The Californer - Governor Newsom Delivers State of the State Letter Reflecting on Tour of California

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SACRAMENTO – Fulfilling his annual duty to report to the Legislature the condition of the state, Governor Gavin Newsom today delivered a letter to lawmakers outlining his vision for the year ahead while reflecting on his recent Tour of the State of California. The Governor's letter highlights key legislative victories over the past four years and the major policy announcements he made on his tour to improve the lives of all Californians, lower costs for families, and create safer and healthier communities.

WHAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAID: "As we rededicate ourselves to the work we started together four years ago, I offer you a renewed commitment of partnership and cooperation – as we strive to make the California Dream achievable for everyone who calls our great state home."

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On his four-day tour, the Governor announced $1 billion in homelessness funding and the state's largest mobilization of small homes, a historic transformation of San Quentin State Prison, $30 insulin through CalRX, and a transformative proposal to modernize California's behavioral health system and more mental health housing:

Tour of the State of California – Day 1

Governor Newsom Announces $1 Billion in Homelessness Funding, Launches State's Largest Mobilization of Small Homes

The Governor's Tour of the State of California started in Sacramento with state and local leaders, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and advocates to announce the release of $1 billion in funding to support communities across the state stepping up their work to reduce homelessness. The Governor also announced California's largest mobilization of small homes to serve people experiencing homelessness, especially those living in encampments. The California National Guard will assist in the preparation and delivery of 1,200 small homes to Los Angeles, San Diego County, San Jose, and Sacramento — free of charge and ready for occupancy.

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WHAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAID: "In California, we are using every tool in our toolbox – including the largest-ever deployment of small homes in the state – to move people off the streets and into housing. The crisis of homelessness will never be solved without first solving the crisis of housing – the two issues are inextricably linked. We are tackling this issue at the root of the problem by addressing the need to create more housing, faster in California."

Tour of the State of California – Day 2

Governor Newsom Announces Historic Transformation of San Quentin State Prison

Continuing his tour, the Governor traveled to San Quentin State Prison – soon to be "San Quentin Rehabilitation Center" – to announce that the facility, which is currently a maximum-security prison home to the largest "death row" in the United States, will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind facility focused on rehabilitation and education. The transformation will build on California's existing work and best practices, utilizing evidence-backed research, and will be guided by an advisory group composed of world-renowned rehabilitation and public safety experts, along with survivors of crime and formerly incarcerated individuals. This historic effort will serve as a nationwide model to advance a more effective justice system that builds safer communities.

WHAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAID: "California is transforming San Quentin – the state's most notorious prison with a dark past – into the nation's most innovative rehabilitation facility focused on building a brighter and safer future. Today, we take the next step in our pursuit of true rehabilitation, justice, and safer communities through this evidenced-backed investment, creating a new model for safety and justice — the California Model — that will lead the nation."

Tour of the State of California – Day 3

Governor Newsom Announces $30 Insulin Through CalRx

In Downey, Governor Newsom, alongside California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, health care advocates, and members of the legislature, announced California will be manufacturing and distributing its own insulin for $30 per vial. The announcement made good on the Governor's promise on his first day in office to bring down the price of prescription drugs for Californians and increase accountability and transparency in health care. The state will pursue other prescription drugs through the CalRx program – next up: Naloxone, as part of Governor Newsom's Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis.

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WHAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAID: "People should not be forced to go into debt to get life-saving prescriptions. Through CalRx, Californians will have access to some of the most inexpensive insulin available, helping them save thousands each year. But we're not stopping there – California will seek to make our own Naloxone as part of our plan to fight the fentanyl crisis."

Tour of the State of California – Day 4

Governor Newsom Proposes Modernization of California's Behavioral Health System and More Mental Health Housing

The Governor concluded his tour at a hospital in San Diego, where he proposed a 2024 ballot initiative to improve how California treats mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness: A bond to build state-of-the-art mental health treatment residential settings in the community to house Californians with mental illness and substance use disorders and to create housing for homeless veterans, and modernize the Mental Health Services Act to require at least $1 billion every year for behavioral health housing and care.

WHAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAID: "This is the next step in our transformation of how California addresses mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness – creating thousands of new beds, building more housing, expanding services, and more. People who are struggling with these issues, especially those who are on the streets or in other vulnerable conditions, will have more resources to get the help they need."

While traveling across the state for these transformative policy announcements, the Governor and First Partner spoke directly with residents and diverse community groups representing a broad range of constituencies. The Governor met with small business owners, nonprofit leaders, civil rights activists, artists, innovators, researchers, healthcare advocates, public safety experts, and community leaders.

Watch a video recap of the Tour of the State of California here.

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