California Constitution – California Globe

Some Suggestions for Those New to the California Constitution

October 18, 2026 2:30 amOctober 18, 2026 2:31 am

The following are suggestions for new students of the California Constitution where I emphasize understanding its massive scale, its structural intersection with state statutes, and how direct democracy shapes it. My core advice can be found in three major areas:...

Considering Legislative Statements with Unambiguous Statutes

October 12, 2026 2:00 pmOctober 12, 2026 2:01 pm

As a general rule, California courts only consider extrinsic evidence (such as committee or floor analyses) when a statute is ambiguous. In other words, if a statute is clear, then the plain meaning of the language controls and there is...

Commentary on Federal Constitutional Judicial Branch Provisions

October 10, 2026 8:23 amOctober 10, 2026 8:23 am

California’s state government, with its three branches, is based upon the federal government and its three separate, but co-equal branches. Both the United States and California Constitutions set forth these three branches of government. The following provides commentary regarding the...

Bills Containing a Local Mandate in California

October 5, 2026 9:21 amOctober 5, 2026 9:21 am

Article IV of the California Constitution deals with the Legislature and the legislative process in this state. The Legislature enacts statutes by passing bills. Bills that are enacted in California, per the state Constitution, may impose a mandate on local...

Bills Taking Immediate Effect in California

October 4, 2026 9:57 amOctober 4, 2026 9:57 am

Article IV of the California Constitution deals with the Legislature and the legislative process in this state. The Legislature enacts statutes by passing bills. Bills that are enacted in California, per the state Constitution, generally take effect on January 1...

CalPERS Can’t Show Its Work

October 1, 2026 6:00 amOctober 1, 2026 6:01 am

CalPERS just posted a 14.8% return for fiscal 2025-26. Assets reached $637.1 billion and the funded ratio rose to 85%, up from 79% a year earlier. Good news deserves a fair hearing, and it raises a question. If the books...

Commentary on Federal Constitutional Legislative Branch Provisions

September 29, 2026 2:30 amSeptember 29, 2026 8:06 am

California’s state government, with its three branches, is based upon the federal government and its three separate, but co-equal branches. Both the United States and California Constitutions set forth these three branches of government. The following provides commentary regarding the...