Calif.: Newsom faces backlash over $33K taxpayer-funded portrait amid state financial strain
OAN Staff Lillian Mann
3:18 PM – Wednesday, May 27, 2026
California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing significant criticism after including $33,000 for a formal portrait of himself in the state’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, amid increasing concerns over budget deficits and rising costs of living in the Golden State.
The budget proposal prompted backlash from both Republicans and Democrats, with opponents arguing that Newsom (D-Calif.) is neglecting pressing issues such as soaring housing costs, high gas prices and expensive health care services.
The timing of the governor’s request adds fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding his final, record-setting $349.9 billion budget proposal. The $33,000 would allegedly be pulled from California’s General Fund.
While the administration maintained that the massive spending plan was designed to protect core state services and invest in California’s long-term infrastructure, fiscal critics argued that even small, symbolic line items like the portrait allocation represents an out-of-touch approach to government spending while ordinary residents face severe financial hardships.
The money is reportedly set aside for the “traditional painting of the Governor’s portrait” which would eventually hang inside the California State Capitol alongside portraits of previous governors. However, the proposal comes during a time when lawmakers remain extremely cautious about new discretionary spending due to the state’s long-term financial challenges.
State Senator Suzette Valladares (R-Calif.) sharply criticized Newsom’s budget and emphasized the poor timing of the proposal.
“Only in Sacramento would a governor look at struggling families and think, ‘You know what this moment needs? A painting of me,’” Valladares said.
Assembly member Alexandra M. Macedo (R-Calif,) also mocked the proposal while rebuking Newsom’s controversial high-speed rail project.
“At least future generations will have a painting to remember who kept spending billions carving a permanent scar through prime Central Valley farmland for a train that will never connect Northern and Southern California,” Macedo said.
The budget proposal would reportedly allow the administration to allocate funds for projects honoring California’s living former governors—a group Newsom himself is expected to join in the future.
Critics from both parties, however, have questioned the timing and priorities of the plan, arguing that the state should not be focusing on legacy projects while many residents continue to face financial hardship.
The backlash has also renewed scrutiny of Newsom’s past public tributes, as in 2018, a bronze bust honoring his tenure as San Francisco mayor was installed at City Hall before he became governor.
The sculpture reportedly cost about $100,000 and was funded through private donations linked to businesses associated with Newsom.
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