Take the ACE Train
As the ACE Train pulls into the Santa Clara station, the conductor pops out—and begins apologizing for his train. “I’m sorry, but this is not
Joe Mathews
October 1, 2018
Author: Joe Mathews
Connecting California Columnist and Editor, Zócalo Public Square, Fellow at the Center for Social Cohesion at Arizona State University and co-author of California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It (UC Press, 2010)
90 Days Is Not Enough for a Referendum
Bail cost too much. So does a California referendum. Now the two subject are joined as the bail bonds industry pursues a referendum of the
Joe Mathews
September 26, 2018
Pardon Rod Wright Or Lock Up Tom McClintock
Who cares where politicians live? What matters if they are any good? As I wrote here previously, the prosecution of former State Senator Rod Wright
Joe Mathews
September 25, 2018
Defending Camp Pendleton
The American military may be the finest fighting force in the history of the world. But how long can it defend Camp Pendleton? Marine Base
Joe Mathews
September 24, 2018
Gas Tax Repeal Includes Foolish Constitutional Addition
I’m agnostic on the gas tax increase. Keep it or repeal it, I don’t care. It’s a relatively small tax increase that meets only a
Joe Mathews
September 20, 2018
California’s Children’s Hospitals
I wish California children were doing as well as California children’s hospitals. Even as the Golden State has maintained the nation’s highest child poverty rate,
Joe Mathews
September 17, 2018
Can Your Kidneys Handle Prop 8?
If my kidneys hurt, can I blame Prop 8? Prop 8 is a November ballot initiative of the type that gives ballot initiatives a bad
Joe Mathews
September 14, 2018
The Fall Ballot Shows the Failure of California’s Direct Democracy
November’s slate of ballot measures is a miserable piece of work, which shows the failure of California’s direct democracy. Our system is not particularly direct
Joe Mathews
September 11, 2018
Musk and Zuckerberg Should Buy CA Newspapers
To: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk From: Joe Mathews Re: Acquisition and Reputation Have you two lost your minds? Both of you are suffering through
Joe Mathews
September 10, 2018