Newsom: Coronavirus Is 'Opportunity' to Push Progressive Agenda
California Gov to use the virus to push policies in his state
© press
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the deadly coronavirus outbreak is an “opportunity” to push progressive policies in his state and across the United States.
Newsom said during a virtual press conference:
“Absolutely, we see this as an opportunity reshape the way we do business and how we govern."
The Governor's remarks came following a question about whether he saw “the potential” in the crisis for “a new progressive era” in California.
“That shouldn’t put shivers up the spines of one party or the other,” he said.
“I think it’s an opportunity anew for both parties to come together and meet this moment and really start to think more systemically, not situationally, not just about getting out of this moment.”
© press
Newsom referenced increasing income inequality and a squeeze on the middle class as issues “we’ve long been struggling to address.”
“Something was fundamentally flawed in that global context, manifested quite acutely here in the state of California, the richest and the poorest state,” he said.
Newsom joins with governors across the country to issue a slew of executive orders in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The orders range from stay-at-home measures and steps to address the needs of struggling individuals and businesses.
On Thursday, Newsom praised President Donald Trump by saying he would be "lying" if he did not credit him for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Calif. Gov. @GavinNewsom: Coronavirus an opportunity to create a new "progressive era"
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) April 2, 2020
"We see this as an opportunity to reshape the way we do business and how we govern." pic.twitter.com/LongRVqcMS
NEW: CA has 8,155 confirmed positive cases of #COVID19.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 1, 2020
1,855 of those who have tested positive are in our hospitals. 774 of those patients are in the ICU.
This disease can impact anyone. Take this seriously. #StayHomeSaveLives
© press
Newsom during an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN if he felt pressured to compliment the Trump administration to receive federal assistance.
"Do you find yourself, by necessity, tempering what you say in terms of any issues you might have with the federal response?" Tapper asked
Newsom said replied:
"Let me just be candid with you. I’d be lying to you to say that he hasn’t been responsive to our needs."
"He has. And so, as a question, as a sort of an offer of objectivity, I have to acknowledge that publicly," Newsom added.
The Los Angeles Times reported the state projects that 25.5 million people in California would be infected with the coronavirus over eight weeks, Newsom said in a letter sent to President Trump on Wednesday requesting the deployment of the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship to the port of Los Angeles through Sept. 1.
