Kathryn Palmer

Author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter from the San Francisco Chronicle.

CapCon California

Oct 9, 2026

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6 min read

No on Prop 45 campaign gets labor boost

Also: Will Hilton and Becerra’s wildly different strategies move the needle?

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

The Dem-on-Dem race for insurance commissioner

Oct 7, 2026

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6 min read

The Dem-on-Dem race for insurance commissioner

Also, state lawmakers slam Trump over Iran comments

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

California’s redesigned health tax hit with lawsuit

Oct 5, 2026

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5 min read

California’s redesigned health tax hit with lawsuit

Also, the new law aimed at reining in sexual assault lawsuits

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Oct 2, 2026

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5 min read

Newsom signs landmark anti-trust law

Also, California bans child marriage

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Newsom signs slew of anti-ICE, detention center bills

Sep 30, 2026

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6 min read

Newsom signs slew of anti-ICE, detention center bills

Immigration package includes several first-in-nation laws

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Newsom signs bill on conversion therapy definition

Sep 28, 2026

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5 min read

Newsom signs bill on conversion therapy definition

Top takeaways after Newsom signs dozens of bills over the weekend

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Court calls Bianco’s ballot seizure ‘unlawful,’ orders them returned

Sep 25, 2026

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5 min read

Court calls Bianco’s ballot seizure ‘unlawful,’ orders them returned

Also, what has Newsom been up to in NYC this week?

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

In split from allies, Newsom vetoes abortion shield law

Sep 23, 2026

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5 min read

In split from allies, Newsom vetoes abortion shield law

Newsom's eyebrow-raising veto decisions

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Law aims to ban GOP states from sending troops to CA

Sep 21, 2026

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5 min read

Law aims to ban GOP states from sending troops to CA

Also, Newsom signs order to speed up AI regulations and consider a ‘kill switch’

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Newsom signs AI ad disclosure bill, teases more AI action

Sep 18, 2026

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5 min read

Newsom signs AI ad disclosure bill, teases more AI action

Also, high-speed rail audit reveals billing gone wild

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Newsom signs first-in-nation wildfire smoke damage bills

Sep 16, 2026

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4 min read

Newsom signs first-in-nation wildfire smoke damage bills

Also, California Democrats celebrate Supreme Court’s mail-in voting ruling.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

As Newsom exits, abortion rights group seeks to codify shield laws

Sep 14, 2026

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5 min read

As Newsom exits, abortion rights group seeks to codify shield laws

How the Cervantes sisters, both lawmakers, took on California’s most controversial sheriff.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Newsom signs nation-leading bills on social media, AI

Sep 11, 2026

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6 min read

Newsom signs nation-leading bills on social media, AI

Also, Newsom continues his tiptoe around a wildfire liability special session.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

House candidate aims to take vaccine fight to RFK’s door

Sep 9, 2026

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4 min read

House candidate aims to take vaccine fight to RFK’s door

Also, how a bill died last week not over a lack of votes, but a lack of time.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Newsom says he has ‘open mind’ on special session, after PG&E announces cuts

Sep 4, 2026

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6 min read

Newsom says he has ‘open mind’ on special session, after PG&E announces cuts

Also, Legislature moves to create first-in-nation smoke damage standards.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Assembly kills wildfire bill in surprise last-minute move

Sep 2, 2026

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6 min read

Assembly kills wildfire bill in surprise last-minute move

Also, ban on electroshock gloves heads to Newsom.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Lawmakers shoot down Newsom’s biggest wildfire liability targets

Aug 31, 2026

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5 min read

Lawmakers shoot down Newsom’s biggest wildfire liability targets

Also, contentious anti-trust bill passes after bruising battle.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Shock glove ban joins end-of-session crush

Aug 28, 2026

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5 min read

Shock glove ban joins end-of-session crush

Dozens rally for controversial bill that would give tribes more control over ancestral state lands.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Newsom, lawmakers at odds over key pieces of wildfire deal

Aug 26, 2026

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5 min read

Newsom, lawmakers at odds over key pieces of wildfire deal

Also, Newsom touts new elections bills in wake of Supreme Court’s mail voting decision.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Wildfire utility proposal sparks friction in Legislature

Aug 24, 2026

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5 min read

Wildfire utility proposal sparks friction in Legislature

Will a California Forever deal land before lawmakers this week?

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Bill on AI bosses hopes to avoid second veto

Aug 21, 2026

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6 min read

Bill on AI bosses hopes to avoid second veto

Also, a resolution on daylight savings time passes - could California nix it entirely?

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Aug 19, 2026

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3 min read

Outgoing lawmakers bid farewell

Here's what to know

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Bills countering Trump teed up for floor debates

Aug 17, 2026

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5 min read

Bills countering Trump teed up for floor debates

Also, the ICE and detention center accountability bills to watch.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Biggest winners and losers of suspense day

Aug 14, 2026

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4 min read

Biggest winners and losers of suspense day

Also, bill that would have capped ticket resales dies on suspense.

Kathryn Palmer

CapCon California

Legislators pull out big guns ahead of suspense decisions

Aug 12, 2026

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4 min read

Legislators pull out big guns ahead of suspense decisions

Celebs, rallies converge on Capitol as bills head to critical Thursday hearings.

Kathryn Palmer