Cities prepare for the impact of new cardroom regulations - Capitol Weekly New regulations around games offered by card rooms have a number of California cities afraid their budgets are about to go bust.

The president of the CA Gaming Assn warns that new regulations restricting the ability of cardrooms to offer the most popular table games would “wipe out a critical source of revenue for dozens of cities,” and some city leaders are echoing the message
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Check out the episode for a great conversation! ⬇️

A chat with Debbie Cox Bultan of NewDEAL - Capitol Weekly CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan has spent more than three decades in Democratic politics and public policy, including 15 years at the Democratic Leadership Council, including ser...

PODCAST: @newdealleaders.bsky.social CEO Debbie Cox Bultan spent more than 3 decades in Dem politics, helping shape strategy for electeds across the country. We spoke with her about NewDEAL's network of leaders focused on pragmatic economic policy and opportunity
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Capitol Spotlight: Assemblymember Laurie Davies - Capitol Weekly From the start of her career in local government, Assemblymember Laurie Davies has taken a hands-on approach to problem solving. That perspective still shapes how she operates in Sacramento, where Dav...

From the start of her career, Asm. Laurie Davies has taken a hands-on approach to problem solving. In Sacramento Davies has built a reputation as a pragmatic lawmaker focused less on ideology and more on how policies affect her constituents
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When Fiona Hutton talks: 25 years in public affairs - Capitol Weekly CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: There was an old ad slogan for a well-known brokerage firm: When EF Hutton talks, people listen. The sentiment survives today, with a slight modification: When Fiona Hutton tal...

PODCAST: Fiona Hutton is celebrating 25 years of Fiona Hutton and Associates. She joined us to talk about a quarter century of FHA and shares some leadership advice, like “When you get into the office, don't look at your to-do list – go check on your team first”
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Swalwell resigns

When Fiona Hutton talks: 25 years in public affairs - Capitol Weekly CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: There was an old ad slogan for a well-known brokerage firm: When EF Hutton talks, people listen. The sentiment survives today, with a slight modification: When Fiona Hutton tal...

PODCAST: Fiona Hutton runs one of the state’s premiere public affairs firms, Fiona Hutton and Associates. Hutton joined us to talk about 25 years of FHA. Plus, a DOOZY of a Worst Week in CA Politics.
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Following days of online speculation, the @sfchronicle.com has published allegations of sexual misconduct against @ericswalwell.bsky.social, a leading candidate for Governor. The accusations include predatory behavior ranging from sexting to sexual assault.
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Former staffer says Rep. Eric Swalwell, candidate for California governor, sexually assaulted her “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement.

Chronicle: Former Swalwell staffer alleges sexual assault
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...

Capitol Briefs: We look at a handful of bills lawmakers have under consideration as we head toward the April 24th deadline for policy committees to hear & report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their chamber. @scottwiener.bsky.social
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Affordability is one of CA’s biggest challenges. Join us 4/30 for the @capitolweekly.bsky.social Conference on Affordability—a UCSPC signature program featuring a fireside chat w/ Mike Madrid + Lorena Gonzalez. Register here: capitolweekly.net/events/affor...

PODCAST: @sacbee.com reporter @liaoffleash.bsky.social was part of the team that broke the news of former Newsom COS Dana Williamson’s arrest last year. We asked about that story, covering the capitol - and about all those tattoos
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We sometimes hear statements around the California State Capitol about codified versus uncodified laws. What’s the difference? In today’s Micheli Files Capitol lobbyist and McGeorge law professor @chrismicheli.bsky.social explains it all for you. #michelifiles
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The first Filipina elected to the Legislature, Asm. Jessica Caloza represents Los Angeles, serving a working-class, immigrant-heavy district. She has built her career on a simple idea shaped by her own experience: that government can transform lives when it works.
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AFFORDABILITY: The Cost of Living in California, April 30, 2026 - Capitol Weekly Capitol Weekly and the University of California Student and Policy Center present Affordability: The Cost of Living in California, Thursday, April 30, 2026 – in Sacramento. Featured speakers include L...

Affordability is one of CA’s biggest challenges. Join Capitol Weekly & @ucstudentpolicy.bsky.social on 4/30 for a Conference on Affordability. Keynote features a conversation with @mikemadrid.bsky.social + @lorenagonzalez.bsky.social. Free! Register here: capitolweekly.net/events/affor...

Experts Expound: The Trump endorsement - Capitol Weekly Does Donald Trump's endorsement of Steve Hilton ensure there won't be an all-Republican gubernatorial runoff in November? Our panel of experts expound.

Does Donald Trump’s endorsement of @stevehilton.bsky.social ensure that Democrats' nightmare scenario of an all-Republican gubernatorial runoff is off the table? Our panel of experts expound.

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Polls vs prediction markets: Contrasting perspectives on the governor’s race - Capitol Weekly Two Republicans lead polling in the California gubernatorial race, but major prediction markets like Kalshi, Polymarket, PredictIt and ForecastEx all say it’s Congressman Eric Swalwell's race to lose....

Two Republicans lead polling in the CA gubernatorial race, but major prediction markets like @kalshiofficial.bsky.social, Polymarket, @predictit.bsky.social & ForecastEx say it’s @ericswalwell.bsky.social's race to lose. Why the mismatch between polls & predictions?
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Lia is a real one! Check out this interview!

