California Governor-elect Becerra, in First Public Remarks Since the Election, Puts Cost of Living First and Promises Transition News Soon
California Governor-elect Xavier Becerra made his first public appearance since election night at the State Capitol in Sacramento on November 5, meeting state legislators and then taking questions alongside Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón. Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton on November 3 to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, extending Democratic control of the governor's office to a fifth straight term.
Becerra said the public's message was unmistakable: "job one, two and three" is the cost of living. Everything - energy, revenue and tax policy, health care - "should be on the table," he said, but he refused to make specific commitments before seeing the state's books, adding, "I'm no longer a candidate; I'm now the governor-elect." Asked about a finance director, he joked he would like "someone who can pull money off of trees."
A former California attorney general and U.S. health and human services secretary, Becerra said his record is expanding health care access and lowering its cost, and that he intends to do it again, with housing, health care and energy as the incoming administration's main fronts. Rivas and Limón pledged close partnership with the new governor.
Becerra said announcements about his transition team would come soon. He takes office in January 2027; until then, the Newsom administration will hand over budget, legislation and agency staffing item by item.
(Source: Office of the California Governor-Elect)
Source: Office of the California Governor-Elect
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons「File:California State Capitol front 1999.jpg」（Henri Sivonen 摄，CC BY 2.0） Image: Wikimedia Commons "File:California State Capitol front 1999.jpg" (by Henri Sivonen, CC BY 2.0)
