Image by Ritu Manoj JethaniIn the California Legislature, there are “special statute” bills that are used when legislators believe a bill’s provisions are unique and should apply in only a specified circumstance or to a specified entity or jurisdiction. Not any bill can be given a special statute designation.
Sen. Mike McGuire, photo by APNew Senate pro Tem Mike McGuire announced his Senate Democratic Leadership Team and committee membership assignments for the 2024 Legislative year. The Senate Rules Committee will ratify the committee memberships next Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
Curt Pringle, who arrived in Sacramento as a brash 29-year-old conservative Republican in 1988, became the first Republican Assembly speaker in a generation, and likely the last Republican to hold that post for many years to come. In this newly published oral history interview, the former Assembly leader provides a first-hand account of the battle for the speakership following the 1994 election in which Republicans gained a shaky 41-39 seat majority in the 80-seat Assembly, but lost that majority when Republican Paul Horcher sided with Democrats to retain Willie Brown as speaker.
Image by Melnikov DmitriyIt’s an election year, and once again the California is not expected to do very much on the statewide level. With that in mind we posed a new question to our panel of esteemed experts.
Judy Yee, photo by Scott Duncan photographyJudy Yee, legislative director for Assemblymember Luz Rivas, isn’t just focused on her own career. She is looking to lift up those who have come behind her.
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Our guest today is Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, a longtime advocate for increased availability of mental healthcare. While a member of the state Assembly Steinberg authored Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act, which has generated millions for mental healthcare in California. In 2015 he launched The Steinberg Institute, which has helped enact sweeping improvements in California mental health policy, including securing $2 billion to provide housing and care for homeless people living with mental illness (No Place Like Home). He joined us today to discuss efforts to address California’s twin crises: homelessness and mental health, and this week’s Senate leadership transition.
Image by Laura Faraci, ShutterstockLong ignored or blocked by local officials and confusing laws – while tacitly expected to provide care for severely mentally ill relatives – families are mobilizing in growing numbers, exerting major influence over state legislation and public policy, and protesting county resistance to strong new laws mandating intervention, care and treatment.
Image by Dmitry DemidovichIn the key case to discuss the use of legislative intent materials, we find clear guidance provided by the decision. The appellate court issued its written decision on August 30, 2005 and, since then, it has been cited affirmatively more than 80 times.
Image by Africa StudioFor Capitol Weekly’s third and final story for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we look at some of the most commonly debated policy options for combating pimps and other sex traffickers.
Chance Comanche, screen capture from news report CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: In his reporting, Brian Joseph explores the nuances of Sex Trafficking, its cultural influences and possible reform options. He joined us today to talk about “The Life,” the intersection of Pimp culture and Pop Culture, Sen. Shannon Grove’s SB 14, one of last year’s most controversial bills, and more.