California’s newly redrawn 32nd District represented by Assemblymember Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) spans the mountain communities of Tulare County into Visalia and hooking down toward Kern County. 

A lot of space to cover between Sacramento and the South Valley.

With a forecast last week of a $68 billion budget deficit for the Golden State, Fong — like most fiscally responsible Californians — is hearing something scary out there.

He should know, as the vice chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.

“The alarm bells continue to ring. After ignoring my warnings of overspending at a time of economic uncertainty, the state is glaring at a $68 billion budget deficit that will not go away on its own. In fact, it continues to get worse over time, burdening every Californian,” Fong stated last week. 

Fong — who announced a run for Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s seat on Monday, and the former House Speaker’s own endorsement Tuesday — understands the gravy train doesn’t last forever, especially in California’s regulatory landscape. At a time when foresight could have lessened the blow, Gov. Newsom and the Democratic supermajority in the Legislature forced big-dollar minimum wage hikes and other inflation bombs down California’s throat. 

Now he’s reportedly trying to walk back parts of the new $25 an hour minimum wage law, all the while not accepting any responsibility for his folly, in typical Newsom style. 

Conservative voices in Sacramento are like whispers in the wind. But one thing they don’t enable is a $68 billion budget deficit. 

“I have said for year, a slowing California economy coupled with unsustainable spending is a recipe for fiscal disaster,” Fong said. “No more gimmicks; we must take action now to get our fiscal house in order.”