Richard Grenell, photo by Associated PressRepublicans have basically become irrelevant in California state politics as Democrats have achieved and held a supermajority in the legislature and the threshold for passing a budget has dropped to a simple majority, making Republican votes unnecessary for most bills. So is it even possible that a Republican candidate could follow Gavin Newsom into the governor’s office?
President Trump's portrait superimposed on the California FlagOn Wednesday Feb 26th, Capitol Weekly held its first conference of 2025, and the only one of four this year held online. Throughout three panels and the keynote address by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, participants discussed the state’s longstanding battles with President Donald Trump in three key issue areas – health care, the environment and immigration.
Image by Hotaik SungCalifornia scientists took what looked like an $800 million hit last week in their efforts to develop revolutionary treatments and cures for diseases ranging from cancer to diabetes.
Sen. Jesse Arreguín. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol Weekly Jesse Arreguín became Berkeley’s mayor just as Donald Trump first took the White House. Now, as the Democrat enters the California Senate representing District 7, he’s preparing to face similar challenges on a much bigger stage.
Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom. Photo by Associated PressIn the latest Capitol Weekly poll we wanted to get a sense from voters about how they are responding to the outcome of the presidential election. We surveyed nearly 1,200 California voters and found an electorate that is just as divided as ever and Democrats, in particular, in a funk.
Sen. Tom Umberg and Assemblymembers Marc Berman and Steve Bennett. Photo by Jeff Walters, Senate Rules PhotographyTuesday at the Capitol saw a very chilly morning press conference to announce new efforts to protect both California consumers and our canine friends from the dangers of out-of-state puppy mills. Plus, packages of fire response and recovery measures, some interesting bills from other states and Denmark looking to buy…California!
Image by Scharfsinn86OPINION – California recently withdrew its EPA waiver request for its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation in anticipation of the Trump administration’s opposition. However, CARB need not abandon ACF; the regulation could be reformed as a “feebate” incentive, which would circumvent federal preemption and could also have other advantages over an inflexible standard.
Capitol and flag, by Karin Hildebrand LauTrump 2.0 is already in full swing and California leaders are as well. Budget bills related to the L.A. fires are ready to go, and the Capitol says goodbye to an old friend.
California's State Capitol, Sacramento CA. Image by MattGushNew Year’s resolutions are a staple for many folks, a way to establish goals for themselves they believe will make their lives better. With that in mind, we posed this question to our panel of Capitol observers: What one resolution would you suggest to lawmakers for 2025?
Susannah Delano Close the Gap California. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly Activism is something Susannah Delano was exposed to from birth. “It’s kind of the family business in some ways,” she said. Now, she heads Close the Gap California, a statewide campaign to close the gender gap in the California Legislature by 2028.