Image by Raja J. In contrast to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget, the Legislature’s budget proposal includes $31.5 million in bridge funding to help California’s private foster care agencies navigate a fast-moving insurance crisis that developed around the time lawmakers were leaving Sacramento last year.
Image by Jair Ferreira Belafacce. OPINION – California’s public works construction market is worth a staggering $46 billion—and growing. But behind this impressive figure lies a problem that’s costing workers, taxpayers, and responsible contractors alike: outdated penalty and registration systems that effectively reward cheaters and leave regulatory agencies dangerously underfunded.
OPINION – The story of the Digital Age is one of rapid innovation, with people quickly adopting new tools while institutions meant to ensure everyone shares in the benefits often lag behind.
AI continues to advance at astonishing speed. More than 500 million people around the world—including 80,000 developers representing the next wave of business
Steve Hilton. Image via AP. In the fifth installment of our ongoing look at candidates to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom when he terms out next year, we look at Republican candidate Steve Hilton.
Image by Pranithan Chorruangsak. OPINION – AB 1043, a bill presented as an online child safety measure aimed at protecting young people by requiring app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for downloads, will lead to negative impacts for the very same marginalized youth it seeks to protect—especially LGBTQ+ youth.
Image by PhonlamaiPhoto. OPINION – With workers facing such unprecedented disruption — on top of the Trump Administration’s proposed $1.6 billion in cuts to Department of Labor funding — it’s imperative that state lawmakers prioritize workforce development funding during final budget negotiations.
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) being physically removed from a a Department of Homeland Security press conference. Image by AP. It was an intense day in California politics, starting with California’s senior U.S. Senator Alex Padilla being forcibly removed from a Department of Homeland Security press conference in the morning and then U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer agreeing to California’s request for a temporary restraining order to wrestle control of the state National Guard back from President Donald Trump in the late afternoon.
Image by BrianAJackson. Both the Legislature and the Governor in California play critical roles in the development and adoption of the state budget. Relevant provisions of state law related to the budget process are contained in Article IV of the state Constitution.
Donald Trump and Elon MuskIn just 90 minutes last week, the storied bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk imploded in a barrage of X posts, Truth Social rants, and public jabs, shattering their so-called Co-Presidency into a bitter feud.
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Today we welcome Amy O’Gorman Jenkins, the state’s preeminent cannabis lobbyist. Jenkins was one of the first lobbyists for the state’s once-maligned, now coveted, cannabis industry, first when she worked out of Darius Anderson’s shop, then later at her own firm, Precision Advocacy. She describes an industry in peril, with legal outlets closing, legal sales dropping, and the state’s cannabis excise tax poised to go up July 1 unless the legislature acts.