Biography
Political columnist George Skelton has covered government and politics for The Times since 1974.
Through the years he has been a political ...
'Maldonado for governor' off to a bad start
May 19, 2013
SACRAMENTO — It seemed like a fairly good idea at the time — the idea of Abel Maldonado running for governor.
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In new era, Brown has the clout to corral Legislature
May 15, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Dynamics have shifted dramatically in California's Capitol since Gov. Jerry Brown returned two years ago—both fiscal and political dynamics.
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Pérez vows fiscal discipline from Democrats
May 6, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Speaker John Pérez wants voters to know something: Cash may be cascading into state coffers as it hasn't for years. Democrats may totally control the Assembly with a new supermajority. But they're not going to be drunken sailors.
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Savvy politicos block the shot
May 1, 2013
SACRAMENTO — There's an emotional risk to falling in love with a local pro sports team, because it can cheat on you. It can walk out and take up with another city.
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Gov. Brown as Robin Hood
April 29, 2013
Now we know what Gov. Jerry Brown really cares about — what gets him riled and raring to rumble.
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Obamacare fuels turf war
April 24, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Obamacare is supplying fresh ammunition for one of the oldest turf wars in Sacramento.
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Chasm divides gun control and gun rights advocates
April 21, 2013
SACRAMENTO — "Living in parallel universes," is how Senate leader Darrell Steinberg describes it. Gun control and gun rights advocates "talking past each other."
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Welcome home, governor. Now get to work
April 17, 2013
SACRAMENTO—Let's welcome the governor back home. It must be sobering. The work has been piling up. The real, difficult work.
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China's no template for California
April 15, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Maybe Gov. Jerry Brown has been in China too long. Because some presumably serious comments by him while riding a bullet train were amusing head-shakers.
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Brown's China trip may have dubious value for the state
April 10, 2013
SACRAMENTO — You know things are going splendidly for a governor when he can arrange a weeklong jaunt through China and not have to pay a cent himself — or even dip into the public till.
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Sacramento mayor directs offense in fight to retain NBA's Kings
March 31, 2013
SACRAMENTO — The most effective politician in Sacramento? There's no question. It's the mayor.
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Congressman brings common sense to gun control debate
March 27, 2013
SACRAMENTO — As the national firearms debate reaches a crescendo, a Northern California congressman is proving that you can be both a gun lover and a gun controller.
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Email tax may slice spam and scams out of inboxes
March 24, 2013
SACRAMENTO — The most courageous politician in California — probably the nation — is a Berkeley city councilman, Gordon Wozniak. His gutsy act: proposing that the government tax email.
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Reinvigorating 'career tech' a worthy goal
March 20, 2013
SACRAMENTO — We used to call it "shop." Wood shop. Auto shop. Then the educators got fancy and renamed it "vocational education."
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Abuse pollutes state environmental law
March 11, 2013
SACRAMENTO — State Sen. Jerry Hill grew up in San Francisco and vividly remembers the rare suffocating days of late summer when the fog fled and people sweltered.
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A no-brainer to everyone — except the gun lobby
March 6, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Enforce the laws already on the books. Take away the criminals' weapons, not the law-abiding citizens'. Sound familiar? It's the mantra of the gun lobby.
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Ugly numbers for state GOP
March 4, 2013
SACRAMENTO — "Too white, too right and too uptight," says a veteran political consultant. "That's why the Republican Party can't come back in California."
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Voters weren't told about plan to redistribute education money
February 27, 2013
SACRAMENTO — A revenue redistribution scheme probably was not what Californians had in mind when they passed Gov. Jerry Brown's tax increase to salvage public schools.
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California GOP faces steep road back
February 25, 2013
SACRAMENTO — The Republican Party has become so pathetic in California that it can't even find a candidate to run for governor next year.
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Lack of immigration reform threatens California farmers
February 20, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Except for illegal immigrants, no group has more at stake in the national fight over immigration reform than California farmers.
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Brulte will try to revive a lifeless GOP
February 18, 2013
SACRAMENTO — "There's no place to go but up," asserted Jim Brulte, whose mission is to save the California Republican Party. "We're on the way back."
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Dorner case shows folly of arming oneself to combat government
February 13, 2013
SACRAMENTO — The nutty notion that a citizen can be heavily enough armed to fight off the government went up in smoke near Big Bear Lake.
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A rogue ex-cop who shouldn't be armed
February 10, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Here's an idea for a new gun control law: How about immediately seizing the personal arsenal of a fired cop?
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Brown's two key sentences
January 28, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown spoke only two sentences about streamlining environmental regulations in his State of the State address. But they inspired reformers to cheer.
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It's time to bring transparency to back-room legislating
January 23, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Imagine a lawmaker being allowed to read a proposed law before voting on it.
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California can't go it alone on guns
January 21, 2013
SACRAMENTO — California's gun controls are among the toughest in the nation, but they're severely weakened by Washington's failure to pass strong national laws.
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Help school districts by letting them raise their own tax revenue
January 16, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown wants to help inner-city schools at the expense of suburbanites. But there must be a better way to assist the disadvantaged than to trigger class warfare.
