Lobbyists numbers in decline, image by fotogestoeberSomething strange seems to have happened this cycle: the number of registered lobbyists decreased for the first time in 14 years. But here’s the thing: nobody’s exactly sure what’s behind it or what it means.
Worst Week illustration by Capitol Weekly staffCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Since it’s a short holiday week, we’re just doing a quick Worst Week – back to our regular episodes next week!
The California Republic, image by grafvisionANALYSIS – As we head into the final two weeks of the 2023 California Legislative Session, I wanted to provide some reminders about the purpose and use of letters to the Assembly or Senate Daily Journals, as well as a few recommendations that I hope will be implemented in the future.
The California Assembly floor, image by Kit LeongANALYSIS – As a general matter, bills are taken up on the California Assembly or Senate Floors in file item order, unless some special reason exists to do otherwise. There are five main procedural items to keep in mind when a bill is pending on either Floor.
Seal of the State of California, image by Aaron KohrAnalysis – 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, from how many times a bill can be reconsidered to how many times it can be placed on call.
Sean Duggan with an Irish localCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Last week, ‘Keep It A Secret,’ a documentary that tells the story of the pioneers of surfing in Ireland, premiered on Irish television following a spate of film festival appearances. If the reviews are any indication, the film is headed for success. This is all heady news for first-time director Sean Duggan, who made the film in his spare time while working as the vice president of political advertising for Sirius XM.
A single payer health care system is the Holy Grail for progressive Californians. But is it realistic or just a pipedream? We put the question to our experts.
Young girl hiding behind period calendar, image by PhotoroyaltyWith over half of American women in a 2023 poll stating that they’ve felt embarrassed about their period at some point, it is no surprise that there is a lack of discourse on menstrual cycle advocacy in governments across the country. In recent years, however, California has begun to make long-awaited strides towards ending this discrimination.
Lobbying dollars, image by esferaFor the entire first half of 2023 – that is, the first and second quarters combined – special interests paid more than $147 million to lobbying firms, per California Secretary of State disclosures analyzed in mid-August.
The rules of consent, image by anabarauliaANALYSIS – For those tuning into the Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions during deadline weeks, you are likely to hear the terms “consent,” (both floors), “special consent” (Senate Floor), and “batching” (Assembly Floor). What do those terms mean? How does batching differ from the consent calendar? What is the difference between consent and special consent? Chris Micheli explains it all for you.