, transmission upgrades. In other words, you're going to come in here, you're going to do this, it's going to cost you not just right now, but thinking forward, moving forward. Is that is that is that the idea there?
00:29:51:15 - 00:30:00:21
LAUREN CARLIN
Yes, absolutely. It's to make sure that they are permanently taking care of that cost so that consumers are not seeing their electricity rates rise.
00:30:00:23 - 00:30:16:18
DINO
Now, your part of your bill also is looking to actually get some good research out of this, right? As I understand it, directs the California energy Commission to assess how the data centers affect our climate long term. Tell us more about that.
00:30:16:20 - 00:30:39:04
LAUREN CARLIN
Yeah. So, you know, the state has set out some really ambitious climate goals, right, for us to have, be carbon neutral in the next several years. But data centers are being built at such an alarming rate. We're not just seeing them here in Southern California. We're seeing proposals for them to be built all over the state in the Central Valley, you know, up in the Bay area.
00:30:39:09 - 00:31:04:04
LAUREN CARLIN
And so we really need for the California Energy Commission to assess the impact that these centers are going to have on our overall climate goals. And I think for me, that's what's most important is for us to be assessing the potential environmental impact of these new types of infrastructure and for us to gather that research, because, simply put, there is not a lot of research on this topic.
00:31:04:06 - 00:31:33:16
LAUREN CARLIN
Data centers have existed for many decades, but the rapid rate of which we've seen them grow is due to artificial intelligence, AI, and new AI systems that are now requiring new data loads. And so that's why we've seen this rapid expansion. So we really need to put our foot on the brake, do an assessment so that we can have a long term strategy to understand the impacts of this type of infrastructure.
00:31:33:17 - 00:31:51:14
DINO
And, Senator, as I, as I, if I can have you for one more quick question, I understand that because you touched on on, the important health impacts. Right. And I understand that a lot of these centers sometimes use, still old school diesel backups. Is that accurate? Is that.
00:31:51:16 - 00:31:53:19
MUSIC INTRO
Wow.
00:31:53:21 - 00:32:18:12
LAUREN CARLIN
Yeah, that is accurate. There's, typically these systems have backup diesel generation. In the case that you know, power goes out, right. They require so much electricity, you know, and in some cases, you know, 40 to 50 times the electricity that, commercial building of the similar size would be using. Just to give you a sense of how much energy these systems are using.
00:32:18:13 - 00:32:43:21
LAUREN CARLIN
So if power goes out in order to continue running, they typically build back up diesel generation into the system. But we know that the burning of diesel fuel leads to more pollution and causes more asthma rates, particularly in black and brown communities. There is a direct tie to some of the environmental pollution that we've seen from the burning of diesel and other chronic illnesses.
00:32:43:21 - 00:33:02:06
LAUREN CARLIN
And so, you know, we're saying that these systems need to have a cleaner fuel that they can rely on having backup diesel generation is not okay. It is one of the most, concerning, I think uses the fuel that folks have. These systems are being built, and it's something that my constituents have raised to me.
00:33:02:08 - 00:33:31:23
DINO
Well, this is, something that we're going to keep an eye on. Senator, I appreciate you making the time. I know that sometimes, you know, when doing live radio, our schedules, tend to shift, and. But we appreciate it very much. My guest has been state senator Sasha. An appearance from the Senate District 25. Who is, sharing with their, with us the very, her recently introduced legislation, SB 978, the data center, Community Accountability Act, something we'll be keeping an eye on.
00:33:32:01 - 00:33:36:09
DINO
Senator, Renee Peters, thank you for being with us.
00:33:36:11 - 00:33:38:11
LAUREN CARLIN
Yeah. Thank you so much for having me.
00:33:38:13 - 00:33:39:23
DINO
Great. Stay with.
00:33:39:23 - 00:33:48:20
JORGE NUÑO
Us. We'll be right back.
00:33:48:22 - 00:34:18:17
MUSIC INTRO
From the Watts uprising to the present day, Kpfk has been at the heartbeat of the struggle. And Los Angeles. This February 2026, we mark a monumental milestone the centennial of Black History Month. 100 years ago, Carter G. Woodson gave us a week to honor our past. Today, we celebrate a century of reclaiming our narrative. As we celebrate the centennial, we remember that black history is not a sidebar.
