Night view of the California state Capitol, where an effort is underway to allow staffers to unionize.(Photo: trekandshoot, via Shutterstock)The clerks, receptionists, and those who get the coffee in the Capitol have historically been “at will” employees – meaning the legislators who employ them can fire them whenever they wish. That may be about to change.
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A pipette drops stem cell research fluid on a special container. (Photo: CI Photos, via Shutterstock) The “bubble babies” saga and a California-financed cure for their life-threatening affliction has hit another snag, more than two years after a British company abandoned the effort. It is a story that involves more than $40 million from California’s stem cell agency, federal regulators, the University of California, the agonizingly slow pace of science and 20 children who have been denied care — not to mention a company called Orchard Therapeutics PLC.
An artist's photo illustration of a RINO -- Republican in Name Only. (Image: Jim Larkin, via Shutterstock)OPINION: Maybe there should be a RINO Party. You know—Republicans in Name Only. A number of Republican individuals are taunted by hard core fellow Republicans for not living up to the perceived standards that make one a Republican nowadays. Nuanced or mixed beliefs are not allowed. If you have a different position on a controversial issue or are willing to talk compromise, you are labeled a RINO — you don’t belong in the party.
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: A Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast, recorded live, Thursday May 26 at CALIFORNIA VOTES, A 2022 Election Preview. This episode explores a proposed Ballot Initiative that would require CalRecycle to adopt regulations reducing plastic waste, including requirements that single-use plastic packaging, containers, and utensils be reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and prohibit polystyrene container use by food vendors.
An illustration of seismic activity coupled with California. (Image: Allexxandar, via Shutterstock)The Northridge earthquake in 1994 killed people and damaged property. That is not all. That disaster also created the California Earthquake Authority, a public entity that oversees earthquake insurance coverage and makes it available to those who want it.
David Quintana speaking at at conference in Sacramento. Photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol WeeklyCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Sacramento lobbyist David Quintana joins us to talk about The Bash – the blowout party formerly known as the Back-to-Session-Bash – that will happen Wednesday, June 29.
Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Oakley speaking at a state Capitol hearing. (Photo: EdSource)California Community Colleges are hanging out the “help wanted” sign, as Chancellor Eloy Oakley steps down from the helm of the country’s largest college system to head an education advocacy group.
The pharmaceutical section of a Costco store in Folsom, Calif. (Photo: Cassiohabib, via Shutterstock)OPINION: When the COVID-19 pandemic again reinforced that California’s communities of color disproportionately bear the burden of public health threats, some California lawmakers made promises about closing gaps in health equity and access. More than two years later, however, many Californians inhabited by its most diverse populations are still struggling to access and afford their health care.
College students performing research in a biology science class. (Photo: Rido, via Shutterstock)OPINION: A daughter of immigrants working hard labor jobs. A first-generation student who suffered the loss of her father and whose mom was laid off. A single mother working to provide for her three children. These are the students our California colleges would have lost and whose futures would have been limited were it not for financial aid.