Hannah Orbach-Mandel, photo by Joah Harrison, Capitol Weekly. Not every policy expert successfully identifies a gap within legislation and pioneers their way through our bureaucracy to solve it. 27-year-old Hannah-Orbach Mandel, policy analyst at the California Budget and Policy Center, has done just that.
Rudy Salas, photo by APAccording to recent USC polling, and the election buzz among national prognosticators, voters could be on the verge of electing the first Latino in the House of Representatives from the state’s Central Valley. Yes, you read that right.
Schroeders Oktoberfest, photo by DowntownSF.orgA new California law allows cities and counties across California to create local ordinances creating “entertainment zones” where local bars and restaurants can sell alcohol to-go in designated areas.
Image by hapabapaIn looking over the 1,200 bills that reached Governor Newsom’s Desk during the 2024 Session, I found several with interesting provisions. They are in random order as I came across them in my review of the bill language.
Image by PetmalOPINION – Truck manufacturers are not mass producing heavy-duty commercial electric trucks, a sign that the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations hailed revolutionary, are not working as intended.
Rep. Kevin Kiley and Democratic challenger Jessica Morse. Photo credits: U.S. Congress, California Natural Resources AgencyOne significant House race has been ignored for much of this cycle by national media and donors: Congressional District 3, currently represented by Republican Kevin Kiley and his challenger, Democrat Jessica Morse.
Crime rate symbol, image by Dmitry DemidovichOPINION – We all deserve to feel safe, no matter where we live or how much money we make. While safety is a priority for all communities, our elected leaders are divided on the approach and solutions to real safety. The fear and frustration many of us feel is a result of this division.
Panel discussion about the impact of California's budget shortfall. L-R: Kristen Hwang, Calmatters; Jess Bartholow, SEIU California; Scott Graves, California Budget and Policy Center; Beth Capell, Health Access California; Michelle Cabrera, County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol WeeklyIn a sign of the times, Capitol Weekly’s annual health care conference on Thursday focused broadly on expenses and efficiency, befitting for an American health care system that has become one of the most expensive in the world.
Green kratom powder, capsule and beverage. Image by Betka82. OPINION – Next year, California legislators will have another opportunity to introduce a comprehensive approach to kratom regulation, balancing consumer protections with access to leaf kratom and kratom extracts.
Image by Kuzmik_AOPINION – California vaccination rates for communicable illnesses dropped during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic when our health system moved to an “emergency only” system. Today, many Californians are still behind on their routine vaccines, leaving communities across our state susceptible to contracting and spreading dangerous illnesses.