George Skelton

Capitol Journal Columnist

Political columnist George Skelton has covered government and politics for more than 50 years and for The Times since 1974. He has been a Times political writer and editor in Los Angeles, Sacramento bureau chief and White House correspondent. He has written a column on California politics, “Capitol Journal,” since 1993. Skelton is a Santa Barbara native, grew up in Ojai and received a journalism degree at San Jose State.

Latest From This Author

California

Has any California governor dealt with more disasters at once than Gavin Newsom? Not likely

California

Has any California governor dealt with more disasters at once than Gavin Newsom? Not likely

How is rookie Gov. Gavin Newsom doing? Pretty well. He hasn’t come across as a grandstander. The uniform fits. He doesn’t seem to be interfering with the real work of firefighting and helping victims.
California

Let’s face it: Preventing and fighting wildfires mean utility customers will have to pay more

California

Let’s face it: Preventing and fighting wildfires mean utility customers will have to pay more

There’s one thing that hardly anyone — least of all politicians — is talking about publicly. And that’s the inevitability of customers’ monthly bills rising to pay for so-called hardening of the electrical grid to make it less likely to ignite wildfires.
California

California’s most liberal governor ever, Newsom took on more than he could handle in his first year

California

California’s most liberal governor ever, Newsom took on more than he could handle in his first year

Overall, Newsom’s first-year grade remains at B-minus.
California

There’s a new sheriff at the California Public Utilities Commission. PG&E better shape up

California

There’s a new sheriff at the California Public Utilities Commission. PG&E better shape up

Marybel Batjer was recently appointed PUC president. She’ll have lots to figure out. Consensus in Sacramento is the commission has been soft on PG&E.
California

PG&E, Newsom and lawmakers had months to plan for a power outage. They didn’t plan enough

California

PG&E, Newsom and lawmakers had months to plan for a power outage. They didn’t plan enough

Several utility executives and political leaders seemed shocked, shocked to find that when electricity is shut off, traffic lights go dark and drivers smash their cars.

More Coverage

Hiltzik: The hedge fund battle to control PG&E leaves no one to root for
California

Are California transportation officials pulling a bait and switch on gas tax funds?

California

Are California transportation officials pulling a bait and switch on gas tax funds?

Some money is being shifted from road construction to commuter rail in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help fight California’s war against climate change.
California

Californians think the state is going in the wrong direction. Here’s why

California

Californians think the state is going in the wrong direction. Here’s why

Do voters think things are generally going in the right direction or the wrong direction in California? The Public Policy Institute of California asked, and the reply was largely negative.
California

Trump is under fire in Washington. But he’s winning big in California

California

Trump is under fire in Washington. But he’s winning big in California

Trump was handed two nice gifts from Sacramento: Federal court says Democrats have no business trying to force him to release his taxes as a condition of getting on California’s primary ballot. And Newsom vetoed a bill that would have undercut the president’s planned rollback of endangered species protections, thereby providing more delta water for San Joaquin Valley farmers.
California

Looks like Kamala Harris isn’t a shoo-in to win California’s primary after all

California

Looks like Kamala Harris isn’t a shoo-in to win California’s primary after all

OK, I admit it: A column I wrote three months ago was a real loser.
California

California’s employment law was rewritten. Many independent contractors aren’t thrilled

California

California’s employment law was rewritten. Many independent contractors aren’t thrilled

Tens of thousands of independent contractors apparently don’t feel exploited. And they don’t want anything to do with formal employment or unions.