00:34:18:19 - 00:34:40:20
MUSIC INTRO
It is the foundation of the American story. You're invited to join us throughout February as we honor 100 years of truth telling. I'm Stanley Clark, and this is Kpfk, 90.7 FM Los Angeles.
00:34:40:22 - 00:35:11:02
DINO
Welcome back to The Signal. I'm your host, Dino. So yeah, the series continues, right. Today we're we're jumping back into our regular political series, politics, Tacos and Beer, where we bring in local elected officials. You just heard from state Senator Ronnie Perez? You know, one of the candidates running for. What is that? See, the night is.
00:35:11:04 - 00:35:36:13
DINO
What is it not Council district. Lauren. Colin running for Congress. California, 34th district. You know, after a while, it all becomes a blur, as you can imagine, right? I mean, between, you know, the many different races and what have you, but. Okay, you know, I think right now we're going into a stability mode, right? Slide. Because we have in-studio our third guest for the afternoon.
00:35:36:15 - 00:36:04:13
DINO
And somebody who's a staple here in the L.A. community has been a long standing community activist, advocate, entrepreneur, businessman, somebody that I've had the chance to run across over the years and never in the journalistic capacity, but just through community. When I welcome my next guest, Jorge Nuno, who has, launched the campaign, an ambitious campaign that's attracting a lot of attention to Council District nine.
00:36:04:15 - 00:36:10:02
DINO
That's city Council District nine, here in Los Angeles. Welcome to the signal. Yeah.
00:36:10:04 - 00:36:11:21
JORGE NUÑO
Thank you, thank you, thank you for having me.
00:36:11:21 - 00:36:19:15
DINO
So. Yeah. Hey, listen, man, news coming out of the city, I mean, it's hot. Yeah, it's just in the last 24 hours, it got hotter.
00:36:19:20 - 00:36:29:01
JORGE NUÑO
Yeah, yeah, I was I was there this morning picking up my petitions and, saw the announcement for the mayor to, Yeah. So you could see all the, the last minute surprises.
00:36:29:01 - 00:37:04:04
DINO
The last minute surprises. In fact, I had written, like, an analysis for some of my regular day work, where I sometimes do some policy analysis and stuff like that. And I think it was on Wednesday, I was, you know, indicating. Well, you know, there's some hint here or some hint there, but we might hear a word from over here and boom, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, there comes this big news, as I already said, earlier, Councilwoman, if you Ramon has in fact, filed to be a candidate for mayor in the city of Los Angeles, bringing forward the biggest challenge or perhaps, maybe the only.
00:37:04:06 - 00:37:22:15
DINO
I'm not going to say the only, because as somebody who strongly advocates that we give opportunities for anybody who wants to have that kind of a challenge in their life to run for office, everybody should be heard. And that's something that we pride ourselves here. On the signal, having invited all candidates and bringing in big and small.
00:37:22:15 - 00:37:37:16
DINO
So, but yeah, a challenge nonetheless for Mayor Bass, who now has a formidable, candidate against her. Now, with that said, we're here to talk about your candidacy. Council District nine. Tell us about it.
00:37:37:18 - 00:37:58:01
JORGE NUÑO
Well, you know, I'm born and raised in South Central district nine has always been my home. You know, my parents, got their the 1917, 1970 from Mexico. And they were both like 18, 19 years old. I'm 49, 49 years old now. And then my oldest son is 18, so I seen it all from three different generations.
00:37:58:01 - 00:38:19:10
JORGE NUÑO
Right. The experience my parents had, you know, being immigrant parents in the 70s and 80s and, you know, being entrepreneurs themselves. You know, my mom was, a child care provider in, in South L.A., and then my dad was a gardener. So, you know, I always got that kind of lens of seeing two parents, one working with people doing their business.
00:38:19:10 - 00:38:39:13
JORGE NUÑO
But in the, in, you know, in landscaping. So, yeah, bringing me now today, seeing everything and seeing the conditions of our community, you know, if you ever go down Figueroa, you go down at Avalon's and Pedro. It looks like third world countries, right? And, you know, having seen this as a young person, you like white things change.
00:38:39:13 - 00:38:54:23
JORGE NUÑO
You know, and I think that by live experiences, you know, you know, raising my kids, they're starting my business in my own community. That raised me, just gave me perspective. You know, 20 years ago when I, opened the big house, that's kind of.
