Alex Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants who rose over two decades in politics to become California Secretary of State, will be the first Latino to represent the state in the U.S. Senate.

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Padilla, a Democrat from Los Angeles, to fill the Senate seat being vacated by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

The governor did not specify when Padilla would take over for Harris, who has yet to resign her seat.

Padilla will serve out the remainder of her term, which ends in 2022, and will then have to run to win a full six year term.

The Legislature pushed its return date to Sacramento for the start of the 2021 legislative session back by a week to January 11 due to staggering COVID-19 numbers.

Both houses have instituted pandemic protocols ranging from temperature checks, mandatory masking and social distancing, plexiglass installations at the Capitol’s entrance and more frequent cleaning.

The delay underscores how challenging it will be to continue working uninterrupted in 2021.

Almost daily, new cases in the Capitol community prompt email alerts to all staff and members to announce another case in state government buildings.

Gov. Gavin Newsom set a special election in Los Angeles County to replace state Sen. Holly Mitchell, who left in mid-term for the county board of supervisors.

The special primary election will be held on March 2.

If no candidate wins more than half the vote, a special runoff election will be held on May 4.

In a recent case, a Superior Court Judge ruled in favor of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

The judge upheld its authority to require disclosure of public money by public entities during an election campaign.

The FPPC faced a challenge from the California State Association of Counties and California School Boards Association of its regulations requiring government agencies spending taxpayer money to influence voters to disclose their activity in the same manner as other individuals, groups, and entities who spend money to influence voters.

In a ruling in Los Angeles Superior Court, the Honorable Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled the regulations in question are legal and within the authority of the FPPC.

The ruling bolsters the FPPC’s determination these regulations are valid and enforceable.

Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced a lobbying ban for his paid political advisers.

This ban comes after weeks of criticism over his close ties to consultants who also work for corporate clients and other influential interests at the state Capitol.

In a memo shared by the governor’s office, Newsom’s chief of staff, Ann O’Leary, announced a new ethics policy.

The policy bars any of his paid campaign or political consultants from directly lobbying the governor, his staff or state agencies under his control.

Gov. Newsom also committed to not hiring any registered lobbyists as paid consultants.

The ban is effective immediately.

Furthermore, the governor has directed his legal affairs secretary to appoint a chief ethics advisor to advise him and his team on all ethics matters.

The Ethics Commission on Tuesday announced the unanimous selection of David Tristan to serve as the next executive director.

Tristan succeeds Heather Holt, who was hired in 2006 and has served as the executive director since 2011.

His appointment will become effective January 18.

Per the Los Angeles City Charter, the Ethics Commission appoints and discharges its own executive director.

The term limit is 10 years.

Additionally, the executive director may not hold any other public office, be employed as a lobbyist and cannot participate or contribute to any city election campaign during their tenure.

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) adopted cost of living adjustment regulations amending contribution limits and gift limit amounts.

The newly adjusted contribution limit in effect for candidates for the Senate or Assembly and candidates for elected seats to the Board of Administration of the Public Employees Retirement System for an election occurring during the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022 is now $4,900 per person.

The newly adjusted annual gift limit amount in effect for the period January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, is $520.

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) adopted cost of living adjustment regulations amending contribution limits and gift limit amounts.

The newly adjusted contribution limit in effect for candidates for the Senate or Assembly and candidates for elected seats to the Board of Administration of the Public Employees Retirement System for an election occurring during the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022 is now $4,900 per person.

The newly adjusted annual gift limit amount in effect for the period January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, is $520.

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 on Friday to set campaign contribution limits at $25,000.

Hundreds of community members called in asking the county go with the forthcoming state limit of $4,700.

Opponents of the $25,000 ceiling voiced concerns the higher limit would lead to corruption.

Others argued the county should not make a decision until a replacement for deceased Supervisor Adam Hill is seated.

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation limiting campaign contributions to local candidates to $4,700 in cities and counties not having their own contribution limits.

Those limits go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

The $25,000 limit will apply to candidates for 10 county offices, including the five supervisors, the district attorney, and the sheriff.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill moving non-presidential year primaries back to June.

Senate Bill 970 will return California to the traditional midterm primary date.

The bill becomes effective January 1, 2021.

The Legislature presented a bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom relating to online filing and disclosure of specific statements, reports, and other documents.

Assembly Bill 2151 requires a local government agency to post on its internet website, within 72 hours of the applicable filing deadline, a copy of any specified statement, report, or other document required by Chapter 4 of the Political Reform Act of 1974 filed with the agency in paper format.

In addition, the statement, report, or other document must be made available for four years from the date of the election associated with the filing.

Finally, if signed by the governor, the bill becomes effective January 1, 2021.

Lawmakers ended the 2020 legislative session beleaguered by COVID-19, wildfires, a tanked economy, and a looming eviction crisis.

Each chamber worked through roughly 100 bills on their final day, before adjourning after midnight.

The Senate kept passing bills until shortly after 1 a.m.

Some of the bills lawmakers sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom include eviction relief, police reform, COVID-19 response, and a flavored tobacco ban.

The governor has until September 30 to sign or veto any of the bills.

The Oakland Public Ethics Commission has launched the OAKAPPS Lobbyist Registration and Reporting System.

This system allows users to register as an Oakland lobbyist, maintain a client list, enter lobbyist activity, draft disclosure reports, and submit them online.

It is available at https://apps.oaklandca.gov/OakApps/OakApps.aspx.

In order to use the system, a user name and password is needed.

For questions about using this new system, please contact the Oakland Public Ethics Commission at ethicscommission@oaklandca.gov or 510-238-3593.

The City Council approved a November ballot measure relating to contributions and gifts from lobbyists.

The proposed measure would bar lobbyists from making campaign contributions.

The mayor, council members, and senior administrators would also be barred from accepting gifts from lobbyists or city contractors.

The mayor and council members would also be required to sit out of any vote involving a person or entity contributing to their campaign or other cause in the last 12 months and the three months following the vote.

The proposed initiative would also give the mayor the power to hire and fire the city manager and department heads starting January 1, 2023.

The measure also includes a provision to align San Jose’s mayoral races with the presidential election cycle in an effort to increase voter turnout.

The City Council will hold a special meeting on July 28 where they will review the proposed ballot language before sending it off to the county Registrar of Voters.