Texas Revs the Growth Machine
Plus: The near death of starter-home reform in Texas, Colorado's pending ban on rent-recommendation software, and a very Catholic story of eminent domain abuse.
California
That Time L.A.'s Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Called in a Bomb Threat on His Own City Hall
Former official Brian K. Williams just admitted that he faked a bomb threat during a work meeting. Now he faces up to 10 years in prison.
Republicans Just Killed California's E.V. Mandate. Will They Regret It?
The vote could set a dangerous precedent and empower progressive policymaking in the future.
A 10-Year Pause on State AI Laws Is the Smart Move
A proposed federal moratorium on state-level AI regulations is a necessary step toward a unified strategy that protects innovation and equity alike.
How To Fix California's Self-Inflicted Homeowner's Insurance Crisis
A recent policy report points to much-needed market-based reforms.
A Major Property Rights Case Idles on Supreme Court Docket
The Court has been punting for months on whether it will take up a legal challenge brought by Los Angeles landlords alleging their city's COVID-era eviction ban was a physical taking.
The U.S. Needs More Nuclear Power To Fuel the AI Boom
Texas, Virginia, and Pennsylvania are turning to nuclear power to meet data centers' energy demands.
Gavin Newsom Wants To Make the Country's Most Expensive Gas Even More Expensive
All to shovel more money at wasteful and ineffective programs.
New Jersey Town Uses Flimsy Blight Allegations To Seize Tire Shop, Apartment Building
Plus: The White House proposes stiff funding cuts at HUD, Baltimore proposes "missing middle" reforms, and Gov. Gavin Newsom urges local governments to clear encampments.
California Sex Trafficking Fight Erupts Over Punishment for Soliciting Minors
Democrats did the right thing, got attacked for it, then caved.
17 States Sue Trump Administration for Its Anti-Wind Energy Policy
The lawsuit challenges a Day 1 executive order signed by the president to halt federal leasing for offshore wind energy projects.
Rent Control Delayed but Not Dead in California
Plus: Arkansas legalizes ADUs, activists sue to stop missing middle housing, and Trump's housing plans for federal lands
When Tariff Shortages Arrive, Here's What Might Be Missing
Sex toys, blenders, baby strollers, microwaves, hair dryers, and other affordable goods that Americans take for granted could soon be in short supply.
California's Environmental Regulations Are a Mess. Why Won't Lawmakers Fix Them?
The California Environmental Quality Act has created a regulatory nightmare.
AI Bots in California Steal Over $10 Million in Federal Financial Aid
A scam that uses AI to “enroll” in community colleges to pocket student aid has skyrocketed in the Golden State and across the nation.
Back to Basics
Plus: California zoning bill survives powerful lawmaker's economic illiteracy, Montana legislators pass simple, sweeping, supply-side housing reforms, and Washington passes rent control.
California Concealed Carry Now Available to Out-of-Staters
It’s a small step in the right direction for self-defense rights.
Will the 'Abundance' Agenda Make California Great Again?
Democrats would have a stronger rebuke to Trumpism if civic service in blue states were the national model rather than a laughingstock.
Twelve States File Lawsuit Challenging Trump's IEEPA Tariffs
The suit resembles previous ones on the same subject filed by the state of California, and by the Liberty Justice Center and myself.
California Housing Bills Face Crucial Hearing Today
Bills designed to allow more starter homes and apartments near transit face an uncertain future in the state Senate's housing committee.
California Files Lawsuit Against Trump's Tariffs
They challenge both the "Liberation Day" IEEPA tariffs, and earlier ones imposed on Canada, Mexico and China.
American Prisons Don't Work. California Is Trying Something That Might.
What America can learn from prisons in Norway and Sweden.
Slow and Steady
Despite politicians touting progress, Los Angeles has only issued three permits for wildfire rebuilds and debris removal is expected to drag on for many months.
Photo: California's Wildfire Recovery
Many of the houses destroyed by the Pacific Palisades fires were not covered by private insurance due to state regulations.
The Best Thing About the Proposed California Initiative Named After Luigi Mangione Is the Title
The ballot proposition would effectively require health insurers to cover all treatments at any price.
Trump Is Sabotaging His 'Drill, Baby, Drill' Agenda
When the government picks energy winners, consumers lose.
Judge Orders Rhode Island Town To Return Secretly Seized Land to Affordable Housing Developer
Plus: the federal government tries to stiff landlords over eviction moratorium one last time, the Supreme Court declines to take up eminent domain case, and starter home bills advance in Arizona and Texas.
Gavin Newsom Should Work on Governing Rather Than Podcasting
California once was the state where a visionary might start up a gee-whiz concept in a garage. Now bureaucrats and powerful unions would crush that concept in its infancy.
A New Study Adds to the Evidence That Drug Busts Result in More Overdose Deaths
The researchers found that drug seizures in San Francisco were associated with a substantial increase in fatal opioid overdoses.
Lawn-Sign Liberalism vs. Supply-Side Progressivism
"Supply-side progressives" like Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson are ultimately technocrats, not libertarians. But they recognize that more is better than less and that a good society is not zero-sum.
Taking $200 Out of an ATM Should Not Trigger Federal Financial Surveillance
No, not even if you do it in a county that borders Mexico.
Report: California Continues To Spend a Lot of Money on Poor Quality Roads
North Carolina and Virginia have managed to keep quality up and costs down.
Government Goons Destroy Tree House
The owner of a beloved neighborhood structure spent years—and thousands of dollars—trying to comply with L.A. bureaucrats’ demands.
J.D. Vance Blames Zoning, Immigrants for High Housing Costs
Plus: Texas and Minnesota consider an aggressive suite of housing supply bills, while San Diego tries to ratchet up regulations on ADUs.
New York's Weed Nightmare
How pot bureaucrats used legal weed to push their social justice agenda
Trump and California Are Set To Duke It Out Over Environmental Policy Again
During Trump's first term, California filed numerous lawsuits seeking to halt deregulation.
A Sex Worker Called 911 In Distress. Cops Came to Her Hotel Room and Shot Her.
Linda Becerra Moran died on February 27 after nearly three weeks on life support. On Sunday, the LAPD released video of her being shot.
The California Bar Exam's February Fiasco
An online administration meltdown and question leaks leave test takers frustrated and furious and others demanding answers.
Fresh Starts on Starter Homes
Lawmakers in Arizona and California are attempting to overcome local resistance to meaningful starter home reforms.
