Image by Adao via ShutterstockANALYSIS: In the California Legislature, there are six possible vote thresholds required for passage of bills in order to enact a statute. We look at each.
The California seal, photo by Cheri Alguire via ShutterstockCapitol Weekly’s analysis found that nearly a third of the money spent on lobbying in the first quarter went to just 14 lobbying firms – the only firms to report receiving more than $1 million each in lobbying payments over the first three months of 2023.
California Governor's sealIn talking with staff from executive branch state agencies and departments the past few weeks, there are some practical tips that were shared with me for those working with the staff members of the Governor’s agencies and departments.
The California state Capitol in Sacramento. (Photo: Karin Hildebrand Lau, via Shutterstock)Practical tips for those working with the staff of the policy and fiscal committees in the California Legislature.
If you’re one of the hundreds of candidates for the Legislature, Congress, or even the pending US Senate race, one data question is hovering over everything you’re planning for the 2024 primary election: what will turnout look like?
Photo by Ray Buse via ShutterstockIn counties like Los Angeles, we see almost no increase in Latino share of votes cast from 2014-2022, and even drops in electoral impact of older Latinos.
Via ShutterstockI was recently reminded by a legal colleague about a state appellate court decision a few years ago and the limits on the Legislature’s power to amend a voter initiative. I think the court’s decision is important guidance to keep in mind as the 2023 Legislative Session gets underway.
One method to help ascertain the legislative intent behind a specified measure is a letter that is published in the Assembly Daily Journal or the Senate Daily Journal by the bill’s author. These letters, for which there are many each year, may be used by the bill’s author to explain an ambiguity in the bill or explain the purpose of particular changes in the law as done by the bill.
A 2019 political rally in San Diego for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. (Photo: John Hancock, via Shutterstock)Watching analyses of this coming election can be a bit like watching a tennis match. The lead in many races – from US Senate contests to local competitive house and legislative districts, has seemingly volleyed back and forth for months. If it all seems less stable than past elections, that’s not just your perception – it really is.
The California state Capitol in Sacramento. (Photo: Karin Hildebrand Lau, via Shutterstock)ANALYSIS: Are there ways to improve the lawmaking process in the California Legislature? I believe there are. I believe the fundamental problem is that there are too many bills each year. There just is not enough bandwidth for all persons involved in the legislative process to sufficiently review and analyze the volume of bills.