In general, messaging is a more informal method of communication, which often leads to a false sense of security or lack of forethought, and has the potential to create legal exposure. It also opens the door for mistakes, by saying the wrong thing or leaving room for the wrong interpretation.

As the state’s fiscal watchdog, California State Controller Betty Yee has a finger on the pulse of what is now the world’s sixth largest economy. But her influence reaches far beyond just paying the State’s bills. We sat down with her recently to talk about taxes, climate change and why she is compelled to address issues like human trafficking.

California rang in the new year with a newly legal product: cannabis.

Direct democracy can be an exhausting business.

I interviewed a job candidate who was severely overweight and had trouble walking. While the job is mostly a desk job (administrative assistant) the admins are expected to run things back and forth when needed. Could I have asked her about her health? I didn’t. I didn’t offer her the job, either, and now I’m feeling guilty. What should I have done?

It is impossible to know what West Sacramento would look like without its most prominent advocate, Mayor Christopher Cabaldon. And it’s impossible to understand the mayor without understanding the tragic accident that drove him towards success. 

By now, most employers know there are certain questions they can ask, and certain questions they must avoid when interviewing a candidate for a job. They know that anti-discrimination laws apply before a worker is even hired, and have heard stories about costly lawsuits resulting from an employer asking the wrong question of a prospective employee during a job interview.

Do Capitol employees have enough protection to believe that they can report sexual harassment or assault and maintain their careers?​

For the past seven years, I have taught a class at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, which is called “The Business of Politics.” As a guest speaker, Chris Micheli has presented a lecture for several years on lobbying at the State Capitol.

There’s sometimes a fine line between good governance and trolling.

One of this year’s most controversial—if not quite as consequential—state bills is a proposal by Democratic Sen. Mike McGuire of Healdsburg that would require presidential candidates to release their tax returns before they can appear on a California ballot.