00:38:54:23 - 00:39:16:10
DINO
Tell us about the big house. Big houses. By the way, for those of you who don't know, and you can learn more about it online and, very different sources. It's just incredible facility, literally a really big a house, in the middle of South Central that I actually went there years ago, for a community event and subsequently went back for a variety of different topics.
00:39:16:16 - 00:39:18:11
DINO
But tell us about the big House. Yeah.
00:39:18:11 - 00:39:36:17
JORGE NUÑO
You know, I 20 years ago I bought this house and I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it at the time. I was running my boutique design company for my living room, and so I bought this property and I'm like, you know, I don't know what I'm going to do with this. I'm thinking maybe, study housing.
00:39:36:17 - 00:39:52:23
JORGE NUÑO
And this is before I became radicalized. Right? I was just a young professional being and, you know, a graphic designer and starting my own little business on my den. And when I had this big house, you know, remodeling it, you know, doing restoration. And then one of my clients told the yard, hey, why don't you make this your office?
00:39:53:01 - 00:40:09:04
JORGE NUÑO
And at the time, I was looking for office space, you know, and I was looking at a very traditionally like. And then we get a loft in downtown. You know, downtown was booming and, you know, it was so expensive. Then I got this, and I had this big house. So, you know what? Let me think about that. You know, this is my community's coming.
00:40:09:04 - 00:40:20:09
JORGE NUÑO
I grew up in, but I think I was worried about I being pigeonholed as an urban agency because it's in South Central Asia. And I was doing, you know, film and television, you know, posters and advertising, no movie, you know, just movie stuff. So which is part.
00:40:20:09 - 00:40:20:20
DINO
Of your day.
00:40:20:20 - 00:40:21:11
MUSIC INTRO
Game? Yeah.
00:40:21:12 - 00:40:40:19
JORGE NUÑO
Your business. Yeah. My creative, you know, I had a creative agency, so I didn't want I had this it was so it was like almost trauma of like, do I want to be labeled as an urban agency? You want to be mainstream? But then I thought about USC, right? USC is in the hood, too. And I'm like, well, if USC could be here and be a, global institution, like, why can't I be at the big house, right?
00:40:40:21 - 00:41:00:20
JORGE NUÑO
And which is a changing the, the framing of how I saw myself. And from there, you know, 20 years, I remember looking out the window from, from my office and seeing kids having struggling. You know, skateboarding on the street because the street was so it had potholes, cracks. It was really bad. Like you need had to drive in the middle of the street to at least have some decent, you know, well hidden potholes.
00:41:00:20 - 00:41:18:16
JORGE NUÑO
Right. And when I saw that, I said, you know what? I went outside, I talked to the kids, kind of like, hey, you know, what do you guys need in? And then I heard something like, you know, we didn't some some space. So then I had my big driveway, I might the big houses and two city lights so that that, that Christmas surprise them with a, skate park.
00:41:18:18 - 00:41:43:21
JORGE NUÑO
So I put the skate park in the back and the kids, they started playing there. From there, I started just talking to them and what they mean. I opened my doors for them to have a space to study free Wi-Fi and and just from there, I started just asking questions. I remember, reaching out to one of my mentors, Tim Watkins and Cassie and he was the first person that I knew that was involved in, you know, in nonprofit work and just community work.
00:41:43:21 - 00:42:03:04
JORGE NUÑO
And, and I reached out to him and said, hey, you know, I just opened my office here in South Central, and, I wanted to do more. And he just said, you know what? Just start introducing yourself to the community, introduce to to neighborhood council, to the CPAp, to the council member. And with that, I started going to the meetings in Lamda.
00:42:03:04 - 00:42:22:03
JORGE NUÑO
Hey. And I got this place you guys whenever me feel free to have a huge, tiny living room space, you know. And with that, it started meeting all these incredible people that are really about that life, you know. Right. And from there, it just it just started changing, you know, like really looking at my, my way of doing business and you start kind of adopting.
00:42:22:03 - 00:42:27:00
JORGE NUÑO
It's kind of like a social entrepreneurship mentality where you want to do things with impact.
00:42:27:02 - 00:42:46:10
DINO
Sure, sure. Now, you know, I've always I always like to ask this question to all my guests, especially those that are running for office. You know that the clouds part light beam came through and say, you know, the little sound plays in the background and it says, George, go run for office. Go run for me. You know, for the council.
