Image by Arseniy45. OPINION – The 2025 legislative session reflected both the complexity and potential of doing business in California. Though not all doom and gloom, Sacramento has much more work ahead to ensure our state remains a place where businesses, families and communities can thrive.
Image by Jacob Wackerhausen. What if we just erase that gap between high school and higher education? What if we made applying to university as easy as transitioning from ninth to tenth grade? Those were questions asked by freshman Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento) and the inspiration for Senate Bill 640.
Image by mohd izzuan. On the last day for bill actions (October 13), California Governor Gavin Newsom finished reviewing the 917 bills that were sent to his Desk during the 2025 Legislative Session, including 913 regular session bills and 4 special session bills. That figure was in the middle in terms of the number of bills he has received during his seven years in office.
Image by Valerii Evlakhov. More than a year ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to give California’s gaming tribes special standing in court to settle, once and for all, a long-simmering dispute they’ve had with their rival gaming rivals, the state’s cardrooms. Friday, however, the judge in the case ruled that despite the Legislature’s best efforts the tribes’ suit is preempted by federal law and cannot move forward.
Image by Stadtratte. OPINION – For years, various low- and zero-emission automobiles have been the darlings of policymakers, such as Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Gov. Jerry Brown, a host of Sacramento lawmakers, activists and consumers who felt the need to show off their green bona fides. To the astonishment of no one, they became particularly popular in California. But now a curiosity arises: How will their popularity fare without special government treatment?
Image by MattGush.OPINION – Speaking on behalf of the 15,000 longshore workers who are the backbone of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, I can say this plainly: SB 34 is a rational, balanced policy that protects middle-class union jobs, prevents taxpayer dollars from being used to automate those jobs away, and ensures continued environmental progress without destabilizing California’s economic foundation.
Amanda McAllister-Wallner. Photo courtesy of Health Access California. We sat down recently with Amanda McAllister-Wallner, Executive Director of Health Access California, a consumer advocacy coalition that advocates for more accessible, equitable, affordable, quality health care for all Californians to talk about the impact of impending federal budget cuts. The interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Image by Yaroslav Olieinikov. OPINION – California’s Latino business community has endured more than its fair share of hardship these last few years. Senate Bill 7 is framed as a cutting-edge “AI” regulation, but could actually apply to everyday commonplace workplace tools like spreadsheets and HR software use.
Dr. S. Monica Soni and Capitol Weekly editor Rich Ehisen. Photo by Joha Harrison. On Wednesday Capitol Weekly and The University of California Student and Policy Center presented the Health Care in California Conference, which tackled President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” and its impact on patients, medical research, hospitals and overall access to healthcare for Californians across the state.
Image by Vlad YushinovOPINION – Responding to our increasingly violent politics, Utah’s Republican Governor Spencer Cox recently called social media a “cancer on our society.” By signing SB 771, California Governor Gavin Newsom can prevent the cancer from spreading.