A rosy look back at California’s last four years and a cautious look ahead to the next four. That’s the tone Democrat Jerry Brown struck after being sworn in for a record fourth term as California governor today. Ben Adler has more from Sacramento.
Jerry Brown spent more than half of his fourth inaugural address looking not forwards but backwards.
Brown: “While we’ve not reached the Promised Land, we have much to be proud of.”
He touted the state’s balanced budget…
Brown: “More precariously than I would like – but balanced.”
… and sweeping changes from the last four years: a new school funding formula, the expansion of Medi-Cal, and an overhaul of the state’s criminal justice system.
Brown: “The financial promises we have already made must be confronted honestly so that they are properly funded. The health of our state depends on it.”
To that end, Brown kept his new proposals to a minimum: more money for road and highway projects; new goals to reduce carbon emissions; and asking state workers to help pre-pay for their retirement health care benefits.