Analysis
OPINION: Writing in The New York Times, John McWhorter, an assistant professor of English at Columbia, tells a tale about the Kuma tribe in Panama. The Kuna chief gives a speech in elevated language, and then an assistant tells the crowd what the chief has just said. We may like to think of ourselves as an advanced civilization compared to a trtibe in Panama, but today’s spokespeople for politicians are doing the same thing. And one of them has just invented “alternative facts.”
Podcast
In Part 2 of our back-to-back podcasts on health policy, Capitol Weekly headed over to the California Endowment’s offices on K Street to chat with the Endowment’s VP Daniel Zingale about what a repeal of the Affordable Care Act would mean for California. Zingale also weighs in on other health-related topics including Universal Health Care, how your neighborhood affects your health and EXACTLY how bad soda (“it’s mostly chemicals”) is for you. We conducted this interview on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017.
News
A motorist who faced more than $1,600 in fines for a traffic violation is suing the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state Judicial Council in federal court, contending that millions of California drivers had their licenses suspended illegally because they were unable to pay spiraling fees. “Traffic courts in California routinely impose exorbitant penalty assessments, fines and fees on all traffic court cases over and above the statutory fines” required for public safety, the pending suit contends.
Podcast
Capitol Weekly’s John Howard and Tim Foster sit down with Anthony Wright of Health Access California to talk about the impact of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, AKA Obamacare. Is it happening? If so, when? How much will it cost Californians? And, what’s the significance of February 20? All this and more on the latest Capitol Weekly Podcast.
The Skinny
Former Assemblymember (1986-1994) and former Superintendent of Public Instruction (1995-2003) Delaine Eastin officially launched her campaign for governor today.
Analysis
When a bill in the California Legislature fails passage either in committee or on the floor of the Assembly or Senate, it can be granted “reconsideration.” That can mean a bill gets a new lease on life — or not.
News
California authorities are crafting new rules governing both medical and recreational marijuana, and they hope to present them to the public in March. The move follows voter approval in November of Proposition 64, which legalized recreational pot use. It passed by 2 million votes out of nearly 14 million cast.
News
California’s job and economic growth has outpaced much of the nation in recent years. That growth, however, has not eliminated one of the state’s biggest challenges: poverty. This week, State Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes called poverty California’s No. 1 priority during a forum of legislative leaders in Sacramento.
Podcast
UC Davis College Republicans pulled the plug on a Jan. 13 speaking event featuring far-right firebrand Milo Yiannopoulos and pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli after protests against the duo’s appearance overwhelmed campus security.
Podcast
Midway into the inauguration week of president-elect Donald Trump, Capitol Weekly sits down with Democratic communications guru Jason Kinney of California Strategies. Kinney weighs in what he sees as California’s role as the anti-Trump, “Beacon of Opportunity,” takes note of Calexit, and even drops a reference to “Cool Hand Luke.”
(Photo: Cbies, via Shutterstock)
