“During my first week in office, I proposed making crucial updates to modernize our antiquated 911 system. The idea that it’s 2019, and we are using analog systems designed decades ago is astounding, and we need to make investments to make sure the technology aligns with the devices people are using in their daily lives. California’s antiquated, analog microwave network must be upgraded to a digital network to maintain safety operations that can integrate into the 21st century technology everyone is using.”
The problem is that “when the time came to turn that system on, it didn’t work.” Of course, as with his high-speed rail, many became fantastically wealthy off the project while the public got stiffed. California citizens “still are depending on an emergency communication system that Newsom denounced as antiquated.”
Just the high-speed rail and emergency call systems are hundreds of times overbudget. Yet, it does not seem to matter to California voters, who seem to have no expectations that their government officials will be either competent or accountable.
NB: The original column was edited due to typos. One more reminder for me not to post and edit on my cellphone on the way to the airport.