Image by Zhanna Hapanovich. AB 1776, otherwise known as the Competition and Opportunity in Markets for a Prosperous, Equitable and Transparent Economy (COMPETE) Act, seeks to expand the scope of California’s antitrust law to include the conduct of a single business to restrain trade.
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Capitol Weekly Editor Rich Ehisen (L) with Randle Communications CEO Jeff Randle. Photo by Tim Foster, Capitol WeeklyCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Jeff Randle has been one of the Capitol community’s go-to political campaign strategists for decades. He has been a top advisor on five gubernatorial campaigns as well as serving as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Pete Wilson from 1991-1998. This year his firm Randle Communications celebrates its 25th anniversary so we figured it was a great time to have him joins us to share his perspectives on this year’s gubernatorial races and perhaps to share a war story or two.
Image by Wallentine. Special interests, or as the California Secretary of State calls them “lobbyist employers,” paid lobbying firms more than $83.5 million to lobby state government in the first quarter of 2025, according to a Capitol Weekly analysis of lobbying firm reports.
Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.
Microphones in focus at business conference, corporate presentation, workshop, coaching training, news conference, company meeting, public or political event. Public speaking concept.OPINION – SB 707 is the most significant update to California’s Brown Act since 1953. Taking effect July 1, 2026, it guarantees the right to participate remotely in city council and county board meetings, a right that briefly flourished during the pandemic before being quietly rolled back.
Businessman hand using digital tablet working with laptop computer and smartphone in coworking space. Urban lifestyle with modern electronic devices. Internet of things and online app conceptsOPINION – For small businesses like mine, success often depends on reaching the right customers at the right time with the right deals. That makes data-informed promotions – like coupons for products left in customers’ online shopping carts, or special deals for customers we’d like to reengage – a critical part of our marketing strategy.
Image by Drazen Zigic. Lawmakers have been talking about making California more affordable for two years now. We asked our panel of experts how they would you grade their efforts so far.
Upset problem child with head in hands sitting on staircase concept for childhood bullying, depression stress or frustrationOPINION – In Sacramento, I recently had the opportunity to exchange learnings from my work on youth mental health issues in Montana with advocates leading the charge in California. At a half day summit hosted by the Coalition the Empower our Future, an organization I help lead, advocates, organizations, policymakers and students came together to help answer the question, “what is driving this complex challenge, and how do we solve it together?”
California State Senate floor session. Photo by Capitol Weekly.Should state contracts or grants be exempt from oversight laws? Our intrepid Chris Micheli weighs in.