Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.17. Mark Ghaly
As the secretary of Health and Human Services, Mark Ghaly is not only California’s top health officer but also the head of the state’s largest agency. A primary care pediatrician with degrees in biology and biomedical ethics from Brown University, a medical degree from Harvard Medical School and a Master’s Degree from
DNA is injected into a stem cell. (Photo: Spectral-Design, via Shuttertock)The California stem cell agency has just finished pumping $5.3 million into the fight to save the lives of Covid-19 victims. And — in a ballot-box bonus — its efforts are already surfacing in the ballot campaign to rescue the agency from its own demise. The agency is running out of money. It will begin closing its doors this fall without major financial support that it hopes will come from Proposition 14, a $5.5 billion bond measure on the November ballot.
Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly48. Gabriel Petek
Real talk, folks. Gabriel Petek is probably a great guest at a party. We’re sure he’s a fine neighbor. But his role in the goings on of the Capitol, critical as it is, is about as exciting as sitting through one of Gavin Newsom’s podcasts. That said, in all of California history,
Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.9. Catherine Lhamon Catherine Lhamon is Newsom’s legal affairs secretary, but she also holds a major federal position – chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, to which former President Barack Obama appointed her in 2016 to a six-year-term. Legal affairs secretary is a key position in any administration, although the title –
Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.97. Bob Giroux
The lobbying firm of Lang, Hansen, Giroux & Kidane (formerly Lang, Hansen, O’Malley and Miller) is a Sacramento powerhouse (see No. 59). Bob Giroux’s name was added to the shingle a few years back, although he’s been with the firm since January of 2006. Giroux carries with him a deep knowledge
Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.45. Marty Jenkins The person who handles judicial appointments for Gov. Gavin Newsom is Marty Jenkins, who holds a position that is pivotal in any administration – governors come and go but judges tend to stick around long after an administration departs. Jenkins knows judges: He served 12 years as a state appeals court justice
Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.94. Laurel Rosenhall
Laurel Rosenhall first made this list in 2020 when she was covering the Capitol for CalMatters, but not since. That was a mistake, and so would be leaving her off this year’s list. Rosenhall has been one of the Capitol’s best reporters dating back to her start with the Sacramento Bee in
The DMV office in Los Gatos. (Photo: stellamc, via Shutterstock)Digging into it, we can see that California has been experiencing at least one area with a lull in registration. Looking at the voter file and codes from the secretary of state on registration methods, we can see hundreds of thousands fewer DMV registrations than would be expected since the lock down began.
Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.91. Mary Creasman Environmental advocate Mary Creasman has been at the head of the California League of Conservation Voters for almost exactly two years as we go to print. The CLCV was formed in 1972 and is probably best known for its annual Environmental Scorecard, described by the group as “the definitive barometer of environmental
A skateboarder in action. (Photo: Shawn Henry)Shelter-in-place has pushed consumers of varying ages to skateboarding in unprecedented numbers, creating a dramatic increase in participation and sales. Unfortunately, California’s COVID-19 regulations limiting public gatherings have also slowed the manufacturing and distribution of skateboard equipment, causing historic supply disruptions.