The latest effort by legislative staff to unionize. The approval of the first over-the-counter birth control pill. UC Davis’ Mind Institute’s summer seminar on developmental disorders.

State legislative staffers unionization effort

They’re the often unseen workforce that makes the wheels of California’s politics turn, an army of busy bees working long hours shepherding lawmakers and their bills under the State Capitol. They’re legislative staffers, a workforce of nearly 2,000 full-time employees who serve the people of California. But it’s a job that some staffers say takes a toll, some claiming they work long hours without overtime pay. Others have said they’ve experienced hostile work environments. Legally, these state workers are not allowed to unionize. For that to change lawmakers need to pass a bill signed into law by the governor. It’s been attempted multiple times over the years, but efforts granting legislative staffers the right to unionize have fallen short. But there is a new attempt making its way through the State Capitol and this time the bill has bipartisan support. Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio’s first Capitol Fellow, spoke with current and former legislative staff members about another effort underway to unionize and shared why they believe this time could be different.

Over-the-counter birth control

Every year in the U.S. there are roughly six million pregnancies. And almost half are unintended. That is according to the FDA, which this month just approved the first birth control pill for over-the-counter use. The tablet is called Opill and has been available by prescription for 50 years. And soon this daily oral contraceptive will be available without a prescription at drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, as well as online.  But there are still some unknowns, especially when it comes to cost. Dr. Daniel Grossman, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at UCSF and Director of Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), discusses the significance of the FDA’s approval of an over-the-counter birth control pill called Opill, how it differs from other birth control pills, and the pathway this potentially opens up for other over-the-counter medications.

Seminar on neurodevelopmental disorders

For almost 20 years, UC Davis’ MIND Institute has hosted an educational seminar to share the latest news, information, research and support on issues of autism, ADHD and fragile X syndrome.  Amber Fitzgerald, UC Davis MIND Institute’s Program Manager and Summer Institute co-coordinator joins us on Insight to share details of this weekend’s event and why the MIND Institute is focusing on inclusion as it relates to neurodevelopmental disorders.