News
Experts Expound: Christmas edition
Image by cmannphotoLet’s say you are Santa Claus: who from California politics is getting the biggest box under the tree this year? Conversely, who is getting a fat lump of coal in their stocking?
Posts Tagged: Sacramento
Image by cmannphotoNews
The enduring friendship between Toni Atkins and Shirley Weber
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.
Capitol Briefs
Capitol Briefs: Comings, goings and bills oh my
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.
Micheli Files
More insights on drafting legislation in California, Part III
California State Capitol building on a sunny day in Sacramento. Image by miroslav_1. During his recent review of the more than 900 bills sent to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom, intrepid McGeorge law professor, Capitol lobbyist and regular Capitol Weekly contributor Chris Micheli compiled a number of legislative drafting notes and decided to share them with our readers. This is the third of three parts. Part I can be found here and Part II can be found here.
Opinion
SB 41 is a classic political play at the expense of Latino families
Image by artisteer.OPINION – Senate Bill 41, pitched as “drug price reform,” isn’t serious reform. It’s a political play designed to give Sacramento lawmakers credibility to be on the good side of a universally hated issue, even if it comes at the expense of the very communities they claim to champion.
Capitol Spotlight
Capitol Spotlight: Niesha Fritz, Lucas Public Affairs
Niesha Fritz, photo by Joha Harrison. Niesha Fritz’s career path began when she was young, with an electric typewriter gifted to her by her late grandfather and a pension for asking questions. Polishing her writing skills through contests her mother encouraged her to apply for, Fritz eventually settled on journalism. “It was the storytelling I really enjoyed, the process of gathering the details, and then sitting down and weaving them together into something that could be compelling,” she said. “I just sort of fell in love with the craft of it.”
Micheli Files
Bill Volume of California legislative committees – 2025 Session
The California state Capitol at dusk. (Photo: Karin Hildebrand Lau, via Shutterstock)The California Legislature has a combined 55 standing committees, with 32 in the Assembly and 23 in the Senate. In today’s Micheli Files lobbyist and law professor Chris Micheli breaks down the original bill referrals to policy committees during the 2025 Session (meaning the first committee that received a bill from the Rules Committee).
Micheli Files
Using letters to the journals in the California Legislature
The state Capitol, Sacramento. (Photo: Wikimedia)In today’s edition of the Micheli Files, intrepid McGeorge law professor and Capitol lobbyist Chris Micheli offers best practices for the use of letters to the Assembly and Senate Daily Journals.
Capitol Spotlight
Capitol Spotlight: CFA Executive Director Janeth Rodriguez
Janeth Rodriguez, California Faculty Association, Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol WeeklyIt’s hard to pinpoint exactly when Janeth Rodriguez started on the path that led her to become the new executive director of the California Faculty Association. Even she hesitated when she was asked to tell her story.
News
Capitol Weekly Insider Survey: The best and worst legislators of 2025
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. Photo by Scott DuncanIn our latest survey conducted in partnership with Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc., we polled thousands of Capitol denizens on their favorite and least favorite legislators. As with the Top 100, this is sure to spark some controversy.