Image by Julia GominaOPINION – Just like gas stations and banks, grocery stores must continue to adapt to the times. Lawmakers can’t turn back the clock –and they must not turn their backs on consumers who want to shop exactly the way they choose.
Image by Sundry PhotographyIt has been one heck of a busy week, but even as we write these words lawmakers are wrapping things up and readying for their month-long vacation. Here’s a smattering of things you might missed from this week’s action.
Image by cbiesIt does not come as a surprise for readers to know there are numerous obstacles to overcome during the legislative process in the California Legislature. These obstacles are generally categorized as policy, fiscal, and political obstacles that may need to be addressed as a bill makes its way through the legislative process in this state.
Steve and Jan SuchilAs he became a fixture in Sacramento’s Capitol community during a 36-year career working on insurance and finance issues in the California Legislature, State executive agencies and the private sector, Steven M. Suchil had a simple formula for success. “To be effective,” he said, “your word has to be your bond.”
Photo by APLawmakers from D.C. to California are calling for tighter regulations on event ticket-selling giant Ticketmaster. But efforts to do so in California have into finger pointing and recriminations that leave those potential reforms in limbo.
Mental health stigma. Image by designer491OPINION – Two bills currently in the state Legislature follow the lead of many in the disability rights movement by bringing our state’s codes up to date with person-first language where appropriate and stop the stigmatization around mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
High voltage transmission towers - image by peterschreiber.mediaOPINION – California urgently needs solutions to our energy affordability and reliability crisis, especially as we approach summer and inevitable heat waves that drive up temperatures along with energy bills. Fortunately, a suite of bills rapidly advancing through the state legislature would go a long way towards solving problems of energy reliability, affordability and safety.
Image by peterschreiber.mediaMany Capitol observers are aware of the single subject rule. Some know that the California Constitution, in Article II, Section 8(d), provides that “an initiative measure embracing more than one subject may not be submitted to the electors or have any effect.” But does a similar rule exist for bills considered by the California Legislature?
tCapitol Briefs: Budgets, insurance and police dogs, oh my! It’s all in the new edition of Capitol Briefs.
Image by Apichat NoipangOPINION – California’s Office of Healthcare Affordability (OHCA) recently adopted spending targets to slow healthcare spending growth and make it more affordable for Californians. The targets are ambitious and will be difficult to meet.