Photo by AP. As late as April 2025, the leaders of DraftKings and FanDuel effectively bent the knee to gaming tribes, appearing on stage with one of the tribe’s most outspoken advocates and declaring that sports betting wouldn’t happen in California without the tribes’ cooperation. Oh, how the sands have shifted since then.
Continue Reading
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: In this episode we discuss two very different aspects of family. First up is our conversation with former Sacramento Bee editorial columnist Tom Philp, who joins us to talk about his moving five-part series examining how California’s mental health system is failing the families who need its help the most. Then we are joined by Ken Monroe, chairman of the Family Business Association of California, who highlights some of the challenges and opportunities facing California’s family-owned businesses.
Image by Yuliya Hrelik, via iStock.For the past 14 years California has been experimenting with a version of the Open Primary in which the top two vote getters, irrespective of party, advance to the General Election. In theory, the thinking of voters in these races should be simple. They should be asking themselves “which one is the closest to my views?” and voting for that candidate. But, in practice it’s not that simple.
Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.
Image by SmileStudioAP via iStock.While Sacramento’s elite firms generate enviable revenues in the millions of dollars, they face an underappreciated challenge as moneymaking businesses: finding new clients.
Shelter dog. Image by AwaylGl via iStock.For most animal lovers, their dogs, cats or other four-legged critters are viewed as nothing less than valued members of the family. But in cases where animals instead suffer abuse bad enough to be forcibly removed from the home, they also become evidence that can keep them legally isolated and unavailable for adoption for months or even years. Thanks to a bill recently signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, that won’t be the case for much longer.
Image by Olga Yastremska, iStock Images.While SB 976 specifically addresses addictive feeds and certain engagement features, questions remain about risks arising from the broader architecture of a platform.
The Assembly chamber at the state Capitol in Sacramento. (Photo: Felix Lipov, via Shutterstock)In reviewing some of the bills on Governor Newsom’s Desk after the conclusion of the 2026 California Legislative Session, I have come across a number of examples of bill language that I believe is in need of improvement.
Kelly Calkin, Calkin Public AffairsCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Kelly Calkin heads Calkin Public Affairs, a Sacramento-based firm that advises some of the biggest names in California politics. Calkin has a different background from many of his public affairs colleagues – he cut his teeth working for Labor, first at the California Building and Construction Trades State Council then for the California Professional Firefighters. He launched CPA thirteen years ago, but “refreshed” and expanded the firm in 2025.