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"Take My Hand Precious Lord"
calmatters commentary Data undercut ‘roaring back’ claim from Gov. Newsom
Virtually any utterance from Gavin Newsom’s mouth these days, as well as those from his press office and other outposts of his administration, contains the phrase “roaring back.”
When, for example, the Legislature passed a state budget to meet the June 15 constitutional deadline, Newsom issued a statement declaring that “California’s economy is coming roaring back.” Not surprisingly, it’s also the key slogan in his resistance to a campaign to recall him, something voters will decide later this year.
Dan Walters “Gov. Gavin Newsom has California roaring back,” the announcer in one of his campaign spots declares. “Newsom is delivering money to your pocket. Plus an extra $500 bucks for families with kids – $4 billion straight to small businesses through the nation’s largest grant program — cleaning up our streets and getting 65,000 homeless Californians into housing – and free pre-K for every California child, regardless of income.”
To some, it might appear somewhat unseemly that Newsom so obviously merges his official actions – and taxpayers’ money – with his political campaign, but the once-discernible line between politics and policy vanished long ago.
That said, do the facts support Newsom’s repetitive “roaring back” claim?
To be sure, some Californians have prospered in the 15 months since Newsom declared a public health emergency due to Covid-19 and imposed restrictions on personal and economic activities.
Those who could continue to work at home maintained their incomes and those on the top rungs of the economic ladder were enriched as the values of their investments such as stocks expanded, thanks largely to the Federal Reserve’s cheap money policies.
Newsom has a multibillion-dollar revenue surplus mostly due to taxes on the affluent, money he’s now spending on the wide array of new benefits he’s touting in his campaign ads.
However, broader economic data offer scant support for the “roaring back” mantra the governor is chanting these days. It’s more like creeping back – slowly.
The state’s monthly report on employment, issued June 18, frames the glacial pace of improvement. The state lost nearly 3 million jobs after Newsom ordered widespread business closures in March 2020, and since then we’ve recovered roughly half of them. Our 7.9% unemployment rate is still twice what it was before the shutdown and is the thirdhighest of any state, slightly less than Hawaii and New Mexico.
In addition to the official unemployment rate, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics makes other calculations, including an important one on underemployment, called U-6, which includes not only workers without jobs but those who are only marginally attached to the labor force and those working part-time.
California’s U-6 rate through the first quarter, 18.4%, was 4 percentage points above the national figure and the third-highest of any state, behind Hawaii and Nevada. Even more disturbingly, the U-6 rate in Los Angeles County, 24.1%, is higher than that of any state.
The federal Bureau of Economic Analysis reported this month that during the first quarter of this year, California’s economic output increased by 6.3%, slightly lower than the national rate and in the lowest third of the states.
The federal bureau also reported that California’s personal income grew by 42.8% during the first quarter, which sounds impressive until one looks at the nation as a whole and learns that California’s growth was the second-lowest of any state. The bureau notes that nationwide, “transfer payments” – mostly federal aid programs rather than earned income – accounted for virtually all of personal income growth.
California’s economy is recovering, to be sure. But “roaring back?” Hardly.
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters. For more columns by Dan Walters, go to calmatters.org/commentary.
calmatters commentary Budget doesn’t do justice to water storage
Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative Democrats had the opportunity to alleviate the state’s twin crises of drought and wildfire by including resources for ongoing funding, prescribed burning and water storage in this year’s budget. These solutions are Vince Fong not new, but they require political will. In light of the haunting memories of past catastrophic wildfires, this year’s budget will miss an opportunity.
Sacramento failed to learn from its past mistakes. The proposed budget provides $258 million – a reduction from a proposed $1 billion – for wildfire prevention and response efforts and $3 billion for drought, but lacks any water storage commitment. Critical details are lacking, with discussions ongoing.
California is facing what experts say may be the worst drought conditions in the state’s history. Record heat waves. Dry forests. Water levels at the state’s largest reservoirs are alarmingly low. All culminating in a perfect storm for catastrophic wildfires.
California’s largest reservoir – Shasta Lake – is below 40% capacity. The state’s largest supplier to the State Water Project, Lake Oroville, is at a mere 33%, so low that its hydroelectric power plant likely will be forced to shut down for the first time since it opened in 1967.
Wildfires are a natural part of California’s landscape. Recent fire seasons, however, have started earlier and ended later, with more destruction each year. Since June 1, the state’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Cal Fire, has fought 42 wildfires. Nine are still active. And that does not take into account wildfires battled by local firefighters. I witnessed our governor promise in October 2019 that the state would do everything it could to mitigate catastrophic wildfires. This included “identifying and accelerating implementation of 35 priority fuel reduction projects to protect over 200 of California’s most at-risk communities,” and “redirecting up to 100 California National Guard personnel to create fuel reduction and fire suppression crews that are available to Cal Fire to undertake priority projects.”
