A Conversation with Mayor Willie Brown
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Listen as Free Cities Center director Steven Greenhut sits down for a wide-ranging discussion with legendary San Francisco Mayor and former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. In this candid interview, they discuss the challenges facing the West Coast's urban centers including crime, housing, homelessness, education, and transportation. Brown also offers his views on some of the state's most controversial topics such as high-speed rail and redevelopment.
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A Conversation with Assemblyman Josh Hoover
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This week, our special guest is Assemblyman Josh Hoover, R-Folsom, who is serving in his second term and also is vice chair of the Assembly Education Committee. We discuss key issues being debated at the State Capitol these days including the state budget, efforts to crack down on homelessness, and legislation that would further hinder charter schools. We also discuss his efforts to increase oversight over state programs and spending, and his successful efforts to crack down on student cell phone use in the classroom.
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Dr. Wayne Winegarden - What Should Fiscal Conservatives Think About the "One Big Beautiful Bill"?
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This week on Next Round, we welcome back PRI senior fellow in business and economics Dr. Wayne Winegarden to talk about the big economic topics in the news recently - the passage by Congress of the reconciliation bill, the Trump administration's latest global tariff proposals, the federal budget recissions bill being debated in Congress, and the recently-enacted California State Budget. Wayne gives his analysis on these issues and shares his thoughts on how fiscal conservatives should view the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill."
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Dr. Ed Amos - A First Hand Acccount of the Southern California Wildfires and Recovery
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This week, we talk with Dr. Ed Amos, noted physician and neurologist who tragically lost his home in the Pacific Palisades wildfires. He shares his first hand experience on the day of, and the immediate aftermath, of the wildfires, and offers a close-up view of just how effective government at all levels has done in reducing bureaucracy and helping homeowners quickly begin the rebuilding process.
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Chef Andrew Gruel - From FreedomFest 2025
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With the Fourth of July upon us, our special guest this week is Chef Andrew Gruel, food entrepreneur, celebrity chef and television personality, and newly appointed Huntington Beach city councilman. We discuss how regulations and minimum wage mandates are hurting restaurants and other small businesses, how being a vocal conservative has impacted his career, and why he decided to become a city councilman. He also shares some ideas for how to cook with your family, from his terrific new book, Andrew Gruel's Family Cookbook.
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Reason's Eric Boehm - From FreedomFest 2025
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Direct from FreedomFest 2025 in Palm Springs, Tim talks with Reason reporter Eric Boehm, who covers economic and trade policy. They talk about the latest developments in the Trump administration's global tariff agenda, preview how the debate over global tariffs will play out this summer, and what consumers should expect in terms of the availability and prices of goods under the Trump tariffs. Plus, they discuss a terrific, must-read article by Eric on how curling offers policymakers some good lessons about civility in our increasingly aggressive political world these days.
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Robby Soave - From FreedomFest 2025
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Direct from FreedomFest 2025 in Palm Springs, Tim talks with Reason senior editor, author, and host of the Rising on Hill TV Robby Soave. Among other topics, they discuss the LA ICE riots, how Gov. Gavin Newsom is viewed on the national political scene, and how we should look back on the legacy of Elon Musk's DOGE efforts. Plus, Tim and Matt discuss Gov. Newsom's technical error-filled TV address on the LA ICE riots, and Sen. Alex Padilla's arrest at Kristi Noem's press conference.
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Rebekah Paxton - Would You Like a Higher Minimum Wage with Your Fries?
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Rebekah Paxton of the Employment Policies Institute joins us to discuss EPI's high-profile research on the impact of California's $20 fast food minimum wage on jobs, workers, prices. They also discuss the Los Angeles' plan for a $30 minimum wage for hotel and airport workers.
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Susan Crabtree - Fool's Gold
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This week, we talk with Susan Crabtree, award-winning investigative journalist and senior White House and national political correspondent for RealClearPolitics, author of the new book on Gavin Newsom, Fool's Gold. We discuss the impact of the governor's policy agenda on people's ability to achieve the California dream and how California's governor is viewed in Washington and national media circles. She also gives her take on that hot political book chronicling the coverup of Joe Biden's decline.
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Professor Michael Mische - Just How Much Will We Pay for Gas When 2 Big Refineries Shut Down?
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This week on Next Round, we talk with Michael Mische, Associate Professor of the Practice of Management and Organization at the University of Southern California, about his new study showing just how much more Californians will pay at the pump for gas when two of the state's major refineries shut down operations in the coming years. Plus, Tim and Matt discuss the debate over the State and Local Tax Deduction in Congress and legislation to make it easier and cheaper to build housing.
info_outlinePRI senior fellow in business and economics Dr. Wayne Winegarden joins us with his initial analysis of Gov. Newsom's May Revise budget proposal. Wayne shares his thoughts on Gov. Newsom's plan to close the state's $12 billion budget deficit, including controversial plans to expand Medi-Cal eligibility to the undocumented and how tariffs and the "one big, beautiful bill" being crafted in Congress will affect the state budget going forward.