Californians fear the economic worst + Newsom gets new second-term staff + Dahle concedes
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
MOST CALIFORNIANS ARE PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THE ECONOMY
The Public Policy Institute of California is out with its latest survey, which found that two out of three Californians are gloomy about the state’s economic prospects in the coming year.
Nearly 80% of Californians surveyed said that the availability of well-paying jobs in their part of California is a problem, with 23% saying that the lack of well-paying jobs is making them seriously consider leaving the state.
“Most Californians are predicting bad times for the state economy in the next 12 months,” said Mark Baldassare, PPIC president and CEO, said in a statement.
The survey also found that Californians are driving less because of high gas prices, something that Gov. Gavin Newsom says he would like to address with a special legislative session next month. More than half, 57%, of Californians said that someone in their household has driven less in the last 12 months due to the cost of gas.
Californians worry about the cost of gas, with 43% saying that they worry every day or almost every day about the cost of gas and transportation.
Meanwhile, a third, 33%, of Californians say that they have had to cut back on food or meals in their household due to tightening budgets.
Despite that, an overwhelming majority (91%) say that they are satisfied with their jobs, while 81% said that they have at least a fair amount of job security.
Californians favor government policies that make new housing easier to be built, with 73% supporting the construction of more low- and middle-income homes. This includes 80% of Democrats, 70% of independents and 56% of Republicans.
Finally, 71% of Californians want the government to do more about the gap between the rich and the poor in the state; this includes 83% of Democrats, 69% of independents and 45% of Republicans.
The survey results are based on interviews with 2,307 California adults, over a thousand of whom make less than $40,000 a year.
NEWSOM STAFFS UP FOR SECOND TERM
While California was still counting votes, Newsom was preparing for his second term as governor by switching up his senior-level staff.
The Los Angeles Times first reported on Wednesday that Jim DeBoo will step down in January from his role as Newsom’s executive secretary and the highest-ranking member of his staff.
Newsom will replace DeBoo with Dana Williamson, a Democratic strategist who previously served as former Gov. Jerry Brown’s cabinet secretary.
Williamson owns consulting firm Grace Public Affairs. She most recently helped run Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby’s state Senate campaign, which Newsom endorsed.
Analea Patterson, Newsom’s former legal affairs secretary, will become his official cabinet secretary. Jason Elliott, Newsom’s senior counselor, will move into the deputy chief of staff role.
Erin Mellon, Newsom’s communications director, confirmed the moves to The Sacramento Bee.
DeBoo joined Newsom’s administration in January 2021 as momentum built around an effort to recall the governor. He told the Times he stepped into the position to “to help politically and to help restabilize the office.”
“He needed somebody in that spot that was of Sacramento to a certain degree and it was a tough two years,” DeBoo said.
DAHLE CONCEDES GUBERNATORIAL RACE
Newsom’s gubernatorial opponent conceded the race on Wednesday after news organizations announced the governor’s victory on Election Night.
State Sen. Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, on Wednesday issued a statement ending his campaign. The Associated Press declared Newsom’s re-election bid successful just minutes after California polls closed on Tuesday night.
Results early Wednesday showed Newsom with 58% of the vote after 41% of ballots had been counted.
In his statement, Dahle thanked his volunteers, his three children and his wife, Assemblywoman Megan Dahle, R-Bieber.
“Thank you, California!” Dahle said. “Thank you for your incredible support, and I’m honored to have earned the trust and vote of so many Californians. Our grassroots campaign across the state was an opportunity to give a voice to so many who have felt left behind.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Last night biggest winner: Joe Biden. Last night biggest loser: Donald Trump.”
- Doug Ose, former California Republican congressman, via Twitter.
Best of The Bee:
Sacramento Senate and Assembly races are nail-biters. Who’s winning after Election Night, via Lindsey Holden.
California voters reject Proposition 30, the ‘millionaires’ tax for electric vehicles, via Maggie Angst.
Election day and night were quiet in California. Even in Shasta County, where denialism runs hot, via Stephen Hobbs.
Alex Padilla is first Latino elected to U.S. Senate from California, via Gillian Brassil.
This story was originally published November 10, 2022 at 4:55 AM.