Experts Expound: We Resolve

New Year’s resolutions are a staple for many folks, a way to establish goals for themselves they believe will make their lives better. With that in mind, we posed this question to our panel of Capitol observers:

What one resolution would you suggest to lawmakers for 2025?

“The realization that piling on mandates have real impacts to both costs and the agencies that are already stretched thin with years of previous mandates.”

“Don’t take policy advice on public safety issues from Governor Newsom.”

“Do a poll that ranks the three top issues plaguing voters (probably homelessness, jobs and housing.) Then spend the year on nothing but these 3 issues in order. No “studies” or task forces and no, Governor, no Special Session. Spend the entire session on actually helping cities, counties, and whatever districts that are involved making real things happen for Californians that they can feel and touch. In other words, keep it simple and DO REAL THINGS. Lord knows returning members have had more than enough time to think about real plans. Yeah, ‘take care of the budget too but no extraneous issues that make Legislators feel good but aren’t on the list.

“Focus! Legislative Dems should unveil a jobs/education package of their own (aside from Newsom’s) and make it front and center. Avoid the distraction of culture war.”

“Before enacting education policy changes in 2025 that restrict school choice, lawmakers should offer parents a seat at the policymaking table to ensure their voices are heard. Far too often, decisions in Sacramento are influenced by the interests of teachers’ unions without consulting underserved communities, special needs families, or charter school students who are directly impacted.”

“Let me focus on 2 or 3 bills that further my policy agenda.”

“Listen more, talk less.”

“They should largely ignore Trump and focus on core issues Californians need help on, starting with affordable housing for middle income residents and expanding more affordable insurance options. Voters will respond to that.”

“As lawmakers prepare for 2025, they should consider a ‘One In, Five Out’ approach: For every new regulation imposed on businesses in California, five outdated or redundant regulations should be eliminated. This will reduce unnecessary burdens, encourage innovation, and create a more business-friendly environment while preserving opportunities for workers at all levels.”

“Not every job needs to be a lifelong career. Entry-level jobs are essential—they provide opportunities for growth, skill development, and financial stability.”

“No one needs 35 bills … stop carrying so many bills.”

“In 2025, lawmakers should resolve to take bold action to address the fundamental problem undermining public confidence in government and democracy: the wealth gap. Taxes on the wealthy, Earned Income Tax Credits and food assistance help to narrow the gap. Lawmakers should be asking what else they can do to move California out of the top 8 states in wealth inequality.”

“The resolution I’d set is to stop trying to make failed solutions work.  First on the list: marginal tweaks to permitting policies won’t solve our affordable housing crisis, neither will ‘Affordable Housing.’ We need to let the market produce housing, including on greenfields, if we want to deal with poverty and homelessness. That said, like so many Dry Januarys even if the legislature made this resolution, it would be unlikely to last.”

Our panel of experts: Elizabeth Ashford, Hector Barajas, A.G. Block, Barry Brokaw, Samantha Corbin, Jon Costantino, Richard Costigan, Tim Foster, Rex Frazier, John Howard, Fiona Hutton, Gale Kaufman, Steven Maviglio, Mike MeCey, Paul Mitchell, Barbara O’Connor, Jack Ohman, Kassy Perry, Matt Rexroad, Garry South, Paula Treat, Micah Weinberg, Bill Wong, Daniel Zingale