Once again, California Governor Gavin Newsom has shown that pride really does come before the fall. With the state drowning in a $73 billion budget deficit, both lawmakers and analysts are giving Newsom a harsh reality check about his financial management skills.
Flashback to 2022, when Newsom was strutting around like a peacock, bragging about a whopping $97 billion surplus as he signed a bloated $301 billion budget into law. His plan? Spend, spend, and spend some more, with investments in trendy areas like climate change and homelessness. But fast forward just two years, and that surplus is as gone as a bakery's free sample tray on a Saturday morning.
Newsom's unshakable optimism and belief in his own budget projections is definitely eyebrow-raising. It's like he's playing a game of "don't trust the experts" with the Legislative Alcohol Office - I mean, Legislative Analyst Office (LAO). Despite their accurate prediction of a $68 billion deficit, Newsom opted to ignore their data and cling to his own fairy-tale version of the budget. Talk about being blinded by your own sunshine.
While Democratic lawmakers reached an early-action agreement to reduce the deficit by $17.3 billion through spending cuts, delays, and deferrals, it is clear that this is only a temporary solution. Hmm, I don't know if that counts as a budget plan or a temporary fix-up job.
Republican lawmakers have rightly criticized the agreement as "gimmicky" as it relies on budget tricks and shifts rather than addressing the root cause of the problem.
As Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, Asm. Vince Fong (R-Kern) has pointed out that California has both a sustainability and an overspending problem. However, instead of addressing these pressing issues, Newsom seems content with using smoke and mirrors to create the illusion of a balanced budget. This blatant disregard for the LAO's nonpartisan budget projections, which have consistently been more accurate than the governor's, is troubling.
It's clear that Newsom has a hard time admitting when he's wrong. Let's face it, it's not easy to say "I messed up" when your ego is the size of the state of California. But it's time for Newsom to swallow his pride and listen to the unbiased analysis of the LAO - they've been right more times than the governor has been caught with his mask off.
In the words of Thomas Sowell, "It takes an enormous amount of knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance." It is clear that Governor Newsom lacks the knowledge and humility to acknowledge his shortcomings and find a solution that truly addresses the state's financial problems. It is time for him to set aside his pride and prioritize the well-being of California and its people over his own political ambitions.
Craig J. DeLuz has almost 30 years in public policy and advocacy. He currently hosts a daily news and commentary show called The RUNDOWN. You can follow him on X at @CraigDeLuz.
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