Covering the Capitol, with Lia Russell of the Sacramento Bee - Capitol Weekly CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Today's guest is Sacramento Bee reporter Lia Russell. Russell covers the governor for The Bee’s Capitol Bureau, and was part of the team that broke the story of Dana Williamson...

PODCAST: @sacbee.com reporter @liaoffleash.bsky.social. Russell covers the governor, and helped break the story of Dana Williamson’s arrest last year. We asked about that story, covering the capitol, and what it was like to cover politics in Maine and Baltimore
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Capitol Briefs: Ditching the BOE, gubernatorial twin ticket? - Capitol Weekly This week was the legislative spring break so there’s not a lot to report on, but we do have a few nuggets for you…in brief.

Treasurer @fionamacpa.bsky.social has pitched a pair of major govt reforms: eliminating the Board of Equalization & having candidates for governor & lieutenant governor run together on the same ticket.
capitolweekly.net/capitol-brie...

Will CA be next to offer Ink of Hope for trafficking victims? - Capitol Weekly If a bill by Assemblymember Diane Dixon becomes law, tattoo artists would join a long list of professionals required to be trained in spotting signs of human trafficking, including first responders, h...

If Asm. Diane Dixon's #AB1918 becomes law, tattoo artists would join a long list of professionals required to be trained in spotting signs of human trafficking, including first responders, healthcare workers, educators, social workers & more
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CIRM gets first approval of a one-and-done gene therapy - Capitol Weekly After 21 years of “prospecting,” the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has fetched up its first “nugget” – federal approval of a one-and-done gene therapy for a life-threatening di...

After 21 years of “prospecting,” the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has fetched up its first “nugget” – federal approval of a one-and-done gene therapy for a life-threatening disease, an immune disorder called LAD-1.
capitolweekly.net/cirm-gets-fi...

California Labor: Lorena Gonzalez - Capitol Weekly CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Membership in California labor unions grew by over 100,000 members between 2024 and 2025. Our guest today is one of the reasons for those gains. Former Assemblymember Lorena Go...

PODCAST: In #caleg @lorenagonzalez.bsky.social was one of the most respected – & feared – members. She has brought her take-no-prisoners approach to @CaliforniaLabor , getting arrested at protests & sparring online with foes ranging from Elon Musk to centrist Dems
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Tech giants are spending more than ever to shape California politics. See how much Tech giants involved in AI and cryptocurrency spent $39 million last year to influence lawmakers and policy. It's the start of what could be a spending blitz in the upcoming election.

Last year, Meta and Google spent tens of millions of dollars to buy influence in Ca. politics by contributing to campaigns, lobbying, and making payments to nonprofits on behalf of sitting officials.

Why? Mostly to fight AI regulation. My latest for @calmatters.org

calmatters.org/politics/202...

Capitol Briefs: Mayors, legislative agendas and ‘Farmworkers Day’ - Capitol Weekly Next week is Spring Break so this week was busier than usual. Here is our Capitol Briefs roundup of a few of the things we found notable around the Capitol.

The Big City Mayors coalition came to Sacto on Weds to lobby lawmakers and Gov. Newsom to commit $1 billion annually to the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program, “a lifeline for cities addressing our most daunting shared challenge”
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Reading a bill to understand what it is proposing to do - Capitol Weekly Understanding what proposed legislation actually does is part science and part art. This week lobbyist and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli explains it all for you.

Understanding what proposed legislation actually does is part science and part art. This week lobbyist and McGeorge law professor @chrismicheli.bsky.social explains it all for you....
capitolweekly.net/reading-a-bi...

Capitol Spotlight: Jacqui Nguyen - Capitol Weekly In the dark of night shortly before the 1975 fall of Saigon, three-year-old Jacqui Nguyen fled Vietnam on a crowded boat with her parents, her six-month-old brother and nothing but the clothes they we...

Shortly before the 1975 fall of Saigon, three-year-old Jacqui Nguyen fled Vietnam on a crowded boat with her parents, baby brother and nothing else. Today, she works as comms director for Sen. Tony Strickland. She shares her path from refugee to Capitol staffer
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CA120: The digital transition - Capitol Weekly As the California Governor’s race enters the last several months, those millions of dollars that have been raised by candidates are starting to get spent. A new website collects digital ads, broadcast...

The discussion around spending on digital vs broadcast can be contentious. According to one gubernatorial candidate who messaged us, “Broadcast TV is Dead.” You can guess that it wasn’t @tomsteyer.bsky.social who has spent nearly $45 Million on broadcast TV alone
capitolweekly.net/ca120-the-di...

CA120: The digital transition - Capitol Weekly As the California Governor’s race enters the last several months, those millions of dollars that have been raised by candidates are starting to get spent. A new website collects digital ads, broadcast...

A new website collects digital ads, broadcast TV and radio ad buys for the CA Gov's race. See how much was spent, by who, what geography was served and what age/gender groups were targeted. @paulmitche11.bsky.social in Capitol Weekly

capitolweekly.net/ca120-the-di...

From Cesar Chavez to We Said Enough - Capitol Weekly CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: The New York Times' bombshell report on allegations of sexual abuse of young girls by Cesar Chavez, coupled with UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta's disturbing story of rape at his...

PODCAST: The @nytimes.com' bombshell report on sexual abuses by Cesar Chavez toppled the legacy of a CA icon. @politico.com's @melmason.bsky.social joined us to reflect on the allegations, the impact of We Said Enough, and the cost of coming forward
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