California’s struggle to end child marriage

Photo by Murika via iStock.

Beginning in 2018, 17 states — including solidly red Missouri and Oklahoma — have banned the practice of adults to marry an underage person. Yet it wasn’t until the last day of September this year that California, a proud bastion of progressive politics that’s often touted as a national laboratory for forward thinking public policy, became the 18th state to outlaw child marriage.

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Podcast

A conversation with Senate pro Tem Monique Limón

Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón (L) and Dolores Huerta in the state capitol, January 5, 2026. Photo provided by Sen. Limón's office.

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This week we welcome Senator Monique Limón (D- Santa Barbara), the Senate President pro Tempore.  Limón is the first Latina, the first woman of color and the first mother to hold the position. She spoke with us about her tenure so far as leader of the legislature’s upper body, what she expects from the coming year, and about her friend and mentor, the late Dolores Huerta, who passed the day we recorded this interview.

News

Mixed views on state-mandated math assessments

Image by Kenishirotie via iStock.

The success of a 2023 bill that mandated yearly literacy testing for California students in kindergarten through 2nd grades has directly inspired the creation and passage of a new bill that would do the same for early math assessment.

News

Cali Carlisle sits at many intersections

Cali Carlisle. Photo by Dan Morain.

Can Sacramento save a woman who has spent a decade on the streets suffering from mental illness? As the capital of the state that boasts of having the world’s fourth largest economy, Sacramento’s homeless crisis takes on outsized symbolism.

Micheli Files

Commentary on constitutional public utilities provisions

Image by Mehaniq

Today’s piece from lobbyist, author, lawyer and regular Capitol Weekly contributor Chris Micheli offers commentary regarding the specific provisions of Article XII of the California Constitution, which deal with public utilities in this state.

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