Lance Hastings: California Manufacturing and the Truth about Tariffs

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 06.16.2025

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined by California Manufacturers and Technology Association head Lance Hastings, who began his career as a capitol staffer and has a long history with California trade associations. Hastings probably thought that the COVID pandemic would be the biggest disruptor of the state’s manufacturing industry in his time, but President Trump’s ‘on again, off again’ tariff policy may give COVID a run for its money. He gave us the lowdown on the state of California’s manufacturing industry, tariffs, and just how long it might take to reshore production.

Micheli Minute

The Micheli Minute, June 16, 2025

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 06.15.2025

Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.

News

Lawmakers budget money to help private foster agencies weather insurance crisis

Image by Raja J.

by BRIAN JOSEPH posted 06.12.2025

In contrast to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget, the Legislature’s budget proposal includes $31.5 million in bridge funding to help California’s private foster care agencies navigate a fast-moving insurance crisis that developed around the time lawmakers were leaving Sacramento last year.

News

Better know a CA gubernatorial candidate: Steve Hilton

Steve Hilton. Image via AP.

by BRIAN JOSEPH posted 06.13.2025

In the fifth installment of our ongoing look at candidates to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom when he terms out next year, we look at Republican candidate Steve Hilton.

Capitol Briefs

Capitol Briefs: Thursday turmoil

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) being physically removed from a a Department of Homeland Security press conference. Image by AP.

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 06.12.2025

It was an intense day in California politics, starting with California’s senior U.S. Senator Alex Padilla being forcibly removed from a Department of Homeland Security press conference in the morning and then U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer agreeing to California’s request for a temporary restraining order to wrestle control of the state National Guard back from President Donald Trump in the late afternoon.

Opinion

As AI and federal cuts threaten jobs, California must invest in workers

Image by PhonlamaiPhoto.

by LISA COUNTRYMAN-QUIROZ posted 06.16.2025

OPINION – With workers facing such unprecedented disruption — on top of the Trump Administration’s proposed $1.6 billion in cuts to Department of Labor funding — it’s imperative that state lawmakers prioritize workforce development funding during final budget negotiations.

Opinion

AB 1043 risks isolating LGBTQ+ youth even further

Image by Pranithan Chorruangsak.

by CARLOS GUTIERREZ posted 06.17.2025

OPINION – AB 1043, a bill presented as an online child safety measure aimed at protecting young people by requiring app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for downloads, will lead to negative impacts for the very same marginalized youth it seeks to protect—especially LGBTQ+ youth.

Micheli Files

The courts’ views on the Legislature’s budget authority

Image by BrianAJackson.

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 06.13.2025

Both the Legislature and the Governor in California play critical roles in the development and adoption of the state budget. Relevant provisions of state law related to the budget process are contained in Article IV of the state Constitution.

CA120

CA120: California Republicans definitively choose Trump over Musk

Donald Trump and Elon Musk

by PAUL MITCHELL posted 06.09.2025

In just 90 minutes last week, the storied bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk imploded in a barrage of X posts, Truth Social rants, and public jabs, shattering their so-called Co-Presidency into a bitter feud.