Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) offered a critical response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2025 State of the State address, delivered today before the California state legislature in Sacramento.
Dixon characterized the nearly hour-and-a-half speech as lacking substance and failing to address key issues facing Californians. “During the nearly 1.5 hour-long speech, Governor Newsom discussed a number of topics, and issues facing both California and America as a nation. However, rather than to take this opportunity to actually address the challenges and issues facing everyday Californians, the speech amounted to nothing more than a compilation of hollow promises, cherry-picked successes, barbed jabs at the federal administration and a doubling down of misguided policies,” said Assemblymember Dixon.
She argued that Newsom did not adequately address affordability concerns or rising living costs in California. Dixon noted that high gas prices, regulatory burdens on small businesses, public safety policy failures, and underfunded wildfire prevention were omitted from the governor’s remarks. “The speech largely omitted the challenges facing everyday Californians. That of affordability and the increased cost of living, that California gas prices are the highest in the nation, the crippling effect that overly burdensome regulations have on small businesses and the economy, the failure of meaningful public safety policies, or the chronic underfunding of wildfire prevention – to name but a few.”
Housing affordability was highlighted as a particular concern. While Newsom cited signing 61 housing reform bills and described recent changes as “the most consequential housing reforms in our state’s history,” Dixon disputed these claims: “However, once again, this simply does not reflect the reality of the housing market and housing shortage in California. Housing is less affordable than ever.” She referenced findings from California’s Legislative Analyst Office showing that in 2025 house prices remained much higher than elsewhere in the United States. The LAO found mid-tier homes were more than twice as expensive as comparable homes nationally; for first-time buyers seeking bottom-tier homes in California, prices were about 30 percent higher than mid-tier homes elsewhere.
Dixon also criticized Newsom for not addressing High-Speed Rail (HSR) during his speech. The project’s cost has reportedly risen from $33 billion to $100 billion since voters approved it in 2008 with expectations it would connect Los Angeles and San Francisco by 2020. Dixon said: “The failure of High-Speed Rail isn’t just about delays and cost overruns—it’s a glaring example of government mismanagement and misplaced priorities. While we funnel billions into this project, Californians are facing pressing challenges in their daily lives that demand immediate attention.”
Concluding her remarks on Newsom’s address, Dixon stated: “Ultimately, the Governor’s State of the State address this morning was nothing more than a polished presidential campaign speech in order to sell the future presidential candidate to middle America. He should talk to the fire-victim residents of Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon waiting for permits to rebuild their homes one year later and see how life in California is working for them.”
Diane Dixon represents California’s 72nd Assembly District which includes Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods and Lake Forest.
