Xavier Becerra Crumbling Under Pressure: Policy Edition

Becerra trying to get away with offering the bare minimum and “very questionable” promises to voters 

SAN FRANCISCO — As Xavier Becerra’s bad day continues – with the spotlight on an interview where he asked a reporter for “not only tough questions,” and fumbled his answer about the 85,000 migrant children lost under his watch – Becerra’s policy positions are also under scrutiny. 

The more “plans” Xavier Becerra unveils, the more California voters are noticing that there isn’t all that much to them. A recent POLITICO report this week found that his plan to declare a state of emergency and freeze property insurance is very likely illegal — according to experts. 

From the moment Becerra announced this plan, it drew serious constitutional concerns and was broadly scrutinized, with former Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones calling the proposal “very questionable”.  

“Name an issue, and Xavier Becerra will tell you the bare minimum he’ll do for you,” said Steyer for Governor spokesperson Ariana Andrade. “Californians can’t afford a governor with legally questionable proposals and positions that change with a drop of a hat. Tom is the candidate with the most robust plans to challenge special interests and lower costs for working Californians beginning on day one of his administration.”

This isn’t the only plan Becerra has faltered on:

Single-Payer Healthcare: Becerra’s stance on single-payer healthcare shifts depending on who’s in the room – having most recently backpedaled to court the influential California Medical Association, a medical lobby notoriously against single payer. After hearing Becerra say he “very clearly” did not support single-payer, CMA endorsed him and gave a maximum contribution to his campaign. Meanwhile, Tom is fiercely committed to passing single payer, which is why he’s earned the endorsement of the California Nurses Association and the author of Cal-Care, Rep. Ash. Kalra.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Becerra’s AI plan is sparse and offers weak protections for those most at risk – workers and kids. Tom’s plan is robust: he’ll ban social media for kids under 16, partner with labor to establish stringent guardrails around workplace AI use, require safety testing before models go to market, and create the Golden State Sovereign Wealth Fund, funded by a token tax on corporate AI use. That way, everyday Californians will share in the AI boom instead of watching tech billionaires become trillionaires.

Housing: Becerra dropped a shell of a plan the night before the California Gubernatorial Candidates Housing Forum – and experts noticed. To contrast, Tom has built out a detailed roadmap to deliver 1 million homes over four years: closing the Trump Tax Loophole to unlock $20 billion annually for communities, streamlining permitting and enforcing existing housing laws, investing in industrialized construction with union labor, and expanding renter protections for Californians. 

Climate & Clean Energy: Becerra, who has received a max contribution from Chevron, offers virtually no specifics on how he will fight climate change. His website includes a few vague sentences, but lacks any semblance of a concrete plan. By contrast, Steyer has a comprehensive plan to modernize the electric grid, encourage clean energy, and meet California’s greenhouse gas emissions targets. 

Californians have heard enough empty promises. It’s time to bring real results to Sacramento. Tom Steyer is the only candidate in this race who has built comprehensive plans to combat California’s toughest issues. And he won’t succumb to powerful special interests when they come calling.

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