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
San Francisco's Threat to AirBnb a Threat to the Entire Sharing Economy
New law could jail employees of Airbnb for actions of users.
Officials 'Drone' on About Issues They Don't Understand
From drones to self-driving cars, bureaucrats seek to regulate industries before they even have a chance to develop.
War on Vaping an Effort To Prop up Tobacco Taxes?
New tax bill in California treats vaping products like tobacco products.
Lavish Pension Hikes True Cause of Growing Liabilities
Orange County report paints a bleak, but unsurprising picture
California Lawmakers Mobilize to Weaken Transparency Initiative
A transparency bill that would require 72 hours for review of legislation before its voted on is meeting a lot of resistance.
Local California Political Duel Shows Limits of Ethics Reform
Political fight includes controversy over robocall in favor of ethics commission
'Ethics' Commissions About Politics More Than Oversight
Can't rely on government to oversee itself.
California's Anti-Vaping Law Puts Puritanism Above Health
Part of the ideological war on tobacco
A California Bill Trump the Developer Would Love
Would make using eminent domain even easier.
Funding Ideology, Not Research, at University of California 'Labor Institutes'
An effort in the legislature to urge UC regents to refrain from expanding labor institutes to UC-Irvine met with union opposition.
Californians Can Build Their Way Out of the Housing Shortage
Government rules and regulations on the local and state level have driven prices up.
California GOP Blathers About Freedom, But Mostly Backs 'Secrecy Lobby'
Politicians from the party of Reagan and Lincoln should instinctively know the dangers of giving government officials unaccountable power.
There Are Better Ways to Handle Unwanted Animals Than Through Government
Private, market-based solutions less likely to end with the killing of animals.
Anaheim Targets People Using Homes as Short-Term Rentals
Defender of property rights finds himself on the opposite side.
Lawsuits, Legislation Threaten the 'Sharing' Economy
California legislators want to create union privileges for independent contractors, like Uber drivers.
Anti-Partying Law Turns Innocent Kids Into Criminals
Expanded ordinance criminalizes kids for merely showing up to a loud party
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.
