Posts Tagged: Assembly

News

Bauer-Kahan on a mission to improve menopause education

Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol Weekly

Historically, women have often been understudied and undertreated in health science, and menopause is no exception. Studies show that women feel like they do not receive the proper menopausal care due to a knowledge gap among their healthcare professionals. Driven by personal experience, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) introduced AB 432 this session, her second effort to address the gaps in care as the buzz around menopause gains national attention.

Opinion

Ongoing funding is the only path to housing justice

Image by Manu Reyes.

OPINION – There’s a lot of talk from politicians about homelessness as a top issue. So why, unlike public education, healthcare, behavioral health and transportation, does California fail to provide ongoing funding at scale to address the crisis?

News

Better know a CA gubernatorial candidate: Toni Atkins

Former Senate pro Tem Toni Atkins, photo by AP.

We’re a long way off from the 2026 gubernatorial election, but 14 candidates – nine Democrats and four Republicans – have already kicked their campaigns to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom into high gear. Some are familiar names and faces; others are not. And of course all of them are, like the rest of us, waiting to see if former California Attorney General, U.S. Senator and Vice President Kamala Harris adds her name to the list. While Harris ponders her future, over the next few months Capitol Weekly will take a brief look at how the current candidates shape up.

Capitol Spotlight

Capitol Spotlight: Sen. Scott Wiener

Sen. Scott Wiener. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol Weekly

Nobody can ever accuse Sen. Scott Wiener of only taking on the easy fights. The San Francisco Democrat has in fact developed a reputation as someone almost allergic to tackling any bill – from housing to health care, from psychedelics to artificial intelligence – that doesn’t promise a bare-knuckles brawl to get passed.

Capitol Spotlight

Capitol Spotlight: Erica Costa, Senate Fellows Program

Erica Costa. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol Weekly.

The Capitol’s Fellows programs are considered some of the toughest to break into, and Erica Costa is no stranger to that challenge. A graduate of the Assembly Fellows Program, followed by over 15 years of public service experience, she was recently named director of the Senate Fellows Program at the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State University.

Opinion

New MWD policy could be revolutionary

The "Dos Amigos" pumping plant, San Luis Canal, part of the California Aqueduct system; Los Banos, central California. Image by Sundry Photography

OPINION – The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California recently adopted what could be a revolutionary policy, providing a lens through which to consider how to spend precious ratepayer dollars.

Opinion

California must strengthen tenant protections

Image by Renata Hamuda.

OPINION – Despite what many think, California spends a mere 1% of its total budget on housing and homelessness. Until we take bold action by dramatically increasing public investment and strengthening tenant protections, this crisis will only worsen.

Opinion

AB 255 is commonsense reform for addiction recovery

Image by Albina Gavrilovic

OPINION – Over the past decade California’s homeless residents have endured a catastrophic addiction epidemic that has claimed thousands of lives and spread despair in communities across the state. Compassion requires a new course. AB 255 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) is a commonsense reform to support addiction recovery and save lives.

News

Bill to suspend marijuana tax advances

Business in cannabis. Image by Yarphoto.

California’s legal cannabis industry has struggled under heavy regulation and taxation while the black market has thrived. In an attempt to turn the tide, Assemblyman Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, has authored legislation to take some of the pressure off of California’s legal cannabis operators.

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