Next Round

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 federal leaders can do to get those affected back into their communities more quickly. Plus Tim shares his remembrances of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who tragically passed away this week.

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 also gives a preview of next year's FreedomFest, the world's largest gathering of free minds.

Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho joins us this week to discuss his terrific new book chronicling his role prosecuting the elusive Golden State Killer. We talk about how his upbringing fleeing Communism in Vietnam fuels his passion for seeking justice for crime victims, the many challenges in prosecuting Joseph DeAngelo, and why it was so important for him to focus the book on the victims and loved ones left behind, rather than sensationalizing the killer.

This week, PRI President, CEO and Thomas W. Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy Sally Pipes is back to discuss the debate over extending the expanded Obamacare subsidies that was at the heart of the recent government shutdown. She also discusses the market-based reforms that conservatives in Congress should be pursuing to provide affordable health care choices for all Americans.

With holiday meal planning in full swing, PRI fellow in agriculture policy Pam Lewison - a farmer in Eastern Washington and also fellow at PRI's sister think tank, the Washington Policy Center - joins us to discuss just how much our holiday meals will cost this year. She and Tim discuss the impact of the Trump tariffs on farmers and how the administration's plans to import Argentine beef will impact US cattle ranchers.

Now that the dust has settled, the PRI All Stars are back with their analysis of the 2025 election. Tim Anaya and Matt Fleming take an in-depth look at the passage of Prop. 50, how its victory will impact the 2026 congressional campaigns in California, and whether Gavin Newsom will get a big national boost. They also talk about the national election results, the retirement announcement by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the surprising news that Sen. Alex Padilla will not run for governor.

This week, Tim Anaya and Matt Fleming preview the 2025 election, starting with a deep dive on Prop. 50, where we are just a few days before the election, and how the outcome will impact California policy and Gavin Newsom's political future. Plus, they discuss the wild campaign for Mayor of New York City and look ahead with an early preview of the 2026 California governor's race.