Gavin Newsom in 2020 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Health Care: CalAIM: physical health & mental health inextricably linked

This year, we have proposed CalAIM, a once-in-a-generation reform of our Medi-Cal system, based on the obvious, but long-ignored principle, that physical health and brain health are inextricably linked. Health care and housing can no longer be divorced. After all, what's more fundamental to a person's well-being than a roof over their head? Doctors should be able to write prescriptions for housing the same way they do for insulin or antibiotics.

Policy is an empty promise without creating more placements. One clear opportunity to do this is by reforming the Mental Health Services Act. Reform must focus funding on street homeless, at-risk and foster youth, and those involved in the criminal justice system. We should compel counties to spend more by lowering the 33% reserve threshold they are allowed to hold back. My message is this: spend your mental health dollars by June 30th, or we'll make sure they get spent for you.

Source: 2020 California State of the State address Feb 19, 2020

On Jobs: Californians are VIPs of GDP: 1 in 7 new jobs since 2010

Just consider this fact: 1 in 7 new jobs created by the U.S. economy since 2010 has been created right here in California. So when you hear the boasts, bleats, and tweets of Washington politicians tripping over themselves to take credit for the economy, remember the real VIPs of America's GDP--the millions of California workers, investors and entrepreneurs who are actually producing their own California Dreams. Source: 2020 California State of the State address Feb 19, 2020

On Welfare & Poverty: Homelessness must be at the top of our agenda

The most pernicious crisis in our midst is the ultimate manifestation of poverty: homelessness. It is a disgrace. It is our responsibility, and it must be at the top of our agenda.

We are making available 286 state properties--vacant lots, fairgrounds, armories and other state buildings--to be used by local governments, for free, for homelessness solutions. We have lease templates ready to go--and we're ready for partnership.

When we don't build housing for people at all income levels, we worsen the homeless crisis. It's a vicious cycle. And the only sustainable way out of it is to massively increase housing production. Let's match our courage on homelessness with courage on housing supply. This means a commitment--right now, this year--to major reform that will eliminate red tape, and delays for building critically needed housing--like affordable, multifamily homes--especially near transit and downtowns.

Source: 2020 California State of the State address Feb 19, 2020

On Welfare & Poverty: Right to Shelter: work with counties on homelessness

Some have recommended a legal "Right to Shelter." It's a provocative idea which forced the State to explore the limits of what local governments can be compelled to do. But right now, our imperative must be bringing governments together as working partners, not sparring partners in a court of law. Instead we are proposing strict accountability, comprehensive audits and a "do-it-or-lose-it" policy to hold local governments responsible for results. Take action or lose access to this new funding.

California has and will continue to extend its hand of partnership to Washington, seeking to jointly address this issue. Honestly, this partnership should be a given. But empty words and symbolic gestures won't mask a 15 percent across-the-board cut to HUD's budget. I'm old enough to remember when HUD was in the housing business. And I'm hopeful it will be again. After all, homelessness isn't a blue or a red issue. It's an everyone issue--a blight on the soul of America.

Source: 2020 California State of the State address Feb 19, 2020

The above quotations are from 2020 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2020 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: Dec 01, 2021