Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol WeeklyNo. 21 Steve O’Mara
Steve O’Mara is another of those quiet folks who just gets things done behind the scenes. Some observers call him a “policy and political smarty pants,” though we doubt that is on his CV. A well-known
Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol Weekly.No. 18 Kim Johnson
Following someone as substantial as Dr. Mark Ghaly as California’s Secretary of Health and Human Services is like being asked to pinch hit for Babe Ruth. It’s hard to find anyone around the Capitol community as
Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol Weekly.No. 6 Dave Sapp
If suing the Trump administration was currency California wouldn’t have a budget deficit. When Gavin Newsom needs legal advice in his efforts to counter The Donald, he turns for guidance to his in-house lawyer, Legal Secretary
Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol WeeklyNo. 1 Nathan Barankin
How could it be anyone else in this position? Being Chief of Staff to the governor is probably the hardest job in California politics, and maybe doubly so for this governor, who is not exactly known
Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol WeeklyNo. 4 Nani Coloretti
Ann Patterson will eventually be out, so we have to turn our focus toward her replacement. Nobody is accusing Coloretti of needing training wheels, but we have traditionally not added folks to this list who are
California Mass Deportation Protest, photo by AP. While redistricting has taken center stage for the moment, when lawmakers return next week they will also have a full package of bills addressing interactions with the federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) to consider forwarding to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Black antique rotary style telephone. Image by montreehanlueSince 1996, California has required select telecommunications companies to offer basic, home telephone service to anyone who asks for it. Lawmakers could take a major step toward changing that when they return to the Capitol on August 18th.
Flag of State of California, image by Arseniy45.Special interests paid lobbying firms more than $89 million to lobby state government in the second quarter of 2025, according to a Capitol Weekly analysis of lobbying firm reports.
Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris speaking at a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by Gage Skidmore.Former Vice President Kamala Harris ended speculation that she would run for governor of California with posts on social media this afternoon.
Attorney General Rob Bonta (Photo: AP/Rich Pedroncelli)News that Attorney General Rob Bonta had ruled in early July that daily fantasy is illegal in California sparked a flurry of one-day stories about the opinion and reactions to it, most notably Gov. Gavin Newsom’s blunt disagreement with the AG. The dynamics of the situation, however, are far more complex and nuanced than those basic narratives.