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Next Round

Pacific Research Institute

Pacific Research Institute interviews various scholars on topics of the day.

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  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 43 min
  • English
  • Yesterday · 39 min· Video

    Let's Make a Deal on Paramount

    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.

  • September 21 · 42 min· Video

    Close Races for Key Statewide Ballot Measures

    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.

  • September 12 · 59 min· Video

    Will the Republican Convention Turn Around The GOP's Midterm Prospects?

    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.

  • August 24 · 46 min· Video

    2026 End of Session Preview

    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.

  • August 18 · 46 min· Video

    The Lowdown on the Politico Sacramento Summit

    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.

  • August 12 · 33 min· Video

    What is Gavin Newsom doing all day?

    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.

  • August 4 · 47 min· Video

    Assembly Republicans Oust Their Leader

    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.

  • July 29 · 43 min· Video

    The Grizzly Bear Days of Summer

    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.

  • July 9 · 43 min· Video

    Why the New State Budget Strips Power From Tony Thurmond . . . And Other Big Capitol News

    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.

  • June 24 · 47 min· Video

    Let's Make a Deal!

    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.

  • June 11 · 42 min· Video

    They're Still Counting . . . and Counting

    This week, Tim and Matt discuss the seemingly endless California election count and the statewide races that are finally coming into focus. Plus, they discuss the race for Los Angeles mayor and whether Spencer Pratt was cheated out of a spot in the November election.

  • June 4 · 50 min· Video

    PRI's 2026 California Primary Halftime Show

    Without about half the votes in statewide, Tim and Matt go through the early returns from the California primary. They discuss the prospect of a Hilton-Becerra general election, and why Tom Steyer, Katie Porter and Matt Mahan didn't fare better. They also analyze the Los Angeles mayor's race that is drawing national attention, and breakdown some of the state's hottest Congressional races.

  • May 27 · 36 min

    Next Round's 2026 California Primary Preview

    This week, Tim previews next week's California primary election. He takes a deep dive on the governor's race and explores whether Xavier Becerra has unstoppable momentum to making the November election, and whether two Democrats may shut out the Republican contenders for the fall campaign. He also discusses the wild race for Los Angeles mayor, and analyzes some of the races that you may not be following but are nonetheless critically important like the election for the next state insurance commissioner.

  • May 13 · 34 min

    No Tough Questions Allowed for the California Gubernatorial Front Runner

    This week, Tim and Matt discuss the latest news in the governor's race - including a very embarrassing interview by nominal front runner Xavier Becerra, and Katie Porter supporters charging their candidate is receiving sexist treatment over the coverage of her "likeability". They also talk about the big Los Angeles mayoral debate, and preview Gov. Gavin Newsom's May Revise budget plan being released later this week.

  • May 5 · 32 min

    A Big Week for the Next California Governor and LA Mayor

    Tim and Matt analyze the latest developments in the race for California Governor in a big week in the campaign, with two big debates on the docket and ballots dropping in mailboxes across the state. They also talk about the LA Mayor's race and whether reality TV villain Spencer Pratt really poses a threat to Mayor Karen Bass' re-election. They also analyze one of the most important races you're probably not paying attention to - the race for state Insurance Commissioner.

  • April 30 · 34 min

    A Wild Week in Washington, DC and California

    This week, Matt and Tim discuss the attempted assassination of President Trump and Trump administration officials at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, DC and the irresponsible reactions by many political figures to the incident. They also talk about this week's second California gubernatorial debate and do a deep dive on Tony Thurmond and Antonio Villaraigosa, who joined the debate stage for the first time.

  • April 24 · 53 min

    Who Won? Who Lost? A Review of the First California Gubernatorial Debate

    This week, Tim and Matt break down the first California gubernatorial debate. They share their thoughts on who the biggest winners and losers were and break down the performances of each of the candidates. They also discuss how the candidates fared answering questions about California's high cost of living and explore whether the debate changed the trajectory of the race in any way. Plus, they share their thoughts on the departure of former state controller Betty Yee from the governor's race.

  • April 15 · 42 min

    Swalwell Scandal Rocks Governor's Race

    This week, Tim and Matt discuss the sudden departure from the governor's race of disgraced and now former Congressman Eric Swalwell following sexual assault allegations. They discuss why incidents of bad behavior and other rumors that are common knowledge in political and government circles often don't get media coverage. They analyze the impact of his departure on the race, and also the impact of the vote by California Republican Party delegates not to endorse a gubernatorial candidate.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes