𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟵𝟮𝟱: 𝗔 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 In politics, it’s common to hear the words “groundbreaking,” “unprecedented,” or “watershed moment” used to describe events that may not truly merit those distinctions. Yet one episode in California history fully deserves all three labels: the Vetoes of 1925.

Here's a thought for you: There are 28 days until Monique Limon becomes California's Senate President pro Tempore. The last pro Tem from Santa Barbara was Clarence C. Ward, who represented the Ellwood Oil Field when it was shelled by the Imperial Japanese Navy sub I-17 on February 23, 1942. #WWII

Taking folks on tours of the State Library is easy. Explaining California history always feels like a heavy responsibility because I'm not just speaking for myself or my employer... I'm trying to share an understanding that is accurate but sympathetic. pro.stateaffairs.com/ca/environme...

What a time to be a political reporter in California. Aug-Sept: End of Session Sept-Oct: Bill Signings Oct-Nov: Statewide Special Election Nov-Dec: Post Election Jockeying of candidates (incl. some big new statewide candidates) January: New Bills & 2026 Election gets into gear

𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻 In the 1940s, there was no lobbyist as influential as Arthur H. Samish. Artie, as he was known, primarily represented the interests of the liquor industry...

Experience #CALeg staffers talking to the new kids about the post-bill signing period.

Rolling into the weekend like

𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 As of California’s latest Report of Registration from the Secretary of State, there were just a little less than 27 million citizens in California who are eligible to vote.

Fun Fact: No California state legislation in the past quarter century has used the phrase "honorable means" which you can find in this 1860 resolution attempting to secure weekly mail between Sonora, CA and Monoville, Utah.

That's true. Life will wait for you and show up when it's most inconvenient.

𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: "𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝘅 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵" Of the hundreds who have served in the Legislature during the past century, there have been fewer than 50 Assembly members who voluntarily left the #CALeg after a single term. Stan Ellis is the latest.

On this date 88 years ago... Shortly after declaring his candidacy for Lt. Governor, State Senator Jerrold Seawell of Roseville responds to a message of support in one of the most elegantly written letters I've ever seen on state* letterhead. * Not allowed to do that anymore!

2026 Candidate List Updated to reflect Assemblymember Stan Ellis announcing that he will not seek re-election (AD-32). docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆? 𝗔 𝗹𝗼𝘁, 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆. Bills are still being reviewed and signed even as the TV lights have dimmed on the Senate and Assembly floors. The end of a legislative session can be hard because while the start of the year is focused on bold ideas and aspirations...

I finished the weekly survey of California political campaigns. New additions this week: + 1 new Congressional candidate + 1 new State Senate candidate + 4 candidates for constitutional office + 6 new Assembly candidates docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗲𝘀 There's a joke that has been circulating through the Capitol for the past few years that asks “What's the scariest thing at the State Capitol?” The punchline, which varies with each telling, is "@zavalaa.bsky.social in new running shoes.”

PREVIEW: All of those first-year #CALeg staffers waking up on Saturday morning after three hours of sleep, before heading back into the office to wrap things up.

One quick thought for legislators and staff on the final day of session. #CALeg

It's the last day (and a half) of session for the California State Legislature. #CALeg staff, it will be a long day but it's days like this that you are here for. Give it your best... today is a day when history will be written.

𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 : 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 Even the casual observer can tell that end of the legislative session is a time of intrigue, building and failing alliances, and high passion.

Last thought for the evening: One of my favorite California fun-facts was that it's the only state to an element named for it... Californium (discovered in 1950). However, it's not true anymore... Tennessine was named in 2017.

Back in the 1940s/1950s, before the advent of member resolutions (resos) and certificates, members of the #CALeg would hand out these LARGE (more than 11x17) "posters" talking about the history of the California state seal. Worth reading. #CA175 cc: @capitolweekly.bsky.social

#CA175: 25 years ago, when California was turning 150 years old, it was John Burton who signed for the State Senate.

First, as we start #CA175 Day, I just want to say that it's an amazing place we live. There is a 65 ft long mural in the Gillis Hall reading room at the @castatelibrary.bsky.social and my favorite part is that it depicts California as both a land of industry and a land of agriculture.

