Image by XurzonOPINION – The Neighborhood Decarbonization Act is crucial in ensuring that Californians, regardless of income, can protect themselves from the dangers of extreme heat and live safely and comfortably in their homes.
Photo by Mike Rafter, taken at the California Lowrider Holiday. Design by Ted AngelThis year we wanted to do something to recognize some of the true giants within our Capitol community, folks we think have a track record of influence so impressive and that we must acknowledge them in a way that stands the test of time. With that in mind, we have an exciting new wrinkle for you this year – the Capitol Weekly Top 100 Hall of Fame.
Cement plant and ready mix concrete. Image by Maksim SafaniukOpinion – Cement and concrete in our state must continue to be available at scale. It is vital for every aspect of our built environment, and as our weather becomes more extreme, it is critical to keep producing a resilient and durable material like concrete to future-proof our communities.
Image by Vitalii VodolazskyiCalifornia’s Office of Administrative Law (OAL) plays several roles concerning the rulemaking activities of the state’s two hundred regulatory agencies, departments, boards, and commissions. There is not just the “regular” rulemaking, but also emergency rulemaking, and even review of “underground” regulations.
Image by wildpixelOPINION – During the 2023-2024 legislative sessions, lawmakers have proposed over 5,500 new laws, many of which will have significant impact on the state economy. Senate Bill 1047 addresses artificial intelligence, and while it may be presented as erecting guardrails around technical challenges, it actually risks harming innovators of all sizes.
Image by Arseniy45Special interest groups, AKA “lobbyist employers,” paid lobbying firms more than $82 million to lobby members of California’s state government in the second quarter of 2024, according to a Capitol Weekly analysis of lobbying firm reports.
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Photo by AP.The events of the past week have seemingly turned the Presidential race on its head in a frenetic month of nerve-wracking surprises. While the results of national and statewide polling are relatively small considering the major shifts in the campaign, we can use our large sample Capitol Weekly poll, with over 5,000 completed surveys, to look at underlying trends that speak to the factors that will be in play as we head toward November.
Kim Delfino, photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol WeeklyKim Delfino, an environmental attorney and consultant, is known for her vast knowledge of land use law, wildlife law, water law and energy law. The president of Earth Advocacy, she has led her campaigns while balancing the needs of her family (she and her husband have two adult children) and surviving breast cancer.
Image by Debalina GhoshOPINION – The FRESH Act will remove barriers to necessary services, increase the likelihood of successful reentry for justice-involved individuals transitioning back into the community, and maximize utilization of a federally-funded program that benefits California.
Gas Burners. Image by artisteerOPINION – Because consumers have a right to know about the potential health harms of gas stoves, the California Legislature should pass AB 2513 requiring warning labels on gas stoves.