Podcast

Nathan Click on Comms, the Senate race and ballot measures to watch

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We are joined today by communications expert Nathan Click of Click Strategies. Click serves as a political advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and led communications efforts in the Governor’s successful campaign against the Recall. With last week’s announcement that journalist Bob Salladay would be replacing Anthony York as Gov. Newsom’s Communications Director, we thought it was a great time to ask Click about what the job is like. Click also shared his thoughts on the Senate race, the effect of the early primary, and weighed in on Initiatives that are likely to be on November’s ballot, including a repeal of Prop. 8.

Rising Stars

Rising Stars: Emma Manoukian Chung, Bicker, Castillo, Fairbanks & Spitz Public Affairs

Emma Manoukian Chung, photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol Weekly

If anyone is up for a good challenge, it’s Emma Manoukian Chung. At 23 years old, Manoukian Chung had her sights set on a job at Bicker, Castillo, Fairbanks & Spitz Public Affairs (BCFS). Sure enough, they weren’t hiring. Undeterred, she pitched herself to the team, and before long, she was working on some of

Micheli Files

A look at legislative committee rules

The rules of consent, image by anabaraulia

Each standing committee of the California State Senate (there are 22 of them) and State Assembly (there are 33 of them) operate under the Joint Rules of the Legislature, as well as the Standing Rules of the Senate and Assembly, respectively. Each standing committee may adopt rules governing the operation of their committees. These committee rules set forth the procedures and guidelines that are used to conduct the business of the particular legislative committee.

News

Should Newsom be doing more to protect kids from social media harm?

Image by Eviart

During his time as governor, Gavin Newsom has not been shy about using the gubernatorial bully pulpit to prod lawmakers to take up causes he feels passionately about. Advocates for greater regulation of social media sites like Meta, X, Instagram and Tik Tok hope this is the year he does the same for their cause as well.

Podcast

Paul Mitchell: Changing voter demographics; Plus the Senate Primary

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Veteran California political data expert Paul Mitchell joins us to talk about his recent CA120 column examining shifting behavior by California’s Latino and Asian voters. We also look at California’s confusing Presidential Primary ballot, and the recent Berkeley IGS Poll that found Rep. Barbara Lee in fourth place – behind Republican Steve Garvey – in the race to fill Sen. Feinstein’s seat.

Podcast

Changemaker: Kristina Bas Hamilton

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: As California stares down the largest budget deficit in a decade, lawmakers – most of whom have never governed during a down time – will be facing hard choices. Labor lobbyist Kristina Bas Hamilton remembers the rough days of the Great Recession, and sat down with us to talk about what this go round might be like, and how it will differ from the past.  She also talks with us about her podcast, and her new book, Changemaker: An Insider’s Guide to Getting Sh*t Done at the California Capitol, a How-To guide for working with lawmakers.

Micheli Files

Judicial branch glossary of terms

The judicial branch of government has its own unique language. The purpose of this glossary is to provide a listing of terms and phrases related to the judicial branch of California state government for those who work in and around the State Capitol.

Experts Expound

Experts Expound: Making the Capitol work better

Image by Robert Schlie

We’re down to just a few days left in 2023, which makes it a good time for a bit of reflection…and one final question for the year for our stable of Capitol experts: If you were king for a day, what would you change about the Capitol to make it work more effectively?

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