In expressing hope for good jobs, secure homes and health care for all Californians, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s inaugural speech Monday opened a new era for the state with optimism and a nod to the many challenges ahead for the state.
The passing of the torch from former governor Jerry Brown to Newsom was met with enthusiasm by legislators representing San Mateo County residents, among them state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, who appreciated Newsom’s acknowledgment of the solid footing on which Brown put the state and clarity on how the state could build on that foundation.
Hill looked to Newsom’s warmth and outgoing personality to invite a new dynamic in Sacramento, and though he acknowledged Newsom would face many of the same tough decisions Brown did, Hill also expressed an admiration for Newsom’s treatment of the issue of homelessness as statewide issue in need of intervention.
“The atmosphere was exciting,” he said. “It was electric … it reminded me, and I think everyone, of what it means to be a Californian.”
Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, was encouraged to see Newsom stay focused on a desire to foster an economy from which all segments of society can benefit. Though he found the tone of Newsom’s inaugural speech to be aspirational, Mullin valued his recognition of the economic uncertainties to come within the governor’s first term.
With allusions to single-payer health care, Newsom’s speech sketched out a progressive agenda, noted Mullin, who added the address was also grounded in the fiscal reality of meeting the state’s financial obligations, maintaining a balanced budget and preparing for a slowing economy in the next couple years.
“There was a recognition of the challenges that are with us even in this good economy and a recognition of the challenges to come,” he said. “The question is … given the regional differences in our economy how do you create a state that works for everyone? … That is a real heavy challenge that this incoming governor will have to deal with.”
For Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto, the bold agenda Newsom laid out addressed Californians’ top concerns, including the production of housing, investment in early childhood education and access to health care. And though he acknowledged the progress made on those issues in recent years, Berman noted the persistence of those problems and the work ahead.
“Gov. Newsom comes in with, I think, a mandate from voters and he comes in with pretty well-formulated positions on these issues,” he said. “I think a lot of us in the Legislature are looking forward to working with him.”
Berman counted his Republican colleagues among those looking forward to working with Newsom, noting issues such as housing, education and addressing the effects of wildfires are not partisan issues, adding he’s felt a desire among all of his colleagues to make progress on these issues.
“We pride ourselves on being solutions-oriented and not devolving into partisan bickering,” he said, in reference to the shutdown of the federal government hanging over officials in Washington, D.C. “We’ve got a lot to do to improve the quality of life for all Californians.”
In welcoming Newsom to his new post, state Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, expressed her party’s desire to maintain critical services and expand economic opportunities for all Californians while staying focused on maintaining a balanced budget.
“California Senate Republicans are committed to working with Gov. Newsom to protect essential state services, expand employment and job creating opportunities to all Californians, and ensure that our state is able to pay its financial obligations through a balanced budget,” she said in a statement.
For Mullin, Newsom’s strong support for early childhood education at this stage made sense as an issue that would gain traction with most legislators, and he looked to the release of Newsom’s proposed budget Thursday to shed even more light on his priorities. Though Mullin, who was reappointed as speaker pro tempore of the Assembly, felt Newsom alluded to a desire to take on big challenges, he said he would have liked to see more specifics on what those challenges might be and whether they would include comprehensive tax reform.
Given Newsom’s engagement with other legislators on the campaign trail, Mullin was hopeful the new governor would continue to reach out to other legislators throughout his first term and stay focused on issues affecting San Mateo County residents.
“We all want him to be a successful governor because a successful administration means a successful California,” he said. “I’m very optimistic about the agenda he’s going to be pursuing.”
(3) comments
Newsom is just another pawn in the hand me down politics of California . He has never earned just taken. Born and raised in Elite County, aka Marin County. Attended private schools so as to not get tainted by the low class public school students. He is as always about newsom. He will do nothing, because nothing can’t be criticized. He won’t fight Trump or the cause of homelessness he helped create. Eight years of nothing but look at me photo ops for prince newsom.
Go Trump- there are many in California who are pulling for you against our new governor. If there is anything we can do here in California to assist you in crushing our governor, we are more than happy to help you. Build the wall and make California pay for it.
Im with you. Illegal immigration costs California alone ~82 Billion a year.
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