Differences Between the Assembly and the State Senate
In today’s podcast, I explore some the differences between the California State Senate and State Assembly, as they relate to the legislative processes of both houses. For the most part, the differences are fairly minor, since they both play similar roles in the legislative process.
California currently faces a major public education crisis. Similar to the housing crisis, California’s teacher supply has failed to meet demand, resulting in severe teacher shortages throughout the state. Seventy-five percent of school districts are understaffed, particularly with regard to fully-credentialed teachers. Compounding this problem is California’s affordable housing crisis. Housing
SB 54, which has been referred to as the “highest-profile act of defiance to Trump’s nascent presidency,” is indicative of the many ways in which opposition parties have declared war against President Trump’s immigration policies. It is a targeted response to the overlap between federal immigration enforcement and state and local law
Is it deal making, or vote trading?
In this podcast, I explore a question that is often discussed by Capitol observers: Are legislative negotiations considered deal making – and lawful – or vote trading – which would be improper at best, or illegal at worst? We’ll take a look at the relevant constitutional
Is the Legislature complying with Prop 25 when they pass budget trailer bills after the fact?
In this podcast, I take an in depth look at an interesting situation that played itself out this past legislative session. In September of this past session, legislators passed two “junior” budget bills and a few dozen
Today’s Senate Public Safety Committee Informational Hearing on the recent rise of violence at protests struck at the heart of one the most difficult questions California, and the nation, has had to deal with this year: How do we balance the need to protect our constitutional rights to free speech and assembly