I read some news reports of a Democratic gubernatorial candidates' forum on Monday that featured California's powerful unions, and my take was mixed with observations from journalists in attendance.
At Sacramento's Sheraton Grand Hotel, seven Democrats—former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, former Senate President Toni Atkins, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former State Controller Betty Yee, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond—courted the California Federation of Labor Unions and State Building and Construction Trades Council. This was an exercise in fidelity to unions, whose $40 million of expected election spending buys policy loyalty. Democrats' eagerness to trade principle for union cash, prioritizing special interests over taxpayers, was on full display. It was an impressive genuflecting to the real masters of Sacramento.
Moderators and Union Presidents Chris Hannan and Lorena Gonzalez prodded candidates to wave green flags in support of union demands, including striker benefits, union labor requirements, and project funding, such as the bullet train. Villaraigosa was the lone deviation from providing unemployment benefits for those on strike, citing budget deficits, although he sided on other issues to appease the room. None of the accounts of this event mentioned any other deviation from the norm, with all remaining within labor orthodoxy. This was not leadership—it was groveling for union support.
These unions not only bankroll campaigns but also participate in policy-making. The Labor Federation's championing of pro-labor housing and infrastructure packages forces candidates into costly commitments. Fidelity to the demands of these unions has and will continue to impose higher taxes and bloated budgets on Californians, especially in the state's high-cost-of-living environment.
Candidates promised to keep union jobs alive by reining in AI; however, their support for oil caps was toned down to satisfy refinery workers, and promises to increase gas prices were noted by CalMatters' Dan Walters. As voters express concerns about inflation and taxes in surveys, will Californians support future leaders who prioritize union interests over affordability?
Kamala Harris' shadow loomed large though she was absent, setting her timeline for this summer to decide whether she would jump into the race. That said, Harris has a long record of pandering to unions, so her entry would not bring a different perspective than what was on display on Monday.
This unionized labor pageant, bankrolled by millions of campaign dollars, portends a governorship held hostage to labor's special interests. A true leader would address California's crises—housing, crime, deficits—without caving to union demands. Citizens are owed a governor who serves all, not just those carrying green flags for dollars.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton felt this way on X: "Monday: ALL the Democrat candidates for California governor at the backroom meeting to 'kiss labor's ring' -@politico What a pathetic spectacle. The Democrats running for governor are not leaders. They are puppets on a string." He’s not kidding.
The “Afternoon Hot Take” is where I provide a write-up about something current in the news. I don’t know that I will do these every day, but that is an aspirational goal!
