Business & Economics
Blog
Ronald Reagan Opposed Tariffs – And For Good Reason
Having worked with Dr. Laffer for several years, I heard him explain the tenets of supply-side economics, or “the five pillars of prosperity” many times. These policies are (1) a low-rate broad-based flat tax; (2) a moderate level of government spending to ensure that the benefits from the government program ...
Blog
Is Declining Homeownership Driving Support for Democratic Socialism?
My previous post “On young Americans and their Growing Acceptance of Socialism” connected the popularity of democratic socialism among Americans aged 18 – 39 to inequality. Inequality concerns are not the only factor driving Gen Z’s embrace of democratic socialism. Gen Z’s growing support for democratic socialism is occurring along ...
Blog
It Was A Cruel, Cruel Summer For California Teens
California has a jobs problem. It’s not only failing to create them, it’s been destroying existing ones. Unemployment sits at 5.5%, the worst among the states. Only in the District of Columbia is the situation more grim. The jobless rate in the nation’s capital is 6%. This isn’t due to a run of bad luck. It’s the greasy residue of poor public policy ...
Blog
The Gordon Chang Report–“Keep Out, China!”: Trump Resurrects the Monroe Doctrine
READ THE PDF “Keep Out, China!”: Trump Resurrects the Monroe Doctrine “Murder.” That’s how Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in comments to the BBC late last month, termed recent U.S. airstrikes on small drug boats in the Caribbean Sea. He also called the attacks an “act of tyranny.” Petro said America’s ...
Blog
San Diego Banned Digital-Only Coupons. Then The Deals Went Away.
Last week, another “first in the nation” law took effect in the City of San Diego. There’s usually a reason no one decides to jump in front of California to grab “first in the nation” honors for themselves – it is a bad idea. Such is the case with San ...
Blog
Government Shutdown Threatens Billions in IPO Funding
The federal government has been shut down since October 1 because of a funding disagreement between Democrats and Republicans in Washington. Though a deal could theoretically be struck at any moment, there does not appear to be any end in sight. Only services deemed essential are permitted through the shutdown, which means ...
Blog
Learn about the impact of the latest refinery fire
How Much Will Gas Prices Rise After So Cal Refinery Fire?
Producing 269,000 barrels a day of useful fossil fuels, the El Segundo facility is second in the state only to Marathon’s Los Angeles refinery, which puts out 365,000 barrels a day, good for 22.5% of state’s capacity. The Chevron site provides 20% of motor vehicle fuel in California and 40% of the ...
Blog
Spending Watch
California’s FY2025-26 Budget Failed to Address the State’s Long-term Financial Risks
California’s FY2025-26 Budget Failed to Address the State’s Long-term Financial Risks Wayne Winegarden October 2025 Politicians too often assume that California’s fiscal health is synonymous with the state of its annual budget. When revenue growth is strong, the state is allegedly in a sound fiscal position. It is only when ...
Blog
Read the latest from PRI's Free Cities Center
It’s not just AI: California city minimum wages also kill jobs
As if it didn’t kill enough jobs, 39 cities have imposed their own, even higher minimums. A dozen of the cities did so on July 1. The highest general minimum is Emeryville’s, at $19.90. Some cities also mandate higher minimums for certain jobs. For the city of Los Angeles, the ...
Blog
On Young Americans and their Growing Acceptance of Socialism
Their survey found that 53% of Americans aged 18-39 would like to see a democratic socialist candidate win the 2028 presidential election, while 76% of respondents agree that ‘major industries like health care, energy, and big tech should be nationalized to give more control and equity to the people.’ Among ...
Ronald Reagan Opposed Tariffs – And For Good Reason
Having worked with Dr. Laffer for several years, I heard him explain the tenets of supply-side economics, or “the five pillars of prosperity” many times. These policies are (1) a low-rate broad-based flat tax; (2) a moderate level of government spending to ensure that the benefits from the government program ...
Is Declining Homeownership Driving Support for Democratic Socialism?
My previous post “On young Americans and their Growing Acceptance of Socialism” connected the popularity of democratic socialism among Americans aged 18 – 39 to inequality. Inequality concerns are not the only factor driving Gen Z’s embrace of democratic socialism. Gen Z’s growing support for democratic socialism is occurring along ...
It Was A Cruel, Cruel Summer For California Teens
California has a jobs problem. It’s not only failing to create them, it’s been destroying existing ones. Unemployment sits at 5.5%, the worst among the states. Only in the District of Columbia is the situation more grim. The jobless rate in the nation’s capital is 6%. This isn’t due to a run of bad luck. It’s the greasy residue of poor public policy ...
The Gordon Chang Report–“Keep Out, China!”: Trump Resurrects the Monroe Doctrine
READ THE PDF “Keep Out, China!”: Trump Resurrects the Monroe Doctrine “Murder.” That’s how Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in comments to the BBC late last month, termed recent U.S. airstrikes on small drug boats in the Caribbean Sea. He also called the attacks an “act of tyranny.” Petro said America’s ...
San Diego Banned Digital-Only Coupons. Then The Deals Went Away.
Last week, another “first in the nation” law took effect in the City of San Diego. There’s usually a reason no one decides to jump in front of California to grab “first in the nation” honors for themselves – it is a bad idea. Such is the case with San ...
Government Shutdown Threatens Billions in IPO Funding
The federal government has been shut down since October 1 because of a funding disagreement between Democrats and Republicans in Washington. Though a deal could theoretically be struck at any moment, there does not appear to be any end in sight. Only services deemed essential are permitted through the shutdown, which means ...
Learn about the impact of the latest refinery fire
How Much Will Gas Prices Rise After So Cal Refinery Fire?
Producing 269,000 barrels a day of useful fossil fuels, the El Segundo facility is second in the state only to Marathon’s Los Angeles refinery, which puts out 365,000 barrels a day, good for 22.5% of state’s capacity. The Chevron site provides 20% of motor vehicle fuel in California and 40% of the ...
Spending Watch
California’s FY2025-26 Budget Failed to Address the State’s Long-term Financial Risks
California’s FY2025-26 Budget Failed to Address the State’s Long-term Financial Risks Wayne Winegarden October 2025 Politicians too often assume that California’s fiscal health is synonymous with the state of its annual budget. When revenue growth is strong, the state is allegedly in a sound fiscal position. It is only when ...
Read the latest from PRI's Free Cities Center
It’s not just AI: California city minimum wages also kill jobs
As if it didn’t kill enough jobs, 39 cities have imposed their own, even higher minimums. A dozen of the cities did so on July 1. The highest general minimum is Emeryville’s, at $19.90. Some cities also mandate higher minimums for certain jobs. For the city of Los Angeles, the ...
On Young Americans and their Growing Acceptance of Socialism
Their survey found that 53% of Americans aged 18-39 would like to see a democratic socialist candidate win the 2028 presidential election, while 76% of respondents agree that ‘major industries like health care, energy, and big tech should be nationalized to give more control and equity to the people.’ Among ...
