Guest

Catherine Reheis-Boyd - President & CEO, Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA)

Guest Bio

Catherine Reheis-Boyd is President and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), representing major petroleum companies in California and the western U.S. With decades of experience, she’s one of the most influential energy advocates in the state, leading policy discussions on refinery closures, energy affordability, and environmental regulation. She has testified before the legislature, served on numerous state commissions, and remains a powerful voice in the push for balanced energy policy that safeguards both the economy and the environment.

Show Summary

Why are California’s gas prices the highest in the country — and what’s really driving refinery closures and rising costs? In this candid conversation, Catherine Reheis-Boyd breaks down the policy decisions and regulatory bottlenecks that have put California’s energy supply — and economy — at risk. From importing crude oil from Iraq and Ecuador to shutting down local pipelines and refineries – Catherine and Jon Slavet explore how political decisions have created a perfect storm of costs, confusion, and bad consequences for consumers. With upwards of 500,000 California jobs on the line, Catherine offers a powerful case for pragmatism, collaboration, and urgent action before it’s too late.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro: Refinery Closures and Job Loss

01:20 – Why Is Gas So Expensive in California?

03:40 – Hidden Taxes and Regulatory Costs

06:05 – Are We Managing in Crisis Mode?

08:10 – Why We Import Oil While Sitting on Reserves

10:30 – Greenhouse Emissions Hypocrisy

12:35 – Politics Over Policy: The Kern County Crude Debate

14:50 – Pipelines at Risk: A Real-Time Infrastructure Problem

16:45 – Can the Industry Meet Environmental Standards?

19:15 – The Real Cost of a Gallon of Gas

21:30 – Workforce Impact and Job Losses in Oil & Gas

23:50 – What a “Just Transition” Really Means

25:00 – What Should Change in 2027?

27:40 – Solutions: CEQA Reform, Collaboration, and Balance

29:25 – Why “Hope is Not a Plan”

31:10 – What Happens if We Don’t Act?

32:30 – Rapid Fire: Hopes, Leadership, and California’s Future

Connect with Catherine:

Twitter: https://x.com/WSPAPrez

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-reheis-boyd-71964411/

Website: https://www.wspa.org/staff/catherine-reheis-boyd/

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

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/

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

Guest: Elizabeth Barcohana - Commentator, Activist & LA County RCC Member

Guest Bio

Elizabeth Barcohana is an attorney, mother of four, and a rising voice in California’s Republican Party. After working at a major law firm while raising her young family in Los Angeles, Elizabeth entered politics during the COVID school closures, driven by frustration over policies that put unions and politics ahead of kids’ education. She currently serves on the LA County Republican Central Committee, is a delegate to the California Republican Party, and a regular contributor on Fox News. Elizabeth’s core passion is voter registration, and her approach connects everyday issues in people’s homes to bigger political forces – making her one of the most influential new voices in California conservative circles.

Show Summary

What will it take for Republicans to actually win in California? In this energizing mini-episode, Elizabeth Barcohana joins Jon to break down how voter registration determines everything from strategy to outcomes for the Republican party in California – and why independents might actually be hurting their own cause. If you’ve wondered whether change is really possible in deep-blue California, this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 – Why School Closures Sparked Elizabeth’s Activism
01:00 – Understanding Voter Registration’s Hidden Power
02:30 – The Data That Drives Political Strategy
04:00 – How Independents Marginalize Themselves
05:00 – Project 460K: A Viral Idea Is Born
06:30 – How a Conversation on X Went Viral
08:00 – Final Thoughts on California’s Future

Connect with Elizabeth

• X: https://x.com/e_barcohana?lang=en
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethfromcalifornia/# #
• Website: https://www.elizabethbarcohana.com

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com