00:42:46:12 - 00:43:06:00
DINO
Tell us about that moment and why? Because I like to, you know, I remind folks all the time, politicians are people, too. Yeah, yeah. You know, we are living in such a challenging political climate right now that sometimes people are turned off and we need to turn them back on to why this matters. Why did it matter so much to you to run for office?
00:43:06:04 - 00:43:28:07
JORGE NUÑO
You know the simple answer to that, so that I care. You know, it's very personal, considering that I see, I look, I look closely as I've got involved the last 20 years of the political landscape, the bad policy, the, the divestments and just everything that has gotten where we are today. I was, you know, highest poverty rate in the city.
00:43:28:09 - 00:43:45:08
JORGE NUÑO
And, which I got to do something about it. And there's always something discouraging to not want to run. Right. Like right now, the last year, the last thing I was is I'm not running. This is. I'm just. I'm so tired of it. You know, Trump got elected. I was just so discouraged. But I kept looking at my community.
00:43:45:08 - 00:44:00:21
JORGE NUÑO
It's like, man, we need support on the local level. Like I understand the national level, but locally we need to get involved. And like, you know, I went eight years ago and I'm like, I didn't know what I was getting my seven, seven, two. No, I mean, like I didn't realize how many people had so much interest in it.
00:44:00:21 - 00:44:21:11
JORGE NUÑO
Right. Who your friends or who not your friends, who you thought they were friends, you know. But with that experience, prepare me to this moment because I'm coming in very season. Understanding balance. I'm not really in a good place, you know, for my family. My kids are 16, 17, 18 years, a 17, 18 years old. I have a beautiful fiance.
00:44:21:13 - 00:44:36:03
JORGE NUÑO
And and I just I'm in a good place where like we're going to do going to do it now it's an open seat. It's going to be the first time a Latino represents this district for the first time in over 40, 50 years. And, I just felt it felt right. You know.
00:44:36:05 - 00:45:08:03
DINO
What? I one of the things that I've heard over the years and I've been covering politics for, gosh, 20 plus years, there are those out there who say, well, you know, if you really want to make your way in politics, you should start at a local board or a water board. Give this community college something. I've heard that many times, especially among some, some of the consultant circles and others, and you're here saying, look, I'm jumping into the belly of the beast itself, right?
00:45:08:03 - 00:45:20:06
DINO
One of the most important council districts would like to relative to communities of color. Right. Black and brown in particular. What do you say to those critics who say, maybe you should have started here in a smaller office?
00:45:20:06 - 00:45:55:11
JORGE NUÑO
You know, that's all gatekeeping man mindset, you know, and I'm well aware of it. You know, I'm very hyper aware. And I listen to the consulting class every wants you to wait. I'm like, I'm this is my community to wait. But I'm not naive. You know, the big house. What I've learned, having started my business in my own community, being an entrepreneurial small business, having team grants, we got we got a $1.3 million grant to get social entrepreneurship to young people in high school, oh 18 to 24 throughout the districts.
00:45:55:12 - 00:46:17:02
JORGE NUÑO
I've I've also my experience just not business, but it's also community work. So I understand how to collaborate and bring partners together and coalition building. You know, I've had message people meet at the big house for the first time when they first initiate everything with Isaac, Brian, everybody. So I've always been around the space. I've always I was a councilman, the unofficial council member.
00:46:17:02 - 00:46:17:07
JORGE NUÑO
Right.
00:46:17:07 - 00:46:18:02
DINO
So you got to.
00:46:18:02 - 00:46:37:01
JORGE NUÑO
Practice that role. You got to know what does that look like? What's your leadership style? That's really what matters. And I think this community in South Central right now needs action. Not speeches, not concepts. And I think a lot of my ideas have been acted on, have been executed, has I've done it. And I'm a doer, right?
00:46:37:01 - 00:47:02:02
JORGE NUÑO
I'm in the service business being from marketing and creative agency, people give you ideas and your job is to execute in something tangible. And I apply that to everything I've done. So that gives me the weight, right? Right. If people want to, you know, make the compacting of the 20 years being in the community, engage the community, you know, you know, I dress like Santa every year and I just celebrate my 19th year, you know, 600 kids show up every, every year, right?
