Micheli Minute
The Micheli Minute, May 19, 2025
Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.
Micheli Files
Guidance by California appellate courts on the Legislature and its legislative process, Part 1
Image by Alexander Sikov. The California Government Code provides for aspects of the Legislature and the legislative process in this state. There have been many court decisions over the past century interpreting key provisions of the Government Code. The following cases highlight some of the key decisions interpreting these statutory provisions. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
News
Better know a CA gubernatorial candidate: Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra, Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP)In the second of our ongoing series taking a brief, concise look at all the declared candidates to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom, we take a look at former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.
Podcast
Asm. Buffy Wicks on Housing; and Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: In March, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a 22-bill package aimed at reforming the building permitting process in California, an effort to fast-track housing development statewide. Wicks joined us to talk about the bills, why they are needed, and what it will take to get the package to the governor’s desk this year. We’re also joined by Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero to talk about the impact of the Trump tariffs on the nation’s busiest port.
News
Better know a CA gubernatorial candidate: Toni Atkins
Former Senate pro Tem Toni Atkins, photo by AP. We’re a long way off from the 2026 gubernatorial election, but 14 candidates – nine Democrats and four Republicans – have already kicked their campaigns to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom into high gear. Some are familiar names and faces; others are not. And of course all of them are, like the rest of us, waiting to see if former California Attorney General, U.S. Senator and Vice President Kamala Harris adds her name to the list. While Harris ponders her future, over the next few months Capitol Weekly will take a brief look at how the current candidates shape up.
Micheli Minute
The Micheli Minute, May 12, 2025
Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.
Capitol Spotlight
Capitol Spotlight: Sen. Scott Wiener
Sen. Scott Wiener. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol WeeklyNobody can ever accuse Sen. Scott Wiener of only taking on the easy fights. The San Francisco Democrat has in fact developed a reputation as someone almost allergic to tackling any bill – from housing to health care, from psychedelics to artificial intelligence – that doesn’t promise a bare-knuckles brawl to get passed.
Podcast
April Manatt and the Problem Solvers
April Manatt and Rich Ehisen. CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Our 400th episode! On today’s show we welcome April Manatt, Executive Director of the California Problem Solvers Foundation and former head of the the California Legislative Staff Education Institute. Manatt spoke with us about her work in both of these organizations, the importance of bipartisanship in policy making, and bridging the divide.
Micheli Minute
The Micheli Minute, May 5, 2025
Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.
News
Spending on lobbying firms tops $66M through first quarter of 2025
Image by DesignRageSpecial interests, or as the California Secretary of State calls them “lobbyist employers,” paid lobbying firms more than $66 million to lobby state government in the first quarter of 2025, according to a Capitol Weekly analysis of lobbying firm reports.