In 2014, voters overwhelmingly approved $2.75 billion of the $7 billion bond measure, Proposition 1, to fund water infrastructure projects, including preparation for the next drought. Yet here we are, seven years later, with little to show in return.
The reality is: Water is running out for already disadvantaged communities and critical industries such as agriculture, threatening our food supply and jobs.
The delayed Sites Reservoir, for example, is an off-river reservoir that could capture excess water from storms. It would increase California’s water supply by 15%. In dry years, Sites would pump an additional 250,000 acre-feet or more of cold water to help the ecosystem, improve water quality and recharge groundwater.
Yet not a drop of water storage has been added as Sites, and other storage projects are waiting for permit approvals.
Numerous water infrastructure projects in the Central Valley, such as the Friant-Kern Canal, could have prepared our region for drought but lacked adequate funding.
Almost three years ago, Californians saw one of the most horrific wildfires in our state’s history, with 85 lives lost. Thousands of homes and businesses in the Butte County town of Paradise burned to rubble. With a bipartisan group of state legislators, I witnessed firsthand an entire community nearly destroyed – a life-changing experience.
As drought and wildfire conditions accelerate at unprecedented rates, Californians are left watching the two trains collide. Sacramento could have used this year’s healthy budget to take action to prevent future disasters. But our elected officials did not.
The impacts of wildfire and drought are no longer confined to select regions of California. Californians across the state need to be vocal, and the time is now. We have to get the basics right in the state budget.
California should not have to endure another heartbreaking wildfire season or drought before the governor and legislative Democrats take action.
Assemblyman Vince Fong, a Republican from Bakersfield, represents the 34th District and is vice chairman of the budget committee, Assemblymember.Fong@assembly.ca.gov.
the commuter Don't let safe, sane commuting fizzle out
Ihave developed a fondness for tow truck operators over the years.
While it is sad I have had the need to meet so many, it is hard to explain the joy this commuter-type has felt when I spot those trucks nearing my roadside location. Help has arrived! What is really amazing is Todd R. Hansen that they always seem to arrive just moments before I have Louisville Slugger’d my vehicle.
Breaking down, I understand, is part of life as a commuter, especially if one, like myself, travels a more than fair distance each day. Still, there are few things that can ruin a day faster.
On one particular afternoon, I suffered three flat tires. Like most, I only carry one spare. Like most, I put off fixing the flat until later. That was a two-tow day, and quite nearly a selfinflicted Louisville Slugger’d day, too.
So it was with great sadness that I learned of the death of a tow truck operator who I had gotten to know over the years. He rescued me at least four times, but I also got to know him through community events. He was quite the fly fisherman, and reveled in the fact that I am not.
He was forced to retire a number of years ago after being struck by a vehicle while on a call.
And this past week, as I navigated my way down Interstate 80, I witnessed another operator just escape a similar fate, and that is not the first I have seen. In fact, it seems to be happening with more frequency, if I can believe my own eyes and the growing number of news reports I read.
One operator told me that he has been forced to dive out of harm’s way at least a dozen times in his career, and that those drivers somehow think it is his fault.
In short, it also seems, one-finger birdies are at no risk of being placed on an endangered species list.
I decided to write on this particular topic after receiving a travel forecast that indicated a lot of people were expected to be hitting the road for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
A near-record number, it seems.
With more traffic comes more accidents and other troubles that will likely require tow truck operators to be out on the highways.
Try to watch out for these brave souls, and give them plenty of room to do their work of mercy.
In the spirit of the occasion, be safe and sane.
Todd R. Hansen is a reporter and editor with the Daily Republic. Reach him at thansen@ dailyrepublic.net.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Congressman John Garamendi (3rd District) 2438 Rayburn HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Fairfield Office: 1261 Travis Blvd., Suite 130 Fairfield, CA 94533 707-438-1822 Assemblyman Jim Frazier (11th District) State Capitol Room 3091 P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249-0011 916-319-2011 1261 Travis Blvd., Suite 110 Fairfield, CA 94533 707-399-3011 State Sen. Bill Dodd (3rd District) State Capitol Room 5114 Sacramento, CA 95814 916-651-4003 Vacaville District Office: 555 Mason St., Suite 275 Vacaville, CA 95688 707-454-3808 Fairfield City Hall 1000 Webster St. Fairfield, CA 94533 707-428-7400 Suisun City Hall 701 Civic Center Drive Suisun City, CA 94585 707-421-7300 Vacaville City Hall 650 Merchant St. Vacaville, CA 95688 707-449-5100
