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
Homelessness Isn't an Unfixable Problem
Start by looking at the government policies that have made it worse.
Did California Gov. Gavin Newsom's Luck Finally Run Out?
After getting lucky for his first few years in office, Newsom now faces his first major budgetary crisis. How he responds will show a lot about his leadership skills.
San Francisco's Got Problems. There's No Need To Exaggerate Them for Political Reasons.
If you don't like San Francisco, that's fine, but don't tell tall tales about it.
Problems With Mass Transit Won't Be Solved With More Money
The transit systems we're supposed to hop aboard ultimately operate as jobs programs for government workers.
Taxes Are Not the Mark of Civilized Society
Contra the famous quotation from Oliver Wendell Holmes, there's nothing particularly civilized about the way our governments spend the money we provide.
California's Attacks on Big Oil Will Only Drive More People Out of the State
At least until all the gasoline is gone.
Public Sector Unions Are Trampling Our Public Services
Teachers unions, police unions, and prison guard unions have inordinate control over public policy, and California is suffering the consequences.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Permanently Damaged Property Rights
Officials used the crisis to impose policies they already supported but couldn't get through the normal legislative process, like bans on evictions.
America's Losing Its Free Speech Consensus
Americans shouldn't have to fight to the death to defend their foes' right to speak, but they should at least stop trying to censor, shame, shun and destroy each other.
California's K9 Reform Bill Is Barking Up the Wrong Tree
Police dogs seriously injured 186 people within the last two years—more than batons or tasers did, according to the ACLU.
Just Say 'No' to New Forms of Prohibition
It doesn't make sense to create laws that restrict activities enjoyed by the general populace to protect a tiny minority that will undoubtedly partake in those activities anyway.
The Deck Is Stacked Against Americans Who Try To Sue Government Officials
It's a threat to our fundamental rights, but courts refuse to change their approach.
Want Less Corruption? Try Having Smaller Government.
People can never be made incorruptible. We can, however, design governmental systems filled with checks and balances that limit the temptations.
After Tyre Nichols Killing, It's Once Again Time To Build a Bipartisan Movement for Police Reform
Let's start by doing away with the idea that officers are engaged in a war for our streets rather than involved in a civilian operation that requires community support and trust.
Don't Expect Government To Save You From the Terminator
As artificial intelligence advances, how worried should we be about the rise of the machines?
After Backlash Against Proposed Gas Stove Ban, Progressives Are Gaslighting America
Progressives might not be coming for your existing stove, but they are trying to stop any new installations.
California's Floods Another Reminder of Failed Water Management Policies
In drought or flood, bad environmental policy is making Californians miserable.
California Continues Chasing People Away
California's economy is growing despite Gov. Gavin Newsom's policies, not because of them.
Maybe 'Marshal Law' Can Save the Republican Party?
Unfortunately, the reality is something far more sinister.
Politics Is Getting in the Way of What Makes Cities Great
Healthy cities are a boon not just for those who live in them, but for our entire society.
Republicans Shouldn't Be Shocked at Trump's Creepy Dinner With Ye and Nick Fuentes
The GOP will get what it deserves if, as predicted, Trump burns down the party if he doesn’t get the 2024 nomination.
Twitter Is More Like a Traveling Circus Than a Public Square
It's a private company. Its owner can do what he chooses, even if it seems crazy.
Some Loudmouth Politicians Are Finally Wearing Out Their Welcome
Voters gave a cold shoulder to candidates endorsed by former President Donald Trump, and Los Angeles County voters gave the heave-ho to Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
Pay Attention to Policy, not 'Narratives'
Punditry ought to be less important than wonkery.
California's Anti-Vaping Ballot Question Isn't About 'Protecting Children'
It's about protecting adults from themselves, which should be none of the government’s business.
Gavin Newsom Does His Best Jimmy Carter Impression
California's governor is following Carter's disastrous energy policies at a time when the state's residents are suffering from already high prices.
Los Angeles City Council Scandal Highlights Ugly Influence of Big Labor
Having a city council secretly dominated by people with racist views is troubling, but having an entire political system controlled by one special interest group is also scandalous.
California's Housing Policy Fight Is Flipping Traditional Political Alliances
Democrats are in favor of reducing the power of government over property owners, while Republicans want bureaucrats to rule.
Don't Use Immigrants as Political Pawns
The best rebuke to the Biden administration's inhumane border policies is for Republican governors to welcome migrants into their states.
California Demands Everyone Drive Electric Vehicles, but Can't Even Keep the Lights on
The market already is moving in the EV direction, so the state should just let companies do their thing.
California Lawmakers Are Being Hypocritical About 'Harm Reduction' Policies
The state is prioritizing harm-reduction approaches for drug users. That's great. So why are lawmakers taking a maximalist approach to punishing smokers?
After FBI's Mar-a-Lago Raid, Conservatives Finally Call for Police Reform
But it's hard to believe conservatives who wanted to lock up their political opponents and opposed police-accountability measures are acting out of principle rather than partisanship.
California's Drought Is an Infrastructure Problem
California should build infrastructure, not shame water users.
Gavin Newsom Thinks California Is Freer Than Florida. Is He Crazy?
If Newsom wants to pick a fight with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, he should try a different topic.
How Demands for 'Local Control' Become an Excuse for NIMBYism
Conservatives' guiding principle should always be less government control, not more.
Fuming About Corporate Greed Won't Fix High Gas Prices
Rebutting Democrats' gaseous words on refiners' greed.
The Capitol Riot Was Never Going To Succeed
The intruders created plenty of mayhem, but it was a farcical coup attempt doomed from the start.
Uvalde Shows Once Again That Cops Are Just Armed Bureaucrats
What happened in Uvalde is part of a pattern, not an aberration.
There's No Political Solution to the Baby Formula Shortage
Governments can't plan economies, but can disrupt them.
California's Water Bureaucrats Are Making a Bad Drought Worse
Fifty percent of the state's water flows to the Pacific Ocean. Another 40 percent is used for agriculture. But it's average residents who are being forced to cut back.
Don't Trust Biden's Dystopian 'Disinformation Board'
A "disinformation" board sounds like something from a dystopian novel.
California Is Forcing Smokers To Buy More Dangerous Products
Banning less harmful tobacco alternatives is not a way to improve public health.
Stop Using Legislation To Virtue Signal
Both Republicans and Democrats are abusing states' police powers to achieve performative political goals. They should stop.
People Are Fleeing California Cities, Despite Pols' Push for 'Urbanism'
San Francisco lost a whopping 6.7 percent of its population during the COVID-19 pandemic, the second-largest percentage drop after New York.
Conservatives Say They Care About the Constitution. Until They Talk About Criminal Justice.
Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the nation's first Supreme Court justice to have served as a public defender, and the first since Thurgood Marshall to have experience as a defense attorney. That's good.
COVID Revealed America To Be a Nation of Rulers, Not of Laws
Life is returning to "normal" after two years, but that normal includes even fewer limits on executive powers.
