Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.

Some stats on 2025 gubernatorial bill actions

Image by mohd izzuan.

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 10.16.2025

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.

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 CalMatters

by LEAH O'TARROW posted 10.14.2025

As 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.

A chat with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 10.13.2025

CAPITOL 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.

Tribal suit against cardrooms struck down…for now

Image by Valerii Evlakhov.

by BRIAN JOSEPH posted 10.10.2025

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.

Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.

Q&A: Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO Jodi Hicks

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO Jodi Hicks. Photo credit to Ellie Appleby

by RICH EHISEN posted 10.10.2025

With 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.

Q&A: Health Access Exec. Dir. Amanda McAllister-Wallner

Amanda McAllister-Wallner. Photo courtesy of Health Access California.

by RICH EHISEN posted 10.08.2025

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.

Other constitutional provisions involving the Legislature

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by CHRIS MICHELI posted 10.09.2025

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.