ICYMI - 5 Stories And One Video From Last Week
The “So, Does It Mater” Substack featured a lot of great, original content this past week. Below are the highlights!
This Sunday column is always free to all subscribers, and those who come and visit the Substack page. Please consider joining the paid community… Come on in. We’ve had a tremendous number of people, after seeing consistent, in-depth analysis and commentary for months, decide that $7/mo or $70/year is a great bargain to unlock 40% of our content. We have hundreds of paid subscribers. Please jump in, the water’s warm! Hit the big red button and see your options!
Thank you for being a part of this new project. How long can I call it new? We launched So, Does It Matter? At the end of April, with the idea that people should have a reliable, consistent place to get the straight scoop on what is happening politically in California. I appreciate your coming with me on this journey, and am as committed as ever to being relentless, bold and calling balls and strikes as I see them. I am fiercely independent — there is no one who can tell me what to write or not write. And I hope this is something you value! Below is the “greatest hits” from last week! Jon
ONE VIDEO (I WAS INTERVIEWED!)
If you haven’t heard or checked out the State of Gold Podcast over on YouTube, well maybe I am going to give you the perfect excuse. Jon Slavet sits down and does interviews with people he thinks matter in California politics, and then apparently made an exception and also sat down with me! Click on the play button below and enjoy our conversation. We talk a lot about Prop. 50, but also about single-party rule, and what is the biggest challenge facing California.
And 5 Top Performing Items From Last Week…
Top Ten Winners & Losers In California Politics This Week
Below is our Top Ten List of Winners and Losers for the Week. This feature available to all of our subscribers, free and paid. However, at the bottom of the column, past the firewall is something extra, just for paid subscribers as a thank you!
One-On-One Interview with State Senator Tony Strickland
Today’s one-on-one features State Senator Tony Strickland—back in Sacramento after a 12-year gap and swinging. We talk about how the Capitol has changed, why the GOP caucus culture matters, and what it takes to win message-wars when you’re outnumbered. Tony traces a through-line from his last vote before terming out—to his first bill back.. From there, we dig into cap-and-trade’s hidden tax hikes, why SB 237 (Grayson) fast-tracking in-state energy permits became inevitable, and how a push to unionize rideshare drivers will jack up prices and shrink opportunity. Housing comes up, too—the new “bus-stop density” model that steamrolls suburban neighborhoods—and we connect the dots to Prop 50’s power-grab redistricting scheme. Tony contrasts past governors who engaged legislators with Newsom’s presidential-fever aloofness, then explains when and why Republicans “lay off” votes. We close with a quick-hit lightning round and a practical call to action for defeating Prop 50 in what’s likely to be a very low-turnout fight.
Of course there were a number of other posts last week that you will not want to have missed. If you want to check them out, you can go here and just scroll through them!
ON THIS DATE IN 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit Is Published!
If you’ve already read The Hobbit, you know how wonderful it is. I re-read it, and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, every seven years. Here’s a fun clip from the film, which is amazing. But there is nothing better than reading (or listening) to the book…
Order this book on Amazon, like now.
Have a great Sunday!
Jon