California State Capitol dome at dusk. Image by WallentineCalifornia has three types of open meetings laws that apply to local and state governmental entities. These laws, adopted over the years, apply to state agencies and departments, the Legislature, and local entities (including city councils and boards of supervisors).
Image by hapabapaIn looking over the 1,200 bills that reached Governor Newsom’s Desk during the 2024 Session, I found several with interesting provisions. They are in random order as I came across them in my review of the bill language.
Asm. James Gallagher speaks at Capitol Weekly's California Ballot Forum. California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks, left; Capitol Weekly editor Rich Ehisen, center. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol WeeklyIn the wake of Tuesday’s heated presidential debate, Capitol Weekly’s CALIFORNIA BALLOT FORUM: 2024 Election Preview brought together a diverse group of experts to discuss some of the most contentious issues on this year’s ballot: minimum wage, rent control, and penalties for theft and drug crimes.
Image by WallentineLawmakers have sent Gov. Gavin Newsom hundreds of bills to be acted on before the end of the month. Here are a few of those measures he must consider.
The California State Capitol building in Sacramento, CA. Image by jsolieThe suspense files have been cleared and one major bill package has been too. But there are still two weeks of high intensity action to come in this year’s legislative session.
Image by Jim ValleeOPINION – There will be another primary election on Tuesday, and the result will be another indictment of this state’s failed top-two primary experiment. It’s time we go back to a system in which we let voters from all parties — Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Greens – select a candidate in primary elections and then let a battle of contrasting political ideas play out in the fall.
Reps. Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter. Photo courtesy of the U.S. House of RepresentativesDianne Feinstein’s announcement she will not seek another term has sparked a furious three-way battle for the Democratic nomination to replace her. But is there a Republican dark horse in the mix? Or maybe even California Gov. Gavin Newsom? We asked our experts to weigh in.
Crime scene photoCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: In the wake of the horrific January 21 shooting that killed 11 people in Monterey Park, Gov. Newsom visited hospitalized survivors. His conversation with one patient revealed an added stress for survivors of gun violence and other violent crime: the inability to cover expenses incurred or wages lost due to the incident.
A children's playground cloaked in greenery. (Photo: JameSit, via Shutterstock)OPINION: From San Diego to Sacramento, the threat of rising temperatures to our youth continues to worsen. And as six million California public school students return to class this month, they’ll be walking onto schoolyards covered with asphalt – prison-like, unhealthy environments that are detrimental to a kid’s physical, mental and educational health.
From San Diego to Sacramento, the threat of rising temperatures to our youth continues to worsen. And as six million California public school students return to class this month, they’ll be walking onto schoolyards covered with asphalt – prison-like, unhealthy environments that are detrimental to a kid’s physical, mental and educational health.
A tangle of glass and plastic beverage bottles at a Santa Monica recycling site. (Photo: Joseph Sohm, via Shutterstock)After a nice dinner with your loved ones, make sure to keep the wine and spirit containers alongside the recyclable bottles. The state Senate passed Senate Bill 1013 on a 39-0 vote and sent it to the Assembly just before lawmakers left for their summer recess.