Biography
Political columnist George Skelton has covered government and politics for The Times since 1974.
Through the years he has been a political ...
Kindergarten politics
February 8, 2010
The Legislature is about to decide whether to allow a colleague to become the first Republican Latino to hold statewide office in 135 years. But more important questions also will be answered:
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Poizner's wild-eyed accusations against Whitman don't bode well
February 3, 2010
Steve Poizner's allegation that Meg Whitman used attempted bribery and extortion in an effort to push him out of the gubernatorial race was merely an attention-grabbing stunt by a desperate dark horse, many contend. Hopefully, they're right.
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California's independent streak
January 31, 2010
Democrats and Republicans will make all the noise, but nonpartisan independents will decide the winners of California's competitive statewide elections in November.
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High court's ruling is a blow to campaign finance reform
January 28, 2010
Maybe it's time -- time to junk all the political campaign contribution limits with their jumbo loopholes. Just give it up.
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Impatient voters want changes now
January 25, 2010
Legislators -- the leaders, anyway -- know they must change the way they operate. The sooner the better. But they still can't agree on exactly how.
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At times, blue states run red
January 21, 2010
Every so often, Americans poke their finger in the eye of the political hierarchy just to remind it of who's really boss.
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Redistricting reform struggles
January 18, 2010
Remember redistricting reform, the effort to strip from legislators the power to choose their own voters?
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Prop. 8 backers' procreation argument doesn't ring true
January 14, 2010
The notion that baby-making is the principal purpose of marriage in 21st century America is plain absurd. Let's just say that upfront.
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The worst budget mess ever
January 11, 2010
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposal was depressing by itself. And the reaction to it made the Capitol even gloomier.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger hits the right note
January 7, 2010
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's final State of the State speech was his best. The budget proposal he'll send the Legislature on Friday almost certainly will be his worst.
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California's legislators should resolve to...
December 28, 2009
Everyone should make a New Year's resolution or two. They're vital to the self-improvement process, even if soon discarded.
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Stanford football hero warms up for a statewide run
December 24, 2009
Damon Dunn once ran back a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown against USC. His Stanford team upset the Trojans 24-20 that night 13 years ago in Palo Alto.
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Speaker-to-be Pérez knows what he's in for
December 21, 2009
John Pérez is easy to like: pleasant, articulate and thoughtful, exuding calm and candor.
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A reality check for California's excessive borrowing
December 17, 2009
State Treasurer Bill Lockyer is playing Scrooge, admonishing Capitol politicians that they can't have everything they want -- or even think they need.
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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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Schwarzenegger's last year and last chance
December 3, 2009
If I were forced to describe the reign of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in one word, that word would be "disappointing."
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The Jerry Brown tapes: Never a dull moment
November 12, 2009
It seemed like eavesdropping on a private conversation -- or reading a rival journalist's notes. But I eagerly did it anyway out of curiosity about Jerry Brown.
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Two nuggets of political wisdom for the Golden State
October 14, 2009
Two profound observations about state government and politics have been uttered in recent days. One is destined to become a classic. The other sounded an alarm for all Californians to wake up and look in the mirror.
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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."
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