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The Latest Articles by George Skelton

George Skelton: Proposition 29 would stiffen requirements for California dialysis clinics. It's also political extortion

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Political extortion was not what reformers intended when they created California's system of direct democracy 111 years ago.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Newsom wants to tax oil companies for soaring gas prices. It'll be a bumpy road for motorists no matter what

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — When gas prices rise, it instantly fuels political rhetoric about price gouging and the need to help motorists pay at the pump. It's as automatic as pushing the starter button and hearing the engine crank up.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Republican Dahle is likable, level-headed and highly respected. But he won't win California governor

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The first thing to know about the Republican candidate for California governor is that he's a good guy, not a jerk or a crackpot.

Los Angeles Times

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George Skelton: Newsom breaks from fellow Democrats and aligns with the enemy on Lyft-backed Prop. 30

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — This is very rare: a California governor on the opposite side of his state party on a major public policy issue.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Optometrists, ophthalmologists square off over bill to expand role of primary care eye doctors

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — There's a nonsensical disconnect in California's efforts to provide universal health care. There aren't enough doctors willing to accept the state's small fees for treating low-income patients.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Voters are turned off by Props. 26 and 27. Racing tracks should pick a better horse next time

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — You'd never know it from the incessant TV ads, but troubled horse racing would greatly benefit from a sports betting initiative on the November ballot.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Unexpected humor and 'a spot of gin': Queen Elizabeth II's Sacramento visit remembered

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The tale about Queen Elizabeth II sipping gin in California's state Capitol needs some fleshing out. And here it is:

Los Angeles Times

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George Skelton: When Reagan hosted Queen Elizabeth and Jerry Brown met with 'cool' Prince Charles in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Americans reject monarchism. It's in our DNA. But Queen Elizabeth II was one monarch most Americans respected and admired. She had grace and grit — lifelong characteristics that were brightly displayed on a venturous trip to California in 1983.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Newsom enjoys his most successful legislative session yet with wins on climate, Diablo Canyon

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Despite lots of private grousing about him, Gov. Gavin Newsom emerged a big winner at the end of the California Legislature's two-year session.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Newsom skipped meeting with UFW leaders. Now he should sign California's farmworker union bill

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In 1966, Gov. Pat Brown made a politically tone-deaf mistake with Cesar Chavez's farmworkers union. This year, Gov. Gavin Newsom repeated the goof. Brown redeemed himself. Newsom probably won't.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: California legislators push politics aside to get a big housing deal done

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — When a legislature operates the way it should, big things can happen.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Pour more money and planning into renewable energy — and keep Diablo Canyon running if needed

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The dust-up at the state Capitol over nuclear power is the direct result of politicians either setting unrealistic goals or failing to plan — or both.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Newsom tries to have it both ways on fighting climate change and California's housing shortage

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Top priorities often conflict. Enjoy a vacation or advance at work? Save money for retirement or your kids' college education?

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: California had a nearly $100 billion surplus this year. We don't need to raise taxes with Prop. 30

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — If Proposition 30 passes in November, we should hang a sign at the border reading: "Welcome to California, the state with the nation's most outrageously high income tax."

Los Angeles Times

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Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Newsom's Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta plan makes more sense. But it's still a 'water grab'

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The third attempt could be the charm for repairing California's main waterworks, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: California's gambling propositions are breaking spending records. Do we really need more betting?

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is plagued by wildfires, drought, homelessness, unaffordable housing and the nation's steepest gas prices. And there is scary inflation and devastating climate change.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: If Newsom sees himself as president, he should move into position to run. That's what he's doing

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom is moving into position to possibly run for president, regardless of what he says or tells himself.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Would California's abortion ballot measure allow late-term abortions? Its author says no

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Based on a simple reading, Proposition 1 would seem to push California abortion law far left by allowing pregnancy termination right up until birth. Could that be correct?

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Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Pausing the gas tax would have been great for California Democrats. Instead we got a July 4 price increase

A gas tax break would have been nice as Californians hit the road over the July 4 weekend. Instead, they were smacked with a tax increase.

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Will California gun control legislation survive the Supreme Court ruling? Time will tell

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gun control bills have been shooting through the state Legislature at rapid-fire speed, and Gov. Gavin Newsom is eager to sign them. But it’s anyone’s guess how many will survive this Supreme Court.

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