News
California’s Fourth Senate District covers 25,000 square miles, basically 1/6th of the state. It stretches from Death Valley in the South to Truckee in the North and juts out West to grab Modesto, the district’s largest metropolitan area. Now the region’s representation in the Senate over the next legislative cycle could severely compromised because the decision by its senator, Marie Alvarado-Gil, to jump political parties.
CA120
While state lawmakers and local government electeds have been complaining about the Governor’s more aggressive actions on cleaning up homeless encampments, the fact is that he has the voters on his side.
Micheli Minute
Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.
Micheli Files
Both the California Governor and the Lieutenant Governor have formal roles in the lawmaking process, despite the fact that this authority is granted to the legislative branch of state government pursuant to Article IV of the California Constitution.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This episode of the podcast presents a discussion of Proposition 32, which would raise California’s Minimum Wage. The “Yes” side was presented by Saru Jayaraman of One Fair Wage. The “No” side was presented by Jot Condie of the California Restaurant Association. The moderator was Phil Willon of the Los Angeles Times.
Micheli Minute
Lobbyist and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.
Micheli Files
Some in the Capitol community believe there are unnecessary limitations on the public’s ability to access some of the committee hearings and floor sessions of the California Legislature. Are these limits on public participation permissible under state laws?
News
In the wake of Tuesday’s heated presidential debate, Capitol Weekly’s CALIFORNIA BALLOT FORUM: 2024 Election Preview brought together a diverse group of experts to discuss some of the most contentious issues on this year’s ballot: minimum wage, rent control, and penalties for theft and drug crimes.
News
At 32 years old, Capitol Weekly Rising Star Dana Cruz has already served in the military, passed the California Bar Exam, and worked in all three branches of California State Government.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Former California State Assemblymember and current Fair Political Practices Commissioner Catharine Baker has been appointed director of the newly opened University of California Student and Policy Center, UC’s hub in Sacramento, located just steps from the state capitol. Baker will lead public programming and outreach, aimed at introducing UC students and faculty into the capitol community – and vice versa. She joined us to talk about her goals and priorities for her new position. Plus – a DOOZY of a “Worst Week in California Politics!”
Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, Sen. Roger Niello, Sen. Brian Jones. Photo via Alvarado-Gil X account. 