00:47:02:02 - 00:47:08:23
JORGE NUÑO
So imagine that's 19 years. I mean, that's there was a one year old right now is currently could be 18, could vote for me. Wow. So think about.
00:47:08:23 - 00:47:30:07
DINO
That. I know that's an interesting way. Yeah. Yeah. No that's so give us the platform. Right I mean we you just heard our previous guest, you know, has a five point plan. People like to have the, you know, priorities. You know, whether you call it the plan, the priority, the platform. Why why should L.A. voters in your district look at you.
00:47:30:10 - 00:47:55:01
JORGE NUÑO
Look at my. I adopted this, and I don't even see it's a slogan to me as a state of mind from Ted Watkins. Okay, post, what's civil unrest in 1965? I believe. Don't move. Improve. And that hit home because everything I've done is that mindset. You know, we want to, you know, invest local to local.
00:47:55:03 - 00:48:18:01
JORGE NUÑO
Like my focus is clean, safe, walkable streets. I've been doorknocking since June of last year. I'm the only candidate has been doorknocking and talking to people, and, that's what I hear. People want these streets clean. And I'm a son of a gardener, man. I love my clean streets. Love I clean yard, you understand? And that's why I'm out there every week and clean streets.
00:48:18:01 - 00:48:49:16
JORGE NUÑO
You know, I could go on my my social services, clean up streets, getting the wheat whacker, getting the. And to me, clean, safe streets, economic development. I'd put my, my economic platform online and again I'm a business person. I got the I got the mindset having, been in this community and starting my business here and looking at opportunities, I pay well, attention when the market is, and this a lot of young people right now looking to start their business, they're starting their cafe.
00:48:49:17 - 00:49:05:13
JORGE NUÑO
They're doing even run clubs with a brand. Young people have a lot of energy, and a lot of people are rethinking moving out the hood, because you really can't go anywhere now that wants to build the model there, right. Let's get out the hood. But for me, it's like, I didn't listen to that. I stayed here, I grew here.
00:49:05:15 - 00:49:29:07
JORGE NUÑO
So for me, economic development clean our streets. Affordability. And when I think affordability as far as housing, I think let's meet everyone where they're at. If it's, extreme affordable housing, affordable housing, or for a time, buyers, homeowner buyers. Like, what are we doing to empower them? You know, you know, I'm really excited if we get banking with the city because then let's let's get in the housing game, right?
00:49:29:09 - 00:49:46:04
JORGE NUÑO
You know, we're we're just waiting for the private sector to do the thing. They they have no interest of building more housing because it's only impact. The cost of, of housing isn't go down. They don't want more volume. I mean, Trump said it, man. We can't make housing more, cheaper. We wanted more housing, real estate. Right.
00:49:46:06 - 00:50:06:03
JORGE NUÑO
So the priority is like, we really need to focus on affordability. And I think we all hearing it across, you know, the city and the country. Affordability is a number one issue. But in South Central people want their streets clean. They want their service. 311 lights are off for eight months. Right. You know, basic stuff. We just need some basic stuff.
00:50:06:05 - 00:50:39:07
DINO
My guest is, Hawkins Council District nine candidate for Los Angeles City Council. Hawkins. This particular district, particular office. You know, recent years has been riddled with controversy after controversy after controversy. Indeed, I believe was the beginning of this past week. We got an update that, the, charges against the, standing council member firm, price, are going to move forward.
00:50:39:09 - 00:51:01:18
DINO
And he's looking at some serious charges. Yes. Controversy of the controversy. If we think back a few years, there was other, controversies, around Lee Daddy-O and all these other things that we won't get into because this is about you right now. But how do you see yourself elected, restoring the credibility of that seat to that office?
00:51:01:18 - 00:51:23:14
JORGE NUÑO
I think it's a accountability. You know, when I think of getting elected, I'm thinking of going into the city to hold them accountable for us. I don't see myself being a councilman defending the city like we got. We've been we got to advocate for our own community. Right. And someone like Kern for the last 12 years, it's just been politics and businesses.
00:51:23:14 - 00:51:52:16
JORGE NUÑO
Right. And, and I think it's it's frustrating, disheartening because we deserve better. Right. But the political machine is always working against, you know, native leadership. And I think we've been overlooked for so long that now even folks are throwing in their own the establishment, you know, bringing in their own people, you know, so I think, it's it's it's it's it's really disappointing.