Please let me apologize in advance for all the posting I'm going to be doing tomorrow. The State of California is turning 175 years old and I, having more than a little interest in that particular history, am wickedly excited about this. #California175

John Burton, a titan of 20th Century California politics has died at age 92. Watch the Oral History with journalist Jerry Roberts conducted with Burton here: capitolweekly.net/oral-histori...

Having read his autobiography, former Congressman James Rogan was the second person I thought of when I heard the news that Burton had died. I met Burton once, but Rogan's reflections on Burton match what I had always heard from the Republicans who knew him. www.jamesrogan.org/blog/posts/4...

One of the lesser-known John Burton legacies is that he was the Senate Pro Tem who started the tradition of sitting at Desk 39 in the Senate Chambers, where all later Pro Tems since (including Mike McGuire today) have sat. Previously, the Pro Tems sat in a variety of other desks.

𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 : 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Good lawmaking is an art. It requires time and attention to detail. Some legislators do experiment with other forms of art... cc: @chrisrogersca.bsky.social

It is SO darn impressive when the ballots get counted quick. We had a #CALeg special election in Riverside County on Tuesday and by 4 pm on Thursday there were an estimated 95 ballots left to count (compared to the 65,007 counted so far).

Because it's once again a topic of conversation, let us direct you to our exhibit "Breaking Up California: A History of Many Attempts" looking at the 220+ efforts starting in the Spanish and Mexican eras (pre-1846). www.library.ca.gov/collections/...

𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: The last new Assemblymember of the first 175 years Yesterday was the special general election in Assembly District 63, filling the vacancy created by a resignation in April. LINK FROM ARTICLE: celebratecalifornia.library.ca.gov

In honor of today's #CALeg special election in Riverside Co's #AD63, here's an election thought: These days, we're used to primaries in March or June. But back in 1944, we had a much more compact election season with the primary in August & the general in early November.

Just because so many folks are talking about #CrackerBarrel, I wanted to share these pictures from a few months ago at one a little south of Richmond, VA. As someone who helps work on exhibits (when they let me) having these artifacts without explanations was intriguing as heck.

A long line of news trucks in front of the State Capitol. I wonder if something really interesting is happening there today.

𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗽 The topic of redistricting in California, which usually soars to prominence for only about a year per decade, apparently woke up early this decade. With congressional districts becoming a topic of conversation in the hallways at the Capitol...

The @castatelibrary.bsky.social building at 900 N Street in Sacramento was struck by a vehicle this morning. The collision was to the part of the 1st floor housing the call center for the Braille and Talking Book Library. We will have more information on Monday.

So... anything interesting happening in California politics today?

𝗣𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶’𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝟰𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 By Alex Vassar The year 2015 was a big one in terms of California's representation in Congress. That year, Reps. Henry Waxman and George Miller retired after completing 40 years in the House of Representatives...

It's a paraphrase.

300 days until the 2026 Primary Election.

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻 Eighty years ago today, U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson of California died in Bethesda, Maryland. Johnson had burst onto the state's political scene in 1910, when he was elected Governor following a campaign focused on...

Former California Assemblyman Richard D. Hayden died eight years ago today (8/4/2017). My research into #CALeg history started with a project at SJSU and Hayden was the first legislator I ever interviewed. I lucked out by starting this journey with such a kind and open person.

After the latest fundraising numbers came out this week, I updated my spreadsheet looking at California's statewide and legislative candidates. I don't make predictions (well, not here) but take a look and you can definitely spot the early frontrunners. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

𝗔𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 Although most reasonable people consider the start of the candidate filing period as the beginning of an election, the actual jockeying for endorsements and donations begins long before. LINK: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 One question I get fairly often is, “How many lawmakers have served in the California State Legislature?” Starting with the first day of session in December 1849, there have been 4,524 people who are recognized as having served as state lawmakers.

My math is that if Bill Essayli was appointed on April 1st, his 120th day is next Wednesday. Am I mathing that correctly? "An appointee can lead a U.S. attorney's office for up to 120 days pending Senate confirmation." www.cbsnews.com/news/alina-h...

Some light Saturday morning reading. I'm sure there's nothing that has aged terribly in this 1930 report. 😉

𝗗𝗿. 𝗡𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 Today would have been the 79th birthday for Dr. Sam Aanestad, who served in the legislature from 1998 to 2010.