“The Dilemma of Mental Commitments in California.” Photo by UC Davis Library If there was any single event that sped the emptying of state asylums in California in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was the publication of a 204-page report entitled, “The Dilemma of Mental Commitments in California.” The report was an exposé, a philosophical treatise, and a policy prescription.
Image by Wasan TitaSome of the most challenging negotiations lawmakers face come when trying to remove an initiative from the upcoming ballot. There’s a reason for that. Actually, a lot of reasons.
Image by hapabapaIn looking over the 1,200 bills that reached Governor Newsom’s Desk during the 2024 Session, I found several with interesting provisions. They are in random order as I came across them in my review of the bill language.
Image by PetmalOPINION – Truck manufacturers are not mass producing heavy-duty commercial electric trucks, a sign that the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations hailed revolutionary, are not working as intended.
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 WeeklyIn 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.
Green kratom powder, capsule and beverage. Image by Betka82. OPINION – Next year, California legislators will have another opportunity to introduce a comprehensive approach to kratom regulation, balancing consumer protections with access to leaf kratom and kratom extracts.
Image by Marcelo Fabian MollarettiIt’s all over now but the shouting – Gov. Gavin Newsom has acted on all the massive number of bills sent his law by lawmakers this session. From AI to zero emissions, by now everyone knows the fate of their pet bills(s), and has weighed in accordingly.
Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.
Image by phakphum patjangkataThe 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.”
Image by VectorMineOPINION – As Californians move towards EVs, their Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) has projected about a $5 billion dollar decline in gasoline tax revenue over the next decade. This is a significant oversight to a policy change that should have been identified before implementation.