California governor touts industry, derides Trump in annual State of the State message

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — California Governor Gavin Newsom slammed President Donald Trump in his State of the State missive on Tuesday while highlighting the Golden State’s economy and industry.

The annual update came on the 175th anniversary of California joining the United States, a point Newsom used to attack Trump over what he sees as his disruption of public services and dissolution of the rule of law. The governor derided Trump for deploying the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles in the wake of immigration protests, saying California was in a battle to protect its values.

Pushing back against the federal action, Newsom said the state is an economic and environmental leader.

“Our economy now exceeds $4.1 trillion, powered by a culture that rewards risk, attracts capital and welcomes new ideas,” Newsom said. “We lead the nation in startups, venture capital, IPOs and manufacturing output. We have more AI companies, more space technology, and more green innovation than any place on Earth.”

Newsom released his State of the State address in the form of a letter during the Legislature’s final week in session. Last year, he delivered his annual speech as a prerecorded message.

The governor referred to last year’s message on Tuesday, pointing to what he called “the poisonous populism of the right.” He called the Trump administration’s foundation one of incompetence and malicious ignorance that seeks the destruction of independent thinking.

Instead, California would create its own light and create a path that leads to strength and intelligence.

The governor touted the state’s education and workforce development, saying both are changing to meet the challenges of an evolving economy. Public school students have support like free meals, afterschool activities and mental health services. Starting this school year, all 4-year-olds can attend transitional kindergarten.

“The Universal Meals Program is projected to serve nearly one billion meals in schools — we want hungry minds, not hungry children,” Newsom said.

Pivoting to the state’s economy, Newsom said California supports everyone. To achieve that end, the California Jobs First Initiative — which designated 13 regional economic regions in the state — enabled those areas to build custom strategies to meet their respective population’s needs.

Newsom called it an initiative focused on making a strong economy from the ground up. No local government or person is left behind, as each region relies on its own data and community-based strategies.

“We want an economy that works for everyone, supporting mechanics, technicians, truck drivers, farmers, teachers, medical researchers, nurses, doctors, small business owners, and entrepreneurs across all fields,” Newsom said.

Despite what he called the federal government’s attempt to undo the state’s water and air standards, Newsom said California has the strongest green economy in the nation. He noted that over 2 million zero-emission vehicles have been sold in the state. The Golden State also has passed all environmental tests from LA to San Francisco, an essential part of the controversial high-speed rail project.

Concerning water, the state is working toward storing, recycling, desalinating and conserving enough water for 8.4 million homes by 2040. As for clean air goals, climate investments will create millions of new jobs and reduce air pollution by over 70%, Newsom said.

Republicans in both legislative chambers denounced Newsom’s annual address.

Assemblymember and Minority Leader James Gallagher, a Yuba City Republican, said in a recorded message that Newsom is more concerned about running for president than governing the state.

“I guess he’s too afraid to come and talk about what the state of the state is,” he added.

Gallagher hammered Newsom on finding $250 million to fund a special election to redraw the state’s congressional districts, but fail to provide funding for Proposition 36 — a November ballot measure that passed overwhelmingly and increased penalties for certain drug and theft offenses.

“His ambitions are more than his abilities to govern this state,” Gallagher said.

State Senator and Minority Leader Brian Jones, a San Diego Republican, in a statement called Newsom’s message political theater meant to distract the public from his failures.

“Crime, homelessness and cost of living continue to ravage our communities and all Newsom can do is point the finger with hollow, inflammatory soundbites,” Jones said. “Republicans in California are focused on California, on restoring our state’s prosperity and positioning us for 175 more years of success.”