California’s water future: Chelsea Haines

Capitol Briefs: The legislative thrill ride

The California State Capitol Building in Sacramento. Image by t:Marcopolo9442

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 06.26.2026

This week was the deadline to place or remove ballot measures from the November ballot. Almost a half dozen ended up being pulled, but the biggest one – the billionaire tax – is heading to voters.

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

Will California expand its century-old antitrust law?

Image by Mohamad Faizal Bin Ramli.

by OLIVIA BYE posted 06.24.2026

A bill working its way through the Legislature has the potential to significantly expand California’s landmark antitrust law, providing a major update to over 100 years of antitrust framework at the state level.

Phrases often heard on the floors of the California Legislature

Image by Capitol Weekly.

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 06.25.2026

A lot of terms and phrases get used in the Capitol. In determining what these phrases actually mean, we can consult the Legislative Counsel’s Glossary of Terms.

Come Together: Asm. Heather Hadwick and Asm. Patrick Ahrens

Asm. Patrick Ahrens and Asm. Heather Hadwick in Hadwick's office. Photo by Tim Foster, Capitol Weekly

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 06.22.2026

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Sometimes it seems like bipartisanship has gone the way of the dinosaur, the Dodo Bird and $3 gasoline, but Assemblymembers Heather Hadwick (R) and Patrick Ahrens (D) are doing their best to keep the dream alive. While the two come from dramatically different districts with distinct priorities (AD01 and AD26) the two bonded over their shared childhood experiences with the Head Start program, and have teamed on legislation to support California children. They sat down with us to talk about their shared priorities, and where they have to differ.

Capitol Briefs: A new caucus, ballot measure deals, pitching Newsom

Capitol Briefs logo

by LEAH O’TARROW & RICH EHISEN posted 06.19.2026

The number of women serving in the California Legislature has grown steadily in recent years, due in great part to the efforts of Close the Gap California’s recruiting efforts. Now the group has its own caucus.

Help communities understand the water impacts of data centers

Aerial drone video of a large data center building exterior, representing the massive technological infrastructure required for storing, processing data, and delivering global digital services.

by MARIE GRIMM and MICHAEL KIPARSKY posted 06.26.2026

OPINION— California’s boom in data centers places growing demands on stressed water resources.

State leaders must step up and fund the Youth Sports for All Act

Youth Soccer Match. Kids Playing Football on Grass Field in Team Uniforms. Children Sports Activity and Competition

by DEREK FISHER posted 06.29.2026

OPINION — A statewide survey should not read like a verdict on the future of our state’s children. The 2026 California Play Equity Report does just that. The Play Equity Report finds that 76% of California youth do not meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s physical activity guidelines, and 60% of California parents struggle to afford youth sports.