Steven Greenhut is western region director for the R Street Institute and was previously the Union-Tribune's California columnist. He is based in Sacramento.
Steven Greenhut
Latest from Steven Greenhut
California Proposal to Let Uber Drivers, Other Sharing Economy Workers, Unionize
New measures pose existential threat to sharing economy
When Is a Tax Increase a Tax Increase?
In California, many Republicans vote for a tax hike they say wasn't a tax hike.
Boosting Police Transparency in California
Last serious effort nine years ago was crushed by police lobbying, but times are different
California's Bipartisan Push Against Occupational Licensing
Removing barriers to entrepreneurship for the poor.
Complex California Pot Act Created Unseen Problem
Governor signs law to fix flaw that caused cities to ban marijuana cultivation
Is California Infrastructure About Taxes or Priorities?
Legislators and activists target governor's focus on bullet train and Delta tunnels
California's Deep Debt Problems
Gov. Jerry Brown is pushing unions to contribute more for health care
Accountability Scandals in California Spark Reaction
Legislators want civil fines as option if agency provides bad information
Powerball Frenzy is Just a Distraction
Money is fungible and lotteries simply supplant other funding
Jefferson Staters Keeping Up Fight in California
At Sacramento rally, rural residents say Legislature has ignored their issues
California Poverty Plan Offers a Wealth of Bad Ideas
Donations flowing to statewide initiative that would impose surcharge on pricey properties
2016: A Look Ahead at the Year in California Government
Forget Star Wars. New Year will see existential battle between innovation and regulation
Price Controls Will Slow Drug Innovation
Ballot box is the wrong place to debate drug-price intricacies, in California or anywhere else.
Regulation a Sure Bet for Fantasy Games
California attorney general asked to clamp down on online sports games
California Has Plenty of Water—And Too Much Politics
California's politicians and regulators are making the drought worse.
Police Shooting Videos Spark Need for Reform
From Chicago to San Francisco, police shooting incidents require broader debate
California Climate Policies Chilling Housing Growth
State Supreme Court ruling will make California housing even pricier
Did California Prop. 47 Cause State Crime Boost?
Crime reformers say no, but law enforcement ready to pin blame
Cops Now Take More Than Robbers
New findings show asset forfeiture a growing attack on property rights.
Jerry Brown's Arrogant Response to Oil Scandal
Administration claims any member of public would get similar service
Minimum Wage Hike Measures Ignore a Dismal Reality
Unions sponsor dueling propositions to raise pay minimums to $15
More Trouble for Jerry Brown's Rail Boondoggle
Concealed report: Overruns, delays plague high-speed rail
California Lt. Gov. Takes Detour on Pot, Embraces More Gun Control
Triggers coming gun fight.
Are Short-Term Rentals a Big Worry?
There's always a cat-and-mouse game between innovators and regulators
Good News in California on Electronic Privacy Front
Despite past vetoes, Jerry Brown OKs law that requires a warrant
California Equal Pay Law Mainly Boosts Pay of Lawyers
Governor signs bill that makes it easier to file discrimination grievance.
McDonald's 'Cage Free' Edict Gets Activists Clucking
Market decisions do more than new laws
Stockton's Pension Struggles Offer Lessons for California
But it might take another major economic downturn to get state officials to check out the problems.
California Legislators Lag Behind Voters on Pot
'Historic' marijuana bill spotlights the importance of initiatives.
Forget Justice: Cops Just Want Money
Police lobbyists swarm the California Capitol to derail popular asset-forfeiture reform bill.
California Unions Launch Pre-Emptive Strike Against Possible End to Mandatory Dues
'Orientation' proposal sought to preempt possible Supreme Court decision next summer
Hope for California Body Camera Bill Fades Amid Special Interest Power
Forget about any civil liberties rebound, you're just California dreamin'.
California Green Job Initiative's Broken Promises
Disappointment doesn't stop backers from offering new promises
California Ready for End to Pot Prohibition
State officials are charting the regulatory and tax framework for a coming marijuana boom
New California Law Upholds Public Right to Record
Will major civil liberties measure change the way California police behave?
Federal Court Puts Limits on Cellphone Tracking
Privacy advocates gain key victories in high-profile battle
University of California System Spending Big Money on Salary Boosts
Nothing new here: Officials spend extra taxes on themselves.
Jerry Brown, Climate Change Prophet of Doom
Governor attacks critics, fears human 'extinction' at climate-change confab.
Jerry Brown, Climate Change Prophet of Doom
Governor attacks critics, fears human 'extinction' at climate-change confab.
Do Prosecutors Have an Unfair Advantage in Our Criminal Justice System?
Reagan-appointed judge questions fairness of criminal-justice system
California Legislators Want to Pass a Law That Requires Less Oil, More Clean Energy Use
Could drive up costs of driving, manufacturing
California Prison Reformin'
California's ripe for ideas about prison reform, and the right is delivering
Cautious Effort to Legalize Marijuana in California in 2016
By ballot initiative.
From Free Speech Movement to This: Anything You Say May Create a Hostile Environment
A war on microaggression the latest PC at UC.
Water Market Best Hope to Ease California Drought
State could follow Australia's lead for stretching water resources
Pension Reform on the Ballot Next Year in California
Initiative backers release details
From Ferguson to NSA, News Events Spark Flurry of California Bills
A civil-liberties rebound in state Capitol?
