On April 23, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber addressed Black staffers during a reception at the State Capitol.
Weber joined leaders and members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and the California Legislative Black Staff Association for the annual Black Staff Appreciation Event.
Weber told guests that she is committed to uplifting Black professionals in government.
“During the conversation, Secretary Weber underscored the importance of creating space for Black staff to connect with elected leaders and ensure they are heard and seen at the highest levels,” Weber’s office posted on Facebook.
Weber also thanked the CLBC and CLBSA for providing her the opportunity to inspire others.
“Thank you for creating these platforms and uplifting the next generation of Black leaders in government,” she wrote.
Legislative Republicans: California’s Capitol Makeover Has Cost Taxpayers $1.1 Billion — With Secrets and No Oversight
The costs of California’s Capitol makeover — pitched as a necessary infrastructure upgrade by supporters — have ballooned into a billion-dollar controversy, drawing fire for its growing price tag, lack of transparency, and allegations of special treatment under state regulations.
Critics, led by Republicans in the California Assembly, say what began as a $543 million renovation has now exceeded $1.1 billion, which is more than double the cost of Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center. They also accuse state officials of providing few public updates or justifications for the dramatic rise in spending.
Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) also criticized the project’s costs and secrecy around ongoing communication about it, emphasizing a lack of accountability in the renovation of a publicly funded government facility.
“I think this is the height of hypocrisy,” Hoover said. “You are using taxpayer dollars for a taxpayer-funded facility, and yet you are going to design it in a way that shields you from the public and shields you from accountability.”
Among the most controversial expenditures are $5.2 million spent on imported Italian granite and design elements like hidden hallways, allegedly intended to allow lawmakers to bypass public and media interaction. Despite these upgrades, plans for a public visitor center have reportedly been eliminated, even as the project’s budget continues to expand.
Hoover and other Legislative Republicans say over 2,000 nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) have been signed in connection with the project, raising questions about transparency and oversight. No formal updates have been provided by the oversight committee since April 2021, further fueling criticism that taxpayers have been deliberately kept in the dark.
Critics also point to an apparent double standard in environmental regulation. While most Californians must adhere strictly to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Capitol Annex Project was quietly granted an exemption, drawing further scrutiny from lawmakers and watchdog groups.
