3. Ann Patterson
We thought she was out, but like Michael Corleone she just keeps getting pulled back in. For years Patterson served as Newsom’s Cabinet Secretary, essentially his top advisor on, well, everything. But this year has been one
Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Illustration by Chris Shary.16. Jennifer Siebel Newsom
Trying to assess the role of the First Partner can be challenging. Siebel Newsom is definitely not involved in the day-to-day operations of the governor’s office in the way Anne Gust Brown was for Gov. Jerry
Marybel Batjer. Illustration by Chris Shary5. Marybel Batjer
Marybel Batjer is the president of the California Public Utilities Commission, one of the state’s most powerful regulatory bodies, with a vast sway over telecommunications, railroads, investor-owned utilities, and more. That’s a big deal, especially now. Last
Erika Contreras. Illustration by Chris Shary27. Erika Contreras
Erika Contreras may be the most important unelected person in California’s legislative branch. As the nonpartisan Chief Administrator and Parliamentarian of the upper house, she oversees every aspect of the institution, from human resources and accounting, to
Brian Rice. Illustration by Chris Shary75. Brian Rice
Brian Rice leads the California Professional Firefighters, representing 35,000 local firefighters across the state who are far more politically active than many appreciate. Last year, for example, they helped Gov. Newsom pass his Prop. 1 ballot measure
2. Ana Matosantos
Cabinet Secretary Ana Matosantos is a familiar name on this list, and for good reason. She headed the most important single office in the government, the Department of Finance, which has the task of writing a governor’s
It’s been a decade (!) since we launched the Top 100 list, so on the Capitol Weekly Podcast today thought we’d chat with the person who was there and started it all — Anthony York, a veteran reporter and the founding editor of the revamped Capitol Weekly. What began as a reward-your-friends-and-punish-your-enemies exercise in clickbait and cheek gradually morphed into a document of some value, however limited and flawed.
Rush-hour traffic in downtown Los Angeles. (Photo: TierneyMJ, via Shutterstock)Top law enforcement officials in California and New York are leading 10 other states in an attempt to retain tougher penalties for automakers that violate fuel economy standards. They filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the federal government’s decision to block a scheduled increase in the penalties for those who fail to meet fuel economy standards.
A photo illustration of a young girl in custody. (Image: structuresxx, via ShutterstockThe woman, writing to Gov. Gavin Newsom about Senate Bill 233, called herself voiceless.In her letter she told the governor about rapes she’s suffered while homeless and on the streets. Pimps had beaten her. One once threw her out of a hotel, leaving her naked in the parking lot.She feared to call police. They never listened to her before, the unnamed woman wrote.
An aerial view of housing density in a Los Angeles suburb. (Photo: trekandshoot, via Shutterstock)ANALYSIS: A new presidential panel aimed at easing the affordable housing crisis is top heavy with business and developer interests, and does little to get at the roots of the problem. President Trump’s executive order created the “White House Council on Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing” in June.