It’s the day after Labor Day, and the California Capitol is humming with slick lobbyists and over-stimulated reporters. It hasn’t been more than 72 hours since I’ve been back in California after living a different life traversing the state of Texas for more than a year.

It’s a reunion – a homecoming of sorts – but an entirely new beginning all at once. To top it off, it’s my first time at the steps of the state Capitol despite being born and raised in the Golden State.

I’m Nadia Lathan, your new newsletter writer, taking over the Sacramento Report from my esteemed colleague Deborah Brennan. I’ll be covering how lawmakers are tackling San Diego issues at the state Capitol in partnership with CalMatters and I’m based in Sacramento.

Prior to Sacramento, I covered the people and politics of

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