Image by DeagreezSpecial interest groups paid contract lobbying firms more than $81.397 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, the third highest quarter during California’s 2023-24 legislative cycle, according to a Capitol Weekly analysis of lobbying firm reports.
Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.
Seve Christian. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol WeeklyIf you follow California legislation around artificial intelligence, LGBTQ rights, or public health, chances are you’re familiar with the work of Seve Christian, Legislative Director to Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). At just 29 years old, Christian has already left an enduring mark on California policy.
The California State Capitol building in Sacramento, CA. Image by jsolieWhat is a “resolution” in the California Legislature? Although resolutions and concurrent resolutions are mentioned several times in Article IV of the California Constitution, neither term is defined in that document.
California Capitol #50501 rally, Feb. 5th 2025. Photo by Capitol WeeklyNationwide protests against President Trump, Elon Musk and Project 2025 were held at the California Capitol and in other capitols and major cities around the country.
Asm. Cecilia Aguiar-Curry in her office. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol WeeklyCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Cecilia Aguiar-Curry represents California’s 4th Assembly District, which includes Napa, Lake, Yolo, Colusa Counties and part of Sonoma County. She is the chair of the bipartisan California Legislative Women’s Caucus and is also the Assembly Majority Leader. She sat down with hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster to talk about finding common ground with her Republican colleagues, her role in helping new legislators get their feet under them, and Democratic priorities for 2025.
Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.
Smoke blanketing California's coastline. Image courtesy of NOAA website. A wave of life-threatening air pollution is now being reported widely as refugees from the devastating fires in Los Angeles return to what is left of their homes. Research being funded by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine could help uncover how fine particulate matter from wildfires, vehicle emissions, and industrial sources affects stem cells and brain development.
Rich Ehisen (right) and Tim Foster (left) interview Secretary of State Shirley Weber (middle) for Capitol Weekly's Podcast on January 15th, 2025. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol WeeklyCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined today by Dr. Shirley Weber, California’s Secretary of State. Serving as the state’s chief elections officer is a natural fit for Weber, whose family left Arkansas during the Jim Crow era after her father was threatened for agitating in favor of voting rights. The family settled in southern California, where her mother became a longtime poll worker, with the family home often serving as a polling place. Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster spoke with Weber about administrating elections, why it takes so long to get results in some districts, and how to inspire young Californians to care as much about voting as Weber’s family always has.
Image by SmileStudioAPAt the end of bills in the California Legislature, there may be “plus sections,” which are uncodified provisions that may do a number of things, such as expressing legislative intent, making legislative findings and declarations, or explaining why a bill may have a certain designation, such as a special statute or an urgency statute.