News
We’re a long way off from the 2026 gubernatorial election, but 14 candidates – nine Democrats and four Republicans – have already kicked their campaigns to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom into high gear. Some are familiar names and faces; others are not. And of course all of them are, like the rest of us, waiting to see if former California Attorney General, U.S. Senator and Vice President Kamala Harris adds her name to the list. While Harris ponders her future, over the next few months Capitol Weekly will take a brief look at how the current candidates shape up.
News
Special interests, or as the California Secretary of State calls them “lobbyist employers,” paid lobbying firms more than $66 million to lobby state government in the first quarter of 2025, according to a Capitol Weekly analysis of lobbying firm reports.
News
An intense dispute between federally- and non-federally recognized California Native American tribes over a bill intended to give tribal governments more control over development that encroaches on their sacred lands has convinced the author to pause the measure.
News
California’s legal cannabis industry has struggled under heavy regulation and taxation while the black market has thrived. In an attempt to turn the tide, Assemblyman Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, has authored legislation to take some of the pressure off of California’s legal cannabis operators.
News
In late March, Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, amended a spot bill, SB 47, to order the State Auditor to conduct an audit of the February 2025 bar exam. The bill would direct the auditor to submit findings “as soon as possible” to the Bar’s board of trustees, the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court and the Senate Judiciary Committee and its Assembly counterpart.
News
It was another busy week around the Capitol with major caucuses unveiling their legislative agendas, some big tax news and…snakes!
News
In the clearest sign yet that tensions are thawing on sports gambling in California, leaders of DraftKings and FanDuel spoke at an Indian gaming conference Monday about their desire to partner – not compete – with tribes to bring sports betting to the state.
News
After suffering a disappointing veto last year, supporters of an effort to transition 3000 seasonal firefighters into an all-year-position are back, hoping that this year will be different.
News
In partnership with Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc., Capitol Weekly has constructed a series of surveys we think offer the Capitol community and beyond a chance to quickly and anonymously share their thoughts on issues that matter to them and which impact their daily work lives. Our first survey dives into a topic that has come to the fore with the massive changes at Twitter/X – where do Capitol insiders get their news?
News
In August, the Nonprofit Insurance Alliance, which insured 90 percent of the 220 private foster agencies in California, announced that it would not renew coverage of the organizations. Now, these agencies are seeking $47 million from the state budget.
Former Senate pro Tem Toni Atkins, photo by AP. 
