At least Newsom spared us another bloviating State of the State speech – San Bernardino Sun

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s inattention to the state finally produced an actual benefit to Californians.

Not a big benefit, of course, but a little one.

Each year the governor is required to update the Legislature on the “condition of the State,” as per the California Constitution, and then “make recommendations.” The U.S. Constitution has a similar requirement, hence the annual State of the Union Address.

Usually, this is done in person because politicians can’t pass up such an amazing opportunity for pageantry. But delivering the address in person is not required, so this year (and for the past two years) Newsom just sent a letter and posted a video online.

It’s a victory for limited, efficient government. An in-person address is appropriate in some instances, but for the most part State of the State and State of the Union speeches are nauseating hours of empty applause lines that don’t acknowledge reality and avoid responsibility for problems that have grown worse under that politician’s watch.

To hear the politicians tell it, everything is great. And if it’s not, it’ll be great soon. And we’ll make it great together.

Except it won’t be great because governors and presidents won’t be honest about what’s wrong, and we won’t make it great together because most politicians govern by base management and aren’t interested in the plight of those who didn’t vote for them.

Newsom foregoing the speech spared us from watching a government-run dog-and-pony show. His letter and video were uncharacteristically short (remember, he once delivered a 7 ½-hour State of the City speech as San Francisco mayor) and avoided the spectacle it would have been otherwise.

Unfortunately, Newsom’s letter and video were little more than – to use his chosen vernacular these days – political BS. But at least it wasn’t a daylong event.

As usual, Newsom took credit for things that have nothing to do with him and evoked President Donald Trump as a foil whenever possible.

For example, Newsom bragged on the size of California’s economy, which was big before him and will be big after him. He hailed Hollywood as “the most significant cultural force of the 20th century,” which is true, but failed to mention that he recently renewed the multibillion-dollar film tax credit that props up the formerly great industry and begs it (unsuccessfully) to stay in state. It hasn’t been working, so he doubled it.

Newsom made a similar sweeping claim of the tech industry but failed to mention that the tech industry is fleeing the state as well. Tech jobs are down 16% in the past few years, with high cost of living and a housing crisis as primary drivers.

Despite his campaign promises, Newsom has not done much to increase housing supply or bring down the cost of living – if anything, he’s made matters worse. And since Silicon Valley and Hollywood were booming long before he became governor, it’s fair to say he deserves no credit for their success.

Newsom blamed the Trump Administration for California’s problems – many problems that existed long before Donald Trump became president. Especially now that he’s running for president, Newsom would never admit California is struggling and therefore will never provide it the leadership we need to get the state back on track.

Newsom can barely send a letter. Dating back to at least 1974, the State of the State Address was delivered in January. Newsom has never kept that tradition, slipping later and later as the years went by. His first was delivered in February, then slipped to March, then June and now September (the last week of session, when time has run out for the Legislature to respond with solutions).