Newsom begins second term on anniversary of Jan. 6, casting California as a contrast

Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the beginning of his second time period Friday on the second anniversary of the assault on the U.S. Capitol, selecting the second to distinction California’s progressive and inclusive values with what he known as the “ugliness that overflowed on Jan. 6.”

Tapping into the symbolism of the day when insurrectionist supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol in Washington, Newsom drew on his household’s Golden State roots to outline diametrical visions of America in his inaugural tackle delivered beneath cloudy skies close to the steps of the California statehouse.

“I hear the echoes of my family’s story in these which can be nonetheless coming to California to pursue their goals, drawn by the parable and magic of this place,” Newsom stated. “Whether or not your loved ones got here right here for work, or security, California supplied freedom to entry it, not contingent on you wanting a sure means, speaking a sure means, considering a sure means. And that’s what makes this place so particular.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom and his household participate in inauguration ceremonies in Sacramento.

(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Occasions)

Newsom acknowledged the scars of the state’s previous, resembling Japanese incarceration throughout World Struggle II and the 1994 poll measure Proposition 187 to dam public companies to individuals who had been within the nation illegally, and stated California continues to attempt to get it “proper for the subsequent era.”

“And but, there are nonetheless forces, it’s fairly clear, nonetheless forces in America that need to take this nation backward,” Newsom stated.

The intentional timing of his inauguration on Jan. 6 continues the 55-year-old’s quest for nationwide acclaim as a Democratic leader in the increasingly divisive culture wars between liberals and conservatives that proceed to roil the nation. Newsom has refused to cede the idea of “freedom” as a price claimed by Republicans, arguing that California’s protection of reproductive choice, embrace of range and help for LGBTQ rights make it a greater instance of democracy than the insurance policies in locations resembling Florida and Texas.

Newsom took swings at Republican leaders in different states who he stated “silence speech, fireplace academics, kidnap migrants, subjugate ladies, assault the Particular Olympics and even demonize Mickey Mouse.”

However as his personal state experiences file homelessness, a housing affordability disaster and rising violent crime, the political theme of his inauguration and his resolution to attach it to occasions that transpired greater than 2,500 miles away attracted criticism about his priorities and nationwide ambitions.

“The inauguration signifies, for higher or for worse, that his focus goes to proceed to attempt to be on nationwide politics,” stated Rob Stutzman, a Republican political advisor who labored for former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Newsom has stated his second time period can be about implementing the key insurance policies he signed into legislation throughout his first 4 years in workplace, such because the growth of Medi-Cal eligibility to all immigrants and CARE Court docket for residents who’ve psychological sickness and drug dependancy, knowing that Californians now expect to see results.

After leading the state through a global pandemic and defeating a recall election, Newsom already is bracing for brand new challenges in his second time period.

The Legislative Analyst’s Workplace, which gives coverage and monetary recommendation to the state Legislature, anticipates the financial luck that buoyed California’s restoration from the Nice Recession to return to an finish with a $24-billion finances deficit in 2023-24. The monetary outlook for the state may develop worse within the years forward relying on how exhausting the U.S. economic system tumbles.

The shift from budgetary extra to scarcity threatens to create friction between the governor and Democratic Legislature, who will most likely must delay and lower funding to applications they accepted in higher financial instances. Newsom is predicted to unveil his preliminary finances proposal for the subsequent fiscal 12 months on Tuesday.

“He’s going to must make very tough selections at a time when he has had a lot of bold plans,” stated Katie Merrill, a Democratic political strategist.

Meeting Republican chief James Gallagher of Yuba Metropolis implored Newsom to vary course in his second time period and give attention to the urgent points dealing with the state, together with a water disaster and the excessive price of dwelling. He warned California’s issues will solely worsen in a finances disaster.

“Texas and Florida are doing simply high-quality on their very own, and welcoming extra Californians escaping our issues every day,” Gallagher stated.

Newsom took the oath of workplace on Monday in a non-public ceremony. He started his inaugural celebration Friday morning with a march alongside Capitol Mall in downtown Sacramento earlier than delivering a speech on the state Capitol, and is predicted to carry a non-public reception on the governor’s mansion later within the day.

A handful of protesters had been scattered exterior the safety perimeter that was arrange for the march. Anne Wolfley of Modesto held an indication that she stated spoke to her anger over the distinction between the impacts of the governor’s insurance policies on thousands and thousands of California public college youngsters, whose faculties had been closed through the pandemic, and his personal youngsters, who attended in-person personal college.

