Is Traffic About to Get Worse? State Workers Blame Newsom for Gridlock
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As state workers prepare to return to the office four days a week this summer, concerns about escalating traffic congestion in the Sacramento area are rising. Public employees are sending a clear message to their peers stuck in traffic: it’s time to lay the blame squarely on Governor Gavin Newsom.
In a bold grassroots initiative, state workers have launched a crowdfunding campaign to erect a billboard that reads, "Think traffic is bad now? Wait until July 1st." This billboard, featuring a smiling Newsom alongside a group of supporters, aims to protest against the governor’s unpopular return-to-office order expected to take effect soon. Within just one week, over $15,000 was raised, illustrating the urgent sentiment among workers regarding telework policies.
Emily, a state worker and the organizer behind the fundraising effort, expressed her surprise at the overwhelming support. "Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I would be able to raise this much money in such a short time," she remarked, emphasizing the importance of the issue for state employees. Contributions varied from $5 to $500, underlining a collective frustration with the enforced in-person work policy.
The success of this campaign reflects a larger discontent among state workers regarding telework. Many feel that returning to an office environment, while beneficial for collaboration and creativity, disregards their preferences and the practicality of the current working landscape. Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for Newsom’s office, defended the return-to-office directive, asserting that it enhances the overall efficiency of state services.
Despite the official stance, many state employees are not convinced. The billboard campaign serves as a platform for employees to express their dissatisfaction, and discussions about its design reveal the deep-seated frustrations that include humorous yet cynical critiques of the governor’s policies. One suggestion depicted Newsom cartoonishly pocketing cash alongside "For Sale" signs, highlighting a perception of him prioritizing relationships with real estate owners over state employees’ needs.
As the billboard prepares to go live near a major Sacramento intersection, where it could potentially attract over 432,000 impressions weekly, Emily and her supporters hope it will influence public opinion against Newsom—especially ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. While she doesn’t foresee a reversal of the return-to-office order, Emily hopes to keep the conversation alive and remind drivers of the traffic situation exacerbated by these policies.
With escalating costs of living and growing worries over traffic congestion, the upcoming adjustments at state offices could become a flashpoint in California’s workforce debates. Will this billboard campaign succeed in changing perceptions or policy? Only time will tell as state workers prepare for what many anticipate to be a turbulent summer on the roads.
What are your thoughts on the return-to-office order? Do you think it will worsen traffic conditions? Let us know in the comments below.
Can you Like
