Politics

Davis Takes The Helm in Calif.

January 4, 1999 / 3:03 PM EST / AP

Gray Davis promised to lead California into a new era of racial harmony and educational excellence as he was sworn in Monday as the state's 37th governor, the first Democrat since his old boss, Gov. Jerry Brown, left office in 1983.

"We will revive the sense of unlimited possibility and common purpose that once made California the envy of the world," he said after Chief Justice Ronald George administered the oath this morning.

His inaugural address was repeatedly interrupted by applause as he thanked Vice President Al Gore, outgoing Gov. Pete Wilson and other dignitaries as well friends and family members gathered on the stage behind him.

Davis' first speech as governor was laced with references to California's history, and he pledged to build on the legacy of earlier generations, from Gold Rush pioneers to Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.

"Today we begin a new chapter in the state's history: The Era of Higher Expectations," he said.

The line borrowed from Davis' call on the campaign trail for a "high-expectation approach" to education, and was an optimistic twist on Brown's warning in the mid-1970s that Californians were entering the "Era of Limits."

"Lower your expectations," Brown said again and again at the time.

As Brown was being sworn in Monday as mayor of Oakland, Davis was making it clear that he would not be beholden to Brown's quirky brand of liberalism.

"I will govern neither from the right nor the left, but from the center, propelled not by ideology, but by common sense that seeks better results for all of us," Davis said. "It matters not to me whether the idea comes from a Republican or a Democrat. What matters is whether that idea is right or wrong and whether it works!"

Davis mentioned just a handful of specific issues. Instead, in keeping with California tradition, the inaugural address offered overarching themes to define his tenure: a "tough-minded and big-hearted" state government; racial tolerance; better schools.

An aide to Davis said the new governor's plans would be spelled out in greater detail in his State of the State address and in his first budget, both expected in the coming days.

In the speech Monday he offered a preview of his other priorities.

"We will not long hold onto our claim as the Golden State unless we forge new ways to grow our economy, ensure public safety, maintain a clean environment, improve health care for all Californians, contain urban sprawl and repair our aging infrastructure," he said.

Davis devoted most of his speech to education, and on that he did make a promise, which garnered big applause: Any high school student who graduates in the top 4 percent of the class will automatically be admitted to the University of California.

Outsiders have questioned whether Davis will be beholden to teachers unions, which donated millions of dollars t his campaign.

Davis seemed to respond to the critics when he said he would insist on accountability and that underperforming teachers and principals should "find another line of work."

Teachers' unions dislike merit pay and have chafed against "school accountability" as envisioned by some Republicans. But he also warned against school vouchers and said public schools need more money.

He also had a warning for anti-abortion activists, now that Democrats are firmly in control in Sacramento: "Don't waste the Legislature's time trying to pass bills restricting women's constitutional rights. It simply will not happen on my watch."

Stressing a major issue in his campaign against Republican nominee Dan Lungren, whom he beat by 20 percentage points, Davis declared that his administration "will not flinch in the face of the gun lobby" and that he would `d lead a trade mission to Mexico and give California's southern neighbor "the respect it deserves."

California can teach a lesson in ethnic harmony to the rest of the planet, he said. "We can either allow society to be torn by factions and disunity, or we can demonstrate to the world how a heterogeneous people can live and prosper together," he said. "Let it be said of us that in a shrinking world, men and women of different races and ethnicities were brought together as never before."