Beyond the Governor’s Race

Lights, camera, more action needed to save Hollywood

Image by tiero.

by LEAH O’TARROW posted 01.29.2026

Once the global center of film production, California – and Los Angeles in particular – has seen a long steady decline in the number of films and TV shows shot there. The reasons are many, including an ongoing affordability crisis that industry workers say has made it harder to produce film and TV in the place that built the business.

California needs a housing champion

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by MICHAEL TUBBS posted 02.03.2026

OPINION – California has spent too long treating our most pressing challenges as unsolvable. Housing isn’t unsolvable. It requires political courage, creative policy, and a willingness to use every available tool.

Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.

One year after the LA fires, we know what must change

Image by Wirestock.

by ERIC HORNE posted 02.02.2026

OPINION – The past year has made one thing painfully clear: we know what must change to prevent future megafires, and the time to act is now.

Capitol Briefs: Odds, ends and numbers to consider

The California State Capitol building in Sacramento, CA. Image by jsolie

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 01.30.2026

It’s been another busy week around the Capitol, with some of the highest profile activity centered on the horrific events taking place in Minneapolis. But not everything under the Capitol Dome this week was all about ICE.

Brian Green and California Voices

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 01.26.2026

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined today by longtime capitol consultant – now retired – Brian Green, who worked in communications for the Senate Dem Caucus from 2011 until last year. As principal consultant, Green prepared talking points and issue updates, recorded videos, set up press conferences and hosted the “Then There’s California” podcast featuring in-depth interviews with Democratic senators. One year into retirement, he has launched his own podcast, “California Voices, with Brian Green.”

Possible hierarchy of legislative materials for statutory interpretation purposes

3Image by NeoLeo.

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 01.29.2026

After a California judge or justice determines there is ambiguity in a state statute, they will turn to consideration of extrinsic evidence in an effort to ascertain the intent of the Legislature in crafting the statute. What sort of evidence is considered?

For more than one hundred and twenty-five years, California courts have examined evidence