In a move that has stirred discontent among his Democratic peers, Gavin Newsom has discreetly unveiled a proposal aimed at commemorating California’s living governors, a mere few months before he joins their ranks. This initiative has raised eyebrows and ruffled feathers within his party.
Newsom has suggested allocating $20 million in taxpayer funds to establish a “Governors’ Legacies” fund dedicated to honoring former state leaders. This idea has sparked outrage among lawmakers, especially given the context of California’s current fiscal challenges, including a significant budget deficit, escalating costs of fuel and healthcare, and a persistent homelessness problem.
Democratic Senator Christopher Cabaldon, who has served under all five living governors, voiced his disapproval, stating, “This is hardly the moment for celebrating legacies or constructing ballrooms.”
This controversial proposal is embedded within Newsom’s final budget, a towering $349.9 billion plan, and hints at potential funds being set aside to honor the two-term governor as he prepares to step down in January.
Notably, Newsom’s concluding budget reflects a $150 billion increase compared to the budget he inherited back in 2019.
Democratic State Senator Caroline Menjivar expressed her exasperation during a committee session on Thursday, labeling the proposal as “absurd.”
“I do not care to recognize the legacy of governors past or present,” Menjivar said during a hearing focused on health care services.
“I care about seniors having health insurance and seniors with disabilities having health insurance.”
Steve Hilton, the leading Republican candidate in the governor’s race, was stunned to learn of Newsom’s new $20 million “vanity project.”
“How out of touch can you get?” Hilton said.
“We have the highest taxes in the country because of the insane profligate spending. And now he wants to add to it with a ridiculous vanity project to put up statues to himself.”
Newsom’s office initially refused to comment on the $20 million budget allocation, palming questions off to the Department of Finance, who’s spokesman H.D. Palmer said: “The specifics on this proposal have yet to be firmed up.”
But when The Post pushed the governor’s office about why the allocation was necessary and whether it would continue after Newsom left office, spokeswoman Tara Gallegos said: ”It doesn’t include spending on the current governor, and details are still being worked out with the Legislature.
“This is earmarked funding for projects to recognize the past living governors of both parties for their service to the state, focused on their public policy milestones and important, substantial contributions to the people of California,” she said.
Newsom is no stranger to honoring himself upon leaving office — a bronze bust commemorating his time as San Francisco mayor was installed at City Hall in June 2018, months before he was elected governor.
The $100,000 sculpture was funded through private donations from businesses tied to Newsom.
The bust features Newsom wearing an open-collared shirt atop a black granite pedestal, with a quote saying the greatest need in life is to “love and be loved.”
Details about the new legacy fund, noted in a single line in Newsom’s May budget revision, would give the administration the authority to distribute the millions to state departments for unspecified projects honoring former governors.
But what exactly taxpayers would get for the money to honor still-kicking past governors — Pete Wilson, Gray Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown — is unclear.
Davis was infamously ousted by California voters in 2003 after a public fury over rolling blackouts, a ballooning budget deficit, and his decision to triple the vehicle license fee. Voters dumped him for Schwarzenegger.
The vagueness around the proposal saw two Democratic state senators openly mock Newsom’s idea last week as the state faces long-term structural deficits.
Sen. Christopher Cabaldon (D-Yolo County) said the proposal lacks specifics, and he compared Newsom’s proposal to President Trump’s White House ballroom renovations.
He said lawmakers were effectively being asked to approve up to $20 million without clear oversight, timelines or objectives.
“There’s really nothing here,” Cabaldon said. “There’s no proposal here to be responsive to.”
Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) also questioned whether Californians would see the proposal as a priority while the state fails on other more pressing crises.
“I don’t know if Californians will agree that this is a priority while we can’t meet the basic needs of our community,” she said.
Smallwood-Cuevas also criticized the Capitol’s historical portrayal of leadership, saying the state should tell a broader and more diverse story about California’s political history than “more floor-to-ceiling paintings of white men.”
Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares, a Republican of Santa Clarita, also ripped Newsom’s proposal.
“Californians are stretched thin — by sky-high gas prices, housing costs, and grocery bills — and the Governor wants $20 million to celebrate living politicians?” she scoffed.
“Only in Sacramento.”
The state’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office also recommended lawmakers reject Newsom’s proposal. California’s budget outlook improved this year after tax revenues came in higher than expected, but budget hawks say new discretionary spending should be avoided because of future structural deficits.
Critics of Newsom were dubious when he said he would also ease the transition for California’s next governor by redirecting funds to future reserves.
Few knew Newsom’s budget would be equally kind to California’s ex-governors.
