Matthew Fleming
Blog
Newsom’s Diaper Plan Stinks
Why a new program when the old one is working ok? The state argues that there are gaps in the existing program, which targets low-income parents. Instead of simply filling the gaps, the state wants to impose some elaborate scheme that is akin to killing a gnat with a shotgun. ...
Blog
Gavin Newsom claims California taxes aren’t high. Here is why he’s wrong
Gavin Newsom claims California taxes aren’t high. Here is why he’s wrong Originally published in Sacramento Bee by Matt Fleming READ MORE Gov. Gavin Newsom often claims California is not a high-tax state. “So, this notion of even being a high tax state is B.S.,” Newsom podcasted in March. “Sixteen ...
Blog
Even liberal cities are taking steps to boost housing construction
The very liberal city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, just accepted the reality that excessive government regulations prevent adequate housing production. The city imposed what is being hailed as “one of the most ambitious changes to any city’s zoning in decades” by eliminating exclusionary zoning (permitting only single family homes) and allowing residential buildings ...
Commentary
Give students a chance, revive the parent trigger law
Just over a decade ago, parents and students trapped in failing schools had a way out, known as the Parent Empowerment Law. Unfortunately, the law was murdered in the dark and has been almost entirely forgotten. Read the entire op-ed.
Blog
Compton: cities learn wrong lessons from ‘free money’ program
Compton: cities learn wrong lessons from ‘free money’ program By Matthew Fleming | February 21, 2025 The results of the largest city-based experiment with what happens when low-income families receive free money from the government were just published and apparently nothing was learned. And nothing was learned because lovers of ...
California
The vanishing electric vehicle advantage
The theory is that though upfront costs are higher, EV “refueling” holds a major advantage of electric vehicles over their gas-powered counterparts. EVs do not require gasoline, which California has taxed and regulated into oblivion, sending prices soaring; instead they rely on electricity that costs less. But those savings are ...
Business & Economics
Overuse of Executive Orders is a Problem
President Donald Trump has been issuing executive orders at a breakneck pace, keeping campaign promises to the delight of supporters. But be careful what you wish for. Trump won’t be in office forever. Read the entire op-ed in The Sacramento Bee.
California
Newsom’s Battle Against Misinformation Should Be Directed Inward
California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a webpage last month to fight misinformation and disinformation about the tragic wildfires in Los Angeles. Irony is dead. The self-appointed Disinformation Czar doesn’t seem to realize he is one of the leading sources of bad information. Read the entire op-ed here.
California
As Los Angeles Burns, California Prevention Failures Made Clear
Not nearly enough is being done by California’s ruling class to mitigate wildfires, as the tragic devastation in Los Angeles has shown. Certainly, dry conditions and vicious winds fueled multiple wildfires that, at last count, had burned roughly 40,000 acres, destroyed more than 12,000 structures and claimed at least 25 ...
Blog
Restaurant Minimum Wage Hurting Businesses and the Workers Proponents Seek to Help
In August 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom took an erroneous victory lap celebrating his policy to raise the minimum wage for fast food workers. The law, AB 1228, effective in April, raised the minimum wage to $20 per hour for fast food workers. Citing preliminary federal data, Newsom claimed California gained ...
Newsom’s Diaper Plan Stinks
Why a new program when the old one is working ok? The state argues that there are gaps in the existing program, which targets low-income parents. Instead of simply filling the gaps, the state wants to impose some elaborate scheme that is akin to killing a gnat with a shotgun. ...
Gavin Newsom claims California taxes aren’t high. Here is why he’s wrong
Gavin Newsom claims California taxes aren’t high. Here is why he’s wrong Originally published in Sacramento Bee by Matt Fleming READ MORE Gov. Gavin Newsom often claims California is not a high-tax state. “So, this notion of even being a high tax state is B.S.,” Newsom podcasted in March. “Sixteen ...
Even liberal cities are taking steps to boost housing construction
The very liberal city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, just accepted the reality that excessive government regulations prevent adequate housing production. The city imposed what is being hailed as “one of the most ambitious changes to any city’s zoning in decades” by eliminating exclusionary zoning (permitting only single family homes) and allowing residential buildings ...
Give students a chance, revive the parent trigger law
Just over a decade ago, parents and students trapped in failing schools had a way out, known as the Parent Empowerment Law. Unfortunately, the law was murdered in the dark and has been almost entirely forgotten. Read the entire op-ed.
Compton: cities learn wrong lessons from ‘free money’ program
Compton: cities learn wrong lessons from ‘free money’ program By Matthew Fleming | February 21, 2025 The results of the largest city-based experiment with what happens when low-income families receive free money from the government were just published and apparently nothing was learned. And nothing was learned because lovers of ...
The vanishing electric vehicle advantage
The theory is that though upfront costs are higher, EV “refueling” holds a major advantage of electric vehicles over their gas-powered counterparts. EVs do not require gasoline, which California has taxed and regulated into oblivion, sending prices soaring; instead they rely on electricity that costs less. But those savings are ...
Overuse of Executive Orders is a Problem
President Donald Trump has been issuing executive orders at a breakneck pace, keeping campaign promises to the delight of supporters. But be careful what you wish for. Trump won’t be in office forever. Read the entire op-ed in The Sacramento Bee.
Newsom’s Battle Against Misinformation Should Be Directed Inward
California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a webpage last month to fight misinformation and disinformation about the tragic wildfires in Los Angeles. Irony is dead. The self-appointed Disinformation Czar doesn’t seem to realize he is one of the leading sources of bad information. Read the entire op-ed here.
As Los Angeles Burns, California Prevention Failures Made Clear
Not nearly enough is being done by California’s ruling class to mitigate wildfires, as the tragic devastation in Los Angeles has shown. Certainly, dry conditions and vicious winds fueled multiple wildfires that, at last count, had burned roughly 40,000 acres, destroyed more than 12,000 structures and claimed at least 25 ...
Restaurant Minimum Wage Hurting Businesses and the Workers Proponents Seek to Help
In August 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom took an erroneous victory lap celebrating his policy to raise the minimum wage for fast food workers. The law, AB 1228, effective in April, raised the minimum wage to $20 per hour for fast food workers. Citing preliminary federal data, Newsom claimed California gained ...
