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This week, Tim and Matt explore the controversy over Steve Hilton's controversial racy ads in the governor's race. Plus, they take a look at some of the important down ballot races that voters aren't paying close attention to, but are quite important including the campaign for Secretary of State and key legislative and congressional races.

This week, Tim is joined by PRI senior fellow in business and economics Dr. Wayne Winegarden to discuss his latest research on how a California wealth tax would jeopardize venture capital investment in the state and set middle class Californians up for inevitable future tax increases.

This week, Tim and Matt break down the Becerra-Hilton gubernatorial debate. They crown the debate's big winners and losers, analyze the key moments, share their thoughts on the moderators, and discuss whether the candidates' performances will have any impact in changing the trajectory of the campaign.

This week, Tim and Matt analyze Attorney General Rob Bonta's deal on the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. They also discuss Gov. Newsom's AI executive order and demand for AI "kill switches" and a new poll showing big trouble for LA Mayor Karen Bass' re-election campaign.

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the latest statewide poll showing close races for the wealth tax and CEQA reform. They also discuss Gov. Newsom's statement that he would not challenge Kamala Harris for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, and analyze the re-election prospects of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

This week, Tim and Matt break down the President's big speech at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas, and the proposal for 5,000 "dividend" payments to all U.S. adults. Plus, they break down the failure of Gov. Newsom to secure a deal on wildfire liability, and candidates Becerra and Hilton finally agreeing to a debate - plus, they remember the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

As lawmakers enter the final week of the 2026 legislative session, Tim and Matt are joined for Next Round's annual look at the end of session by Free Cities Center director Steven Greenhut. They discuss all the hot end of session issues including wildfire liability, insurance, housing, pensions, AB 1776, and more.

This week, Tim and Matt discuss Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra's long-overdue Sacramento press conference. They then explore what Becerra, GOP nominee Steve Hilton, and Attorney General Rob Bonta had to say at the Politico Sacramento Summit. Finally, they dive into new poll numbers on the governor's race and key ballot measures including the wealth tax.

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the latest release of Gov. Gavin Newsom's calendar and explore the larger issue of public officials in California releasing their schedules. They also discuss Newsom's political roadshow to Michigan, the California Labor Federation endorsing the wealth tax, and California Forever making an end of session push to make it easier to push forward with their planned new city in Solano County.

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the breaking news that Assembly Republicans have voted to oust Heath Flora as Leader, in favor of Alexandra Macedo. They also discuss California Democrats voting to endorse the wealth tax ballot measure, Gavin Newsom trumpeting the latest state minimum wage hike, and Steve Hilton challenging Xavier Becerra to six debates this fall.

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the federal government halting some Medi-Cal payments to California due to fraud, Steve Hilton's campaign appealing to anti-Trump voters, and Xavier Becerra being criticized for discussing street vendors. Then, they discuss a proposal to reintroduce the grizzly bear population to California.

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the passing and legacy of US Sen. Lindsey Graham. They then discuss AG Rob Bonta's lawsuit to try and block the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger and Gov. Newsom's challenge to fellow Democrats to do better fighting income inequality.

This week, Tim and Matt talk about how they celebrated America's 250th birthday. Then they discuss the hot news at the State Capitol including the (finally) enacted 2026-27 state budget, a last-minuted budget provision shifting more power over education into the Governor's office, Gov. Newsom coming out for a federal wealth tax, and a key former Newsom advisor wearing a wire on behalf of the FBI.

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the frantic, last-minute negotiations going on at the Capitol to try and avert expensive ballot proposition fights this fall.  They also discuss ideas to reform California's electoral system in light of the June primary, and what can be done to speed up California's notoriously slow vote counting process.

On this week's Next Round, Tim and Matt discuss Gavin Newsom's bombshell announcement that he and the First Partner are being investigated by the Feds, lawmakers passing a state budget that isn't final so they can keep getting paid, and the America 250 "cage match" on the White House lawn.