Next Round

This week, Tim and Matt talk about how they celebrated America's 250th birthday. Then they discuss the hot news at the State Capitol including the (finally) enacted 2026-27 state budget, a last-minuted budget provision shifting more power over education into the Governor's office, Gov. Newsom coming out for a federal wealth tax, and a key former Newsom advisor wearing a wire on behalf of the FBI.

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the frantic, last-minute negotiations going on at the Capitol to try and avert expensive ballot proposition fights this fall.  They also discuss ideas to reform California's electoral system in light of the June primary, and what can be done to speed up California's notoriously slow vote counting process.

On this week's Next Round, Tim and Matt discuss Gavin Newsom's bombshell announcement that he and the First Partner are being investigated by the Feds, lawmakers passing a state budget that isn't final so they can keep getting paid, and the America 250 "cage match" on the White House lawn.

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the seemingly endless California election count and the statewide races that are finally coming into focus.  Plus, they discuss the race for Los Angeles mayor and whether Spencer Pratt was cheated out of a spot in the November election.

Without about half the votes in statewide, Tim and Matt go through the early returns from the California primary.  They discuss the prospect of a Hilton-Becerra general election, and why Tom Steyer, Katie Porter and Matt Mahan didn't fare better.  They also analyze the Los Angeles mayor's race that is drawing national attention, and breakdown some of the state's hottest Congressional races.

This week, Tim previews next week's California primary election.  He takes a deep dive on the governor's race and explores whether Xavier Becerra has unstoppable momentum to making the November election, and whether two Democrats may shut out the Republican contenders for the fall campaign.  He also discusses the wild race for Los Angeles mayor, and analyzes some of the races that you may not be f...

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the latest news in the governor's race - including a very embarrassing interview by nominal front runner Xavier Becerra, and Katie Porter supporters charging their candidate is receiving sexist treatment over the coverage of her "likeability".  They also talk about the big Los Angeles mayoral debate, and preview Gov. Gavin Newsom's May Revise budget plan being relea...

Tim and Matt analyze the latest developments in the race for California Governor in a big week in the campaign, with two big debates on the docket and ballots dropping in mailboxes across the state.  They also talk about the LA Mayor's race and whether reality TV villain Spencer Pratt really poses a threat to Mayor Karen Bass' re-election.  They also analyze one of the most important races you're...

This week, Matt and Tim discuss the attempted assassination of President Trump and Trump administration officials at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, DC and the irresponsible reactions by many political figures to the incident. They also talk about this week's second California gubernatorial debate and do a deep dive on Tony Thurmond and Antonio Villaraigosa, who joined the deb...

This week, Tim and Matt break down the first California gubernatorial debate.  They share their thoughts on who the biggest winners and losers were and break down the performances of each of the candidates.  They also discuss how the candidates fared answering questions about California's high cost of living and explore whether the debate changed the trajectory of the race in any way.  Plus, they...

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the sudden departure from the governor's race of disgraced and now former Congressman Eric Swalwell following sexual assault allegations.  They discuss why incidents of bad behavior and other rumors that are common knowledge in political and government circles often don't get media coverage.  They analyze the impact of his departure on the race, and also the impact...

Illinois Policy head of policy and communications expert Josh Bandoch joins us this week to discuss his new book How to Get What You Want.  Tim and Matt discuss the communications challenges facing national and state leaders in some of our recent crisis such as the conflict in Iran and explore how conservatives can frame the policy debate to win in blue states.  They also discuss the importance of...

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the legislative and communications strategies surrounding the ongoing TSA funding dispute causing airport chaos, and the latest happenings in the California's governor race - including whether Republican candidates might finish first or second in the Top Two primary.  Plus, they discuss rising gas prices triggered by the ongoing Iran conflict, and why legislative le...

From PRI's 2026 California Ideas in Action Conference, hear Free Cities Center director Steven Greenhut moderate a panel with some of the state's top policy insiders and elected officials exploring the ongoing challenges facing Californias insurance industry, which were exacerbated by last year's Southern California wildfires.

This week, we present another special episode in a series featuring highlights from PRI's recent California Ideas in Action conference. Free Cities Center director Steven Greenhut sits down with new U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Sacramento, Eric Grant. They discuss ongoing legal battles between the federal government and the state of California, crime, the Trump administration's legal...

From PRI's 2026 California Ideas in Action Conference, hear some of California's top journalists and opinion writers discuss the state of the California governor's race, and legacy of Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration.  Moderated by attorney, political analyst and former reporter Melissa Caen, panelists include Marisa Lagos of KQED Radio, Politico's Lindsey Holden and Southern California News Gro...

PRI senior fellow in business and economics Wayne Winegarden joins us this week to explore what the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Trump tariffs means for consumers, farmers, businesses and the economy.

In this special episode of Next Round , we present a recent talk from author, Manhattan Institute senior fellow and Wall Street Journal  opinion columnist Jason Riley - delivered at a February PRI event in Pasadena.  He talked about his latest book, The Affirmative Action Myth , and the ongoing debate over affirmative action in California and nationally.

This week, Tim and Matt talk about California's turn in the national spotlight hosting Super Bowl 60, including the controversy over the halftime entertainment and the huge California tax bill winning quarterback Sam Darnold faces. They also talk about the latest developments in the governor's race, the debate over the mileage tax at the State Capitol and California losing another billionaire due...

This week, we present a special recording of PRI's recent America 250 kickoff event in Los Angeles featuring a discussion of conservatism past, present, and future as we mark the semiquincentennial of the United States.  Offering perspective are Claremont Review of Books editor Charles Kesler, Matt Continetti of the American Enterprise Institute, and PRI senior fellow and visiting professor at Pep...

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the communications and strategic response to the ICE operation in Minnesota, Gov. Newsom's trip to Davos to troll President Trump, and the latest estimate showing that California could lose 4 more Congressional seats in the 2030 reapportionment.  

This week, PRI's team of policy experts - Wayne Winegarden, Steve Smith, and Lance Izumi - join Tim to analyze Gov. Newsom's budget priorities and explore whether his final state budget plan is sustainable or if it sets the state on a perilous fiscal course.  They also discuss whether Newsom is setting up his successor for significant budget problems when they take office next year.

This week, we present a special Free Cities Center interview with Rick Caruso - founder and executive chairman of Caruso, longtime Los Angeles civic and philanthropic leader and former mayoral candidate. Mr. Caruso discusses LA's rebuilding efforts one year after the wildfires.  He also shares his thoughts on policy and politician-created impediments to swift rebuilding, and what city, state, and...

With the holiday season upon us, it's time for our annual PRI All Stars Year End Awards.  Listen as Tim Anaya, Rowena Itchon, Lance Izumi, Kerry Jackson and Matt Fleming share their picks for the year's biggest winners and losers in California politics and policy, and even offer a few predictions for 2025.

Nationally known investment expert, economist, Chapman University professor and author of more than 25 books Mark Skousen joins us to discuss his latest book, The Greatest American , on his distant relative, Benjamin Franklin.  We talk about Franklin's legacy in science, business, economics, politics, and diplomacy, and ponder what Franklin would think about politicians like Zohran Mandami.  He al...