00:51:52:16 - 00:52:13:23
JORGE NUÑO
But I think we're hitting a different era with these young folks now, and people are not looking for the looking for action. They're looking for authenticity. They're looking for someone that's really going to get things done. And that's what I want to bring to City Hall. Transparency and really care about our our district, like really focus on us.
00:52:13:23 - 00:52:21:09
JORGE NUÑO
We got a lot of talent. We got a lot of energy. We just got to bring someone that could just bring people together and really galvanize all that.
00:52:21:11 - 00:52:49:23
DINO
Now you, And your bid for City Hall, You're seen as a non party candidate. You made reference to some of the other folks that are running. Indeed, I think we did have, one of the candidates here. I think, maybe late last year. Was it you guys? It's like around November, December, we had our Civil Guard, who I believe is one of the ones running.
00:52:50:01 - 00:53:27:23
DINO
Now, he comes from that traditional political establishment. But some would argue he has experience. Good or bad, we won't. You know, I try not to encourage anybody to talk bad about any other candidate. But why does that make you stand, different? I know that you have that entrepreneurship you have. But, you know, any political climate like the one we're in now, some would argue that having a sense of stability, understanding the office, somebody who's been in the game already and I'm not agreeing with this, you know, we've had two dozen elected of, candidates running for office in the last three months.
00:53:27:23 - 00:53:47:15
DINO
I think 3 or 4 months, sometimes 2 or 3 per office, a person per episode. Excuse me on some would say, yeah, this is what we need. But on the other hand, the flip side, you know, many said about that when if you Raymond first ran and this is Hernandez and others and look at them now. Right.
00:53:47:15 - 00:53:54:14
DINO
Yeah. They're, they're shining in their own red spaces. No one in. Do you see yourself in that? You know.
00:53:54:19 - 00:54:18:08
JORGE NUÑO
I think people are looking for something, not a politician. You know, who they got this, you know, part of that same machine, like we discuss, I mean, and he's following his bosses. He also got fined recently for not scolding when he's making while working for the office, you know, so he's already like, that's shows that kind of pedigree, right.
00:54:18:10 - 00:54:30:11
JORGE NUÑO
And for me, our community is looking for leadership and navigating City Hall. Obviously, whoever I hire for my chief staff is going to do a great job on that part.
00:54:30:11 - 00:54:30:23
DINO
Right? Right.
00:54:30:23 - 00:54:59:09
JORGE NUÑO
Right, right. So this this is that's I think that people know this and I think people more something just different. And that's why a lot of these counties are getting it wrong, especially the ones that have been here more than ten years. They think it's going to be speeches. They going to think there's going to be, a line with some sort of no, no, no, they want someone that is homegrown, but is seasoned to understand the complexities of decision making, a system changes of having good relationships.
00:54:59:09 - 00:55:19:07
JORGE NUÑO
And I think for me, I have great relations with all the elected officials. You know, I have a guy endorsed by supervisor Holly Mitchell. Was that a big deal? Senator Lena Gonzalez has endorsed me. One of my most important endorsements is Miss White. Loma white. Miss Loma white is the longest standing of an employee at city man.
00:55:19:07 - 00:55:38:13
JORGE NUÑO
She's been working in the same district for 49 years, since 1976. Well, she retired, but a few weeks ago. And say what? I'm coming to your camp and help you. I want you are going to be the next council member. But she's seen all the council members. And for her to say, or, hey, I'm.
00:55:38:13 - 00:55:39:10
DINO
Ready for some change.
00:55:39:10 - 00:55:44:07
JORGE NUÑO
Yes. Our community, you know, she's seen it all. She's seen. She's worked for four different council members.
00:55:44:07 - 00:55:45:02
DINO
Wow.
00:55:45:03 - 00:56:05:23
JORGE NUÑO
And so her coming to me and say, hey. And she calls me councilman every time she talks, she's like, no, man. It's it's you're the you're the guy. But because she knows that I'm home grown, she knows that I'm a black and brown coalition builder and I move with them with that intention. And I think that's I think that's the, the, the feeling I'm getting, you know, dig it.
