AFFORDABILITY: The Cost of Living in California, April 30, 2026

Capitol Weekly and the University of California Student and Policy Center present Affordability: The Cost of Living in California, Thursday, April 30, 2026 – in Sacramento.

Despite years of legislative efforts to stem rising costs, the Golden State has the highest prices in the US for energy and food. What can government do to lower – or even stabilize – prices? Three panels of experts, insiders and elected officials will look at the policy solutions: What’s working and what isn’t?

The Luncheon Keynote will feature Lorena Gonzalez, California Federation of Labor in conversation with Mike Madrid, Senior Fellow at UC Irvine School of Social Ecology. Moderated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly.

Panel 1: Energy Costs

Andrew Campbell, Energy Institute at Haas; Zach Leary, Western States Petroleum Association, Tara Porter, SMUD; One more TBA

Moderated by Chaewon Chung, Sacramento Bee

Podcast of Panel 1 here.

Panel 2: Food Costs

Asm. Rhodesia Ransom; Leticia Garcia, California Retailer’s Association; Steven Fenaroli, California Farm Bureau Federation; James Sayre, UC Davis

Moderated by Levi Sumagaysay, Calmatters

Podcast of Panel 2 here.

Luncheon Keynote

Lorena Gonzalez, California Federation of Labor in conversation with Mike Madrid, Senior Fellow at UC Irvine School of Social Ecology.

Moderated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly.

Podcast of the Keynote here.

Panel 3: Accountability

Sen. Steve Glazer(Retired); Elaine Howle, California State Auditor (Retired);Nick Maduros,Secretary of Government Operations; Lindsay Maple, Possibility Lab

Moderated by Eytan Wallace, KTXL 40

Podcast of Panel 3 here.

Affordability: The Cost of Living in California will be held in person, Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the UC Student and Policy Center, 1115 11th St, Sacramento, CA 95814.

For details on registration, please contact Vanessa Richardson at [email protected]

For details on content, please contact Rich Ehisen at [email protected]

For details on underwriting or sponsorships, please contact Tim Foster at [email protected]

Thanks to our event sponsors!

THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALKIN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, STUTZMAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, RANDLE COMMUNICATIONS and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS