From Hope to the Secretary of State’s office: Dr. Shirley Weber

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 01.27.2025

Rich Ehisen (right) and Tim Foster (left) interview Secretary of State Shirley Weber (middle) for Capitol Weekly's Podcast on January 15th, 2025. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol Weekly

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined today by Dr. Shirley Weber, California’s Secretary of State. Serving as the state’s chief elections officer is a natural fit for Weber, whose family left Arkansas during the Jim Crow era after her father was threatened for agitating in favor of voting rights. The family settled in southern California, where her mother became a longtime poll worker, with the family home often serving as a polling place. Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster spoke with Weber about administrating elections, why it takes so long to get results in some districts, and how to inspire young Californians to care as much about voting as Weber’s family always has.

News

Ballot curing, by the numbers

Image by Darylann Elmi

by BRIAN JOSEPH posted 01.22.2025

Ballot curing has added an entire new layer to the already complex and stressful campaign and elections process, for both candidates and staffers. It will also now be a fact of life any time a race is close.

News

Aguiar-Curry embraces leadership of Legislative Women’s Caucus

Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry. Photo courtesy of the California Assembly Democratic Office

by LISA RENNER posted 01.16.2025

As Assembly Majority Leader, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry guides her party’s legislative strategy, coordinates with committee chairs and helps ensure the efficient progression of bills. As chair of the bipartisan Legislative Women’s Caucus, she helps promote policies and budget priorities that improve the well-being of women, children and families.

Micheli Minute

The Micheli Minute for January 27, 2025

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 01.26.2025

Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.

Opinion

The struggle of incarcerated workers

Image by Toa55

by FANTA NGOM posted 01.27.2025

OPINION – California’s refusal to fairly compensate prison labor is an affront to our most basic principles of human dignity – one that now has direct consequences on hundreds of incarcerated firefighters.

Micheli Files

Using and drafting definitions in California legislation

Image by Jacob Wackerhausen

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 01.24.2025

Definitions can play an important role in legislation. Defining words or phrases is done to provide the reader of the legislative text with clear guidance regarding how those words or phrases are to be understood. Where there are multiple definitions, they are most often found near the beginning of legislative text.

Opinion

California could lead the way on bipartisan prescription drug reform

Image by cosinart

by SALLY C. PIPES posted 01.24.2025

It’s no secret that Americans are frustrated with what they’re paying for prescription drugs. Most people blame drug companies for this state of affairs. But PBMs deserve the lion’s share of the blame.

Podcast

Six Guiding Principles of Governing California – Bob Hertzberg

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 01.20.2025

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Former Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg has served as an advisor to governors and want-to-be-governors for decades. With the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom in 2026 heating up, Hertzberg joined us to share his Six Principles for Governing California.

Capitol Briefs

Capitol Briefs: And so it begins

Capitol and flag, by Karin Hildebrand Lau

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 01.21.2025

Trump 2.0 is already in full swing and California leaders are as well. Budget bills related to the L.A. fires are ready to go, and the Capitol says goodbye to an old friend.