Governor Gavin Newsom has served as the 40th governor of California since January 2019. While Newsom’s supporters highlight his progressive policies and attempts to address issues like climate change, healthcare, and income inequality, critics argue that his administration has exacerbated problems such as homelessness, affordability, public safety, and governance transparency. This summary outlines the primary arguments against Newsom’s leadership, using data and examples where possible.
1. Homelessness Crisis
Critics argue that under Newsom, California’s homelessness crisis has worsened despite significant state spending.
Statistics:
California has the largest homeless population in the United States, with over 170,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2023.
From 2020 to 2023, California saw a 22% increase in homelessness, despite the state spending over $20 billion on homelessness during this period.
Criticisms:
Critics claim that Newsom’s approach, which involves funding programs for temporary shelters and housing first models, lacks accountability and long-term effectiveness.
Examples like the Project Homekey initiative, which converts hotels and motels into homeless shelters, have faced accusations of inefficiency and mismanagement. Despite significant investments, many projects fail to deliver the promised results due to bureaucratic delays and corruption allegations.
Impact:
Critics argue that ineffective homelessness policies have led to deteriorating public spaces, increased crime in urban areas, and public health concerns.
2. Housing Affordability Crisis
California remains one of the least affordable states to live in, with housing costs far exceeding the national average. Critics blame Newsom for failing to implement meaningful reforms.
Statistics:
Median home prices in California are over $750,000, compared to the national average of around $375,000.
Rental prices in major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles are among the highest in the nation, with average rents surpassing $3,000 per month.
Policy Failures:
Despite pledging to build 3.5 million new homes by 2025, the state has only achieved a fraction of that goal.
Critics argue that excessive regulation, lengthy permitting processes, and environmental restrictions under Newsom’s leadership make it difficult for developers to build new housing.
Impact:
High housing costs have driven middle-class families out of the state, contributing to California’s population decline. In 2023, the state experienced a net migration loss of over 500,000 people.
3. Mismanagement of Wildfires
Wildfires have become a recurring and devastating problem in California, and critics claim Newsom’s policies have worsened the situation.
Criticisms:
Despite campaigning on promises to address wildfire prevention, Newsom’s administration has faced scrutiny for overstating the progress made on forest management.
An investigation revealed that in 2020, the state completed fire prevention work on only 13% of the acreage originally promised.
Example:
During the 2021 wildfire season, California experienced some of its worst fires in history, including the Dixie Fire, which burned over 960,000 acres. Critics argue that insufficient forest thinning, prescribed burns, and mismanagement of utility companies like PG&E worsened the impact.
Environmental Impact:
Critics say Newsom’s reliance on environmental regulations slows down fire prevention measures and that he has failed to hold PG&E accountable for repeated safety violations leading to fires.
4. High Cost of Living and Tax Burden
Under Newsom’s administration, California has maintained its reputation as one of the most expensive states in the U.S.
Statistics:
California has the highest state income tax rate in the country, with a top marginal rate of 13.3%.
The combined state and local sales tax rate can reach up to 10.75% in some areas.
Criticisms:
Critics argue that Newsom’s progressive tax policies discourage business growth and drive high-income individuals out of the state.
The loss of wealthy taxpayers further exacerbates the state’s budget challenges.
Example:
Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, moved Tesla’s headquarters from California to Texas in 2021, citing excessive regulations and high taxes as reasons.
In 2023, Chevron and other large corporations followed suit, relocating significant operations out of California.
Impact:
A significant decline in the state’s tax base has raised concerns about California’s long-term fiscal stability.
5. Public Safety and Rising Crime Rates
Critics have also pointed to rising crime rates and controversial criminal justice policies as failures of Newsom’s administration.
Statistics:
Violent crime in California increased by 6% from 2020 to 2022.
Property crime rates, including theft and burglary, have surged in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Policy Criticisms:
Newsom’s administration supported Proposition 47, which reclassified certain theft and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. Critics argue this has emboldened criminals by reducing the penalties for theft.
Viral videos of brazen shoplifting in California stores have fueled public outrage and claims that the state has become too lenient on crime.
Impact:
Rising crime rates have hurt small businesses, particularly in urban areas, where many have had to close or relocate.
Public perception of unsafe cities has also deterred tourism and economic investment.
6. COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Newsom’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn both praise and criticism. Detractors argue that his approach caused unnecessary economic harm and revealed hypocrisy in his leadership.
Criticisms:
Newsom implemented some of the strictest lockdowns in the country, which critics claim devastated small businesses and led to significant job losses.
Many argue that the closure of schools and businesses was overly prolonged, particularly when data suggested that the measures disproportionately affected low-income and minority communities.
Newsom faced widespread backlash after attending a high-end dinner party at the French Laundry restaurant in November 2020, violating his own COVID-19 guidelines. The incident became a symbol of perceived elitism and hypocrisy.
Economic Impact:
During the pandemic, California’s unemployment rate peaked at 16%, significantly higher than the national average.
Thousands of small businesses permanently closed, contributing to long-term economic challenges.
7. Education System Failures
California’s public education system ranks poorly in key areas despite substantial state funding.
Statistics:
In 2023, California ranked 40th in K-12 education nationwide.
Only 30% of students in California are proficient in math, and around 40% are proficient in reading.
Criticisms:
Critics argue that Newsom’s administration prioritizes political agendas, such as ethnic studies curricula, over core academic improvements.
During the pandemic, prolonged school closures under Newsom’s leadership were blamed for exacerbating learning loss among students, particularly in low-income communities.
Impact:
California’s education failures have long-term consequences for the state’s workforce and economic competitiveness.
8. Energy and Environmental Policies
While Newsom champions California as a leader in renewable energy and climate change initiatives, critics say his policies have been costly and impractical.
Criticisms:
The state’s ambitious goal to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045 has led to skyrocketing electricity costs for residents.
Rolling blackouts during heatwaves in 2020 and 2022 were seen as evidence of poor energy infrastructure planning.
Newsom’s ban on gas-powered cars by 2035 has faced criticism for being unrealistic and failing to address affordability concerns for consumers.
Impact:
California residents pay nearly 70% more for electricity than the national average, contributing to the overall high cost of living.
Critics of Governor Gavin Newsom argue that his leadership has failed to address California’s most pressing issues effectively. From homelessness and housing affordability to public safety and education, they claim that his policies often prioritize political optics over practical solutions. While supporters credit him for his progressive agenda and climate initiatives, detractors highlight a legacy of inefficiency, high costs, and mismanagement.
This critique is not intended to be exhaustive or entirely one-sided, as there are arguments in favor of Newsom’s leadership. However, the examples and issues listed above represent the primary reasons why critics consider his governance detrimental to California.
