Lobbyist, professor, and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.

Why do bills have reimbursement disclaimers that can be ignored?

Image by Minwan.

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 07.04.2025

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. But while the Legislature may state the costs associated with a bill do not need to be reimbursed, it is actually the State Mandates Commission that decides the question.

Chris Lehane: The promise of AI

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 06.30.2025

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Chris Lehane has a solid gold resume in professional politics: consultant and oppo research in the Clinton White House, Press Secretary to VP Al Gore, and the source of the report on the “vast right wing conspiracy” so infamously cited by Hillary Clinton. Since 2024 he has been VP of Global Affairs and a member of the executive team at OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence organization based in San Francisco. Lehane joined us to talk about the opportunities and dangers of this fascinating new technology and to make the case for the importance of California maintaining its role as a global leader in AI.

Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.

Rising Stars: Mauricio Torres

Mauricio Torres. Photo by Ellie Appleby for Capitol Weekly.

by LEAH LENTZ posted 06.25.2025

Whether he’s deciphering complex policy language or hiking renowned trails like the Inca Trail or the W Trek in Patagonia, Mauricio Torres Jr. approaches it all with confidence, curiosity and a deep connection to the communities he serves.

Capitol Briefs: CEQA, VMT mitigation fights roil budget negotiations

The California State Capitol Building in Sacramento. Image by t:Marcopolo9442

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 06.27.2025

It has been a big budget week, with lots of ups and downs. In today’s briefs we look at some of those as well as a few more happenings in and around the Capitol.

Why California needs multiple budget trailer bills

Image by Arseniy45

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 06.27.2025

Questions have often been raised about why there are so many trailer bills needed as part of the budget process in California. The number has grown over the past couple of decades and this has been a recurring concern. However, there is a legal reason for this.

A chat with Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares

Senator Suzette Valladares, Photo by Ellie Appleby for Capitol Weekly

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 06.23.2025

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Republican Suzette Martinez Valladares was elected to the California State Assembly in 2020 and served for two years, narrowly losing a reelection bid for the newly drawn 40th Assembly district, then winning a seat in the Senate in 2024. She spoke with us about pursuing policy goals during a year that has been, to put it mildly, a wild ride, (with no end in sight) and offered her perspective on the Immigration raids in Los Angeles and elsewhere.

Time running out on prison jobs for disabled workers in SEIU dispute

Vacaville Correctional Medical Facility. Photo by AP.

by BRIAN JOSEPH posted 06.19.2025

Without emergency legislation, a little more than two dozen disabled people, including veterans, who work as janitors at a state prison facility in Vacaville are poised to lose their jobs at the end of this month due to a protest lodged by the Service Employees International Union Local 1000.

Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.