California Keeps Declining, and Newsom Tries to Blame Trump

Tariffs don’t help, but the state’s problems aren’t new, and Democrats have governed for years

By Allysia Finley. Excerpts:

"California is losing jobs—54,800 during the first three months of this year. Valero this month announced plans to close a major refinery"

"Insurance and electricity rates are soaring."

"Mr. Newsom boasted that California in 2024 overtook Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy."

"Japan’s sluggish growth, weakened currency and relatively low inflation over the past several years allowed California to surpass it in nominal gross domestic product."

"Its economy grew at half the pace of Florida’s over the last five years."

"The Golden State’s GDP would rank 11th in the world when adjusted for purchasing power"

"Filling up a Jeep will cost you $100. Charging a Tesla isn’t much cheaper since California’s electricity rates are double the rest of the country’s"

"To afford a typical home in the state (median sale price $884,350), Californians need to earn nearly $200,000."

"Since January 2020, California has lost jobs in information (54,100), finance (62,200), professional and business services (49,100), leisure and hospitality (59,200) and manufacturing (70,200)."

"California has lost 33,400 jobs in “limited service” restaurants since Mr. Newsom signed a law in September 2023 establishing a $20-an-hour minimum wage for fast-food employees."

"California’s oil production has fallen by a third under Mr. Newsom."