In California, we are no stranger to higher home insurance premiums, fewer affordable options, and even non-renewals. We’ve had enough. California families shouldn’t have to carry the financial burden of extreme weather impacts. No one should have to choose between protecting their homes and keeping the lights on and putting food on the table.

The Affordable Insurance and Recovery (AIR) Act (SB 982) has been introduced in the California Senate and would help make home insurance more available and affordable for renters, homeowners and small businesses. The AIR Act will provide the California Attorney General with new tools to recover a fair share of the growing costs of extreme weather disasters and redistribute the funds back to hard-working Californians. The bill would advance three key solutions:

● Affordability: Providing relief to consumers from the pass-through costs of extreme weather events.

● Recovery: Securing resources to help homeowners implement wildfire-resilient upgrades like safer roofs and landscaping.

● Market Stabilization: Strengthening the solvency of the California FAIR Plan as it faces record enrollment and protecting taxpayers from rising costs.

Read more about the AIR ACT Here: https://envirovoters.org/insurance-affordability/how-it-works/

#WeNeedToTalk: In Conversation is a space for honest, grounded dialogue about the issues shaping our world and our shared humanity. Each episode features thoughtful guests, candid conversations, and a commitment to clarity, context, and compassion. Together, we dig beneath the headlines to explore what’s really happening, why it matters, and how we can move forward with integrity.

In this episode Malynda chats with Ben Sheehan. He is the PBS Host for CIVICS MADE EASY and Bestselling author of What Does the Constitution say? and What does the Constitution REALLY say?

Follow Ben here: https://substack.com/@bensheehan

The cost of living crisis is getting worse and worse, and it’s not by accident.

#WeNeedToTalk about why everything feels more expensive right now. Utility bills are rising year over year, healthcare costs are spiraling, and recent policy choices — including the “Big Beautiful Bill” — are making things worse by cutting over $1 trillion from Medicaid and stripping away renewable energy incentives that would lower costs for families. Renewables remain the most affordable and fastest-to-deploy energy solution, but incentives are being blocked while fossil fuels receive massive handouts.

In this live conversation, I break down what’s happening through the lens of faith, justice, and shared humanity, because these aren’t just policy issues, they’re dignity issues. And if we care about our neighbors, our communities, and the people most impacted by these rising costs, we have a responsibility to stay informed and hold our elected representatives accountable.

What We Can Do

* Stay informed about how rising utility and healthcare costs are connected to policy decisions.

* Contact your elected representatives and tell them affordability, renewable energy, and healthcare access must be prioritized.

* Support renewable energy expansion, since it is the cheapest and fastest solution to lowering bills long-term.

* Share accurate information with friends, family, and community members to push back against misinformation.

* Advocate for Medicaid protections, especially for children, seniors, disabled individuals, pregnant people, and rural communities.

* Have compassionate conversations in your circles, using data and personal stories, to help others understand the human impact.

* Strengthen community care networks, checking in on neighbors, elders, and vulnerable families who might be struggling.

* Use your faith and values as a guide, grounding your advocacy in love, dignity, and collective responsibility.

* Support local mutual aid or community organizations that help families bridge the gaps created by policy failures.

* Raise awareness online, amplifying justice-centered voices and keeping attention on the communities most impacted.

#WeNeedToTalk is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In Conversation with Dr. Jen Johannsen of Reasoned Reality Project.

In the first conversation of 2026 I chat with Dr. Nola Haynes about what to expect this year, how to be prepared and more!