Micheli Minute
The Micheli Minute, October 20, 2025
Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.
Micheli Files
Some stats on 2025 gubernatorial bill actions
Image by mohd izzuan. On the last day for bill actions (October 13), California Governor Gavin Newsom finished reviewing the 917 bills that were sent to his Desk during the 2025 Legislative Session, including 913 regular session bills and 4 special session bills. That figure was in the middle in terms of the number of bills he has received during his seven years in office.
News
Proposition 50: The debate recap
The "California Votes: Proposition 50" debate featuring California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks, and Patricia Sinay, moderated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly and Juliet Williams of CalMatters, at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento on Oct. 14, 2025. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMattersAs California voters gear up for a statewide special election on Nov. 4 over the closely watched Proposition 50, Capitol Weekly, CalMatters and the University of California Student and Policy Center hosted a debate, “California Votes: Proposition 50,” on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Podcast
A chat with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma
California State Treasurer Fiona MaCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined today by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. The Treasurer is the state’s banker and manages $3 trillion per year, among many other things. Ma is a former San Francisco Supervisor, state legislator and member of the Board of Equalization, and a current candidate for Lieutenant Governor. She spoke with us about the Treasurer’s job, her path to that office, and about her mentor, the legendary John Burton.
News
Tribal suit against cardrooms struck down…for now
Image by Valerii Evlakhov. More than a year ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to give California’s gaming tribes special standing in court to settle, once and for all, a long-simmering dispute they’ve had with their rival gaming rivals, the state’s cardrooms. Friday, however, the judge in the case ruled that despite the Legislature’s best efforts the tribes’ suit is preempted by federal law and cannot move forward.
Micheli Minute
The Micheli Minute, October 13, 2025
Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.
News
Q&A: Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO Jodi Hicks
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO Jodi Hicks. Photo credit to Ellie ApplebyWith drastic federal spending cuts being imposed on Medicaid patients, we sat down with Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO Jodi Hicks to assess the impact of those cuts on her organization and the significant number of California women and men who rely on PPCA for much of their health care.
News
Q&A: Health Access Exec. Dir. Amanda McAllister-Wallner
Amanda McAllister-Wallner. Photo courtesy of Health Access California. We sat down recently with Amanda McAllister-Wallner, Executive Director of Health Access California, a consumer advocacy coalition that advocates for more accessible, equitable, affordable, quality health care for all Californians to talk about the impact of impending federal budget cuts. The interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Micheli Files
Other constitutional provisions involving the Legislature
Image by Sparky2000. Most of the provisions of the California Constitution concerning the Legislature are found in Article IV, Sections 1 thru 28. Nonetheless, there are a number of provisions found in other Articles of the state constitution affecting the duties and powers of the Legislature. This article highlights the other major constitutional provisions concerning the Legislature.
Podcast
Special Episode: Health Care – Interview with Dr. S. Monica Soni of Covered California
Dr. S Monica Soni, Keynote speaker at The California Health Care Conference, October 1, 2025 in Sacramento. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly.CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Capitol Weekly and the University of California Student and Policy Center presented A Conference on Health Care on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 in Sacramento. In today’s episode we present the Keynote: A conversation between Dr. S. Monica Soni of Covered California and Capitol Weekly Editor Rich Ehisen. Stick around til the end; Rich and special guest Robin Epley of the Sacramento Bee tell you Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics.