Analysis
A quick look at limits on bill introductions
Image by Adao via ShutterstockAbout a quarter of this country’s legislatures, including California, limits the number of bill introductions by their elected officials.
Image by Adao via ShutterstockNews
Everyone hates the Swing Space elevators, but are they really dangerous?
Photo by Andrey_Popov via ShutterstockRepublicans and Democrats, aides and outside advocates, Assembly and Senate, they may not agree on much. But there does appear to be consensus on at least one critical issue: the Swing Space elevators. They’re awful. Everyone seems to agree on that.
Podcast
ROADMAP 2035: The Impact on California’s Legacy Industries
ROADMAP 2035, Panel 3 – The Future vs. The Past: The Impact on California’s Legacy Industries. Panelists: Christopher Benjamin, Pacific Gas & Electric; Jon Costantino, Tradesman Advisors; Mark Nechodom, Western States Petroleum Association; Laura Renger, California Electric Transportation Coalition. Moderated by Brian Joseph of Capitol Weekly. Photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol WeeklyCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s conference examining California’s climate goals: ROADMAP 2035: Cars, Carbon and Climate Change – How Do We Meet California’s Zero Emissions Goals? which was held in Sacramento at the California Endowment Conference Center on Thursday, May 25, 2023. This is Panel 3 – The Future vs. The Past: The Impact on California’s Legacy Industries.
News
WeToo III: Looking for a few good women
Image by retrorocket via shutterstockWomen have never achieved parity with their male colleagues in the California Legislature. Many advocates believe that could change before the end of the decade, but getting there is hardly a given.
News
Limited workforce may hinder California’s infrastructure upgrade
Image by faithie via ShutterstockAfter decades of neglect, California’s infrastructure is poised for an upgrade. Thanks in part to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden in November 2021, the Golden State is set to receive more than $100 billion in federal and state infrastructure funds over the next several years.
Analysis
Bills with different vote requirements in the California Legislature
Image by Adao via ShutterstockANALYSIS: In the California Legislature, there are six possible vote thresholds required for passage of bills in order to enact a statute. We look at each.
Podcast
ROADMAP 2035: A conversation with CPUC Commissioner John Reynolds
ROADMAP 2035, Keynote. CPUC Commisssioner John Reynolds in conversation with Rich Ehisen, Capitol Weekly. Photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol WeeklyCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s conference examining California’s climate goals: ROADMAP 2035: Cars, Carbon and Climate Change – How Do We Meet California’s Zero Emissions Goals? which was held in Sacramento at the California Endowment Conference Center on Thursday, May 25, 2023. This is the Keynote, a conversation between California Public Utilities Commissioner John Reynolds and Capitol Weekly editor Rich Ehisen.
Analysis
Fifteen lobbying firms account for nearly a third of all first quarter lobbying payments
The California seal, photo by Cheri Alguire via ShutterstockCapitol Weekly’s analysis found that nearly a third of the money spent on lobbying in the first quarter went to just 14 lobbying firms – the only firms to report receiving more than $1 million each in lobbying payments over the first three months of 2023.
News
The complicated birth of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act
Frank Lanterman, photo courtesy of the Frank D. Lanterman Political Papers, Lanterman House ArchivesFor more than five decades, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act has been the foundation for how California treats or fails to treat people with severe mental illness. Now, legislators from both parties seek to overhaul it in ways that reflect advances in medicine, and a better understanding of its failings.
Podcast
ROADMAP 2035: What Now – Timelines and Implementation
ROADMAP 2035, Panel 2 – What Now: Timelines and Implementation. Panelists: Dr. Jen Gress, California Air Resources Board; Kip Lipper, Policy Advisor to the Sen. Pro Tem; Michael Pimentel, California Transit Association; Scott Wetch, Carter, Wetch and Associates. Moderated by Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee. Photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol WeeklyCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s conference examining California’s climate goals: ROADMAP 2035: Cars, Carbon and Climate Change – How Do We Meet California’s Zero Emissions Goals? which was held in Sacramento at the California Endowment Conference Center on Thursday, May 25, 2023. This is Panel 2 – What Now: Timelines and Implementation.