California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday asked for the public’s help in designing a new $1 coin that pays tribute to the innovation that emerged from the state, although many of the responses pointed to anything but positive achievements for which the state was once known with pride.
When people think of innovation coming out of California, they think of things like Silicon Valley and the tech boom, as well as leading the way for wildlife conservation.
But lately, businesses have been fleeing the blue state due to its inability to address crime, homelessness and the rising cost of living.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., recently signed a law regulating additives used in popular foods in California. (MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
Newsom and the state legislature have been heavily criticized for their failure to address the state’s $73 billion budget deficit, with some pointing to overspending as the problem.
Others are increasingly frustrated with the governor for things like directing his attention toward a national pro-abortion campaign instead of issues that directly affect their own state: things like an insurance crisis, an affordability crisis, a rise in crime, wildfire risks and skyrocketing electricity costs.
Continuing his inability to focus on issues affecting his own state, Newsom took time Thursday to get feedback from his constituents on a state currency.
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“Calling all members of the Department of Tortured Coin Designers,” Newsom wrote on social media. “CA is getting its own $1 coin to honor innovation, scheduled to be issued in 2026, and we need your help! What’s one CA innovation you’d like to see featured on the coin? Send ideas to: coinsubmissions@gov .ca .gov.”
Voters did not hesitate to provide the governor with ideas they thought were appropriate for the state’s new $1 coin.
Jim Stanley, press secretary for State Assembly Republicans, sent his thoughts to Newsom with a letter shared by the California globehighlighting the governor’s accomplishments while in office.
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“Under your bold leadership, California has developed a truly unparalleled method of incinerating money,” Stanley wrote in the letter. “While most people would think it is impossible to spend $24 billion on homelessness only to watch the problem grow rapidly, you have proven the naysayers wrong.”
Stanley then provided his suggestions, which depicted homeless encampments and fires.
“I think they capture things very well,” Stanley wrote in X.
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Homeless encampments line the streets of Oakland, California, on Friday, March 15, 2024. The city remains plagued by homeless people as nearby businesses close their doors for safety reasons. (DWS for Fox News Digital)
One user superimposed Harvey Weinstein’s image onto the currency template provided by Newsom and said, “When people think of California, they think of Hollywood. This would be cool. (I hope it doesn’t leave a bad taste in your mouth.)”
Another user pointed out many of the problems facing California, telling the governor, “A coin contest seems totally out of place and ridiculous.” The same user suggested Newsom contact Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to learn how to run a successful state.
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More suggestions for putting a homeless encampment on the coin were suggested on the of the governor. The bottom of the coin reads: “In Newsom we trust.”
Other users suggested putting illegal immigrants, high gas prices or someone who uses drugs on the currency.
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Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on its request for coin ideas.
Fox News Digital’s Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.
