Image by mapo. Now that the California Legislature has concluded its 2025 Session, and Governor Newsom is working through whether to sign or veto the bills that reached his Desk this year, I pose the question whether and how any vetoed bills are considered by legislators?
Governor Newsom, flanked by Democratic allies, announces his push for the Election Rigging Response Act. Photo by Capitol WeeklyGov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting push – and the similar action in Texas that begat California’s effort – illustrates that in American politics today none of the old rules seem to apply. How else would you explain a savvy career politician with a genuine shot at the White House openly advocating to disenfranchise the registered voters of a rival party?
Image by Sandwish. For some, a common pricing algorithm is merely a good use of technology that allows a company to simplify its pricing structure. To others, it is a surreptitious way for businesses to get around federal and state antitrust laws that bar them from participating in price fixing schemes.
Image by Sutthicha Weerawong. What is the difference between a law’s “effective date” and its “operative date”? A common definition of “effective date” is when the new law is “on the books.” A common definition of “operative date” is when the new law becomes operative or is implemented (which commonly, but mistakenly, is described as when the new law is “in effect”).
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: The National Conference of State Legislatures was created by state legislators and legislative staff in 1975. NCSL serves America’s 50 states, commonwealths, territories and the District of Columbia and hosts the annual NCSL Legislative Summit, the largest policy meeting in the US. We’re joined today by Tim Storey, who has headed the organization since 2019. We asked him what the ‘hot’ topics were at this year’s Summit, how his members feel about the Redistricting wave sweeping the nation, and how the organization has maintained its bipartisan status in a deeply partisan era.
Photo by Sundry Photography. Design by Ted AngelHello everyone and welcome to the 17th edition of the Capitol Weekly Top 100. Unlike the heroine of Janis Ian’s classic song about the cruelties life can visit upon us at such a tender age, I’m looking at the seventeenth edition of this list with a sense of optimism.
Cut down day. Image by :Pla2na. The two Appropriations Committees in the California Legislature have a unique procedure they each use called the “Suspense File.” Basically, any bill which has been keyed “fiscal” by the Legislative Counsel is referred to the fiscal committee in each house, called the Appropriations Committee. The vast majority of those bills are placed on the Suspense
Sen. Henry Stern, photo by AP. There seems to be general agreement that it is a good thing to teach students about the horrors of genocide. But SB 472, Sen. Henry Stern’s genocide education bill currently making its way through the Legislature, illustrates how hard it can be to gain consensus on what to cover and how to do it.
Image by sergeyryzhov. OPINION – Lawmakers must heed the message being delivered loud and clear by California voters and reject Assembly Bill 446 (Ward) – misguided legislation that would eliminate the discounts and loyalty reward programs that millions of California consumers rely on each year to save thousands of dollars and make ends meet.
Newsom bill signing. Image via YouTubeThis week was overwhelmed by the battle over redistricting, but there were other things going on as well.