“This signal is about Gavin Newsom’s hypocrisy,” Wolfley stated.

Holding arms along with his spouse, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and son Dutch, the governor and his household started the inaugural occasion strolling subsequent to U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis in a parade made up of a number of hundred supporters, largely representatives of labor unions and different liberal constituencies.

Newsom’s youngsters led the Pledge of Allegiance earlier than his spouse learn a poem in Spanish and sprinkles of English that she described as “a lyrical celebration of the exceptional coronary heart, spirit and soul of the nice folks of this state.”

In his first inaugural tackle in 2019, Newsom made sweeping guarantees to attain fairness in healthcare, pay, training, housing and legal justice and to accomplice with native governments to repair the state’s most urgent issues. 4 years later, with a lot of these issues left unsolved, Newsom’s speech on Friday took a extra measured tone.

“While you’re coming within the first time you’re not accountable for something that you simply’re inheriting,” stated Miriam Pawel, a historian and writer of “The Browns of California: The Household Dynasty that Reworked a State and Formed a Nation.” “You’re inheriting a state of affairs that isn’t of your individual making, and also you’re chatting with what your plans and aspirations are going ahead, with out having any accountability for what’s occurred previously. Then the second time round, there’s a steadiness between wanting ahead by way of what you need to do after which additionally form of being attentive to the previous.”

Newsom touted California’s standing because the fourth largest economic system on the earth, its place “main the world within the transition to a low-carbon inexperienced progress future,” insurance policies to supply free neighborhood school and the creation of what he known as the most important volunteer corps in America.

Former Gov. Grey Davis stated Newsom just lately visited him at his house in Los Angeles to debate his second time period. He applauded Newsom for sticking up for liberal values on nationwide points resembling immigration and stated it gained’t detract from the governor’s skill to guide the state.

“It’s clear to me he’s centered on serving 4 years right here. However he’s not going to take a seat again and watch folks exploit or benefit from migrants or different susceptible folks,” stated Davis, who traveled to Sacramento for the inauguration.

Newsom’s tackle was laced with references to his household’s historical past and the challenges he confronted in his private life, a departure from previous speeches. As a toddler of divorce and dyslexia, he talked about “the 2 very totally different lives” of his mom, who labored a number of jobs to look after him and his sister, and his father, a decide with deep ties to the prosperous heirs of the Getty Oil household fortune.

“I couldn’t learn, and I used to be on the lookout for any option to ditch courses,” Newsom stated of his 10- or 11-year-old self. “I’d faux stomachaches and dizziness. I’d chunk down on the thermometer within the nurse’s workplace making an attempt to make the temperature rise previous 100. Didn’t work.”

Newsom informed a narrative about his father, the late William Newsom, selecting him up from college and taking him to San Francisco’s Chinatown for lunch, giving the governor an appreciation for the state’s melting pot of cultures from a younger age.

“However what I didn’t perceive again then, it was additionally his mission to offer me a slice of San Francisco, our place, and the story of California,” he stated.

Merrill stated there’s no denying that Newsom is laying the groundwork for nationwide workplace as he embarks on his ultimate time period as chief government of California. As examples, she pointed to his resolution to tackle nationwide points, sparring with conservative states over abortion rights and speaking about his extra progressive imaginative and prescient for the state and the nation. She additionally famous his alternative to talk extra brazenly about his previous.

“What’s the very first thing you have to do once you’re operating for president or eager about it? You inform your story,” Merrill stated. “Folks have to know you from the very starting. And he’s truly by no means been excellent at telling his story.”

Newsom has stated the general public picture of him because the slick politician born into San Francisco affluence frustrates him, however he has argued that there’s no level to attempt to dislodge a notion folks have had of him for many years. That has began to vary. The previous mayor of San Francisco just lately opened up about his struggles with dyslexia whereas selling a children’s book he wrote last year a few baseball-loving younger boy who’s deeply embarrassed by his studying challenge.

The governor beforehand detailed the painstaking efforts he continues to make to organize for talking engagements and the way that preparation helps him overcome his dyslexia.

Newsom’s candor about his points with vanity and emotions of inadequacy into maturity humanized him and confirmed a special aspect to the seemingly polished official.

“That isn’t who he sees himself as,” stated Angie Wei, Newsom’s former legislative affairs secretary and advisor.

“He’s not what folks suppose he’s. Having a greater and extra intimate sense of who he’s and the way that drives his values is an effective factor.”