Walters: How Gavin Newsom channeled Jerry Brown 1.0 with flip-flop on oil and gasoline

During the last half-century, California has had seven governors — counting Jerry Brown twice — who different broadly in temperament, ideology and efficacy.

One variable trait has been consistency, whether or not their positions on points have modified and, in that case, whether or not they personal up or duck accountability.

Brown, who held the place from 1975 to 1983, was notably liable to coverage pirouettes, most spectacularly concerning Proposition 13, California’s iconic taxation restrict.

Previous to its overwhelming approval in 1978, Brown repeatedly labeled the measure a “rip-off.” After its passage, nonetheless, Brown instantly declared himself a “born-again tax cutter” as he ran for reelection that yr. He additionally sponsored a state revenue tax minimize and a subsequent spending restrict poll measure. He even ran for president in 1980 (unsuccessfully) as an advocate of diminished spending and a balanced federal finances.

There have been different notable flip-flops throughout Gov. Brown 1.0, together with one on taxation of worldwide companies that he blamed on receiving “flaky data” from the state’s prime tax official.

When requested about his frequent modifications of place, Brown would cite Ralph Waldo Emerson’s aphorism that “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines,” implying that these with excessive intellects needs to be exempt from accountability.

Brown’s two Republican successors, George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson, made few guarantees aside from managerial competency and largely delivered. They have been adopted by risk-averse Democrat Grey Davis, who however was recalled in 2003, and changed by Republican motion film star Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Schwarzenegger promised to shake up state authorities with tight limits on spending however rapidly realized that he couldn’t outmaneuver a Legislature dominated by skilled Democratic politicians — nor persuade voters to cross his poll measures. Nonetheless he didn’t attempt to evade accountability for his failures.

When Brown returned to the governorship in 2011 practically three many years later, he was a a lot completely different individual. Not solely was he older however he was much less liable to flights of political fancy. He promised merely to handle bread and butter points such because the state’s finances deficit and its deteriorating highways.

Positive it’s.

Dan Walters is a CalMatters columnist.