California
Blog
California Is Falling Behind On Jobs: Can It Move Beyond The Crossroads?
While the state has become known for its mounting troubles, at least the California economy is growing. But all isn’t as well as it might seem. When compared the rest of the country, California’s jobs market is one of the weakest. Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics show California’s total employment ...
Wayne Winegarden and Kerry Jackson
February 25, 2026
California
Sacramento “Ideas in Action” Conference 2026
Sacramento “Ideas in Action” Conference 2026 A Conversation with US Attorney Eric Grant From PRI’s 2026 California Ideas in Action Conference watch new US Attorney for Eastern California Eric Grant, in conversation with Free Cities Center Director Steven Greenhut. Preceding their discussion, watch conference opening remarks from PRI President, CEO ...
Pacific Research Institute
February 24, 2026
Blog
Arizona cities should be blocked from blocking short-term rentals
Ten years ago, then-Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed Senate Bill 1350 into law, preventing local governments from banning short-term rentals in their respective jurisdictions. “For thousands of hardworking citizens, opening up their home to out-of-state guests provides the financial breathing room they need to provide for their family or enjoy ...
Sal Rodriguez
February 21, 2026
California
An Evening with Jason Riley
In this special episode of Next Round, we present a recent talk from author, Manhattan Institute senior fellow and Wall Street Journal opinion columnist Jason Riley – delivered at a February PRI event in Pasadena. He talked about his latest book, The Affirmative Action Myth, and the ongoing debate over affirmative ...
Pacific Research Institute
February 18, 2026
Blog
Does California Need Billionaires?
If supporters are able to rack up 874 ,641 signatures, the 2026 Billionaire Tax Act will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. Should it pass, it will levy “a one-time 5% tax on billionaire wealth.” Rather than waiting until voters make their decision, a few billionaires have already left California, including PayPal and ...
Kerry Jackson
February 16, 2026
Blog
Lawsuit’s End Latest Sign of High Speed Rail’s Woes
An HSRA official said the decision to pull the lawsuit was made because “the federal government is not a reliable, constructive, or trustworthy partner in advancing high-speed rail in California.” In reality, it’s a tacit admission from the HSRA that it doesn’t deserve the money. At this point, it’s become rather tedious to recite the high-speed rail’s ...
Kerry Jackson
February 12, 2026
Blog
Despite Newsom’s Claims, California is One of America’s Least Fiscally Stable States
Earlier this month, an optimistic Newsom claimed while presenting his latest proposed budget that it ‘reflect(ed) both confidence and caution,’ but if the state’s past performances are anything to go by, then Californians should be wary. The National Association of State Budget Officers’ (NASBO) latest Fiscal Survey of States shows ...
Nikhil Agarwal
February 11, 2026
California
A Super Bowl of an Episode
This week, Tim and Matt talk about California’s turn in the national spotlight hosting Super Bowl 60, including the controversy over the halftime entertainment and the huge California tax bill winning quarterback Sam Darnold faces. They also talk about the latest developments in the governor’s race, the debate over the ...
Pacific Research Institute
February 11, 2026
Blog
Spending Watch
Spending Watch: The Taxing Wealth Tax
The Taxing Wealth Tax Wayne Winegarden February 2026 To his credit, Governor Newsom is vowing to stop the wealth tax. As we noted in our response to Governor Newsom’s January budget, just the possibility that a 5 percent wealth tax will appear on the November ballot is having a chilling ...
Wayne Winegarden
February 4, 2026
California
Conservatism Past, Present and Future with Charles Kesler, Matt Continetti and Steven Hayward
This week, we present a special recording of PRI’s recent America 250 kickoff event in Los Angeles featuring a discussion of conservatism past, present, and future as we mark the semiquincentennial of the United States. Offering perspective are Claremont Review of Books editor Charles Kesler, Matt Continetti of the American Enterprise ...
Pacific Research Institute
February 3, 2026
California Is Falling Behind On Jobs: Can It Move Beyond The Crossroads?
While the state has become known for its mounting troubles, at least the California economy is growing. But all isn’t as well as it might seem. When compared the rest of the country, California’s jobs market is one of the weakest. Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics show California’s total employment ...
Sacramento “Ideas in Action” Conference 2026
Sacramento “Ideas in Action” Conference 2026 A Conversation with US Attorney Eric Grant From PRI’s 2026 California Ideas in Action Conference watch new US Attorney for Eastern California Eric Grant, in conversation with Free Cities Center Director Steven Greenhut. Preceding their discussion, watch conference opening remarks from PRI President, CEO ...
Arizona cities should be blocked from blocking short-term rentals
Ten years ago, then-Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed Senate Bill 1350 into law, preventing local governments from banning short-term rentals in their respective jurisdictions. “For thousands of hardworking citizens, opening up their home to out-of-state guests provides the financial breathing room they need to provide for their family or enjoy ...
An Evening with Jason Riley
In this special episode of Next Round, we present a recent talk from author, Manhattan Institute senior fellow and Wall Street Journal opinion columnist Jason Riley – delivered at a February PRI event in Pasadena. He talked about his latest book, The Affirmative Action Myth, and the ongoing debate over affirmative ...
Does California Need Billionaires?
If supporters are able to rack up 874 ,641 signatures, the 2026 Billionaire Tax Act will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. Should it pass, it will levy “a one-time 5% tax on billionaire wealth.” Rather than waiting until voters make their decision, a few billionaires have already left California, including PayPal and ...
Lawsuit’s End Latest Sign of High Speed Rail’s Woes
An HSRA official said the decision to pull the lawsuit was made because “the federal government is not a reliable, constructive, or trustworthy partner in advancing high-speed rail in California.” In reality, it’s a tacit admission from the HSRA that it doesn’t deserve the money. At this point, it’s become rather tedious to recite the high-speed rail’s ...
Despite Newsom’s Claims, California is One of America’s Least Fiscally Stable States
Earlier this month, an optimistic Newsom claimed while presenting his latest proposed budget that it ‘reflect(ed) both confidence and caution,’ but if the state’s past performances are anything to go by, then Californians should be wary. The National Association of State Budget Officers’ (NASBO) latest Fiscal Survey of States shows ...
A Super Bowl of an Episode
This week, Tim and Matt talk about California’s turn in the national spotlight hosting Super Bowl 60, including the controversy over the halftime entertainment and the huge California tax bill winning quarterback Sam Darnold faces. They also talk about the latest developments in the governor’s race, the debate over the ...
Spending Watch
Spending Watch: The Taxing Wealth Tax
The Taxing Wealth Tax Wayne Winegarden February 2026 To his credit, Governor Newsom is vowing to stop the wealth tax. As we noted in our response to Governor Newsom’s January budget, just the possibility that a 5 percent wealth tax will appear on the November ballot is having a chilling ...
Conservatism Past, Present and Future with Charles Kesler, Matt Continetti and Steven Hayward
This week, we present a special recording of PRI’s recent America 250 kickoff event in Los Angeles featuring a discussion of conservatism past, present, and future as we mark the semiquincentennial of the United States. Offering perspective are Claremont Review of Books editor Charles Kesler, Matt Continetti of the American Enterprise ...
