Capitol Weekly

10/16/2025

On the last day for bill actions (October 13), California Governor Gavin Newsom finished reviewing the 917 bills that were sent to his Desk during the 2025 Legislative Session, including 913 regular session bills and 4 special session bills. That figure was in the middle in terms of the number of bills he has received during his seven years in office.

On the last day for bill actions (October 13), California Governor Gavin Newsom finished reviewing the 917 bills that were sent to his Desk during the 2025 Legislative Session, including 913 regular session bills and 4 special session bills. That figure was in the middle in terms of the number of bi...

10/16/2025

What if we just erase that gap between high school and higher education? What if we made applying to university as easy as transitioning from ninth to tenth grade? Those were questions asked by freshman Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento) and the inspiration for Senate Bill 640.

What if we just erase that gap between high school and higher education? What if we made applying to university as easy as transitioning from ninth to tenth grade? Those were questions asked by freshman Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento) and the inspiration for Senate Bill 640.

10/15/2025

Proposition 50 would require California to use new congressional district maps through 2030. Use of independent Citizens Redistricting Commission maps would resume in 2031
Governor Newsom and Democrats in the legislature argue that the “Election Rigging Response Act” is a temporary, emergency proposal to counter mid-decade partisan gerrymanders underway in Texas and other red states that are designed to benefit President Trump and the Republican Party. Republicans counter that California should not return to partisan redistricting in which the party in power controls the maps.

Proponents from each of the campaigns offered their arguments in a debate moderated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly and Juliet Williams of CalMatters. Rusty Hicks, Chair of the California Democratic Party represented the Yes side. Patricia Sinay of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission represented the No side. Watch a recording of the debate here.

California Votes: Proposition 50 was held from Noon – 1:30 PM, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento.

DEBATE: Proponents from each of the campaigns offered their arguments in a debate on the merits of Prop. 50. Rusty Hicks, Chair of the California Democratic Party represented the Yes side. Patricia Sinay of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission represented the No side.

10/15/2025

As California voters gear up for a statewide special election on Nov. 4 over the closely watched Proposition 50, Capitol Weekly, CalMatters and the University of California Student and Policy Center hosted a debate, “California Votes: Proposition 50,” on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

As California voters gear up for a statewide special election on Nov. 4 over the closely watched Proposition 50, Capitol Weekly, CalMatters and the University of California Student and Policy Center hosted a debate, “California Votes: Proposition 50,” on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

10/13/2025

With drastic federal spending cuts being imposed on Medicaid patients, we sat down with Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO Jodi Hicks to assess the impact of those cuts on her organization and the significant number of California women and men who rely on PPCA for much of their health care.

With drastic federal spending cuts being imposed on Medicaid patients, we sat down with Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO Jodi Hicks to assess the impact of those cuts on her organization and the significant number of California women and men who rely on PPCA for much of their health c...

10/13/2025

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined today by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. The Treasurer is the state’s banker and manages $3 trillion per year, among many other things. Ma is a former San Francisco Supervisor, state legislator and member of the Board of Equalization, and a current candidate for Lieutenant Governor. She spoke with us about the Treasurer’s job, her path to that office, and about her mentor, the legendary John Burton.

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We're joined today by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. The Treasurer is the state's banker and manages $3 trillion per year, among many other things. Ma is a former San Francisco Supervisor, state legislator and member of the Board of Equalization, and a current candidate...

10/13/2025

More than a year ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to give California’s gaming tribes special standing in court to settle, once and for all, a long-simmering dispute they’ve had with their rival gaming rivals, the state’s cardrooms. Friday, however, the judge in the case ruled that despite the Legislature’s best efforts the tribes’ suit is preempted by federal law and cannot move forward.

More than a year ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to give California’s gaming tribes special standing in court to settle, once and for all, a long-simmering dispute they’ve had with their rival gaming rivals, the state’s cardrooms. Friday, however, the judge in the case ruled that des...

10/13/2025

Last November Los Angeles County voters narrowly approved Measure G, a massive reform to county governance that will eventually expand the Board from its current five members – each representing around 2 million people – to nine, along with a mayor-like county executive position. Many details are yet to be worked out, but the changes promise to be some of the most significant in California’s largest city in over a century.

Last November Los Angeles County voters narrowly approved Measure G, a massive reform to county governance that will eventually expand the Board from its current five members - each representing around 2 million people - to nine, along with a mayor-like county executive position. Many details are ye...

10/13/2025

The Micheli Minute, October 13, 2025

Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.

10/10/2025

More than a year ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to give California’s gaming tribes special standing in court to settle, once and for all, a long-simmering dispute they’ve had with their rival gaming rivals, the state’s cardrooms. Friday, however, the judge in the case ruled that despite the Legislature’s best efforts the tribes’ suit is preempted by federal law and cannot move forward.

More than a year ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to give California’s gaming tribes special standing in court to settle, once and for all, a long-simmering dispute they’ve had with their rival gaming rivals, the state’s cardrooms. Friday, however, the judge in the case ruled that des...

10/09/2025

Most of the provisions of the California Constitution concerning the Legislature are found in Article IV, Sections 1 thru 28. Nonetheless, there are a number of provisions found in other Articles of the state constitution affecting the duties and powers of the Legislature. This article highlights the other major constitutional provisions concerning the Legislature.

Most of the provisions of the California Constitution concerning the Legislature are found in Article IV, Sections 1 thru 28. Nonetheless, there are a number of provisions found in other Articles of the state constitution affecting the duties and powers of the Legislature. This article highlights th...

10/08/2025

We sat down recently with Amanda McAllister-Wallner, Executive Director of Health Access California, a consumer advocacy coalition that advocates for more accessible, equitable, affordable, quality health care for all Californians to talk about the impact of impending federal budget cuts. The interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

We sat down recently with Amanda McAllister-Wallner, Executive Director of Health Access California, a consumer advocacy coalition that advocates for more accessible, equitable, affordable, quality health care for all Californians to talk about the impact of impending federal budget cuts. The interv...