California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday asked for the public’s help in designing a new $1 coin that celebrates the state’s innovations, and many of the responses focused on the positive ideas the state was once proudly known for. He pointed out that the results were far from achieved.
When people think of innovation coming out of California, they think of Silicon Valley and the technology boom leading in wildlife conservation.
But in recent years, businesses have been fleeing blue states, citing a failure to address crime, homelessness and rising costs of living.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) recently signed legislation regulating additives used in California’s popular foods. (MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
Mr. Newsom and the state Legislature have been heavily criticized for failing to address the state’s $73 billion budget deficit, with some pointing to waste as a problem.
Others focused the governor’s attention on the national pro-abortion campaign rather than on issues directly impacting the state, such as the insurance crisis, affordability crisis, rising crime, wildfire risk, and rising electricity bills. They are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with what is being directed at them.
Continuing his lack of focus on issues affecting his state, Newsom took time Thursday to get input from voters about the state coin.
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“I am calling all members of the Tortured Coin Designer Department,” Newsom wrote on social media. “CA is issuing its own $1 coin to celebrate innovations scheduled to be issued in 2026. And we need your help! What CA innovations would you like to see featured on this coin? Send your ideas to: coinsubmissions@gov.ca.gov.”
Voters did not hesitate to provide the governor with ideas they thought would be appropriate for the state’s new $1 coin.
State Republican spokesman Jim Stanley shared his thoughts with Newsom in a letter. california globehighlighting accomplishments during his tenure as governor.
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“Under your bold leadership, California has developed a truly unique way to burn money,” Stanley wrote in the letter. “Most people would think that spending $24 billion on homelessness alone would cause the problem to grow so quickly, but you proved the naysayers wrong.”
Stanley then offered a proposal depicting a homeless encampment and a fire.
“I think these capture things well,” Stanley wrote to X.
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Homeless camps line the streets of Oakland, California, on Friday, March 15, 2024. Homelessness continues to plague the city as neighborhood businesses close due to safety concerns. (DWS for Fox News Digital)
One user superimposed a photo of Harvey Weinstein on a coin template provided by Newsom and wrote, “When people think of California, they think of Hollywood. This would be great. (No aftertaste in the mouth) I hope that.”
Another user pointed out many of the issues facing California, telling the governor that “the coin contest seems completely out of touch and ridiculous.” The same user suggested Newsom contact Florida Governor Ron DeSantis about how to run a successful state.
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X proposed a further proposal to put a homeless camp on the coin, and another proposal included a California coin, batteries and a mask symbolizing the governor’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bottom of the coin reads, “We Trust Newsom.”
Other users suggested possible illegal immigration, rising gas prices and drug users.
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Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment seeking ideas for the coin.
Fox News Digital’s Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.
