Last night, Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his fourth State of the State Address. The speech was given in Sacramento – at the Natural Resources Building – and covered a broad swath of policy areas including gas prices, clean energy, the COVID-19 pandemic, homelessness, education and the economy.
Key Takeaways
Gas Price Relief
Though the State of the State has long served as a launching pad for major policy initiatives, the only announcement of note was a reference to working with the Legislature on a gas price rebate.
California vs. Texas and Florida
The California > Texas and Florida narrative served as a unifying theme as Gov. Newsom highlighted California’s diversity, economy and COVID-19 response as proof points throughout the speech.
It was short!
Clocking in at less than 18 minutes, observers were caught off guard by the brevity as they had settled in expecting one of his traditionally longer addresses.
Coverage
- San Francisco Chronicle: Newsom’s State of the State speech: 5 key moments that will shape California
- Los Angeles Times: Facing reelection, Newsom touts the ‘California way’ and teases gas tax rebate
- CalMatters: A defiant pep talk, a gas rebate: What Gov. Newsom offered in State of the State
- Sacramento Bee: CA State of the State: Governor tackling rising gas prices
- Politico: Gas, crime and California’s clout