Next Round

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 to the proposed wealth tax.

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 Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy, Steven Hayward.

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.

This week, Dr. Wayne Winegarden, director of PRI's Center for Medical Economics and Innovation, joins us to discuss his new brief exploring how forthcoming restrictions in a state program serving dual-eligible Medicare and Medi-Cal enrollees will hurt patients. He discusses how the movement in government both in California and nationally limiting choice will limit access to care, increase costs to taxpayers and worsen health outcomes.

This week, we present a special episode featuring highlights from PRI's 2025 Sir Antony Fisher Dinner, which was held last month in San Mateo. Noted author, historian and commentator Victor Davis Hanson shares his thoughts on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and how the conservative movement should respond to this tragic loss. Next, Professor Charles Kesler, editor of the Claremont Review of Books, responds to Hanson's comments. Then, 2025 Taube Family Freedom Prize winner Professor Richard Epstein shares his thoughts on the Trump Administration's battles with university administrators over campus free speech.

This week, Naomi Riley - American Enterprise Institute senior fellow - joins us to discuss her latest work on child welfare issues. It is a project called Lives Cut Short (www.livescutshort.org), which is an online database that looks at how states are underreporting incidents of children who have died of abuse and neglect. She talks about the project, how state policies are contributing to this problem, what reforms lawmakers should be considering to prevent these tragedies going forward, and also offers ideas for listeners who want to get involved in this issue and make a difference.

Our special guest this week is outgoing Assembly Republican Leader - and the very first guest on Next Round podcast - James Gallagher. He looks back on his time as GOP leader, reflecting on his biggest accomplishments, what surprised him the most during his leadership, his partisan battles with Speaker Rivas and Gov. Newsom, and what the biggest piece of unfinished business he has on his legislative to-do list.

This week, we present our annual end of session look back at the just-concluded legislative session. Steven Greenhut, Matt Fleming and Tim Anaya share their thoughts on the hot issues debated in the final weeks of the legislative session, including the cap-and-trade deal, high-speed rail funding, charter school legislation, housing policy and more. Plus, they remember the late Sen. John Burton and weigh in on Gov. Newsom's State of the State "address."

From FreedomFest 2025 in Palm Springs, Tim talks with Kerry McDonald, senior fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education and State Policy Network education fellow about her new book Joyful Learning, which explores new, low-cost K–12 learning models that favor individualized, learner-centered education. They also talk about the Trump administration's proposals to downsize the U.S. Department of Education and the latest in efforts to promote school choice across the country.

We wrap up our series of podcasts on the hot issues being debated in the final weeks of the 2025 legislative session with a conversation with Assemblyman Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin. They discuss the Gavin Newsom redistricting proposal, the bills that aren't getting the attention they should be at the end of session, and his efforts to ban non-disclosure agreements in the legislative process.