Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

Brown Urges California To Act Boldly, But Not Rashly

  •  Ben Adler 
  •  Katie Orr 
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
  

The longest-serving governor in California history took the oath of office for a record fourth time Monday. And in his fourth inaugural address, Democrat Jerry Brown cited history as the basis for a cautious final-term agenda.

Brown took the oath of office in the Assembly chambers at the state Capitol, administered by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.

Yet on this historic day, Brown chose to spend the bulk of his speech not on his fourth term, but on his third.

"The state budget, after a decade of turbulence, is finally balanced – more precariously than I would like – but balanced.” 

Brown said many of the challenges California faces today, it faced 56 years ago, when his father Pat was sworn in as governor: discrimination, education quality, air pollution, water, and overcrowded prisons.

“So you see, these problems, they never completely go away," he said. "They remain to challenge and elicit the best from us."

Which is why, Brown stressed, California must spend the next four years ensuring the success of his recent education, health care and criminal justice changes. The governor put forth only three new proposals for his fourth term – led by an expanded push to combat climate change.

“Taking significant amounts of carbon out of our economy without harming its vibrancy is exactly the sort of challenge at which California excels," said Brown.

Brown’s entire speech represented an attempt to reconcile his message of fiscal austerity with ambitious projects like High-Speed Rail, the Delta tunnels, and reducing carbon emissions.

“Yes, California feeds on change and great undertakings, but the path of wisdom counsels us to ground ourselves and nurture carefully all that we’ve started. We must build on rock, not sand, so that when the storms come, our house stands.” 

Brown’s goals of paying down debt and addressing the state’s crumbling infrastructure were met with general support within the California legislature. But on a number of other topics, Brown still faces pressure from both the right and the left.

Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins said she appreciates the governor’s message of fiscal restraint. But she said California must also take care of its people.

“Not all Californians have come back from the recession," Atkins said. "I think California is on the comeback trail, but we still have people who are suffering in parts of our state and we have to make sure that we’re looking out for them.”

Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher said he supports fixing the state’s infrastructure. But like many in his party, Gallagher said that shouldn’t include moving forward with High Speed Rail.

“That’s putting money into what everybody is really agreeing now is a technology that’s going to be obsolete," Gallagher said. "It’s going to cost way more than initially anticipated, adding additional debt to our children. Let’s use our money smartly, let’s put it into our backbone infrastructure."

But Democratic Senator Bob Hertzberg said if anyone can accomplish big things in California, it’s Jerry Brown.

“Here’s a guy with 40 plus years of experience who knows how to get it done," said Hertzberg. "I’ve been in and around public policy my whole life. And I’m just sick and tired of the people who are great speechmakers, but don’t know how to get it done. The underlying big, resounding message of Jerry Brown’s remarks is that he knows how to get it done.” 

Brown will put a dollar figure on his priorities later this week when he announces his annual budget.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • State Of The State 2015

    Monday, January 5, 2015
    Capital Public Radio and KQED's California Report are teaming up for a special joint broadcast of Gov. Jerry Brown's Inauguration and State of the State address on Monday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m.

 sots2015

Ben Adler

Director of Programming and Audience Development

Director of Programming and Audience Development Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool — though not necessarily by choice.  Read Full Bio 

Katie Orr

Former Health Care Reporter

Katie Orr reported for Capital Public Radio News through December 2015.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

May 13, 2022

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Sacramento City Council may vote to continue virtual meetings

Ukraine says it's downed 200 aircraft, a mark of Russian failures in the sky

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Sacramento City Council may vote to continue virtual meetings

Ukraine says it's downed 200 aircraft, a mark of Russian failures in the sky

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.