GOVERNMENT RELATIONS


Schwarzenegger was elected as his replacement. Gov. Jerry Brown served an unprecedented 16 years as Califor- nia’s chief executive – 1975 to 1983 and 2011 to 2019. And Gov. Gavin Newsom is just


Can California be Governed? I


By Felipe Fuentes, AGC Legislative Advocate


t is hard to believe, but it has been 16 years since Gov. Gray Davis was recalled and Arnold


“clean sweep” of all the waste, bureau- cracy and regulations that were stifling business and inhibiting job creation, as well as shutting down the influence “special interests” have in Sacramento. He did so by overcoming what was


completing his first year in office after being elected to his first term in 2018. Each man with his own remarkable traits – be it skilled politician, movie star, experienced hand, or a privi- leged upbringing – has ascended as another governor attempting to address California’s issues. Arnold Schwarzenegger came to


Sacramento, as one campaign event suggested, with a broom to make a


seen as a docile and overly cautious Gray Davis. At the time, the electorate was looking to “shake up” the perceived inaction of Sacramento and was eager to replace the sitting governor with action movie sensation Arnold Schwarzenegger.


Managing Not Same as Governing


While pundits such as political


columnist Dan Walters have said for years that California may be impos- sible to govern, Gov. Jerry Brown left California’s government with healthy financial reserves, sensible policy


achievements and a high approval rating. Also often said about California is that it is dysfunctional and – while this may be more of an observation of the Legislature – the best any governor might be able to do is manage the state government. Managing, however, should not be confused with governing or leading the state, as many times it seems like California is running the governor, not the other way around. For example, with the recall of


Gov. Davis, voters were not informed well enough of the funding needs of the transportation system before they were foisted with an unpopular vehicle license fee increase. Add to that the waning effects of the previous economic downturn and a bland leadership style by the Davis admin- istration, and you get an electorate


Continued on page 6


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