Next Round

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....

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 sh...

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 ...

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 effor...

Continuing our series of podcasts on hot issues being debated during the final weeks of the 2025 legislative session, longtime political strategist, redistricting consultant, and former elected official Matt Rexroad joins us to break down Gov. Gavin Newsom's redistricting scheme and what it will mean for fair elections in California.  They also discuss his new job as a deputy district attorney in Colusa County, and an issue that is...

This week, we start a series of podcasts featuring conversations on some of the hottest issues being debated at the State Capitol in the final weeks of the 2025 legislative session. We're pleased to be joined by Western States Petroleum Association president and CEO Catherine Reheis-Boyd, one of the most important legislative advocates in Sacramento.  PRI senior fellow in business and economics Dr. Wayne Winegarden talks about effo...

Free Cities Center director Steven Greenhut joins us to discuss his latest booklet focusing on the lessons learned from January's destructive Southern California wildfires.  They talk about policy-created problems on brush clearing, water, and land use policy that created a perfect storm and made fighting the fires more difficult, and what reforms policymakers should be considering now to prevent severe future wildfires from destro...

Center Square California reporter and Free Cities Center contributor Kenneth Schrupp joins us to discuss his recent reporting on policy mistakes that made preventing and fighting the recent Southern California wildfires worse.  He also discusses what he's learned about controversial legislation to "reimagine" the Palisades as it is rebuilt.  He also shares insights in his reporting on high speed rail, homelessness, and the aftermat...

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 rai...

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 spen...

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...

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...

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-r...

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. Ale...