Newsom’s obscene $250M redistricting proves the – Latest News
Governor Gavin Newsom will quickly nearly definitely be celebrating the passage of Proposition 50, a referendum to solid apart the state’s “independent” congressional map in favor of one drawn by Democrats, for Democrats.
Prop 50 is definitely good for Newsom and his occasion, however it’s unhealthy for California. And it highlights the lack of political accountability in the once-Golden State, which suffers some of the worst governance in America.
Newsom offered Prop 50 to the voters utilizing the identical ways he deployed to outlive the 2021 recall vote: he advised Democrats that if he misplaced, President Donald Trump and his supporters would win.
Prop 50 really disenfranchises hundreds of thousands of Californians, however Newsom satisfied his occasion’s voters that they’d “defend democracy” by stripping most Republicans of their seats and serving to Democrats retake the U.S. House.
To that finish, Newsom spent more than $250 million of California taxpayers’ money — this in a state that has suffered massive funds deficits for 2 years in a row.
(Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio of San Diego accurately predicted the price — a pesky behavior of his, which is why fellow politicians, principally Democrats, voted him the “worst” legislator in Sacramento. For taxpayers and constituent pursuits, DeMaio is one of the best.)
Political donors spent not less than that a lot money, with Newsom’s camp far outspending opponents of Prop 50, even with hundreds of thousands donated by average Republican Charles Munger, Jr. (Prop 50 was too far, even for “RINOs” like Munger and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who’s no fan of Trump.)
That’s not less than half a billion spent on a particular election whose solely goal was to spice up national Democratic Party fortunes.
Meanwhile, tens of hundreds of residents of fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and different areas affected by the Los Angeles fires stay displaced.
Many had misplaced their insurance coverage earlier than the fires — because of Newsom’s insurance policies — and had been compelled onto the California FAIR (or “unfair”) plan. Many can not make up the distinction between insurance coverage payouts and the price of rebuilding. Many could also be compelled to sell, cheaply.
Half a billion {dollars} would help residents rebuild their houses — houses they misplaced, partially, due to the negligence of state and native officers, who did not clear the brush, fill the reservoirs, and deploy the firefighters.
When Newsom vetoed SB 236, which might require the state to develop a wildfire mitigation plan, he stated it will price an excessive amount of — up to $20 million per 12 months. But he discovered the money for Prop 50.
The passage of Prop 50 is a signal that national politics have eclipsed state and native politics. We care more about who’s operating Washington than what’s going on in our own backyards.
And the solely cause that’s potential is that the California media, collectively, have failed to carry Newsom and different elected officers accountable. There is no outlet succesful or projecting a statewide voice — till the California Post. Until now.
Prop 50 additionally represents the personal self-importance of one man — Newsom — who has positioned his presidential ambitions forward of the state’s pursuits. He has launched outrageous personal assaults on the president, whereas nonetheless begging Congress and the administration to approve $40 billion in further fire help.
Of course, Trump is hostile to his political foes, however not like Newsom, Trump really will get issues performed for his voters.
Newsom can not level to a single main accomplishment in practically two phrases as governor. He appears to suppose his main accountability is trolling Republicans in different states.
He has did not construct high-speed rail; his electric vehicle mandate was performed in by weak gross sales earlier than Trump took workplace; his billions in spending on homelessness has made the drawback worse. California additionally leads the nation in poverty and unemployment.
Prop 50 represents Newsom’s gamble that Democratic Party main voters care more about a candidate who fights Trump than a candidate who achieves outcomes.
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One can, in principle, do each: take a look at San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie, who satisfied Trump to cancel a “surge” of federal law enforcement to the metropolis. Lurie didn’t call Trump names, or assault him immediately. He opposed Trump’s coverage, however spoke to him personally.
That is how principled opposition is supposed to be practiced. Newsom has deserted that strategy for a caricature of what Democrats imagine Trump to be: imply, egocentric, and dishonest.
It takes a particular sort of duplicity to say that “saving democracy” means eliminating the opposition occasion’s capability to compete pretty for illustration, or to override the voters’ own previous verdict in favor of impartial redistricting.
Newsom claims he’s not canceling the impartial commission, however merely setting it apart till the subsequent Census — or elevating it, pushing for some sort of national impartial redistricting commission.
That is probably the greatest lie of all, as a result of he is aware of he’s mendacity: such a commission can be unconstitutional, since district boundaries are reserved for states. It additionally has no likelihood of being accepted by both occasion.
Newsom’s lies are not often challenged as a result of he avoids opposition media; like the hapless former Rep. Katie Porter, who leads Democrats vying to interchange him, he’s used to obsequious deference from the press.
Prop 50 exhibits that democracy is in peril in California — and it’s in peril as a result of it has, till now, lacked accountability. This is a low level for the state. But with the California Post, the turnaround begins.
Joel Pollak is The California Post’s Opinion Editor. The California Post, a sister publication to The New York Post, will likely be launching early in 2026.
