Newsom abandons costly vanity project after public backlash

The fund, which would have authorized public money to be spent on projects celebrating former governors’ achievements and public service, quietly disappeared from the tentative budget agreement approved this week by Democratic legislators, according to New York Post.

Newsom’s office originally included the legacy fund in his May budget revision but declined to comment Thursday on its removal, directing inquiries to the Department of Finance.

State Senator Tony Strickland, a Republican from Huntington Beach, dismissed the proposal as fundamentally out of touch with Californians struggling with the cost of living.

A legacy fund is just totally tone deaf in terms of the affordability crisis, Strickland told New York Post, suggesting that Newsom’s advisors likely recognized the political damage the plan could inflict.

Bipartisan Opposition Emerges

The proposal drew fire from both sides of the aisle, with critics noting it could eventually fund tributes to Newsom himself after he leaves office in January, despite administration assurances that no money would honor the current governor.

Democratic Senator Caroline Menjivar called the idea absurd during a hearing, arguing that lawmakers should prioritize health care and other urgent needs over commemorating former governors. She stated she cared about seniors having health insurance and seniors with disabilities receiving coverage, not recognizing gubernatorial legacies.

The fund was intended to recognize public policy milestones of California’s living former governors from both parties, including Pete Wilson, Gray Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jerry Brown.

Lack of Detail and Oversight Concerns

State Senator Christopher Cabaldon, a Democrat who served under multiple California governors, expressed concern last month that lawmakers were being asked to approve millions of dollars without adequate details, oversight, or clear objectives.

Whether the scrapped proposal represents a rebuke or retreat for Newsom remains unclear as his administration continues committing to record spending while structural budget deficits loom in the near future.

Budget Warnings Ignored

Despite stronger-than-expected tax revenues, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office warned lawmakers against additional discretionary spending due to structural deficits. Newsom appeared to ignore that advice before legislators potentially overruled him.

Nick Schroeder, principal fiscal and policy analyst for the LAO, confirmed to New York Post that not including the proposal would be consistent with their recommendation to reject increases in discretionary spending.

Newsom has a history with public tributes. Months before his 2018 gubernatorial election, a privately funded bronze bust commemorating his tenure as San Francisco mayor was installed at City Hall. It later emerged that businesses with ties to Newsom helped fund the sculpture.

While the legacy fund has been eliminated, the budget retained a $33,000 expenditure for the governor’s portrait.

With information from New York Post