Gov. Jerry Brown’s final address resonates with local legislators

“He’s been a remarkably steady hand leading the state during difficult financial and economic times,” he said. “I think Gov. Brown has stepped into the leadership void that we have in this country.”

For Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, Brown’s assertive stance on increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles on California roads to 5 million by 2030 resonated with his own commitment to protecting California’s resources.

Ting noted Brown’s focus on encouraging both automakers and drivers to adopt zero-emission technology signaled his comprehensive view on environmental issues and the work ahead to reach ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals in the coming year.

“He reinforced the need to protect our environment for two simple reasons — clean air and clean water,” he said. “We continue to fight those fights and push policies that aspire to both of those goals.”

Ting also commended the governor’s ability to balance fiscal responsibility with a need to increase K-12 and higher education funding, which Brown emphasized as a major accomplishment.

For state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, Thursday’s address reflected Brown at his finest, noting his passion for the state and motivation to pursue projects like high-speed rail and modernizing and funding the state’s water system.

Acknowledging Brown’s success with ushering in the new Local Control Funding Formula aimed at increasing funds for lower-income schools, Hill said he hoped Brown’s popularity and foresight could be leveraged in the remaining months of his term to tackle another complex issue — tax reform.

“We have an opportunity with Gov. Brown that could be once in a lifetime in terms of his popularity, his intellect and his commitment to what’s best for California,” he said. “I think he’s the only one who could create a workable solution for tax reform.”

Hill said change to the state’s tax system could shift its budget from a dependency on personal and corporate income tax to a more stable set of revenue, which he said could stabilize the state budget during economic downturns. Hill was joined by Berman and Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, in hopes the governor would set his sights on tax reform this year.

Though the lawmakers commended Brown’s focus on key challenges, Berman and Ting noted few references in the address to the region’s housing and transportation, issues hitting close to home. Ting said it would be necessary to maintain a focus in the coming months on regional transportation funding such as fighting opposition to Senate Bill 1, last year’s gas tax increase and overhaul of how the state funds transportation, and Regional Measure 3, a measure on the June ballot asking voters to approve $3 in toll hikes on all Bay Area bridges except the Golden Gate Bridge.

Berman acknowledged the governor’s support on a set of three housing initiatives passed last fall, but said a continued focus on an issue underpinning several others would be needed.

“I think we definitely need to continue working on housing policies and continuing to move the ball forward on housing,” he said. “He didn’t necessarily talk a lot about housing and that is the number one thing that I hear about when I’m home.”

Though Mullin was not able to attend Brown’s address in person due to the recent birth of his twin boys, he noted in a prepared statement the governor’s embrace of bipartisan civility and cooperation, which allowed state lawmakers to make investments in transportation infrastructure and public education, shape climate change policy and address the affordable housing crisis.

“Those of us in legislative leadership look forward to a productive 2018; one that we can all be proud of and one that will add to Gov. Brown’s unique legacy,” he said.

anna@smdailyjournal.com

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