George Skelton
All Stories
![Governor's dismissive choice to pre-record State of the State rather than give a live speech missed a major opportunity. Governor's dismissive choice to pre-record State of the State rather than give a live speech missed a major opportunity.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SJM-Z-OPED-WALTERS-0628.jpg?w=132)
Skelton: Why Gavin Newsom might not be cut out for Washington
Governor's dismissive choice to pre-record State of the State rather than give a live speech missed a major opportunity.
![Newsom and California lawmakers surely miss that $9.5 billion as they struggle to balance state budget by June 15. Newsom and California lawmakers surely miss that $9.5 billion as they struggle to balance state budget by June 15.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SJM-L-CALBUDGET-0511-1.jpg?w=132)
Skelton: Sacramento’s tax rebate giveaway two years ago is coming home to roost
Newsom and California lawmakers surely miss that $9.5 billion as they struggle to balance state budget by June 15.
![State's irresponsible tax policies creates chaos in budget planning and drives away some well-heeled residents. State's irresponsible tax policies creates chaos in budget planning and drives away some well-heeled residents.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SJM-L-GOVBUDGET-0111-2.jpg?w=132)
Skelton: California’s budget relies on richest taxpayers and we’re paying the price
State's irresponsible tax policies creates chaos in budget planning and drives away some well-heeled residents.
![More people voted on Gavin Newsom's Proposition 1 than on the presidential primary contest. More people voted on Gavin Newsom's Proposition 1 than on the presidential primary contest.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Election_2024_North_Dakota_88121.jpg?w=132)
Skelton: Primary election no-shows in California are a warning to Biden
More people voted on Gavin Newsom's Proposition 1 than on the presidential primary contest.
![Opinion: Smart but stinky strategies in California’s Senate race Opinion: Smart but stinky strategies in California’s Senate race](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/OCR-L-GARVEYPOLL-0221.jpg?w=140)
Opinion: Smart but stinky strategies in California’s Senate race
An ancient proverb is at play in the fight over a U.S. Senate seat held for 30 years by the late Dianne Feinstein. The proverb: “The enemy of my enemy...
![Private investors have shown no interest. It's doubtful California taxpayers would dig deeper. Washington is where the money is. Private investors have shown no interest. It's doubtful California taxpayers would dig deeper. Washington is where the money is.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/SJM-L-BIDENHSR-03XX-14.jpg?w=140)
Skelton: California is building the bullet train, so let’s make it work
Private investors have shown no interest. It's doubtful California taxpayers would dig deeper. Washington is where the money is.
![Titanic shift in voter support has been occurring for years and burst to the surface during the Israeli-Hamas bloodshed. Titanic shift in voter support has been occurring for years and burst to the surface during the Israeli-Hamas bloodshed.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SJM-L-BRIDGEPROTEST-9.jpg?w=132)
Skelton: Most California Democrats don’t want U.S. siding with Israel
Titanic shift in voter support has been occurring for years and burst to the surface during the Israeli-Hamas bloodshed.
![Facing $68 billion deficit, they should reduce income tax rates at all levels and extend the sales tax to services. Facing $68 billion deficit, they should reduce income tax rates at all levels and extend the sales tax to services.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/California_Governor_Bills_11039.jpg?w=132)
Skelton: California leaders need the guts to fix state’s money woes
Facing $68 billion deficit, they should reduce income tax rates at all levels and extend the sales tax to services.
![There's currently too much bellowing, blaming and belligerence — and hatred — in politics. There's currently too much bellowing, blaming and belligerence — and hatred — in politics.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/hypatia-h_f58e9f0b5cb6de8751eb4f001e970da9-h_2a9bc984e84eb1c9170c3f137d55aa19.jpg?w=140)
Skelton: Schwarzenegger shows the value of an upbeat attitude
There's currently too much bellowing, blaming and belligerence — and hatred — in politics.
![Kudos to Gov. Gavin Newsom for deciding that it’s finally time to put this tardy project on the fast track. Kudos to Gov. Gavin Newsom for deciding that it’s finally time to put this tardy project on the fast track.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/20140923__PPICPOLL-09241.jpg?w=140)
Skelton: It’s about time California built Sites Reservoir
Kudos to Gov. Gavin Newsom for deciding that it’s finally time to put this tardy project on the fast track.