Over the weekend, California Governor Gavin Newsom made headlines by vetoing a series of bills that were part of his Democratic Party's more progressive agenda. Among the bills rejected were AB 2442, AB 2513, and SB 227.
AB 2442 aimed to expedite medical licenses for out-of-state applicants seeking to perform transgender surgical procedures. Newsom expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts on other applicants and the increase in licensing fees that could result from the bill.
AB 2513, which would have required gas stoves to be sold with warning labels for potential toxins emitted, was also vetoed by Newsom. He cited the bill's static approach and lack of flexibility for timely updates based on scientific knowledge.
SB 227, a bill that would have provided unemployment-style benefits to noncitizens through the Employment Development Department, was rejected by Newsom due to operational issues, impractical timelines, and the need for additional funding not included in the budget.
Newsom also vetoed a bill that would have established safety measures for large artificial intelligence models, which would have been a first-of-its-kind law in the nation.
Despite vetoing several progressive bills, Newsom recently signed public safety legislation aimed at reducing organized retail theft. He also vetoed bipartisan accountability legislation related to the state's homelessness crisis.
Newsom's decision-making process for vetoes often considers redundancy and potential financial burdens on the state's budget. In 2020, he vetoed 156 bills and signed 890, reflecting a veto rate of about 15%, similar to the previous year. In 2021, his veto rate dropped to under 8%.
Newsom's actions reflect a balancing act between progressive initiatives and fiscal responsibility, as he navigates a diverse array of bills to shape California's legislative landscape.
