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

Capitol Briefs: A hint of what’s on tap for 2026

California's historic Capitol dome. Image by :Wallentine

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 12.31.2025

A trio of proposed ballot measures are cleared to begin signature gathering, more AI battles and a few coming and goings around the Capitol community.

2025 in review (and a peek at 2026), with Chris Cadelago of POLITICO

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 12.29.2025

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster are joined by Politico’s Chris Cadelago for a look back at the Top 10 California political stories of 2025 – and a look at what’s coming next year.

Lou Cannon: A personal remembrance

by RICH EHISEN posted 12.22.2025

I’ve been writing words for a living for many decades now, and I can’t think of any I have hated to write more than those in this next sentence. Longtime journalist and noted Ronald Reagan biographer Lou Cannon died last Friday evening from complications of a stroke he suffered a few weeks prior.

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

Experts Expound: Christmas edition

Image by cmannphoto

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 12.23.2025

Let’s say you are Santa Claus: who from California politics is getting the biggest box under the tree this year? Conversely, who is getting a fat lump of coal in their stocking? 

Component parts of a California bill’s title

Legislation. Image by tumsasedgars

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 12.31.2025

Article IV, Section 9 of the California Constitution requires each bill to have a title. The constitutional provision states: “A statute shall embrace but one subject, which shall be expressed in its title. If a statute embraces a subject not expressed in its title, only the part not expressed is void.

There is more to lawmaking than passing bills

Image by Natalya Kosarevich.

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 12.24.2025

Lawmaking does not just mean passing bills and creating new laws. It also means oversight and accountability, as well as constituent services.

Capitol trivia masters, plus Sac State’s Luke Wood

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 12.22.2025

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Brian Ebbert, Chris Micheli and Alex Vassar joined us to chat about their just published The California Capitol Cocktail Trivia Book, a lively and engaging collection of little-known facts, anecdotes, and curiosities drawn from the rich history of California’s state government. We’re also joined by Sac State president Luke Wood, who spoke with us about his controversial edict that freshman must live on campus, and the proposed Downtown Capitol Center. Plus – Who had the Worst Week in California politics?

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