Jeff Walters, photo by Capitol WeeklyWhether state senators are discussing legislation, leading a press conference, or giving a presentation, official Senate photographer Jeff Walters is often called on to capture the scene. He is one of the most recognizable faces at the Capitol and has taken photos of just about everybody, from Paris Hilton to the Dalai Lama.
California's historic Capitol dome. Image by :WallentineIn the new edition of Capitol Briefs: Crossover day comes and goes, Glazer’s journalism support bill dies, lawmakers ponder a new trio of ‘official” state emblems, and Anthony Rendon wants you to get happy!
The Capitol's Top power couple: Ann Patterson and Nathan Barankin. In just a few months, Capitol Weekly will unveil its 16th annual Top 100 list recognizing the most influential members of the Capitol community. As we began researching this year’s list, however, we realized that in all our years of the Top 100 we’ve overlooked a critical dynamic of Capitol clout: the Capitol power couple whose combined prominence and rolodex is greater than the sum of their parts. To rectify that, today we publish our first ever Capitol Weekly Top 10 Power Couples, along with three up-and-coming pairs to keep your eyes on.
California's lady justice, image by BreizhAtaoEveryone is talking about Proposition 47 this year. So with that in mind, it’s time for our panel of experts to weigh in. The question: Californians are fed up with crime, and – correctly or not – Proposition 47 is getting much of the blame. Will either lawmakers or voters eventually make substantive changes to this law?
Don Andrews, photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol WeeklyDon Andrews is a proud family man with a successful side hobby as a professional poker player. He started playing tournaments with a $300 windfall in the late 1990s and has been playing off that money ever since.
Image by cmshepardOPINION – The proposed design of the building to replace the historic (now demolished) Capitol Annex is an all-glass façade that is not just historically incompatible, but a dangerous compromise of security, especially for the children and visitors who frequent the Capitol grounds. As someone who knows a thing or two about buildings and calls California home, I’m seriously worried.
Image by ADLCOPINION – While state planners see offshore wind as key to meeting our climate and 100% clean-electricity goals established in SB 100, this will not happen without significant investments to upgrade our ports for offshore wind deployment.
Julie Cravatto, photo by Scott Duncan PhotographyJulie Cravotto, Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-San Luis Obispo), originally thought she would pursue a career in the public health field, but that ambition quickly came to a halt when she was assigned to a cadaver lab in high school as part of a medical school preparation program. Nonetheless, she learned the invaluable lesson that there are various avenues to serve people in this world besides attending to cadavers.
Judy Yee, photo by Scott Duncan photographyJudy Yee, legislative director for Assemblymember Luz Rivas, isn’t just focused on her own career. She is looking to lift up those who have come behind her.
Image by r.classenThere are a lot of practical tips for working with the attorneys at the OLC. While some of these recommendations may seem obvious, many of them bear repeating.