Gov. Brown boosts Calif., warns of threats in address
SACRAMENTO (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown celebrated California’s economic and environmental progress while issuing a dire warning about dangers from climate change and the threat of nuclear war during his final State of the State address Thursday after four terms leading the nation’s most populous state.
“Our world, our way of life, our system of governance — all are at immediate and genuine risk,” Brown told the Legislature, citing “endless new weapons systems, growing antagonism among nations, the poison of our politics, climate change.”
In addition, he noted that just hours before his speech began, the Atomic Bulletin of Scientists had moved the “Doomsday Clock” that measures existential threats to humanity 30 seconds closer to midnight.
But, he also offered, “We too will persist against storms and turmoil, obstacles great and small. The spirit of democracy never dies.”
It was Brown’s 16th and final such address after four terms in office, two starting in 1975 followed by a return to office in 2011, when the state faced a $27 billion budget hole and high unemployment.
California now has a roughly $6 billion budget surplus, and Brown touted efforts to boost K-12 spending, lessen prison overcrowding and advance a slate of policies to confront a warming climate.
He avoided outlining new programs or initiatives for his final year as governor but forcefully defended two ongoing infrastructure projects that face public and legislative skepticism: The proposed bullet train from Los Angeles to San Francisco and a plan to re-route water from north to south through one or two massive tunnels. Costs of the train have skyrocketed, most recently by $3 billion for a segment in the Central Valley, and its proposed timeline of opening by 2029 could be delayed. It would be the nation’s first high-speed rail.
“I make no bones about it. I like trains and I like high-speed trains even better,” Brown said. “Difficulties challenge us but they can’t discourage us or stop us.”
Similarly, he said he’s convinced his effort to send water to Southern California can be done in a way that will save water and protect wildlife. His office has recently downsized the proposal from two tunnels to one in the face of opposition.
Brown has frequently used the State of the State to call California as the nation’s beacon of opportunity and hope. He did so again Thursday, pointing out the Legislature’s bipartisan passage of capand-trade policies as well as worker’s compensation and pension reform during his second tour in office.
Still there are challenges, Brown said. The most devastating wildfires in the state’s history ripped through California last fall, destroying thousands of homes. Brown pledged to convene a task force of scientists and forestry experts to assess how California can improve forest management in an attempt to reduce carbon pollution and combat future fires.
He directly blamed President Donald Trump for the nation’s retreat on international climate policies. Brown has emerged as a global leader on climate policy, traveling to China and the United Nations climate conference to represents U.S. states.
“The science of climate change is not in doubt,” Brown said. “All nations agree except one, and that is solely because of one man: our current president.”