Micheli Minute
The Micheli Minute, November 3, 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
An orientation to the California Capitol for lobby day attendees
The state Capitol in Sacramento. Photo: Feoktistoff, via Shutterstock)This edition of the Micheli Files is intended to provide an orientation to the California State Capitol and its accompanying Swing Space for individuals participating in a lobby day. Part II of last week’s Micheli Files, More insights on drafting legislation in California, will run next week.
Podcast
A chat with Leah Barros of Barros Clay & Associates
Leah Barros of Barros Clay and AssociatesCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Today we welcome lobbyist Leah Barros of Barros Clay and Associates. Barros is a familiar face in Sacramento, having worked in the Capitol as a staffer and later as a lobbyist for various firms before launching her own shop. Among her notable wins was leading the lobbying effort to enact The CROWN Act, the first statewide law in the country to prohibit racial discrimination on the basis of natural hairstyles in the workplace and schools. That experience changed her perception of what she could – and should – do as an advocate.
Rising Stars
Rising Stars: Jose Barrera, California LULAC Foundation
Jose Barerra. Photo by Joha Harrison.Despite being just 30 years old, Jose Barrera sits atop the leadership ranks in LULAC, or the League of United Latin American Citizens, as the Chairmen of the California LULAC Foundation and National Vice President for the Far West Region. He is currently the youngest person and first DACA recipient to have held three leadership roles in LULAC.
News
Abuse survivors accuse LA Co of victim blaming, seek AG’s help
Attorney Ben Crump, left, and attorney Adam Slater listen as Janet Ramirez fights back tears during a press conference with survivors of sexual abuse that occurred at MacLaren Hall, Thursday, June 9, 2022 in Los Angeles. (Dean Musgrove/via AP)In the months since Los Angeles County agreed to pay $4 billion to settle thousands of sexual abuse claims linked to its juvenile halls and foster homes, sexual abuse survivors believe the narrative has flipped to victim blaming – and they’re asking Attorney General Rob Bonta to do something about it.
Micheli Minute
The Micheli Minute, October 27, 2025
Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.
Podcast
Special Episode: A Debate on Proposition 50
Patricia Sinay speaks at the "California Votes: Proposition 50" debate at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento on Oct. 14, 2025. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMattersCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Proposition 50 would require California to use new congressional district maps through 2030. Use of independent Citizens Redistricting Commission maps would resume after that date. Proponents from each of the campaigns offered their arguments in a debate moderated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly and Juliet Williams of CalMatters. Rusty Hicks, Chair of the California Democratic Party represented the Yes side. Patricia Sinay of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission represented the No.
Micheli Files
More insights on drafting legislation in California, Part I
California law with court gavel and stack of documents.As I finished my review of the over 900 bills sent to Governor Newsom’s Desk, I compiled a number of legislative drafting notes and thought I would share them (the first of three parts):
A unique approach to addressing chaptering-out
News
Change Agent: Lindsey Horvath and the massive reform of LA County governance
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. Photo from her Facebook profileLast November Los Angeles County voters narrowly approved Measure G, a massive reform to county governance that will eventually expand the Board from its current five members – each representing around 2 million people – to nine, along with a mayor-like county executive position. Many details are yet to be worked out, but the changes promise to be some of the most significant in California’s largest city in over a century.
News
Making applying to college a lot easier
Image by Jacob Wackerhausen. What if we just erase that gap between high school and higher education? What if we made applying to university as easy as transitioning from ninth to tenth grade? Those were questions asked by freshman Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento) and the inspiration for Senate Bill 640.