CA’s Legislative Session: What’s To Be Expected As Lawmakers Reconvene During Pandemic

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 5: An exterior of the state capitol is shown on January 5, 2006 in Sacramento, California. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered his state of the state address in the Assembly Chambers of the state capitol today. In his speech, Schwarzenegger admitted to making mistakes with the special election and vowed to work with members of the Assembly and Senate and try to move California ahead in the year to come. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

The California Legislature is back in session starting Monday, and it’s already shaping up to be an atypical year with legislators kicking things off at Sacramento’s Golden One basketball arena to accommodate for proper distancing.

The California Legislature is back in session starting Monday, and it’s already shaping up to be an atypical year with legislators kicking things off at Sacramento’s Golden One basketball arena to accommodate for proper distancing.

According to a recent CalMatters piece from politics observer Dan Walters, this legislative session is bound to be shaped by the pandemic in all kinds of ways. There are concerns over the basic logistics of how lawmakers legislate during the pandemic, which is likely to bleed over from last session. Beyond that, the state’s economy and revenue sit in a state of uncertainty. And some of California’s most pressing matters, like homelessness and housing affordability, remain.

Today on AirTalk, we discuss what to expect this legislative session and how the pandemic will play into priorities and expectations. Do you have questions? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Katie Orr, government and politics reporter for KQED; she tweets

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Dan Walters, long-time California politics observer with CalMatters, a nonprofit public interest publication; he tweets

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