Published October 27, 2026
NEWPORT BEACH | CITY HALL WATCH | OCTOBER 27, 2026
Gov. Gavin Newsom visited Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 27, signing an executive order aimed at protecting Pacific Coast Highway and coastal communities from erosion and potential El Niño storm damage. It’s a welcome step—and one worth acknowledging, even for those critical of his leadership.
Protecting our coastline should be a basic responsibility of state government. Roads, beach access and local businesses depend on it. But a welcome announcement at Crystal Cove doesn’t erase California’s affordability problems.
According to AAA, California’s average price for regular gasoline was approximately $6 a gallon on Oct. 27, compared with $4.27 nationally. That difference adds roughly $26 to a 15-gallon fill-up. Prices remain below California’s June 2022 record, but that offers little comfort at the pump.
California’s gasoline excise tax alone is 63.4 cents per gallon. To be accurate, the major 2017 gas-tax increase was signed by Jerry Brown, not Newsom. Still, Newsom’s administration should answer for the affordability consequences of the policies it maintains.
The state’s own Energy Commission identifies taxes, environmental-program costs and California’s special fuel blend among the reasons drivers here pay more. Global oil prices and refinery disruptions also matter. Blaming everything on Washington overlooks decisions made in Sacramento.
The pressure extends beyond gasoline. Federal data for 2024 placed California’s overall price level highest among the states, at 10.7 percent above the national level. Housing rents were 54.3 percent above the national level. These figures don’t make Newsom responsible for every expense, but affordability remains a central test of his leadership.
His Highway 1 order creates a task force to identify vulnerable stretches, recommend priorities and funding needs, and accelerate preventive work. Those are useful steps. They are also commitments that need to produce results.
Newport Beach residents should judge this effort by the protection it delivers for our coastline and roads.
Credit Newsom for taking action at Crystal Cove. Keep holding him accountable for California’s costs. Both positions can stand together.
Sources for editorial review:
– Governor’s announcement, October 27, 2026: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/10/27/governor-newsom-orders-action-to-protect-highway-1-and-coastal-communities-ahead-of-el-nino-storms/
– AAA California prices, accessed October 27, 2026: https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=CA
– California fuel tax rates: https://cdtfa.ca.gov/taxes-and-fees/special-taxes-and-fees-tax-rates/fuel-taxes.htm
– Caltrans SB 1 history: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/civil-rights/ocr-reports
– California Energy Commission price factors: https://www.energy.ca.gov/what-drives-californias-gasoline-prices
– BEA regional price parities (2024 data): https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area
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