Posts Tagged: democrats

News

The growing cost of health care continues to vex state policymakers

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 Weekly

In 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.

Opinion

Prop. 36 transcends partisanship

Image by Rawf8

OPINION – Prop. 36 is a common-sense reform of Prop. 47 that is designed to address the unintended consequences that have emerged from that law ten years after its passage. As the Mayor of California’s 3rd largest city, I see the costly and deadly results of the flaws in Prop. 47 every day.

News

Capitol Briefs: racing toward the finish line

Image by phakphum patjangkata

The deadline for California Gov. Gavin Newsom to address the hundreds of bills lawmakers sent him last month is on Monday. As always, the bigger measures draw most of the attention, and rightly so. But here are some of those measures the governor has signed or vetoed that are less “above the fold.”

CA120

CA120: Harris still polling very strong in California

Vice President Kamala Harris

The latest Capitol Weekly polling of California voters shows continued strength for Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race, with 59% of voters supporting Harris and 34% supporting former President Donald Trump. 

News

Will Alvarado-Gil’s party switch effectively disenfranchise her constituents?

Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, Sen. Roger Niello, Sen. Brian Jones. Photo via Alvarado-Gil X account.

California’s Fourth Senate District covers 25,000 square miles, basically 1/6th of the state. It stretches from Death Valley in the South to Truckee in the North and juts out West to grab Modesto, the district’s largest metropolitan area. Now the region’s representation in the Senate over the next legislative cycle could severely compromised because the decision by its senator, Marie Alvarado-Gil, to jump political parties.

Opinion

Stop attacking our heroes

OPINION – Patriotism is front and center in this year’s election and that’s a good thing. But this election has also seen the continuation of a troubling trend: attacking those who serve. It’s deeply unpatriotic and we should call it out. 

News

CALIFORNIA BALLOT FORUM: Experts spar over 2024 propositions and election impacts

Asm. James Gallagher speaks at Capitol Weekly's California Ballot Forum. California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks, left; Capitol Weekly editor Rich Ehisen, center. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly

In the wake of Tuesday’s heated presidential debate, Capitol Weekly’s CALIFORNIA BALLOT FORUM: 2024 Election Preview brought together a diverse group of experts to discuss some of the most contentious issues on this year’s ballot: minimum wage, rent control, and penalties for theft and drug crimes.

Opinion

Enough is enough: one Democrat’s take on homeless encampments

West Hollywood Homelessness Wild Tents Camp. Image by welcomia

OPINION – The problem of homeless encampments is completely out of control, and so I applaud Gov. Gavin Newson’s recent strong executive action, seeking to compel local governments to deal with the intractable issue, particularly now that the U.S. Supreme Court has given the legal green light to do so.

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