Rising Stars: Rainer Apostol, office of Sen. Caroline Menjivar

by BY LISA RENNER posted 03.01.2023

As a committed activist for social justice reforms, Rainer Apostol has been an invaluable help as a legislative aide for Sen. Caroline Menjivar.

The growing push for major action on mental health and homelessness

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by BY SIGRID BATHEN posted 02.22.2023

A growing chorus of critics say well-intentioned but archaic laws – designed to protect individual rights, with stiff restrictions on what constitutes “grave disability” – prevent desperate families from getting severely mentally ill relatives into treatment, leaving them to suffer and die on the street.

Heir apparent? Lateefah Simon launches bid for Barbara Lee House seat

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 02.28.2023

POLITICAL PULSE: BART board member Lateefah Simon today launched her campaign for California’s 12th District congressional seat, currently held by Barbara Lee. Lee announced a run for U.S. Senate earlier this month.

Big Problem: California’s Behavioral Health Worker Shortage

Graphic representation of Mental Health Disorder. Image via Shutterstock

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 02.27.2023

CAPITOL WEEKLY  PODCAST: We’re joined today by Dr. Janet Coffman of Healthforce Center at UCSF, and Michelle Doty Cabrera, Executive Director of CBHDA. They describe the serious challenges facing the state’s mental health and substance abuse programs, and what is needed to grow and retain a behavioral health workforce that reflects California’s diverse populations.

Bonta bill would bar “geofence” warrants

Flat vector illustration created from paper cut elements, hand drawn doodles and textures depicting mass surveillance and thin line between privacy and security concept.

by BY BRIAN JOSEPH posted 02.27.2023

This led Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, D-Oakland, to introduce Assembly Bill 793, which seeks to bar tech companies from complying with new, controversial keyword search warrants that law enforcement agencies can use to reveal the sensitive online search results and/or geocoded locations of computer and smartphone users.

Will physician assistants join nurse practitioners on front lines of CA abortion access efforts?

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by BY CLAIRE MCCARVILLE posted 02.23.2023

New CA bill would allow physician assistants to perform abortions

Rising Stars: Shubhangi Domokos, California Labor Federation

Shubhangi Domokos. Photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol Weekly

by BY LISA RENNER posted 02.21.2023

In just a few years out of college, Shubhangi Domokos became a chief of staff for first, a state assemblymember and then one of the largest labor federations in the country.

Reminder to the Legislature: be careful what you try to amend

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by BY CHRIS MICHELI posted 02.27.2023

I was recently reminded by a legal colleague about a state appellate court decision a few years ago and the limits on the Legislature’s power to amend a voter initiative. I think the court’s decision is important guidance to keep in mind as the 2023 Legislative Session gets underway.

As war anniversary nears, Ukrainians in Poland face fatigue – and hope

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by BY MOLLY DUGAN posted 02.20.2023

Nearly a year after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, more than a million Ukrainian refugees remain in Poland.

Marshall Tuck Says There are Two Californias

Marshall Tuck, photo by Tim Foster, Capitol Weekly

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 02.20.2023

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Educator Marshall Tuck came within a hair of becoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction twice, narrowly losing both the 2014 and 2018 elections. He joined us today to talk about his new gig at EdVoice, the potential for program cuts as the state budget tightens, and why he wanted the  job as State Superintendent.