Golden State Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking $33,000 in taxpayer funding for an official portrait of himself, even as lawmakers continue to spar over a separate proposal that would set aside $20 million for projects honoring the state’s living former governors.
The funding appears in Newsom’s proposed 2026-27 budget under a line item labeled “Governor’s Portrait,” which would pay for the traditional painting displayed in the State Capitol alongside portraits of California’s past governors.
The request comes at an uncomfortable moment for Sacramento.
State officials continue to warn of long-term budget challenges, while California residents face some of the nation’s highest housing costs, elevated gasoline prices and rising health care expenses. Democratic lawmakers have also urged caution on new discretionary spending as budget pressures mount.
Republicans seized on the portrait proposal as another example of misplaced priorities.
“Only in Sacramento would a governor look at struggling families and think, ‘You know what this moment needs? A painting of me,’” Republican state Sen. Suzette Valladares said.
Republican Assemblymember Alexandra M. Macedo also mocked the proposal, tying it to her longstanding criticism of California’s 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.
Official gubernatorial portraits are a longstanding California tradition — but taxpayers don’t always foot the bill. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took a different route, reportedly paying for his own portrait rather than using taxpayer funds.
The portrait controversy lands just weeks after criticism erupted over Newsom’s proposed “Governors’ Legacies” fund, a $20 million pool of money that could be used for projects honoring California’s living former governors. The proposal drew bipartisan scrutiny because Newsom himself will soon join that small group when his term ends.
Critics have argued that the combination of a taxpayer-funded portrait, a proposed legacy fund, and the governor’s taxpayer-funded photography operation creates an appearance problem at a time when Californians remain focused on affordability concerns.
“This governor’s vanity knows no bounds,” Republican state Sen. Brian Jones said.
More over at The New York Post:
Gavin Newsom's last state budget includes $33K portrait of himself https://t.co/giayxwu7gz pic.twitter.com/xUjbbUOQ0P
— New York Post (@nypost) May 26, 2026
