Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra deserves our congratulations and good wishes — but he’ll have to get to work right away on urgent problems facing the state.
The status quo won’t cut it.
Gavin Newsom is leaving behind a state with a soaring cost of living, rising taxes, the nation’s highest gas prices, and persistent homelessness, to name just a few problems.
Becerra never told voters what he would do differently from the outgoing governor.
The only contrast came when Becerra defended Chevron, the oil giant — which turned out to be one of his big donors.
Becerra was right: The state can’t go ahead with Newsom’s plan to eliminate gas-powered cars.
Build the infrastructure for electric vehicles — but let people use fuel if they want.
Other than that, Becerra hasn’t said much, except that he’d double down on Newsom’s worst ideas.
“Medicare for all”? Newsom tried a version of that, adding illegal immigrants to the state’s Medi-Cal program.
That nearly caused the whole system to implode, and Newsom had to cut off new enrollments.
Becerra shouldn’t bother trying again. He has much more pressing problems in his first 100 days.
The biggest is a sleeper: the state’s $20 billion debt to the federal government.
California is the only state that hasn’t repaid its COVID-era loan for unemployment insurance.
The state passes on the debt to employers. Every business, big and small, has to pay an extra tax per employee to service California’s unemployment debt.
That’s bad for jobs. It’s also bad for prices, since costs are passed on to customers.
Worse, the federal government could apply extra penalties, hurting California businesses even more.
California needs to offer a plan to repay the debt.
Then there is high-speed rail, which costs the state billions of dollars.
On Day One, Newsom “canceled” the program. Except he didn’t have the guts to follow through.
He pursued a pointless Central Valley train, without laying an inch of track. It’s “Stonehenge” in Fresno — a giant money pit.
Another crucial issue is the price of gas.
Becerra should call a special session of the Legislature to cut or suspend the gas tax.
Finally, Becerra needs to make peace with the White House and ask the president for fire relief.
Newsom couldn’t, because he preferred conflict to compromise.
With a new Democratic Congress, Becerra will have leverage. It’s a chance for a bipartisan win.
And a good way to start.
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The post Xavier Becerra inherits Gavin Newsom’s costly legacy — and his first 100 days will be crucial appeared first on New York Post.
