Well, today Jerry Brown gives his first (well, of this term) State of the State speech. He gave a preview of what was on his mind last week:
“The budget is a key point, but we have to have some optimism, too, about how great everything is and how rich California is and how we’re going to create all these jobs and have enough water and fix our schools,” he said. “There’s a lot of issues, whether it’s reform of schools, whether its water, whether it’s energy, whether it’s crime. Those are things I’m really interested in; but at the same time, if we don’t get this budget fixed, California will flounder, and it will really be a real impediment to doing all the other good things the state should be engaged in.” (SF Chronicle)
Brown has a history of short speeches, so it would be surprising if he actually got to many issues beyond the budget. (You can check a history of the previous speeches at the Chronicle) Given that he likes to write his own speeches, and indicated that he would do so on this one, can this speech really afford to be anything other than a cheerleader for his budget?
The speech will air live on CalChannel at 5 pm.
He always looks a little impatient as he begins a speech, but never comes across as condescending. Love it when he goes off-script. Wish there’d been a larger message, but this was no inauguration speech – it was all business. He studiously avoids the term “bipartisan”, preferring to ask the parties to “act as Californians”.