Experts Expound: Newsom’s legacy

What one thing should Gavin Newsom focus on the most to solidify his legacy as governor? 

“An AI Equity Fund and tax on the ultra-wealthy.”

“Something other than climate change, trying to add to that column would be white noise. Also, not sure how much he can add to his legacy in the last few month after eight years in office. His ‘legacy,’ whatever that is, is already set in folks minds.”

“Governor Newsom has an opportunity to define his education legacy. After taking the significant step of expanding the Governor’s authority over public education in the recent budget process, he should use that leadership to bring parents to the table—both from traditional district schools and charter schools—to help shape the future of education in California. By listening to families, embracing innovation, and ensuring all public schools are focused on student success, he can leave a lasting legacy that proves parents matter and that California is committed to delivering the best possible education for every child.”

“It’s a little late in the day, but he should be most focused on the atrocious reading and math proficiency of K-12 public school students in the state.”

“He could go introduce himself to some members of the Assembly for the first time.”

“Homelessness, although I don’t know how much he can do in the time remaining in his term. Shots of filthy dirty homeless encampments in his home state will not play well in other states.”

“It’s hard to see how he can have any real impact on this before he leaves office, but ‘affordability’ is a defining factor for California. Whether you’re talking about housing, energy, transportation, healthcare and frankly, just groceries, too many people can’t afford to live here. The Governor doesn’t control the price of oil (gasoline), or how much you pay for a dozen eggs, or for an appendectomy, but state policies do impact what those things cost. Governor Newsom’s legacy will hinge to a great degree on whether or not people feel they can afford to live here.”

“I think the fact that he governed under Old Testament conditions … from fire & floods to plague & Trump!”

“History won’t treat him well: California’s challenges only worsened under his governorship. He was AWOL running for president for most of this last term (and a large part of the first). The multi-billion deficits will haunt California for years to come. There were a few achievements here and there, but Pat Brown he isn’t.”

“He should focus on being the Governor instead of running for President.”

“Re-opening mental hospitals for the severely mentally ill, and giving families the ability to have loved ones committed for full-time treatment. Otherwise his legacy is not solving our homeless problem and, in fact, wasting billions on housing ‘solutions.’”

“To solidify his legacy, Gavin needs to run for president as himself. There isn’t some makeover that turns him into a ‘Justice Democrat’ and he shouldn’t attempt one. He governed reasonably well through eight years and a number of major crises as a center-left leader balancing the need for the expansion of universal programs which he championed with protecting business interests, which he did especially in the AI space. It may just not be his time given the massive backlash to AI and how closely he can be tied to that. That said, ironically, not running for president might be the best way to preserve his legacy. He’s got some pretty bad stories in his past and although we are all pretty much over them in California, there will definitely be a number of news cycles that will document for the whole nation his past dalliances. And, if he doesn’t win, that’s what the nation will be left with …”

“There’s no one thing Gavin Newsom can do now to save his legacy. That train left the station years ago. He’ll be remembered as the governor who made California unaffordable. He attacked the industries that built our economy, driving up costs, destroying jobs, and forcing families to leave in search of a better future. Jerry Brown handed him a balanced budget and a surplus. Newsom will hand the next governor higher costs, $20 billion in internal borrowing, growing deficits, and an affordability crisis. Instead of spending his final months accepting responsibility and trying to lower costs, he’s appeasing activists, embracing Democratic Socialists, and blaming everyone but himself. His legacy won’t be the speeches he gave. It will be what Californians can no longer afford.”

“Newsom should be all-in on shaping the policy framework for AI. He has already articulated some very thoughtful and nuanced positions on his podcast, and he understands that like with environmental issues, the U.S. government is completely asleep at the wheel. The future of AI and technology is going to be shaped by Europe and California. While he won’t be governor for the implementation of these policies he can do a lot right now to impact how the future is shaped.”

“Hate to state the obvious but with his term almost over, what is his answer to the question ‘over eight years how many unhoused CA residents have you successfully housed?’ I cannot think of anything more critical than that and yet he’s maintained it’s not his problem – he’s provided $$ to cities and counties and they haven’t done what they should. That’s not a great answer for a man who wants to be president.”

Our panel of experts: Elizabeth Ashford, Hector Barajas, A.G. Block, Barry Brokaw, Samantha Corbin, Jon Costantino, Richard Costigan, Gregg Fishman, Tim Foster, Rex Frazier, John Howard, Fiona Hutton, Gale Kaufman, Steven Maviglio, Mike MeCey, Paul Mitchell, Jack Ohman, Kassy Perry, Matt Rexroad, Garry South, Paula Treat, Micah Weinberg, Bill Wong, Daniel Zingale