News
California governments spend millions lobbying Sacramento
Image by udra11 via shutterstockCalifornia governments up and down the state spend millions in taxpayer dollars to lobby government officials in Sacramento.
Image by udra11 via shutterstockAnalysis
Legislative findings and declarations versus intent statements in California Legislation
Image by Niyazz via shutterstockMany questions can be raised when determining how intent statements, legislative findings and declarations should be viewed, particularly by the judicial branch of state government.
News
SCOTUS decision and affirmative action in California’s higher education
Image by Natasa Adzic via ShutterstockCalifornia’s Proposition 209, passed in 1996, ended the consideration of students’ race as one factor in public higher education admissions, but did not apply to private colleges and universities. The Supreme Court’s recent landmark decision ended that distinction.
News
AB 331: A lesson for future regulation of automated decision tools
Image by Jirsak via ShutterstockThe impact of the AI transformation has understandably drawn calls for robust regulation of the use of AI, but to date there is little to no government oversight on the development and deployment of automated decision tools.
Podcast
The Budget: Winners and Losers, with Chris Hoene
Chris HoeneCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Facing the first deficit in a decade, legislators finished hammering out a Budget deal with the governor this week. Our guest today is Chris Hoene, Executive Director of the California Budget & Policy Center. Hoene has been a Budget-watcher for decades, and helps us dig into the new Budget Deal.
Analysis
How much time does the California governor have to act on bills?
California Governor's sealCalifornia’s Governor has three options when the Legislature sends the Governor a bill: Sign it; veto it; or, allow the bill to become law without the Governor’s signature.
News
Critical pipeline for prospective lawmakers finally goes coed
Image by Larisa Rudenko via ShutterstockAfter a years-long wait, young women have finally been granted equal access to a program that has proven to be a pipeline for state lawmakers.
News
Rising Stars: Maya Polon, Paschal Roth Public Affairs
Maya Polon, photo courtesy of Scott Duncan photography Maya Polon stays focused on making sure the public realizes how the legislation she champions affects real people. “What I really love getting to do is finding someone with an inspiring story and connecting a reporter to them.”
Analysis
Newsom vs. DeSantis – the inevitable showdown?
FILE - This combination of photos shows California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking in Sacramento, Calif., on June 24, 2022, left, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking in Sioux Center, Iowa, May 13, 2023, right. (AP Photo, File)While mostly political, the feud between California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis occasionally veers into the personal.
Podcast
Closing the CALeg gender gap, with Susannah Delano
Capitol Weekly editor Rich Ehisen with Susannah Delano of Close the GapCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Susannah Delano, Executive Director at Close the Gap California, joined us to talk about the work of identifying and preparing women to run for elected office, and about the very real challenges women face when they choose to enter public life.