Lobbyists numbers in decline, image by fotogestoeberSomething strange seems to have happened this cycle: the number of registered lobbyists decreased for the first time in 14 years. But here’s the thing: nobody’s exactly sure what’s behind it or what it means.
Capitol Weekly's Top 100 2023When I took over as editor of Capitol Weekly back in January, the first thing most people wanted to know was what kind of changes I was going to make. My very honest response was that I wasn’t planning any major changes at all. To quote the old colloquialism, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t freshen it up from time to time. And with that thought in mind, welcome to the 15th edition of the Capitol Weekly Top 100 list.
Image by iQoncept via ShutterstockThe system established by the Political Reform Act is still so complex and so confusing that it’s difficult – if not downright impossible – to drill down on how much a special interest has spent to specifically influence a specific issue.
California Governor's sealHere are some practical tips that were shared with me for those working with the staff members of the Governor’s Legislative Unit.
The California state Capitol in Sacramento. (Photo: Karin Hildebrand Lau, via Shutterstock)Practical tips for those working with the staff of the policy and fiscal committees in the California Legislature.
The state Capitol in Sacramento. (Photo: Always Wanderlust, via Shutterstock)When preparing to lobby legislative committees, the focus is on legislative staff and then legislators. There are two types of staff for our purposes: committee and member. Committee staff, referred to as committee consultants, are those who work directly for the legislative policy or fiscal committees. Member staff are those who work directly for an Assembly member or senator.
An aerial view of a traffic-clogged intersection in Los Angeles. (Photo: TierneyMJ, via Shutterstock)OPINION: California government agencies have focused on reducing traffic congestion when looking at the pollution impacts caused by new development and transportation projects. The result has been a lot of bad decisions that, taken together, have led to longer commutes, urban sprawl, and a failure to invest sufficiently in public transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian pathways.
Paula Treat, the grande dame of Sacramento contract lobbyists, has had a wide range of clients including Tesla, Uber, CCPOA, the California Medical Association, the California Lottery and several Indian tribes, over her four decade career.
The entrance to Frank Fat's on L Street. (Photo: Frank Fat's)Standing only about 5 feet 2 inches tall, Frank Fat left a big impression with everyone who knew him. Arriving in America as a teen-ager, the Chinese immigrant opened a chain of restaurants in the Sacramento area, was active in community causes and built strong relations with everyone from politicians to ordinary citizens.This year, his flagship restaurant Frank Fat’s in downtown Sacramento two blocks from the Capitol, is celebrating its 80th anniversary.
Samantha Corbin (in green), John Howard and Caity Maple taping Politics on Tap at the Brasserie Capitale on K Street. (Photo: Tim Foster, Capitol Weekly)An unusual anniversary: It’s been one year since the distribution of an open letter in which scores of women detailed allegations of sexual misconduct over a period of years involving lawmakers, staffers, lobbyists and others in the state Capitol community.