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The Latest Articles by George Skelton

George Skelton: Newsom promised to punish 'Big Oil' for profiteering, but so far it's just talk

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Since early fall, Gov. Gavin Newsom has been loud and adamant about punishing "greedy Big Oil" for its "windfall" profits. But talk is cheap. He still hasn't produced a detailed plan.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Newsom is pushing for more gun control restrictions. Polling shows Californians overwhelmingly support them

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers are launching a new effort to restrict who can carry concealed loaded guns — and where — as fresh polling data show that California voters have their backs.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: How do you win voters over on gun control? Meet them where they are — in front of the TV

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — It is very rare that anything monumental gets done in America's political system without strong public support. That's certainly the case with gun control.

Los Angeles Times

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George Skelton: Where have Republicans been during California's mass shootings? They're busy appeasing the gun worshiping cult

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom has spoken more eloquently than anyone else about the three California mass shootings that occurred in rapid sequence, killing at least 24.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Uncaptured water isn't wasted. But more could be stored for a non-rainy day

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A gazillion gallons of stormwater have been rampaging down rivers into the sea. But that uncaptured bounty hasn't been "wasted."

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Have no Prop. 1 water projects been built in California? No, but they are moving slowly

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California voters approved a ballyhooed $7.5-billion bond issue eight-plus years ago thinking the state would build dams and other vital water facilities. But it hasn't built zilch. True or false?

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: California has lots of catching up to do on flood management — with or without climate change

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — When Leland Stanford became California's governor in 1862, he needed a rowboat to carry him to the Capitol to be sworn in.

Los Angeles Times

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George Skelton: Newsom is the luckiest California governor ever. But is his good fortune running out?

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom is arguably the luckiest California governor ever. But some of that luck will run out with the Republican takeover of the U.S. House.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: McCarthy's Mar-a-Lago trip was his tipping point. It showed he could be bullied into submission

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy weakened himself two years ago by calling out then-President Donald Trump for inciting the violent Capitol insurrection, then rushing to his golf resort to beg forgiveness.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: If Karen Bass succeeds as LA mayor, she could have a shot at making historic firsts as California governor

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has had 40 governors in its 172 years as a state. And not one has been a woman. Nor a Black person. Or a Los Angeles mayor.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Feinstein won't step down early. But when she does, these contenders have the best shot at her seat

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — It's not an election year, but in 2023 we'll see a hot race begin for U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: After decades in California politics, Bob Hertzberg is hanging it up. Too bad there are term limits

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Bob Hertzberg should still be a state legislator. He's a prime example of why term limits are boneheaded.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: A costly project showed California politicians think they own the Capitol. A court reminded them they don’t

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Memo to the executive and legislative branches of California state government from the judiciary: You’re not exempt from the laws you enact. You’ve got to obey them, too.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Penalizing high gas costs could be 2023’s biggest legislative fight. Hopefully, lawmakers learned from the past

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — There are worse things than being gouged at the gas pump. You could be shut out at a dry pump.

Los Angeles Times

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Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Trump's promise to do away with mail voting shows how out of touch he is with America

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — If reelected, former President Donald Trump promises to ban mail balloting, allow only one day for voting and finish counting on election night.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Trump running in 2024 is a dream come true for Democrats. He's the weakest candidate out there

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Our long national nightmare is … continuing.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Being mayor is different from being a legislator. But Bass has shined in every political job

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Back when she was a legislative leader, one rare quality that impressed me about Karen Bass was her candor in admitting ignorance about a complex subject.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: After Democratic infighting and a tense election, Robert Rivas will be California's next Assembly speaker

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — One of California's most important elections last week was held behind closed doors with only 63 voters. They elected the next state Assembly speaker.

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Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Newsom's resounding win shows he didn't even have to run a race for governor

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — What Gov. Gavin Newsom did was truly unprecedented. He handily won his reelection race without running.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Newsom said 'It's time to stop pointing fingers and join hands' on homelessness. That means him too

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As he approaches a second term, Gov. Gavin Newsom is scolding local governments for failing to conquer homelessness. But he should be pointing his finger in a mirror.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: 'Eye-popping' new survey on Americans' acceptance of political violence should be a wake-up call to leaders

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Roughly 5 million Americans would be willing to kill someone to achieve a political purpose, according to a new UC Davis study.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Yes to abortion rights and arts education: How I'm voting on California ballot propositions

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Here is a final unvarnished, admittedly biased summary of the seven propositions on the state ballot.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: California voters don't like where the state's headed. But they still want Newsom in office

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Most California voters think the state is headed in the wrong direction, yet they intend to reelect the governor who's leading us there. That seems wrongheaded.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Propositions 28 and 31 are the easiest 'yes' votes on the California ballot. They both benefit kids

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Two propositions on the state ballot may be the easiest "yes" votes you'll ever find. Both help kids.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: De Leon embodied the American dream. After racist audio leak, he's living a political nightmare

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Back when he led the state Senate, currently disgraced Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León acknowledged growing up with "a chip on my shoulder," thinking "I wasn't good enough, maybe."

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