SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA -- Jerry Brown on Monday was sworn in as the 39th Governor of the State of California, 36 years after being sworn in to become the 34th in 1975.Brown, 72, whose father, Pat Brown, also served as California governor, recalled his "footsteps," although he will follow "his own" as he had previously been elected as California governor following the Vietnam War from 1975 to 1983.
During his 17-minute speech at Sacramento's Memorial Auditorium, Brown, who is now the U.S.' oldest serving governor, noted voters' worries regarding nationwide financial crisis, including unemployment.
However, the new governor's spending plan is scheduled to be announced next week, which he described has having "painful" cuts.
"The budget I present next week will be painful, but it will be an honest budget," he said in anticipation. "The plan represents my best understanding of our real dilemmas and possibilities. It is a tough budget for tough times."
"Choices have to be made and difficult decisions taken," he later added. "At this stage of my life, I have not come here to embrace delay or denial."
Brown, however, vowed as he did before being elected, to be guided by three principles throughout his term.
"First, speak the truth. No more smoke and mirrors on the budget. No empty promises. Second, no new taxes unless the people vote for them. Third, return—as much as possible—decisions and authority to cities, counties and schools, closer to the people."
Brown is succeeding Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
