California Gov. Gavin Newsom remove his face mask before presenting his 2021-2022 state budget proposal during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, Pool
As Gavin Newsom enters the second half of his term as California governor, he finds himself taking on historic challenges: a pandemic that has taken the lives of more than 30,000 residents, extreme wildfires and a climate crisis, unprecedented homelessness, millions of unemployed workers and an economy on the brink — and a possible recall.
This week, CapRadio will take a deep look at Newsom’s performance, progress and policies on some of these key issues. Our journalists will deliver four stories over four days, beginning January 25. Here's what you can expect:
- Monday, January 25: An effort to recall Newsom is gaining steam. What’s driving it? And why is a recall gaining strength now, when Newsom enjoys a relatively high approval rating?
- Tuesday, January 26: Newsom has been playing defense with environmental policy for the past two years. But he's had some wins.
- Wednesday, January 27: Project Roomkey, a program that has leased hotel rooms for homeless Californians, is one of Newsom's signature housing policies. But has it worked in getting vulnerable people housing during the pandemic?
- Thursday, January 28: It’s a philosophy that’s defined Gavin Newsom’s political career: Government needs to be more tech-savvy and open with its data. In turn, people will become more engaged in the civic process. But modernizing state government has remained a challenge for Newsom during his tenure as governor.
- Friday: January 29: The California State of Mind podcast will check in with CapRadio and CalMatters reporters to mark the middle of Newsom’s term. Subscribe to the podcast for free here.