00:56:05:23 - 00:56:16:04
DINO
So, as we wind down Hawkins, where do folks get to learn more about your campaign? Give us all the website sources, all the good stuff.
00:56:16:04 - 00:56:21:22
JORGE NUÑO
I'm on social. I haven't even put my website up because everyone, everyone gets their news on social, you know? So you want to follow me on Instagram?
00:56:21:22 - 00:56:43:10
DINO
I didn't notice that, by the way. And I got to say, you know, I can think back to a current sitting council member whom I've known for over the years and, at the time when, when, when this person expressed their interest in running for office, I remember having a conversation around how there will be a day where the socials are matter more than the website.
00:56:43:10 - 00:56:51:15
DINO
And and I did notice when we first, decided to reach out to you that. Yeah, we there's no website. Yeah, it's all over the social and I'm in marketing.
00:56:51:15 - 00:57:10:04
JORGE NUÑO
I have 25 years in marketing. So I'm like, this is a social experiment for me. Like, look at me, pull this off without even put a website because people getting their news on social. Yeah. You want to see my platform is there is a medium weather ad. Yeah. Right. You know, so for me is if you could follow me on new new for LA on Instagram or Facebook or TikTok.
00:57:10:06 - 00:57:17:14
JORGE NUÑO
I'm always putting content out there. I'm always posting my ideas. I have my economic development platform on the on a pinned.
00:57:17:16 - 00:57:21:06
DINO
Now that Nuno for the number with the for the number.
00:57:21:08 - 00:57:33:22
JORGE NUÑO
I mean Nuno for it la is on my my handle. So yeah you can find me there. Every weekend I'm cleaning streets and making sure, you know our communities will action.
00:57:34:04 - 00:57:42:14
DINO
Well, and this, this political series within the signal, is called politics tacos. And beer. What's your favorite political topic?
00:57:42:14 - 00:57:47:09
JORGE NUÑO
Or my favorite political topic? Yeah.
00:57:47:11 - 00:57:49:19
DINO
Pick one. If you were to pick one. What is it?
00:57:49:21 - 00:57:51:02
JORGE NUÑO
Political topic.
00:57:51:05 - 00:57:55:02
DINO
Is it, community politics? Is it public policy?
00:57:55:03 - 00:57:58:16
JORGE NUÑO
Is it's community and public policy.
00:57:58:18 - 00:58:02:00
DINO
And what is your, favorite taco?
00:58:02:02 - 00:58:03:00
JORGE NUÑO
Tacos la cabeza.
00:58:03:00 - 00:58:05:10
DINO
They call it. Okay. You know? Yeah, I can dig that.
00:58:05:12 - 00:58:09:10
JORGE NUÑO
It has three stars. What is it about?
00:58:09:12 - 00:58:11:23
DINO
Politics, tacos and beer. What's your favorite beer?
00:58:12:01 - 00:58:17:06
JORGE NUÑO
Beer? You know, I don't. I stop drinking beer, but if I would do it, I'll be, Victoria.
00:58:17:08 - 00:58:40:06
DINO
Victoria. Well, I want to thank all my guests, Georgia, for joining me live in studio. Senator Sasha, Rene Perez, and, Colin, Lauren, Colin, all of whom are folks that are contributing to the very, this, this experiment we call democracy. And as we close on, I want to remind all of you that, that democracy does not live in the headlines.
00:58:40:06 - 00:59:01:14
DINO
Our campaign slogans, it lives and legislation being written, candidates stepping forward, and then communities choose choosing to stay engaged, and step up to the, game at the signal. Our role is not to tell you what to think, but is to provide information, context, and have you access that information and make the best of it. I'm Denham, this has been the signal.
00:59:01:14 - 00:59:19:09
DINO
News, information, analysis. Stay informed, stay engaged. We'll see you next week. Actually, we start the fun drive, right. Get in tune, folks. We might, be joining you the week after. Well, thanks. Eli rivers. Nala. Barbara. And stay with us. Our homies from the car show take us home.
00:59:19:11 - 00:59:21:14
MUSIC INTRO
It's these.
00:59:21:16 - 00:59:42:12
MUSIC INTRO
They look at me and I do. And get Dennis on the way. Oh, no. My car broke down. This is quite unfortunate. If that old junker in your driveway is a lost cause, get rid of it and help Kpfk out in the process. It's as simple as calling 877 Kpfk.
