Gavin Newsom in 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Immigration: There is no border crisis; the wall is just xenophobia

Let's start with the fear mongering about the so-called "emergency" at our border. The border "emergency" is a manufactured crisis and California will not be part of this political theater. A third of our Guard will focus on stopping criminals smuggling drugs and guns through existing border checkpoints. A wall that stretches thousands of miles will do nothing to stop this threat. This is our answer to the White House: No more division, no more xenophobia and no more nativism. Source: 2019 State of the State address to California legislature Feb 12, 2019

On Technology: Scale back high-speed rail: Merced to Bakersfield only

Let's level about High-Speed Rail. The project, as currently planned, would cost too much and take too long. Right now, there simply isn't a path to get from Sacramento to San Diego, let alone from San Francisco to LA. I wish there were.

However, we do have the capacity to complete a high-speed rail link between Merced and Bakersfield. We'll connect the revitalized Central Valley to other parts of the state and continue to push for more federal funding and private dollars. But let's just get something done.

For those who want to walk away from this whole endeavor, I offer you this: Abandoning high-speed rail entirely means we will have wasted billions of dollars with nothing but broken promises and lawsuits to show for it. And by the way, I am not interested in sending $3.5 billion in federal funding that was allocated to this project back to Donald Trump.

Source: 2019 State of the State address to California legislature Feb 12, 2019

On Education: College without crushing debt for every young person

We will offer an alternative to the corruption and incompetence in the White House. Our government will be progressive, principled, and always on the side of the people.

We will be a "California for All." We will not be divided between rural and urban or north and south or coastal and inland. We will strive for solidarity and face our most threatening problems--together.

Everyone in California should have a good job with fair pay. Every child should have a great school and a teacher who is supported and respected. Every young person should be able to go to college without crushing debt or to get the training they need to compete and succeed. And every senior should be able to retire with security and live at home with dignity. That is the California Dream. Not to get rich quick or star on the big screen, but to work hard and share in the rewards. To leave a better future for our kids.

Source: 2019 California governor inaugural (State of the State) Jan 7, 2019

On Environment: The water we drink & the air we breathe hang in the balance

So deep does the California Dream run in the history and character of our state that it can feel as enduring as our primeval forests or our majestic mountain ranges. But there is nothing inevitable about it. Every dream depends on the dreamers. It is up to us to renew the California Dream for a new generation. And now more than ever, it is up to us to defend it.

California has always helped write America's future. And we know the decisions we make would be important at any time. But what we do today is even more consequential, because of what's happening in our country.

People's lives, freedom, security, the water we drink, the air we breathe--they all hang in the balance. The country is watching us. The world is waiting on us. The future depends on us. And we will seize this moment.

We will prepare for uncertain times ahead. We will be prudent stewards of taxpayer dollars, pay down debt, and meet our future obligations. But let me be clear: we will be bold.

Source: 2019 California governor inaugural (State of the State) Jan 7, 2019

The above quotations are from 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Gavin Newsom. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Apr 02, 2019