Image by kuarmungadd. OPINION – California produces nearly half the nation’s fruits and vegetables. Yet this holiday season, more than one in five California households face food insecurity. Among households with children, it’s one in four.
Image by JJ GouinOPINION – California Democratic leadership, from Assembly leader Robert Rivas to Governor Gavin Newsom, have pledged to address Californian’s kitchen table economics. But they continue to ignore one of the most powerful tools available to provide immediate relief to millions now—rent caps.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber with former Senate pro Tem Toni Atkins. When former Senate pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) launched her campaign for governor in early 2024, she had her friend of 20 years introduce her. That friend was Secretary of State Shirley Weber.
The state Capitol in Sacramento. (Photo: PPIC)In this edition of Capitol Briefs: a new bill proposal, an initiative is cleared for signature gathering, people on the move and our new trio of Capitol Weekly interns.
Legislation. Image by tumsasedgarsWhy do I think our state should publish its bill drafting manual? I believe it would enhance the ability of the state’s judiciary to better interpret statutes.
A groundwater monitoring well used for environmental groundwater sampling. Image by actualreece. OPINION – Across California, regulators maintain extensive records on contaminated bodies of water and hazardous remediation sites, especially in the Bay Area, Los Angeles Basin, and San Diego. Current policy allows polluted sites to be closed once they are deemed stable and pose minimal risk. But groundwater levels are climbing, and contamination that was once submerged is now at risk of being mobilized.
Legislation. Image by tumsasedgarsAs we head into the second year of the 2-year California Legislative Session, some legislators may want to re-introduce a bill that did not make it to the Governor’s Desk during this first year. Are there any applicable rules governing this question?
Image by Thapana Onphalai. A little less than a year after the California Legislature achieved near gender parity, uncertainty clouds the next chapter. Will the 2026 elections preserve the historic gains, or will the Capitol slide backward?
Cap and Trade image by WANAN YOSSINGKUMOPININ – California’s climate policies are impeded not by market volatility and unpredictability, but rather by indecision, the inability of the political establishment to decide what price we are able and willing to pay to mitigate climate change.
Photo by AP.While both Gov. Gavin Newsom and his political nemesis President Donald Trump heavily use social media and podcasts to speak directly to voters, their communications teams also produce an avalanche of traditional press releases, advisories and briefings for the news media, an average of nearly seven pieces of written material every day of the year through Nov. 15 from the pair, according to a Capitol Weekly analysis.