Why did Gavin Newsom delay State of the State address?

Late on Friday, news broke that California Governor Gavin Newsom had postponed his State of the State address which was due to be delivered on Monday 18 March. Immediately questions were being asked as to why.

When will Newsom give State of the State address?

According to The Hill, who received confirmation from the governor’s office, the postponement of Newsom’s anticipated address was not accompanied with a new date, which we await to be announced. So what could be behind the decision?

Well one key aspect potentially aligned to the delay is the governor’s fervent campaign to revolutionise California’s approach to mental health disorders, a cause that remains active despite the slender lead of Proposition 1. Politico reports that Newsom is intensifying efforts to rectify rejected ballots in a last-minute bid to sway the outcome. Giving the address at this point was seen as a risk politically.

With the stakes high, a recent email from Campaign for Democracy, Newsom’s federal PAC, highlights the critical juncture of the ballot initiative.

“This ballot initiative is SO CLOSE that your commitment to volunteer could mean the difference between people getting off the streets and into the treatment they need… or not,” read the message, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Governor Newsom, embarking on his second consecutive term, faces mounting challenges including a looming recall, following his triumph over a similar attempt in 2021. Compounding these issues is a staggering $68 billion budget deficit, which has exacerbated difficulties for businesses in procuring goods and hiring workers within the state.