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
Teachers Unions Losing Long War Over Parental Choice
Choice advocates win in school board race in second largest district in country.
San Francisco Officials Continue Attacks on Uber
City tax collector wants to post home addresses of drivers online.
Bullet Train Myopia Driving Local Transit Boondoggles
California lawmakers are trying to dig a hole too big to fail.
Yes, Science, But How About a March for Math?
Innumerates number the ranks of politicians and bureaucrats.
California State Agency Effort to Nullify Pension Vote Is Eerily Totalitarian
A union-controlled state agency trying to overturn a citizen initiative passed in San Diego has finally been rebuffed in court.
Breaking Up California an Idea That Won't Go Away, For Good Reason
Californians would be better equipped to govern themselves fairly.
California Road-Tax Hike Is Really A Pension Tax
Who will pay for the roads? Taxpayers, every year.
California Wants To Make Itself Even Less Competitive
Looking to set up a death tax if Trump repeals the federal one.
Is California 'Death Tax' Bill Real or Just More Anti-Trump Spite?
A state senator proposes replacing the federal estate tax with a state tax, if Trump gets his way on repeal.
Gender 'Injustice' Behind Call to Reduce Taxes on Tampons
"There is no happy hour for menstruation," says a legislator looking to pay for tax cuts on feminine products with a tax hike on hard liquor.
California High Court Rules Public Records Remain Public on Private Email
Government officials cannot skirt public records laws by using private email accounts.
College Officials Needed Swift Lesson in Classroom Freedom
California college tried to suspend student who recorded his sexuality professor's anti-Trump rant.
Pot-Shop Cop Reinstatement Gives Police Black Eye
Police union-backed rules protect bad cops.
Oroville Dam Threatens Valley After Warnings Ignored Long Ago
Government failed to pay attention to concerns brought up more than a decade ago.
Lack of Competition Is Leading to a Costly Electricity Glut in California
Government monopolies drive prices up.
California High Court Gives Regulators Vast New Powers
A ruling on insurance could embolden all kinds of state regulators.
What a Relief: Republican Reps Can Retreat to Their 'Safe Spaces'
Two California congressmen take down a painting that offended them.
California High Speed Rail Faces 50 Percent Cost Overruns
It's costing the train to nowhere a lot to get there.
California Legislator Doubles Down on Dubious Child Prositution Claims
California Republicans risk being taken even less seriously.
Scientists Rebuke California Coastal Commission Over Desalination
Even bureaucrats must obey the laws of science.
Desalination Foes Privileging Tiny Critters Over People
California environmental regulations go too far.
Anaheim Election Means Victory Over Crony Capitalism
Several Disney-backed candidates lost in the reformed local city council races.
Did California Violate Constitution with Law 'Punishing' Two Firms?
Fruit growers that ran afoul of the union were denied legal protection other companies received.
Republicans Should Snuff Out Deadly Tobacco Rules
Deeming rules about vaping that go into effect August 2018 would have several unintended consequences
Bail-Bonds Industry Under Microscope in California
Legislature wants to reduce number of people held in pretrial detention.
Police Reform Spotlight Shines on the Local Level
Some argue the election will send reform back to where it really belongs: the local level.
CalPERS Staff Nudges Board To Consider Lower Return Rates
Likely to lower its expected rate of returns on investments, forcing cities and other participating agencies to contribute more to cover the shortfall.
Bail System Is Next Target of California Criminal Justice Reform Efforts
Looking to change the 'money bail' system.
California Voters Defy Trends—By Voting As Expected
Kamala Harris wins in the Senate, and a slew of Propositions were voted on
Bureaucracy, Funding No Cure for Homeless Problem
At the minimum, county officials should look at government rules that exacerbate the suffering.
Costa Mesa Private Eye's Guilty Plea Offers Hope for Accountability
Private detective pleads guilty in relation to scheme to frame two local pro-pension reform councilmen.
Harm-Reduction Initiatives Violate Hippocratic Oath
California propositions deal with cigarette taxes and condoms in pornos.
Ignoring Pension Past, California Risks Future Problems
Lawmakers don't want to re-litigate prior bad decisions even as they keep making them.
Pension Mess Can't Go On; That's No Reason to Ignore It
You can deal with it now or deal with it later, but eventually you will have to deal with it.
Coastal Commission Abuse Smacked Down by Court
Courts push back on property rights violations
What If You Were Mistakenly Put on a Watchlist?
Innocent until the government makes a mistake.
Is Ruling Too Late to Fix California's Pension Mess?
Good news on the pension reform front
Bay Area Politicians Strangling the Region's Key Industry
San Francisco lawmakers want to put the squeeze on tech companies.
A Welcome Victory in the Fight Against Asset Forfeiture
The California Assembly approves one of the most significant civil libertarian reforms of the legislative session.
How Far a 'Freedom Friendly' City Has Strayed
Years ago, Anaheim gained notice for its freedom-friendly way of governing. Now, the city is pursuing the command, control and subsidize approach seen elsewhere
California Push for Coal Divestment Mostly About Politics
Insurance commish wants companies to "voluntarily" divest from coal
CalPERS' Earnings Flop Means Taxpayer Belt Tightening
Underperforming the market, overestimating future success
