Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP / Getty Images
California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his annual State of California address on Tuesday night, touting his administration’s response to the Covid pandemic and highlighting his push to bring the homeless into homes and shelters.
Newsom delivered his speech in front of legislators and reporters for the first time since 2020, when he stood in the chambers of the state Assembly, just a few weeks before the start of the pandemic.
Last year the Governor gave his State of the California from an empty Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where one of the largest mass vaccination sites in the state was located.
This year the governor spoke extensively in his state address on homelessness and ma negotiation of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as on climate change, education, the economy and the state of democracy.
Also insinuated the possibility of returning money to taxpayers who pay record gasoline prices.
Newsom discussed what the state has accomplished in controlling Covid infections during the pandemic and noted that California experienced higher rates much lower COVID mortality rates than any other large state.
“But even with three-quarters of Californians fully vaccinated, we are aware that we cannot lower our guard,” said the governor. “That’s why last month we introduced our SMARTER Plan, the country’s first plan to stay one step ahead of future variances and seasonal surges.”
Statewide Homelessness
“There is another crisis that we are still dealing with. That is the homeless crisis, which has worsened over the last decade, not just here in California, but across the country.”
Newsom pointed out that California lacked a comprehensive strategy to address homelessness in the state and highlighted that this has changed, because now there is a comprehensive plan, which is also demanding new accountability and providing unprecedented investments to cities and counties.
And highlighted that California took a record of off the streets ,12 people since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic although there is more to be done, particularly to reach the people who need help the most.
About the increase in gasoline prices in the state
“ In January, we proposed pausing the gas tax increase a”, Newsom recalled. “But now, it is clear that we must go further. That is why, working with legislative leadership, I will introduce a proposal to put money back in the pockets of Californians to address rising gas prices.”
On Tuesday, Newsom sought to address anxiety about gas prices by highlighting the policies he has enacted to move away from dependence on oil and gasoline , including his executive order of 2020 which requires all new passenger cars and trucks sold in California are zero emission vehicles for 2035.
“Our nation-leading climate investments will ensure that other innovations are sure to follow, not by recreating the 20th century, extracting more oil, but by extracting new ideas, seeking new talent, and directing our economy in a carbon-free engine,” Newsom said.
California Advances
“As our businesses grow, we don’t leave our workers behind,” Newsom said. “Just consider what we did last year for the middle class, giving back $12 billion: the largest state tax refund in the history of the United States.”
And highlighted that: “We didn’t stop there. We raise the minimum wage. We increased paid sick leave, we provided more paid family leave. Expanded child care to help working parents. And this year, with his support, we will do something no other state in America has done: provide healthcare for all, regardless of immigration status.”