Mauricio Torres. Photo by Ellie Appleby for Capitol Weekly. Whether he’s deciphering complex policy language or hiking renowned trails like the Inca Trail or the W Trek in Patagonia, Mauricio Torres Jr. approaches it all with confidence, curiosity and a deep connection to the communities he serves.
The California State Capitol Building in Sacramento. Image by t:Marcopolo9442It has been a big budget week, with lots of ups and downs. In today’s briefs we look at some of those as well as a few more happenings in and around the Capitol.
Image by Arseniy45Questions have often been raised about why there are so many trailer bills needed as part of the budget process in California. The number has grown over the past couple of decades and this has been a recurring concern. However, there is a legal reason for this.
Senator Suzette Valladares, Photo by Ellie Appleby for Capitol WeeklyCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Republican Suzette Martinez Valladares was elected to the California State Assembly in 2020 and served for two years, narrowly losing a reelection bid for the newly drawn 40th Assembly district, then winning a seat in the Senate in 2024. She spoke with us about pursuing policy goals during a year that has been, to put it mildly, a wild ride, (with no end in sight) and offered her perspective on the Immigration raids in Los Angeles and elsewhere.
Vacaville Correctional Medical Facility. Photo by AP.Without emergency legislation, a little more than two dozen disabled people, including veterans, who work as janitors at a state prison facility in Vacaville are poised to lose their jobs at the end of this month due to a protest lodged by the Service Employees International Union Local 1000.
Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.
California Lowrider Holiday, June 2024. Photo by Mike Rafter, Capitol WeeklyThings have slowed down a bit now that we are past the house of origin deadline, but there is still plenty going on in California politics.
Image by Raja J. In contrast to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget, the Legislature’s budget proposal includes $31.5 million in bridge funding to help California’s private foster care agencies navigate a fast-moving insurance crisis that developed around the time lawmakers were leaving Sacramento last year.
Lance HastingsCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined by California Manufacturers and Technology Association head Lance Hastings, who began his career as a capitol staffer and has a long history with California trade associations. Hastings probably thought that the COVID pandemic would be the biggest disruptor of the state’s manufacturing industry in his time, but President Trump’s ‘on again, off again’ tariff policy may give COVID a run for its money. He gave us the lowdown on the state of California’s manufacturing industry, tariffs, and just how long it might take to reshore production.
Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.