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Brown takes a page from Aristotle
January 13, 2013
SACRAMENTO--Robbing Peter in the suburbs to pay Paul in the inner city seems politically perilous. Even unjust.
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Brown scores by taking on feds and felons
January 9, 2013
SACRAMENTO — You've got to appreciate a governor who stands up and says: "This is not a game. And I didn't come here — I'll be 75 in April — just to screw around.
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A Republican model on gun control
January 6, 2013
SACRAMENTO — George Deukmejian was not a flashy governor. Wasn't a spellbinder. But he was a bold leader on a perilous front: gun control.
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New Year's resolutions for Sacramento politicos
December 31, 2012
SACRAMENTO — From my skimpy research on New Year's resolutions, I've learned that 40% of us make them, and about 90% end in failure.
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Christmas is for people of all faiths
December 23, 2012
SACRAMENTO — My wife was an atheist who loved Christmas.
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Gov. Jerry Brown gets high marks for effectiveness in report card
December 19, 2012
SACRAMENTO — The year shouldn't slip by without giving Gov. Jerry Brown his annual report card.
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It's time to target gun violence
December 16, 2012
SACRAMENTO — It was a Christmas a very long time ago that my dad gave my brother and me our first guns. And a stern lecture.
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Now is the time to adjust Prop. 13
December 12, 2012
When nearly two-thirds of the citizenry vote to tax themselves to expand transit but don't prevail, then democracy has gone cockeyed.
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Water bond needs slimming down
December 9, 2012
SACRAMENTO — Barrels of excess water have been tumbling down the Sacramento River with nowhere to go except the San Francisco Bay and out to sea.
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Expect Democrats to be robust, not reticent, in wielding power
December 6, 2012
SACRAMENTO — With their new supermajority power, Democratic legislative leaders promise they won't overreach. But bet on this: They'll reach just as far as they believe is safe.
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Keys to a California GOP comeback: camaraderie and good ideas
December 3, 2012
Paul Priolo remembers the last time Democrats enjoyed a supermajority in the state Assembly. He was the Republican leader. And his strategy was simple.
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Gov. Jerry Brown could learn a lesson from 'Lincoln'
November 28, 2012
SACRAMENTO — The movie "Lincoln" should be required viewing for all elected chief executives from president to mayor, and especially for California's governor.
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Jerry Brown hurdles over sophomore traps
November 18, 2012
SACRAMENTO — There's a strange atmosphere in Sacramento. It's as if there has just been a gubernatorial election and the incumbent has decisively won another term.
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It's time to reform our initiative system
November 15, 2012
Hiram Johnson, the revered reformer and father of the California "citizens" initiative, must be either crying or laughing.
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GOP might never again hold power in California
November 12, 2012
California Republicans have suffered a painful thrashing, and the prognosis isn't good. Recovery is far from certain.
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Gov. Jerry Brown gets big win but also big responsibility
November 7, 2012
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown and fellow Democrats have scored a stunning, historic victory in California. But they should have been careful what they wished for.
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Last-minute advice on state ballot measures
November 5, 2012
SACRAMENTO — If you're still scratching your head over the long list of state ballot propositions, here's a voter's guide.
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Gov. Jerry Brown's muddled message hasn't helped Prop. 30's chances
November 1, 2012
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown may still pull out a victory for his beleaguered tax measure. Then he can tell all us kibitzers to go eat a big Thanksgiving plate of crow.
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Some thoughts on four ballot measures
October 28, 2012
SACRAMENTO — It's time to stop vacillating. Election day is almost here. There are still a few loose ends to straighten out on the California ballot.
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Keep secret Arizona money out of California politics
October 25, 2012
SACRAMENTO — Let's see. Maybe: "Money Launderers for Campaign Finance Reform." No, that probably wouldn't sell.
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Three-strikes shouldn't be about small-time crime
October 22, 2012
SACRAMENTO — One guy stole a loaf of bread. Another was caught with a speck of meth. Somebody grabbed $1 in change from a parked car.
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Prop. 32's real purpose is to cripple labor unions politically
October 17, 2012
SACRAMENTO — Proposition 32 is stark proof that often you can tell a ballot initiative by its cover.
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Education cuts at stake in tax battle
October 14, 2012
SACRAMENTO — Let's cut through all the baloney being spread in California's tax brawl and go straight to what's basically at stake.
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Prop. 39 would end tax giveaway, raise $1 billion for California
October 10, 2012
SACRAMENTO — During the middle of a winter night in 2009, sleep-deprived legislators and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger devised the deal from hell. It included a tax incentive for out-of-state corporations not to build facilities or hire employees in California.
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Prop. 31: Good goals, problematic means
October 7, 2012
SACRAMENTO — The most nerdy, wonky and nap-inducing measure on the Nov. 6 ballot is Proposition 31.
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Prop. 30 compounds state's bad tax policy, but we need it anyway
October 3, 2012
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown's tax proposal is terrible public policy. Plain and simple. But it offers the only plausible path to rescuing California schools from more painful budget slashing.
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Smartphoning campaign donations
July 28, 2011
Something strange is happening: a California state agency is developing an innovative, user-friendly idea that can be implemented easily and quickly.
