California
California
There’s inflation – and then there’s Gavin Newsom’s grade inflation
Democrats running for governor in California have said in recent debates that Gavin Newsom deserves high grades for his performance –– mostly B’s, and even A’s. To many Californians, that sounds like grade inflation. Nearly one in five Californians are considered poor –– the highest rate in the country –– ...
California
Newsom’s $19 Million Ad Campaign Can’t Polish California’s Image
It’s going to take a lot more than a $19 million advertising blitz to make people forget about California’s problems. Governor Gavin Newsom, who is known to love “big, hairy, audacious goals,” recently hired the communications powerhouse Edelman to rehab the Golden State’s image, which, in Newsom’s telling, has been ...
California
Who Won? Who Lost? A Review of the First California Gubernatorial Debate
This week, Tim and Matt break down the first California gubernatorial debate. They share their thoughts on who the biggest winners and losers were and break down the performances of each of the candidates. They also discuss how the candidates fared answering questions about California’s high cost of living and ...
Blog
Proposed $10 billion housing bond will only burden California cities
California’s housing overhaul has been so extensive — 45 bills signed last October alone by Gov. Gavin Newsom — the results won’t be clear for years. Even so, voters this November 3 may get to decide on another $10 billion in housing bonds. That’s from the Affordable Housing Bond Act ...
Blog
Despite Exorbitant Fees, LA28 Ticket Buying Experience Was Gold Medal Worthy
Recently, I felt like Charlie Bucket searching for the golden ticket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I “won” the lottery for the first draw opportunity to buy 2028 LA Olympic tickets. Much of what I read about the process online were complaints, primarily about pricing. A limited allotment ...
California
California’s Economy: Strong Claims, Weak Foundations
To listen to Gov. Gavin Newsom, California is still the nation’s economic leader. In his April 9 news release, he crows, “California continues to outperform every other state.” Rosy reports from politicians are not an accurate barometer of real conditions. According to the latest Bureau of Economic Analysis data, California’s ...
California
Swalwell Scandal Rocks Governor’s Race
This week, Tim and Matt discuss the sudden departure from the governor’s race of disgraced and now former Congressman Eric Swalwell following sexual assault allegations. They discuss why incidents of bad behavior and other rumors that are common knowledge in political and government circles often don’t get media coverage. They ...
Blog
Cost of California’s High-Speed Rail Goes Up Again
It was also supposed to be carrying 65.5 million to 96.5 million intercity riders a year by 2030. Yet now 2040 is the date for “full service to start.” Skeptics don’t believe we’ll ever see the train run with paying customers aboard. “In my judgment, the Draft 2026 Business Plan describes a project that has reached a ...
Business & Economics
New PRI Study Finds California Job Growth Lags Nation, High Costs Turn State’s Income Advantage into 35% Deficit
A new study released today by the Pacific Research Institute finds that California’s economic performance has fallen sharply behind the rest of the nation, with job growth since the COVID-19 pandemic at less than half the national rate, while the state’s high cost of living is erasing its income advantage. ...
Blog
Why Don’t We Find More Waste, Fraud and Abuse in California?
Shocking exposes of waste, fraud, and abuse in state government have dominated media headlines in recent weeks. Our friends Christopher Rufo and Kenneth Schrupp at the Manhattan Institute uncovered an unfinished wildlife “bridge to nowhere” in Agoura Hills, which has cost taxpayers over $100 million to date and counting. CBS ...
There’s inflation – and then there’s Gavin Newsom’s grade inflation
Democrats running for governor in California have said in recent debates that Gavin Newsom deserves high grades for his performance –– mostly B’s, and even A’s. To many Californians, that sounds like grade inflation. Nearly one in five Californians are considered poor –– the highest rate in the country –– ...
Newsom’s $19 Million Ad Campaign Can’t Polish California’s Image
It’s going to take a lot more than a $19 million advertising blitz to make people forget about California’s problems. Governor Gavin Newsom, who is known to love “big, hairy, audacious goals,” recently hired the communications powerhouse Edelman to rehab the Golden State’s image, which, in Newsom’s telling, has been ...
Who Won? Who Lost? A Review of the First California Gubernatorial Debate
This week, Tim and Matt break down the first California gubernatorial debate. They share their thoughts on who the biggest winners and losers were and break down the performances of each of the candidates. They also discuss how the candidates fared answering questions about California’s high cost of living and ...
Proposed $10 billion housing bond will only burden California cities
California’s housing overhaul has been so extensive — 45 bills signed last October alone by Gov. Gavin Newsom — the results won’t be clear for years. Even so, voters this November 3 may get to decide on another $10 billion in housing bonds. That’s from the Affordable Housing Bond Act ...
Despite Exorbitant Fees, LA28 Ticket Buying Experience Was Gold Medal Worthy
Recently, I felt like Charlie Bucket searching for the golden ticket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I “won” the lottery for the first draw opportunity to buy 2028 LA Olympic tickets. Much of what I read about the process online were complaints, primarily about pricing. A limited allotment ...
California’s Economy: Strong Claims, Weak Foundations
To listen to Gov. Gavin Newsom, California is still the nation’s economic leader. In his April 9 news release, he crows, “California continues to outperform every other state.” Rosy reports from politicians are not an accurate barometer of real conditions. According to the latest Bureau of Economic Analysis data, California’s ...
Swalwell Scandal Rocks Governor’s Race
This week, Tim and Matt discuss the sudden departure from the governor’s race of disgraced and now former Congressman Eric Swalwell following sexual assault allegations. They discuss why incidents of bad behavior and other rumors that are common knowledge in political and government circles often don’t get media coverage. They ...
Cost of California’s High-Speed Rail Goes Up Again
It was also supposed to be carrying 65.5 million to 96.5 million intercity riders a year by 2030. Yet now 2040 is the date for “full service to start.” Skeptics don’t believe we’ll ever see the train run with paying customers aboard. “In my judgment, the Draft 2026 Business Plan describes a project that has reached a ...
New PRI Study Finds California Job Growth Lags Nation, High Costs Turn State’s Income Advantage into 35% Deficit
A new study released today by the Pacific Research Institute finds that California’s economic performance has fallen sharply behind the rest of the nation, with job growth since the COVID-19 pandemic at less than half the national rate, while the state’s high cost of living is erasing its income advantage. ...
Why Don’t We Find More Waste, Fraud and Abuse in California?
Shocking exposes of waste, fraud, and abuse in state government have dominated media headlines in recent weeks. Our friends Christopher Rufo and Kenneth Schrupp at the Manhattan Institute uncovered an unfinished wildlife “bridge to nowhere” in Agoura Hills, which has cost taxpayers over $100 million to date and counting. CBS ...