Election
California
Becerra v. Hilton: Who won the great debate?
This week, Tim and Matt break down the Becerra-Hilton gubernatorial debate. They crown the debate’s big winners and losers, analyze the key moments, share their thoughts on the moderators, and discuss whether the candidates’ performances will have any impact in changing the trajectory of the campaign.
Pacific Research Institute
October 2, 2026
Blog
Why Karen Bass is in Big Trouble in LA Mayor’s Race
It’s been a difficult re-election campaign for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to say the least. Now comes word that, despite holding narrow yet unimpressive leads in the primary election and public opinion polling throughout the campaign to date, Bass is now trailing Democratic socialist challenger Nithya Raman by 11 ...
Tim Anaya
October 1, 2026
Blog
Didn’t We Just Vote on Proposition 1? Ballot Numbers Add to Confusion
This November, Californians will decide the fate of 14 different statewide ballot measures. While it sounds exhausting, we’ve voted on more in the past – a whopping 29 in the November 1988 election and 28 in the 1990 general election. Adding to the confusion are the ballot proposition numbers themselves. ...
Tim Anaya
September 25, 2026
California
Close Races for Key Statewide Ballot Measures
This week, Tim and Matt discuss the latest statewide poll showing close races for the wealth tax and CEQA reform. They also discuss Gov. Newsom’s statement that he would not challenge Kamala Harris for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, and analyze the re-election prospects of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Pacific Research Institute
September 21, 2026
AI
California’s Next Governor Inherits an AI Mess. Whoever Wins Must Manage Better.
A new Public Policy Institute of California survey found that seventy-three percent of Californians oppose building data centers in their own communities. Sixty-three percent worry about the environmental effects. Majorities of both parties are opposed. The divide isn’t as partisan as it is a divide between the communities enjoying the ...
Bartlett Cleland
August 18, 2026
Blog
Taxpayer Dollars Should Not Fund Political Campaigns
Taxpayer dollars should be used for legitimate public responsibilities, such as maintaining roads, public safety, education, keeping communities clean, and paying down debt. Financing political campaigns should not become another government responsibility. Public campaign-financing programs use taxpayer dollars to help qualifying candidates run for office. Supporters argue that these programs ...
Anthony Velasquez
August 12, 2026
California
Assembly Republicans Oust Their Leader
This week, Tim and Matt discuss the breaking news that Assembly Republicans have voted to oust Heath Flora as Leader, in favor of Alexandra Macedo. They also discuss California Democrats voting to endorse the wealth tax ballot measure, Gavin Newsom trumpeting the latest state minimum wage hike, and Steve Hilton ...
Pacific Research Institute
August 4, 2026
Blog
California’s Death Penalty: The Decision No One Wants to Make
After nearly twenty years without an execution, the more pressing question is whether the state is willing to decide what should happen to the 573 – and increasing – number of inmates already sentenced to death. Executions have stopped while death sentences continue to be imposed, and politicians of both ...
Steve Smith
June 24, 2026
California
They’re Still Counting . . . and Counting
This week, Tim and Matt discuss the seemingly endless California election count and the statewide races that are finally coming into focus. Plus, they discuss the race for Los Angeles mayor and whether Spencer Pratt was cheated out of a spot in the November election.
Pacific Research Institute
June 11, 2026
California
No Tough Questions Allowed for the California Gubernatorial Front Runner
This week, Tim and Matt discuss the latest news in the governor’s race – including a very embarrassing interview by nominal front runner Xavier Becerra, and Katie Porter supporters charging their candidate is receiving sexist treatment over the coverage of her “likeability”. They also talk about the big Los Angeles ...
Pacific Research Institute
May 13, 2026
Becerra v. Hilton: Who won the great debate?
This week, Tim and Matt break down the Becerra-Hilton gubernatorial debate. They crown the debate’s big winners and losers, analyze the key moments, share their thoughts on the moderators, and discuss whether the candidates’ performances will have any impact in changing the trajectory of the campaign.
Why Karen Bass is in Big Trouble in LA Mayor’s Race
It’s been a difficult re-election campaign for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to say the least. Now comes word that, despite holding narrow yet unimpressive leads in the primary election and public opinion polling throughout the campaign to date, Bass is now trailing Democratic socialist challenger Nithya Raman by 11 ...
Didn’t We Just Vote on Proposition 1? Ballot Numbers Add to Confusion
This November, Californians will decide the fate of 14 different statewide ballot measures. While it sounds exhausting, we’ve voted on more in the past – a whopping 29 in the November 1988 election and 28 in the 1990 general election. Adding to the confusion are the ballot proposition numbers themselves. ...
Close Races for Key Statewide Ballot Measures
This week, Tim and Matt discuss the latest statewide poll showing close races for the wealth tax and CEQA reform. They also discuss Gov. Newsom’s statement that he would not challenge Kamala Harris for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, and analyze the re-election prospects of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
California’s Next Governor Inherits an AI Mess. Whoever Wins Must Manage Better.
A new Public Policy Institute of California survey found that seventy-three percent of Californians oppose building data centers in their own communities. Sixty-three percent worry about the environmental effects. Majorities of both parties are opposed. The divide isn’t as partisan as it is a divide between the communities enjoying the ...
Taxpayer Dollars Should Not Fund Political Campaigns
Taxpayer dollars should be used for legitimate public responsibilities, such as maintaining roads, public safety, education, keeping communities clean, and paying down debt. Financing political campaigns should not become another government responsibility. Public campaign-financing programs use taxpayer dollars to help qualifying candidates run for office. Supporters argue that these programs ...
Assembly Republicans Oust Their Leader
This week, Tim and Matt discuss the breaking news that Assembly Republicans have voted to oust Heath Flora as Leader, in favor of Alexandra Macedo. They also discuss California Democrats voting to endorse the wealth tax ballot measure, Gavin Newsom trumpeting the latest state minimum wage hike, and Steve Hilton ...
California’s Death Penalty: The Decision No One Wants to Make
After nearly twenty years without an execution, the more pressing question is whether the state is willing to decide what should happen to the 573 – and increasing – number of inmates already sentenced to death. Executions have stopped while death sentences continue to be imposed, and politicians of both ...
They’re Still Counting . . . and Counting
This week, Tim and Matt discuss the seemingly endless California election count and the statewide races that are finally coming into focus. Plus, they discuss the race for Los Angeles mayor and whether Spencer Pratt was cheated out of a spot in the November election.
No Tough Questions Allowed for the California Gubernatorial Front Runner
This week, Tim and Matt discuss the latest news in the governor’s race – including a very embarrassing interview by nominal front runner Xavier Becerra, and Katie Porter supporters charging their candidate is receiving sexist treatment over the coverage of her “likeability”. They also talk about the big Los Angeles ...