News
With January designated as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Capitol Weekly is examining a little-understood plague on our society – sex trafficking. Over the course of a few stories this month, we’ll explore the nuances of this horrific crime, its cultural influences and possible reform options.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We are joined today by communications expert Nathan Click of Click Strategies. Click serves as a political advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and led communications efforts in the Governor’s successful campaign against the Recall. With last week’s announcement that journalist Bob Salladay would be replacing Anthony York as Gov. Newsom’s Communications Director, we thought it was a great time to ask Click about what the job is like. Click also shared his thoughts on the Senate race, the effect of the early primary, and weighed in on Initiatives that are likely to be on November’s ballot, including a repeal of Prop. 8.
Rising Stars
If anyone is up for a good challenge, it’s Emma Manoukian Chung. At 23 years old, Manoukian Chung had her sights set on a job at Bicker, Castillo, Fairbanks & Spitz Public Affairs (BCFS). Sure enough, they weren’t hiring. Undeterred, she pitched herself to the team, and before long, she was working on some of
Micheli Files
Each standing committee of the California State Senate (there are 22 of them) and State Assembly (there are 33 of them) operate under the Joint Rules of the Legislature, as well as the Standing Rules of the Senate and Assembly, respectively. Each standing committee may adopt rules governing the operation of their committees. These committee rules set forth the procedures and guidelines that are used to conduct the business of the particular legislative committee.
News
During his time as governor, Gavin Newsom has not been shy about using the gubernatorial bully pulpit to prod lawmakers to take up causes he feels passionately about. Advocates for greater regulation of social media sites like Meta, X, Instagram and Tik Tok hope this is the year he does the same for their cause as well.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Veteran California political data expert Paul Mitchell joins us to talk about his recent CA120 column examining shifting behavior by California’s Latino and Asian voters. We also look at California’s confusing Presidential Primary ballot, and the recent Berkeley IGS Poll that found Rep. Barbara Lee in fourth place – behind Republican Steve Garvey – in the race to fill Sen. Feinstein’s seat.
Analysis
ANALYSIS – Asians and Latinos in California are the two fastest growing Ethnic populations on the voter file. But they appear, politically, to be headed in slightly different directions.
Micheli Files
Whether a bill proposes to make a substantive or non-substantive change in law has several implications. Inquiring legislative minds want to know.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: As California stares down the largest budget deficit in a decade, lawmakers – most of whom have never governed during a down time – will be facing hard choices. Labor lobbyist Kristina Bas Hamilton remembers the rough days of the Great Recession, and sat down with us to talk about what this go round might be like, and how it will differ from the past. She also talks with us about her podcast, and her new book, Changemaker: An Insider’s Guide to Getting Sh*t Done at the California Capitol, a How-To guide for working with lawmakers.
Micheli Files
The judicial branch of government has its own unique language. The purpose of this glossary is to provide a listing of terms and phrases related to the judicial branch of California state government for those who work in and around the State Capitol.