Gavin Newsom, whether out of self-importance, misguided ambition, or perhaps a mix of both, is planning to allocate millions of taxpayer dollars to celebrate living former governors.
The soon-to-depart governor (a wink intended) tucked a $20 million item into his budget for what he calls a “Governor’s Legacy Fund,” though it’s not entirely clear what that really means.
This initiative aims to direct funds toward an unspecified project that honors California’s four living governors—five if you count Newsom himself.
This comes as the state contends with chronic budget deficits that amount to billions. When Newsom eventually runs for president in 2028, Californians will still be grappling with a multitude of crises that he and previous governors have either created or worsened.
Among these issues are (take a deep breath):
Persistently high homelessness rates, a striking lack of affordable housing, serious shortages in water, energy, and road infrastructure, poor public education outcomes, excessive taxation—including a rather outrageous billionaire tax proposal—government inefficiency, rampant fraud, and rising crime, not to mention the significant influence of unions and special interests in Sacramento.
But will it all squeeze onto a plaque?
Honestly, California is in disarray, and here we are watching Newsom plan to spend millions to glorify those living former governors who’ve contributed to this situation.
Wouldn’t it just be simpler—and, frankly, more truthful—to hand out a few participation trophies and call it a day?
How many accolades has Gray Davis received since his ousting in 2003, largely due to his unpopular tax and energy strategies?
Perhaps this whole endeavor is less about honoring governors and more about boosting Newsom’s profile, especially at the expense of California’s most effective former governor, Ronald Reagan.
Yes, this “survival” requirement conveniently overlooks the American president who played a key role in ending the Cold War, bringing the nation together (1984 election: 49 states to 1), and reviving Americans’ faith after the Watergate scandal and the Carter administration.
Instead, Newsom’s initiative would seemingly elevate himself, along with Davis, Pete Wilson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jerry Brown.
Is it devoid of meaning? Yes, probably.
Except, perhaps, for enhancing the current governor’s image ahead of the 2028 election, at the expense of California taxpayers.
No, thank you.
Even some of his fellow Democrats have labeled the notion of a “legacy” as absurd.
Newsom’s contributions are already represented at San Francisco City Hall, where he once served as mayor and now has a $100,000 bronze statue of himself.
That should suffice.
