What We Do
Analysis, Advice, Advocacy
Since its founding in 2011, Capitol Matrix Consulting has produced hundreds of reports, briefs, issue memos, bill and proposition analyses, financial models, power-point presentations, ballot statements and oral presentations for dozens of clients, including state and local governments, private businesses, trade associations, lobbyists, communication firms, and law firms.
Our work product has ranged from private confidential analysis and recommendations covered by attorney-client privilege or non-disclosure agreements, to major reports and policy briefs made public by our clients. At the direction of our clients, we have also presented our findings in numerous public hearings, press briefings, meetings, workshops, podcasts, and annual conferences. Our public work has been cited in scores of articles in newspapers, online and TV/radio programs and in “for” and “against” arguments on ballot propositions.
Focus and Range of Projects
We are expert in economic impact analysis and policy analysis of bills, initiatives, and regulations imposed by state and local governments. Our work is thoroughly sourced, relying on economic and professional literature, detailed government and industry data sources, and relationships we have developed over the years with public and private sector representatives with subject-matter expertise. We have conducted detailed analyses an a wide range of subjects, including:
Regulatory impacts in areas of climate, energy, transportation, consumer privacy, and recycling
Oil and gas extraction, refining, distribution, and sales
Sports wagering, gambling, tribal gaming
Criminal justice
Health care finance
K-12 education finance and curriculum
State and local government finances
Labor laws and regulations, including minimum wage and working conditions
Housing and rent control
Insurance and utilities
Tax policy and revenue estimation
Tort reform, pension reform, tax reform
Who We Are
Michael Genest
Founder and Chairman
Michael Genest opened Genest Consulting in January of 2010 to provide advice, analysis and advocacy on fiscal and policy issues affecting state and local government. In January 2011, he founded Capitol Matrix Consulting (CMC), which has since prepared hundreds of analyses and presentations on topics ranging from state and local government finance to energy, housing, transportation, health care, employment, small business, gaming and taxation policies and proposals. Clients have included law firms, business associations, think-tanks, tribes and governments.
Prior to going into private practice, Genest was Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Director of the California Department of Finance. In his 30-year career in state government, Genest served as Undersecretary of the Health and Human Services Agency, Chief of Administration at the Corrections and Rehabilitation Agency, Director of the California Senate Republican Fiscal Office, Administrator of the state’s public health programs and Deputy Director for Welfare Programs in the Department of Social Services. Mr. Genest began his career in California state government with ten years at the Legislative Analyst’s Office following a post-graduate job in Governor “Big Jim” Thompson’s Bureau of the Budget in Illinois. Mr. Genest received his master’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, Graduate School of Public Policy in 1980 and his Baccalaureate in Political Science from San Jose State University in 1978. Before that Mr. Genest was a journeyman carpenter in the Napa chapter of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners.
Brad Williams
Chief Economist
Brad Williams joined (CMC) in 2011 after serving in various positions in California state government for nearly 33 years. During the past 14 years at CMC, Mr. Williams has been involved in hundreds of projects covering energy and regulatory policy, economic forecasting, economic and fiscal impact analysis, and state and local government taxation and finance.
During his prior three decades in state government, Mr. Williams served in key positions in the State Treasurer’s office, Assembly Appropriation Committee and the Legislative Analyst’s Office, where he was chief economist and Director of Budget Overview and Fiscal Forecasting. During his government career, Mr. Williams was regarded as one of the state’s top economic and fiscal experts, and he was recognized by the Wall Street Journal as the most accurate forecaster of the California economy in the 1990s. Mr. Williams received his BA and MA in Economics from the University of CA, Davis.
Contact Us
Michael Genest
Brad Williams
©2025 Capitol Matrix Consulting | Privacy Policy