The ‘Becerra Era’: A New Governor, and the California That Could Have Been

“You have now entered the Becerra Era,” declared California Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra in his victory speech Tuesday night.

But for the nearly 3 million Californians who cast their ballots for Republican Steve Hilton, hopes for a different direction for the Golden State have faded as another Democrat administration prepares to take office.

So, what will the “Becerra Era” look like, and how will his policies differ from the changes Hilton promised?

Immigration and Health Care for Illegal Immigrants

Steve Hilton campaigned on stricter immigration enforcement, opposing the state’s sanctuary law, SB 54, and promising to deport the “worst of the worst.”

In stark contrast, Becerra, in his victory speech, called the California Dream “universal,” “non-negotiable,” and “undeportable,” echoing his pledge to push back on federal immigration enforcement, saying he would “protect and lead our state against [President Donald] Trump and his attacks.”

In addition, Becerra plans to guarantee access to universal coverage “regardless of income, zip code, or immigration status.”
These plans will cost roughly $10 billion annually, according to estimates from the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Expanded Taxes

Much of Hilton’s campaign focused on making life more affordable for everyday Californians. That included eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 of income, capping vehicle registration at $73, and promising to bring gas prices down to $3 a gallon.

Becerra, on the other hand, has shown interest in creating a mileage tax to compensate for revenue lost as more Californians purchase electric vehicles. He has also discussed imposing taxes on large corporations if their workers qualify for Medi-Cal.

“Whether it’s a fee, whether it’s working the system so that maybe the employers will boost the support, the benefits that they give their workers, one way or the other, people who work full time should not have to ask taxpayers to cover their health care bills,” he said in an interview with KCRA 3.

Energy and Utility Costs

Californians pay some of the highest electricity rates and water bills in the nation.

Hilton has called himself an environmentalist but focused his campaign on addressing water scarcity through infrastructure improvements. He also promised to cut average monthly water bills nearly in half, from $81 to roughly $40, and repeal California’s wind and solar mandates and subsidies.

Becerra, meanwhile, has taken a different approach, calling California’s clean-energy transition “necessary and urgent” and promising to “push for progressive environmental policies.” To help lower electricity costs for low-income households, he has proposed “Power Hour,” a program offering up to two hours of free electricity.

However, the proposed assistance would be limited based on income. Under the plan’s stated eligibility thresholds, a family of four earning more than $82,000 annually would not qualify, with limits adjusted based on household size.

For the nearly three million Californians who voted for Hilton, promises of cheaper gas, lower taxes, and stricter immigration enforcement will remain just that: promises.

Meanwhile, Californians will have to wait and see whether the “Becerra Era” delivers on its own promises of change.

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