CA Lawmakers Slam Gov. Newsom for Business and School, Lockdowns Following State Address

Governor Gavin Newsom gave his 2021 State of the State address Tuesday evening in Los Angeles, rather than at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

Here is what his campaign said about his address, and legislators’ reaction to it.

“As California passes a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom today delivered his third State of the State address to the Legislature and the people of California in a virtual presentation from Dodger Stadium – one of the nation’s largest community vaccination sites.”

“The Governor highlighted the state’s continued progress in battling the pandemic, reflected on the Californians who have been lost to COVID-19 and recognized everyday Californians who have risen to meet the challenges of this unprecedented time – including the health workers now vaccinating some of the most vulnerable Californians at the stadium. The Governor also highlighted the urgent relief the state is providing to the hardest hit Californians and small businesses, and how the state is working to accelerate the reopening of schools across California. Governor Newsom laid out the work ahead to continue to safely reopen and ensure the state emerges from the pandemic in an equitable, broad-based recovery.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers posted the event on Facebook. The comments were not favorable:

• “They put out press releases claim to be non-political apolitical non-partisan and during a recall campaign they’re giving a platform to Newsom. Dodgers fans don’t need to be divided by politics which this move does. Sports are supposed to unify us.”
• “I’m almost not a Dodger fan because of this  worst Governor ever!”
• “I would prefer to hear vin scully rant about socialism any day of the week then listen to this guy and his failed policies.”
• “He has three strikes and he is out.”
• “Ugh, he’s tainting sacred ground with his mere presence. Can’t wait for the day he’s recalled.”

These were just the first four comments, despite the LA Dodgers post: “Proud to welcome Governor Gavin Newsom at Dodger Stadium tonight for the State of the State and help play our part in helping California get through the pandemic.

California State Senators and Assembly members reacted:

 Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield)

“While I appreciate the governor’s optimism about the people of California, his speech was nothing short of an alternative reality on the state of our state. The truth is, under his one-man rule, Californians have suffered immensely, businesses have closed, families have fled, nursing home residents have died, church services were banned, and children continue to suffer.

“The governor failed to point out how his policies are taking nearly a million acres of the world’s richest farmland out of production, shuttering entire industries, and leaving workers without a way to put food on the table. Californians deserve better and I continue to call on the governor to adopt commonsense solutions that address these harsh realities.”

Don’t forget that @GavinNewsom “met the moment” by declaring the high-speed rail essential but not schools. ????

— Senator Shannon Grove (@ShannonGroveCA) March 10, 2021

Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno)

“The Governor completely ignored the undercurrent of discontent in California. Most kids are still not in school. Many communities are still on lockdown. Homeless people are still on the streets. Most businesses are still not open inside and many will never open again. He ignored California’s high cost of living, high poverty rate and unemployment. Unemployed workers are desperate and losing hope. The staggering fact is that the Governor didn’t mention the failure of his EDD. This undercurrent of discontent may very well lead him to an election he doesn’t want to have.”

I have constituents living out of their cars calling my #caleg office for assistance because of the largest failure of state govt in history – @CA_EDD.

I’m stunned @CAgovernor refused even to acknowledge there is a problem with this #CAGov agency! Not even a peep during #casots

— Assemblyman Lackey (@TomLackey36) March 10, 2021

Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel)

“The speech appropriately recognized those who have lost their lives and the hard work of our health care professionals and frontline workers during the pandemic. COVID-19 has shown the resolve of Californians during these challenging times.

“Last week, with great fanfare, the Governor signed legislation that encourages schools to reopen. Many portrayed that legislation as a measure that would get our kids back to school. Sadly, most schools remain closed and many are unlikely to re-open for classroom instruction this school year.

“The celebratory press conference on the schools bill has not been matched with actions to actually get our kids back to school. In fact, the state this week denied the San Dieguito Union High and Carlsbad Unified School Districts in my region the chance to reopen their middle and high schools for in-person instruction, even though the districts’ applications to re-open had received the county public health officer’s approval.

“The Governor and his Administration must listen to pediatricians and parents who want our schools to safely reopen now.”

Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama)

“It is unfortunate that more isn’t being done to open public schools full time – five days a week. Children in public schools are entitled to an education too. Private schools have been opened for months.

“Zoom School has deepened racial and class divides.

“Current plans only have students returning about two days a week, which totals 12-20 days for the remainder of the year.

“The fight to reopen schools full time is driven by the California Teachers Association’s demands, not children’s needs. The focus must be about the children, their health and their learning. Period.

“Minutes before the Governor’s speech, EDD computers crashed. Yet, another example of California’s failure to get it right. How many Californians are adversely affected by this catastrophe? Unemployment has affected millions this past year. Not a word about fixing EDD in his speech.

“It is disappointing the Governor did not address EDD’s disaster. California taxpayers deserve to hear about his plans to implement permanent fixes so real Californians can receive unemployment benefits, not international crime rings and prisoners.

“California taxpayers lost between $11 – $31 billion in fraud due to EDD’s mismanagement and inaction, while hundreds of thousands of Californians have not received their legitimate claim to pay bills.

“The Governor and the Legislature must implement all of the State Auditor’s recommendations to fight fraud and bring efficiency to EDD.”

Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron

“The Governor is good at making speeches and promises, but where are the results? Why is the unemployment benefit backlog still around one million people? Why, a year into the pandemic, does he still not have a coherent plan for re-openings of schools and businesses? Why is the vaccination rollout still rife with confusion and delays? The Governor decided long ago to go his own way with handling COVID and the meager results speak for themselves.”

Assemblyman Phil Ting Facebook post with a photo of Gov, Newsom’s State of the State address:

Yes, it’s been a tough year due to #COVID19. But there’s a lot to be optimistic about in the months ahead:

Vaccines

School reopenings

In-person visits so we can hug loved ones

We’re also working on economic recovery. CA will emerge stronger. #CASOTS #StateOfTheState

California Democratic Party (CADEM) Chair Rusty Hicks

“Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California is making progress against the Covid-19 pandemic. Governor Newsom has led California through an unprecedented series of crises, including devastating wildfires, a national economic downturn and the worst pandemic in 100 years.

“As we reflect on the last 12 plus months, it may be difficult to see progress that was made during such dark times. But underneath the memories of uncertainty and struggle, there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel.

“Hope revealed itself through our families and friends who were always one phone or Zoom call away. Hope showed up as the farmworker who endured back-breaking work to keep food on our tables. Hope was the nurse, doctor, medical assistant, and countless frontline healthcare workers who stayed by the side of families who lost loved ones to COVID-19. And hope came in forms of leaders who worked against difficult odds to keep our families safe.

As we move forward, California Democrats believe that recovering will take all of us working together and prioritizing the health and safety of our vulnerable communities, providing direct relief to individuals who are struggling, assisting small businesses, expanding equitable access to vaccination, protecting those who are at-risk of losing their homes and getting Californians back to work.

So as the dreamers and doers of the Golden State, our mission is to fight harder for California’s future, help all residents live their lives with dignity, and ensure that we live up to the promises of the California dream.

In solidarity, and together, we are and will always be California strong.