Chris Micheli

Practical Tips for Working with the Governor’s Legislative Unit  By Chris Micheli             In talking with staff from the Governor’s Legislative Unit the past few weeks, there are some practical tips that were shared with me for those working with the staff members of the Governor’s Legislative Unit. While some of these recommendations may seem obvious, many of them bear repeating. The following are some of the suggestions shared with me these past few weeks: ·          Always identify the client(s) you are engaging on behalf of, the topic, and the position when requesting a meeting. In addition, provide the meeting participants in advance. ·          Submit your support or opposition letter, or a request for signature or veto, to the following email address: leg.unit@gov.ca.gov , The earlier you communicate any concerns about a bill, the better. In other words, the first time the Governor's Office is hearing about an issue with a bill should not be wh

Should Tax Levy Statements Be Explained?  By Chris Micheli             Some California bills are deemed a “tax levy” by the Office of Legislative Counsel. Readers of California legislation will see a section at the end of a bill that reads as follows: This act provides for a tax levy within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. Under Article IV, Section 8(c)(3) of the California Constitution, “statutes calling elections, statutes providing for tax levies or appropriations for the usual current expenses of the State, and urgency statutes shall go into effect immediately upon their enactment.” This begs the question of what is a “tax levy”? Unfortunately, the term is not defined in either the state Constitution or in statute. According to the Office of Legislative Counsel, for California bills, a “tax levy” means a ny bill that changes the rate, base, or burden of a tax. For example, a bill that imposes, repeals, or materiall

Second-ever California Bills Signed by a Senate Leader  By Chris Micheli             Earlier today, July 6, California State Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), who is serving as Acting Governor as Governor Newsom and Lt. Governor Kounalakis are out of the state, held a bill signing ceremony this morning. The Acting Governor signed the following bills: ·          AB 588 (Speaker Rivas) – Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Act: board members ·          AB 354  (Stephanie Nguyen) – Sacramento Regional Transit District: Td of directors: membership ·          AB 410 (Reggie Jones-Sawyer) – Shared mobility devices Senator Atkins is the second Senate leader (who is third in line to the Governorship) to sign legislation. The first was in 1972 and then again in 1976 by then Senate President pro Tempore James Mills.

Why Is Senator Atkins the Acting Governor?  By Chris Micheli On July 6, 2023, State Senator Toni Atkins, who serves as the President pro Tempore of the Senate, signed legislation. How is that allowed? And why is the Acting Governor? Article V, Section 10 of the California Constitution provides that the Lieutenant Governor becomes “Acting Governor” during impeachment, absence from the state, or other temporary disability of the Governor. In addition, Section 10 states, “ The Legislature shall provide an order of precedence after the Lieutenant Governor for succession to the office of Governor and for the temporary exercise of the Governor’s functions.” First in line after the Lt. Governor is the Senate President pro Tempore, who is Senator Atkins. Because neither the Governor nor the Lt. Governor were in the state on July 6, Senator Atkins was the Acting Governor and had all the same power as Governor Newsom does when he is in this state, including the power to sign or veto legisl

Tenure of California Speakers  By Chris Micheli             With Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas being sworn into office on June 30, 2023, the following is a look back over the past four decades of legislators holding this powerful position. 67 persons have held this position during California’s history as a state. The following is a list of those serving as Assembly Speaker since 1980 and their tenure in that office: Willie L. Brown, Jr. (D) 1980 to June 5, 1995 (15 years) Doris Allen (R) June 5, 1995 to September 14, 1995 (just over 3 months) Brian Setencich (R) September 14, 1995 to January 4, 1996 (almost 4 months) Curt Pringle (R) January 4, 1996 to November 30, 1996 (11 months) Cruz M. Bustamante (D) December 2, 1996 to February 26, 1998 (1 year and 3 months) Antonio Villaraigosa (D) February 26, 1998 to April 13, 2000 (2 years and 2 months) Robert M. Hertzberg (D) April 13, 2000 to February 6, 2002 (1 year and 10 months) Herb Wesson (D) February 6, 2002 to