California State Senate refuses to reverse rules restricting press access to lawmakers

It looks like the Democrats running the State Senate are not happy with the media.  This is not a big deal issue, since the media can always by other means get information or interviews.  But, this is a stick in the eye of the media.

“The rules went into effect when Toni Atkins was Senate Pro Tem. She is now running for California Governor in 2026. She did not respond to a request for comment.

Journalists are and have been allowed to be inside the Senate chamber to cover the action on the floor but now face unprecedented limits. For at least a century, the press has had designated desks that line the California Senate floor, giving journalists direct access to the senators during floor sessions. These desks have allowed journalists to ask lawmakers questions and get clarity on floor action or a vote that’s taking place.

Senate floor records KCRA 3 obtained show in 1931, there were 16 desks along the floor assigned to journalists. Now, there are none.”

Minor but significant. 

California State Senate refuses to reverse rules restricting press access to lawmakers

Ashley Zavala, KCRA,  3/17/25  https://www.kcra.com/article/california-state-senate-restricting-press-access/64213001

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

The California State Senate has made it more difficult for journalists to do their jobs at the state Capitol, especially those in TV news, and despite repeated requests to reverse the policies, leaders indicated they don’t plan to change the rules.

During the pandemic, the Democratic-led upper house of the California Legislature implemented new restrictions around how and when journalists can access state senators while they’re in session.

The rules went into effect when Toni Atkins was Senate Pro Tem. She is now running for California Governor in 2026. She did not respond to a request for comment.

Journalists are and have been allowed to be inside the Senate chamber to cover the action on the floor but now face unprecedented limits. For at least a century, the press has had designated desks that line the California Senate floor, giving journalists direct access to the senators during floor sessions. These desks have allowed journalists to ask lawmakers questions and get clarity on floor action or a vote that’s taking place.

Senate floor records KCRA 3 obtained show in 1931, there were 16 desks along the floor assigned to journalists. Now, there are none.

As the Capitol and State Senate opened up fully in 2023, Senate staff filled the desks and prohibited journalists from using them. The Capitol Correspondents Association of California, which has had the responsibility of assigning the desks to news outlets for decades, was not consulted on the decision and has raised the issue repeatedly with Senate leaders over the last two years.

Last year, Senate leaders removed two desks that were situated alongside the floor and relocated them to a back corner of the chamber, away from lawmakers and behind two rows of seats. Those are the only seats reserved for the press.

Another major issue revolves around the hallway directly outside of the Senate chamber.

Print, digital and radio reporters are allowed to interview state senators in the hallway when lawmakers are in session, but TV reporters are not. This means senators can evade TV cameras about tough or pressing issues if they arrive at session late or leave early.

“I don’t think we’re over asking. We’re just saying treat us the same way you would treat any other entity,” said Steve Stuck, the President of the California Broadcasters Association.

“For us to do news in an accurate and timely manner, we have to have access to that source whatever it may be. You would think at the state Capitol where lawmakers are there and access to press is even more critical, they would give us fair and equal access,” Stuck said.

On the other side of the building in the State Assembly, journalists do not have these issues.

The Assembly reserves up to six desks behind lawmakers for journalists and allows all journalists to conduct interviews in its hallway outside of the chamber. The Assembly’s hallway is half the size. The lower house has double the number of lawmakers as the State Senate.

“The Senate chamber is always open to the media and any credentialed television camera,” McGuire told KCRA 3 after the floor session on Thursday. “You have access to any Senator in the chamber at any time.”

McGuire reiterated that TV cameras are allowed inside of a designated spot inside the Senate chamber and noted TV journalists can do interviews in the hallway before and after the start of a session.

McGuire blamed the Capitol annex project, the office building under construction for lawmakers and the governor, as the reason for the restrictions. It’s not clear when the building will be finished. The legislature has been secretive about the project and it has been years since they’ve provided a public update.

The old Capitol annex was closed in 2019, which housed a press bay that connected to the chamber lounges and member-only restrooms and elevators. Lawmaker offices were steps away from their chambers.

Before the pandemic while the annex was still standing, lawmakers would have to walk by journalists in the press bays to access their exclusive elevator.

McGuire argued the Senate now considers the hallway outside of the chamber as part of the chamber because it includes restrooms and the lounge.

“Let’s be honest, it’s not like we’re picking and choosing winners and losers like the Trump administration. The Trump administration is choosing who should be in a press conference,” McGuire said.

McGuire refused to explain why the Senate and Assembly’s rules are different, or why Senate staff needs to fill the desks that were occupied by journalists for decades.

He walked away when asked if he would confirm that the Senate had no intention of changing the policy.

The comments come after KCRA 3 posted a thread on X Thursday, after KCRA 3 was repeatedly asked to get out of one of the unused desks now reserved for staff.