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Capitol Journal: Parks vs. ballot box budgeting
September 26, 2010
California's magnificent state parks are falling apart fast.
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Parents have the right to know
August 23, 2010
SACRAMENTO -- Grading teachers based on how much their students learn should be a no-brainer.
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Democrats would do right to do right by Abel Maldonado
December 7, 2009
Within a few weeks, the embattled and belittled California Legislature will take one of two actions:
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California tax reform plan much too bold for Capitol
October 1, 2009
Sure, you can't please everyone. That's a given on anything controversial. But come on! Maybe at least a few people?
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GOP's 'leverage' is tantamount to extortion
September 17, 2009
In his former life, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in the action-thriller "Collateral Damage." Last week, he had only a bit role in the collateral damage inflicted by fellow Republicans in the state Senate.
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Don't let the Sacramento sex scandal fool you
September 14, 2009
The Legislature had just wrapped up its annual session when a top aide invited me to a post-adjournment party across the street from the Capitol. I went.
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State help for firefighters 'a heavy lift'
September 10, 2009
You'd think that with half the state charred -- and wildfires seemingly getting worse every year -- a top priority in Sacramento would be to improve California's firefighting capability. But it hasn't even been on the Legislature's agenda.
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California Legislature on the verge of major achievements
September 3, 2009
The Legislature is on the verge of two major achievements -- on prisons and water -- if lawmakers can be calm and rational during the final week of this year's regular session.
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Charting a way out of the mess in the Capitol
August 27, 2009
Here's a way to start fixing the state Capitol. Maybe also repair some city halls and county courthouses.
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There's revenue in those hills -- and offshore
August 6, 2009
Republican politicians want to drill offshore. Democrats want to tax oil onshore. Both sides are right.
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Schwarzenegger is unpopular but undaunted
August 3, 2009
The fact that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's poll numbers have plummeted to where Gray Davis' were when Schwarzenegger booted him from office might humble an ordinary politician. He'd probably lower his sights. But not Schwarzenegger.
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Winners and losers in the budget battle
July 30, 2009
Who are the winners of the California budget battle? Yes, there are some, even though there are many more losers.
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Send the legislators home at night
July 26, 2009
Here's another Sacramento reform for the long "to do" list -- one that wouldn't require a vote of the people or even the governor's signature.
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Budget's a mess, but it's our mess
July 23, 2009
Sacramento's latest budget product may be the worst ever -- and the very best possible given the reality of California politics.
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Schwarzenegger should be talking to himself
July 20, 2009
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been chanting this mantra since he first landed in Sacramento: Sacramento must learn to live within its means.
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In Sacramento, they all dropped the ball
July 16, 2009
They whiffed a fat batting practice pitch. Blew a gimme putt. Inexplicably clanked a slam-dunk.
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To fix the budget, first fix the state
June 29, 2009
Once again, Capitol politicians are fighting over how to fix the chronically bleeding state budget. And again, the answer should be clear: It's unfixable.
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Budget patch job is better than IOUs
June 25, 2009
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature are down to two options: Compromise or watch in embarrassment as the great state of California issues IOUs. Also known as scrip.
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California has no money and few options
June 22, 2009
Call it the Dance of Death, the Kabuki or the Summer Follies -- the performance they're about to give in California's Capitol is a necessary ritual. But it shouldn't be taken very seriously by the outside world.
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Democrats are going to need prodding to reach budget accord
June 15, 2009
Animal analogies come to mind when somebody asks, "What is going on in Sacramento with the budget deficit?"
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Note to budget doctors: Don't spare the knife
June 11, 2009
Bill Lockyer has some simple, blunt advice for Democratic legislators struggling to make painful budget cuts: Just assume you're not going to get reelected. Then dig in and slash.
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Nightmares come true for the neediest
June 8, 2009
Jean called the other day from her desert condo near Palm Springs. She'd been notified that the state was cutting back again on aid for the disabled and she was worried.
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Lawmakers must pass redistricting ballot measure this year
August 27, 2007
If Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature get anything else done this year, it most likely will be -- and should be -- political redistricting reform.
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Losing faith in an unfaithful mayor
July 9, 2007
Actor Tom Hanks had a great line in the movie "A League of Their Own." Playing the crusty manager of a women's baseball team, he berates one member into tears and shouts: "There's no crying! There's no crying in baseball."
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Tahoe fire shows cost of paradise still rising
June 28, 2007
Sacramento — ANOTHER natural disaster, another lesson. But not the predictable lesson.
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Schwarzenegger Is Running on Comeback Trail, but Bush Could Still Trip Him Up
July 6, 2006
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's comeback continues: A new poll finds him leading his Democratic challenger, with voters happier about both his job performance and the state's direction.
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Money, Attack Ads Talk; Good Candidates Walk
June 5, 2006
It's all Sen. Dianne Feinstein's fault. That's what I figure.
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Memory of '94 Ad Follows Angelides
May 29, 2006
Former Senate leader David Roberti says, "I'm not sitting around with a 2-by-4 in hand waiting to hit Phil over the head."
