Nikki Ellis, photo by Scott Duncan PhotographyFrom her early interest in Latin America to her work on a recent trade mission to Japan, Nikki Ellis has long had a global outlook on life.
If you’re one of the hundreds of candidates for the Legislature, Congress, or even the pending US Senate race, one data question is hovering over everything you’re planning for the 2024 primary election: what will turnout look like?
Detail of "Wild Weekend" by The Rockin' RebelsCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Heading into recess, hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster look back on a historic week chock full of political news: the Trump indictment, the governor’s oil price-gouging bill SBx1-2, the Campaign for Democracy, emissions standards and OH SO MANY candidates for the Worst Week in California Politics.
Assemblymember Liz Ortega, photo by Scott Duncan Labor unions have been at the center of Assemblymember Liz Ortega’s life since early childhood and the centerpiece of her career.
Photo by Ray Buse via ShutterstockIn counties like Los Angeles, we see almost no increase in Latino share of votes cast from 2014-2022, and even drops in electoral impact of older Latinos.
A homeless person sleeping on the street. Photo from Shutterstock user easyshutter.CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom released a proposal for a $3 billion bond measure aimed at the 2024 ballot, to fund housing for people with severe mental illness. At the same time, Newsom asked the legislature to revise 2004’s Proposition 63. Author and journalist Dan Morain joined us to talk about the two proposals, the half century of policy and politics that got us to where we are today, and shared his own personal story of a family member unable to live on his own after a devastating accident.
Photo by Lightspring Via ShutterstockWith California’s high levels of recidivism in mind, Oakland-based nonprofit Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs (CROP) is set to open a reentry campus there for formerly incarcerated people in early April.
Mario Vasquez Zuniga. Photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol WeeklyMario Vasquez Zuniga is a digital strategist, co-owner of a flower shop and a passionate LGBTQ+ advocate. The 28-year-old, who immigrated from El Salvador as a young child and grew up in the Palmdale-Lancaster area, loves coming up with creative solutions to problems. “I definitely have an entrepreneur spirit,” he said.
Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc.CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: California political data guru Paul Mitchell joined us to talk about surprising voting patterns and registration numbers following California’s aggressive voter registration push under the past two Secretaries of State. Who’s voting, who isn’t, and why. And, how is the 2024 Senate race shaping up?
Photo by Mega Pixel via ShutterstockCA Assembly Bill 77 would require the California Dept. of Public Health, which oversees vital statistics, to use such marks on birth and death certificates and marriage licenses.