Gavin Newsom –– driven by narcissism or delusion or both –– would spend millions of tax dollars to honor a handful of former living governors.
The soon-to-be-former gov (wink) has slipped a $20 million provision into his budget plan to create a “Governors’ Legacies Fund,” whatever that is.
Evidently the millions would go unspecified projects honoring the four (five, if you count Newsom) former living governors of California.
This, as the state faces chronic multibillion-dollar budget deficits; as Newsom shamelessly runs for president in 2028; and as Californians endure a long list of crises that Newsom and his recent predecessors created, let fester, and/or exacerbated.
These include (take a deep breath):
Chronic high rates of homelessness; a staggering lack of affordability; stubborn housing, water, energy and road-capacity shortages; abysmal public education outcomes; overtaxation — including an absurd proposed billionaire tax; woeful underperformance by state government; rampant fraud; widespread crime; union and other special-interest capture of Sacramento; and more.
Will all that fit on a plaque?
But seriously, California’s a mess –– and Newsom would have the state spend millions to laud the living former governors who brought us to this point.
Wouldn’t it be easier, and more honest, to inscribe a few participation trophies and call it a day?
How many projects, exactly, would or should honor Gray Davis, who so enraged voters with his tax, spending and energy policies that he was recalled from office in 2003?
But perhaps the real objective is to tout wannabe prez Newsom –– while snubbing the state’s most accomplished former governor: Ronald Reagan.
Yep: The “living” requirement neatly excludes the US president who helped end the Cold War, unite Americans (1984 re-election win: 49 states to 1), and restore public faith in the America after the Watergate and Jimmy Carter years.
Newsom’s scheme would instead praise Newsom (presumably), Davis, Pete Wilson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown.
Pointless? Yes.
Except, perhaps, to help burnish the current gov’s image in time for 2028 voting, at California taxpayers’ expense.
No, thanks.
Even some of his fellow Dems have called his “legacies” idea absurd.
Newsom’s own legacy is already esteemed at San Francisco City Hall, where he spent seven years as mayor and has a $100,000 bronze statue in his likeness.
That will just have to be enough.
