Senator Mike Morrell Responds to Governor Newsom’s 2019 State of the State Address

SACRAMENTO – Senator Mike Morrell (R-Rancho Cucamonga) today issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2019 State of the State Address:

“The governor’s remarks were filled with platitudes and promises that all amount to a more expansive and intrusive government at the expense of taxpayers.

“On one hand, he takes something off the table, then puts it right back on. The governor says he disagrees with high-speed rail, but still proposes to spend billions of dollars more on the failed project. He wants to ‘hold contractors and consultants accountable’ for cost overruns, which they should be, but missed the opportunity to hold accountable the worst violator of all: government.

“Further, the governor’s vision for state-run health care, if implemented, would cost an estimated $400 billion, yet Democratic leaders still have no plans on how to pay for it. What is clear, however, is that it would amount to massive tax increases at a time when millions of Californians can barely afford to live here.

“The governor also failed to address other major issues including a decline in public safety due to the release of over 50,000 criminals because of realignment and Propositions 47 and 57. He ignored $1.3 trillion in debt and $400 billion in unfunded public pension liabilities. Yet he still found room to promote a water tax, even though his state budget projects a $21 billion surplus.

“Our priority has to be making our communities safe while letting Californians keep more of their hard-earned money to choose how they invest in their futures.”

Senator Mike Morrell represents the 23rd Senate District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles counties. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.