Steven Malanga

United States

Senior Editor at City Journal

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Articles

DOGE Should Target Social Policy Programs

3 weeks ago | city-journal.org | Steven Malanga

Rarely has a federal initiative generated as much controversy, so quickly, as Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. His exposure of major gaps in federal auditing, the widespread fraud enabled by Washington’s lax approach to spending, and the sometimes absurd programs funded by taxpayer dollars has sparked public outrage. According to a study last spring by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, the federal government loses up to $521 billion annually to fraud.
Opinion | It’s High Times for State-Subsidized Pot Businesses

4 weeks ago | wsj.com | Steven Malanga

Marijuana-use disorder is soaring among the very populations advocates of legalization aim to help. State and local governments have a long history of using taxpayer dollars to subsidize bad economic development projects—everything from movie productions to sports arenas to industrial facilities. Now those governments are pumping tens of millions of public dollars into an even worse idea—legal pot businesses—as scientific studies increasingly demonstrate the health risks of regular marijuana use.
It’s High Times for State-Subsidized Pot Businesses

4 weeks ago | manhattan.institute | Steven Malanga

Marijuana-use disorder is soaring among the very populations advocates of legalization aim to help. State and local governments have a long history of using taxpayer dollars to subsidize bad economic development projects—everything from movie productions to sports arenas to industrial facilities. Now those governments are pumping tens of millions of public dollars into an even worse idea—legal pot businesses—as scientific studies increasingly demonstrate the health risks of regular marijuana use.
Next New York City Mayor Should Learn From Giuliani and Bloomberg

1 month ago | city-journal.org | Steven Malanga

Before Elon Musk and DOGE, there was New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city’s Geek Squad. Bloomberg, who built his fortune on a groundbreaking financial analytics company, brought a data-driven mindset to City Hall. He assembled a team of mostly young, enthusiastic computer specialists to make government more efficient and improve New Yorkers’ quality of life through the smart use of data.
The War on Landlords

1 month ago | city-journal.org | Steven Malanga

One of the ironies of Donald Trump’s first presidency is that a former real-estate investor and landlord enacted an unprecedented federal eviction ban. In early 2020, as Covid lockdowns paralyzed the country, Trump signed the CARES Act, placing a moratorium on evictions for any rental properties with federal loans or assistance.
In New Jersey Gubernatorial Race, Democrats Could Be in Trouble

1 month ago | city-journal.org | Steven Malanga

Typically, the first indication of how a national vote like last November’s will reshape the political landscape emerges in the next midterm elections, still 18 months away. But we may get an early preview in New Jersey, one of only two states holding gubernatorial and legislative elections this year. With Governor Phil Murphy term-limited, the race to succeed him has brought out a half dozen Democratic candidates, spanning the political spectrum.
California Needs a DOGE

2 months ago | city-journal.org | Steven Malanga

Past presidents of both parties, including Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, railed against federal waste and promised to make Washington more efficient. The Trump administration, though, is actually following through, including with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Californians must be looking on with envy. A recent series of audits has exposed how the Golden State squanders taxpayer money on everything from unemployment insurance to high-speed rail.
The Legal Pot Debacle

Mar 1, 2025 | city-journal.org | Steven Malanga |Brian Anderson

Steven Malanga joins Brian Anderson to discuss his essay from the City Journal winter issue, “Gone to Pot,” and the failures of the marijuana legalization experiment. Brian Anderson: Welcome back to the 10 Blocks Podcast. This is Brian Anderson. I’m the editor of City Journal. Joining me on today’s show is my colleague, Steven Malanga, he’s been on many times. He’s a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and City Journal’s senior editor.
It’s Time to Rethink Pot Legalization

Feb 23, 2025 | city-journal.org | Steven Malanga

When marijuana legalization began in the U.S. over a decade ago, advocates promised sweeping benefits: an end to punitive treatment of users, especially minorities—thus striking a blow for social justice—and the creation of profitable, regulated markets driving economic growth. Legalization, they argued, would provide safer products and generate significant tax revenue, with minimal downsides, since so many were already smoking marijuana. Why not bring the industry out of the shadows?
Republican States Have Stronger Economies

Feb 12, 2025 | city-journal.org | Steven Malanga

The 2024 elections reshaped the political landscape in Washington, D.C., with Republicans capturing a national trifecta: the White House and both houses of Congress. At the state level, the change was less dramatic. Republicans won eight of 11 governors’ races, retaining their total of 27. Democrats lost full control of two state legislatures, in Minnesota and Michigan, which will now have divided government.