Fox&Hounds - California Politics and Business

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A Fox, A Hound, and a Friendship

If political differences are destined to leave us divided and friendless, how do you explain the life of Joel Fox?

Fox died on January 10 after more than a decade of living with cancer. He was California’s most prominent taxpayer advocate since Howard Jarvis, for whom he worked, and whose anti-tax organization he led from 1986 to 1998. Fox, a Republican, advanced conservative ideas on TV and op-ed pages. He advised the campaigns of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Richard Riordan, and U.S. Sen. John McCain.

That profile, in our polarized times, might make you think Fox was one of those political ideologues who are driving the country apart. But the opposite is true.

Fox, more than any person in California politics, built deep relationships with people across the political spectrum. And he did not do this through consensus or compromise. Instead, Fox built friendships on disagreement itself—a warm, open, and curious style of disagreement.

Joe Mathews January 22, 2026

Fox and Hounds Daily Says Goodbye

With this article, we end publication of Fox and Hounds Daily. It has been a satisfying 12½ year run. When we opened in May 2008,

Joel Fox December 18, 2020

Farewell to a California Treasure

I’ll miss Joel Fox, who died Jan. 10 after a long battle with cancer. But California and its nearly 40

John Wildermuth January 26, 2026

Falling Gas Prices Mask Hidden Tax

So why is it that while other states are now enjoying gas prices of less than $2 per gallon, California is still paying higher prices?

George Runner January 22, 2015

Tracking the 5 Major Employment Indicators in California

Last week the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) was issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (for data through November 2014). It

Michael Bernick January 22, 2015

Think Big, California

In today’s California, we set big, ambitious goals for improving energy efficiency, fighting climate change, and, well, not much else. Gov. Jerry Brown’s inaugural address

Joe Mathews January 22, 2015

Free Ontario International Airport

The Cities of Los Angeles and Ontario are butting heads in court over Ontario’s effort to purchase the under-performing Ontario International Airport at a reasonable

Jack Humphreville January 22, 2015

Will Top Two Ruin Our Senate Fun?

The retirement of a four-term Senator should open a breath of fresh air into California politics. But the stench of the top two system is

Joe Mathews January 21, 2015

Where Will Business Turn in All-Dem Senate Final?

Anthony York’s conjecture in his Grizzly Bear Project column that the 2016 U.S. Senate primary could deliver two Democrats in the general election begs the

Joel Fox January 21, 2015

Economic Diversity Lifts California

Reports of the death of California business appear to be not only premature but entirely wrong. And it’s certainly not happening at the hands of

Gary Chazen January 21, 2015

California’s Rebound Mostly Slow, Unsteady

California, after nearly five years in recession, has made something of a comeback in recent years. Job growth in the state – largely due to

Joel Kotkin January 21, 2015

A Committee of Two

Here’s a state committee that might actually produce recommendations that would bring change. The fact that Governor Jerry Brown and University of California president Janet

Joel Fox January 20, 2015