California State Capitol building. Image by rschlieLawmakers returned from their spring break bills in hand and loaded for bear. This week’s edition of Capitol Briefs takes a look at some of those measures.
Image by PromesaArtStudioIn late March, Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, amended a spot bill, SB 47, to order the State Auditor to conduct an audit of the February 2025 bar exam. The bill would direct the auditor to submit findings “as soon as possible” to the Bar’s board of trustees, the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court and the Senate Judiciary Committee and its Assembly counterpart.
Flag of State of California. Image by Arseniy45. What are the main component parts that comprise the California state budget? What is the “Budget Bill Jr.”? What is a Trailer Bill? The intrepid Chris Micheli, answers these and many other burning budget questions in this week’s Micheli Files.
The California State Capitol Building in Sacramento. Image by t:Marcopolo9442While we all wait to see if former Vice President Kamala Harris will throw her hat into the ring to succeed soon-to-be termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom, it’s a good time to pose a tangentially-related question to our esteemed panel of experts.
Image by peterschreiber.mediaOPINION – Our electric grid is the backbone of modern life—from powering homes and businesses to driving technological innovation. SB 540 ensures that this backbone remains strong, dependable, and cost-effective for California consumers.
Image by WallentineXavier Becerra joins a crowded gubernatorial field; firebrand Republican Assemblymember Bill Essayli exits.
Governors Gavin Newsom and Tim Walz, from the This is Gavin Newsom podcastIf we have learned anything over the past several years, it’s that controversy brings eyeballs. And that may have been the plan all along with the This is Gavin Newsom podcast.
Seasonal Firefighter Ricardo Rodriguez, photo by Ellie Appleby of Capitol WeeklyAfter suffering a disappointing veto last year, supporters of an effort to transition 3000 seasonal firefighters into an all-year-position are back, hoping that this year will be different.
Lia Thomas, photo by AP. OPINION – Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed support for excluding trans girls from girls’ sports. This is a tempting position because it would seem “fair” to keep boys out of girls’ sports and “unfair” to let them play. This seductive idea appeals to emotions. But the premise is wrong.
Image by designer491In August, the Nonprofit Insurance Alliance, which insured 90 percent of the 220 private foster agencies in California, announced that it would not renew coverage of the organizations. Now, these agencies are seeking $47 million from the state budget.