Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol WeeklyNo. 49 Steve O’Mara
There are behind the scenes players and then there are behind the scenes players like Steve O’Mara, Chief of Staff to Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. It’s unlikely Rivas listens to anyone more than his brother Rick
Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol Weekly.No. 18 Kim Johnson
Following someone as substantial as Dr. Mark Ghaly as California’s Secretary of Health and Human Services is like being asked to pinch hit for Babe Ruth. It’s hard to find anyone around the Capitol community as
Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol Weekly.No. 12 Dave Sapp
The Legal Secretary is always a key position with any governor, but never more than in recent years when the relationship between California and the Trump administration feels more like open warfare than standard federalism. When
Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol WeeklyNo. 1 Nathan Barankin
We have said it often in this space, but being the governor’s Chief of Staff is probably the hardest job in California politics. It’s true of serving for any governor but even more so for our
Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol WeeklyNo. 5 Nani Coloretti
It was always going to be a heavy lift for whoever followed after Ann Patterson as Newsom’s Cabinet Secretary. But Nani Coloretti has shown she is more than up to the task. To be fair, she
Lobbyist and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.
California Mass Deportation Protest, photo by AP. While redistricting has taken center stage for the moment, when lawmakers return next week they will also have a full package of bills addressing interactions with the federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) to consider forwarding to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
View of the Senate in the California State Capitol building. Image by Sundry Photography. With the final weeks of Session upon us, several procedural items that regularly occur on the Floors of the California Legislature may be in order.
Governor Tim Walz and Mrs. Gwen Walz with campaign staffer Kevin Liao backstage at Howard University in Washington, D.C., November 6, 2024. (David Lienemann/Harris for President)CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined today by Kevin Liao of Frontrunner Strategies. Liao spent over four years as Press Secretary and Communications Director for former Speaker Anthony Rendon, before moving on to national campaign work. He was on first Elizabeth Warren and then Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign teams, and handled comms for Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz as she barnstormed the Midwest for the Harris-Walz ticket in 2024. He shares stories from the road – and tells what advice he’d give any other California politicians who might be seeking the White House.
Black antique rotary style telephone. Image by montreehanlueSince 1996, California has required select telecommunications companies to offer basic, home telephone service to anyone who asks for it. Lawmakers could take a major step toward changing that when they return to the Capitol on August 18th.