News

Better know a flack: the Capitol’s best and worst press reps

The scrum

Capitol Weekly recently did a very subjective, very unscientific email poll of our fellow journalists who cover the Capitol or other parts of California government to see who they think are the best press reps to deal with. And yes, we also asked who they think…. hmmm, how to put this nicely? … could be better at their job. We granted everyone anonymity so they could speak freely.

Micheli Files

Challenges in California’s lawmaking process

Image by Yuriy K

There is not a single factor that makes lawmaking in California difficult. Instead, it is a combination of factors that impacts resolution of public policy issues by the Legislature and sometimes results in gridlock or lack of success.

Analysis

CA120: Pour one out for the pollsters

Image by Associated Press

ANALYSIS – The last few weeks have been turbulent to say the least. With the dust starting to settle a bit, Political Data Inc.’s Paul Mitchell has a look inside the numbers to tell us what all this chaos could mean for the upcoming presidential election.

Experts Expound

Experts Expound: The age issue

Psychology Of Aging, image by wildpixel

Age played a major role in Joe Biden stepping away from another campaign, but he is just one of many state and federal elected officials of advanced age, including Republican nominee Donald Trump. So the question for our expert panel is this: Should there be an age limit for elected officials?

Podcast

Biden: Out. What now? We ask Paul Mitchell

Kamala Harris speaking with attendees at the 2019 National Forum on Wages and Working People hosted by the Center for the American Progress Action Fund and the SEIU at the Enclave in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Gage Skidmore.

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Political data expert Paul Mitchell has been polling Joe Biden’s support in California since the president’s disastrous debate performance on June 27. The numbers were not pretty for Dems, with Biden underperforming his 2020 results, and appearing to create a drag on support for Dem candidates across the board. Would another candidate be stronger? On Friday, that was a hypothetical question, but no more.

News

To Anthony Rendon, happiness is serious business

Assemblymembers Anthony Rendon and James Gallagher. Photo by AP.

A new California Assembly committee is exploring the reasons why some people are happier with their lives than others. Headed by former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), the Select Committee on Happiness and Public Policy Outcomes has had two hearings this year.

Micheli Files

Punctuation in California legislation

Image via iStock

As readers might anticipate, there are extensive rules of punctuation when drafting legislation in California. First, as a general bill drafting guide, the rules of English grammar, including punctuation, usually apply to legislative drafting.

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