Image by Alexandrum79OPINION – Without legislative intervention, an impending hike in the cannabis excise tax will accelerate the collapse of California’s regulated cannabis market, harming consumers, public health, and ironically, the state’s bottom line.
Car enthusiast Gary Ellison. Image by Ellie ApplebyIs the latest legislative effort to exempt classic cars from California’s emissions laws about to run out of gas? The answer to that question could come as early as Friday when the Senate Committee on Appropriations weighs in on SB 712, also known as “Leno’s Law” for its support from former Tonight Show host and noted car enthusiast Jay Leno.
Image by Drazen Zigic. OPINION – AB 84 would centralize oversight of charter schools into a massive new state agency—pulling decision-making away from local communities, draining resources from classrooms, and punishing schools that serve students differently.
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol Weekly. On Wednesday, May 14, Capitol Weekly hosted “California’s Insurance Crisis,” its first in-person gathering of the year and second conference of 2025. Held at the University of California Student and Policy Center, the event featured three panels and a keynote address from the California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. Discussions ranged from the overall state of the insurance industry to the impact of the Los Angeles wildfires and the path forward.
Image by kodda. OPINION – California desperately needs the resources to protect residents from the inevitable reality of the climate crisis. Thankfully, legislation currently moving through the California legislature could be a lifeline for our budget and get us back on the right track.
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol WeeklyHistorically, 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.
Health-focused semaglutide pens. Image by Eduardo Monroy HusillosOPINION – With the state finalizing their budget in the coming weeks and looking to fill deficits, including within the Medi-Cal program, AOM coverage could be on the chopping block. Having seen the importance of comprehensive obesity treatment with AOMs from a clinical standpoint, it’s imperative that this coverage isn’t cut
Image by Aree SarakOPINION – The California Privacy Protection Agency’s proposed regulations surrounding the use of Automated Decision-Making Technology (ADMT) and other AI-assisted systems risk undermining the very ecosystem that has made our state a global economic leader.
Image by robert brownOPINION – Ensuring adequate housing to meet community needs is essential to California’s long-term stability and prosperity. That’s why it’s deeply disappointing and concerning to see Senate Bill 682 advancing, as it risks exacerbating the very crisis we are working to resolve.
Image by Francesco Scatena. OPINION – California stands at a crossroads: either continue allowing companies to produce and sell dangerous “forever chemicals” like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that pollute our environment and jeopardize public health, or take bold, science-based action to eliminate their non-essential uses.