In a stunning revelation reminiscent of a plot twist in a bad movie, it appears several state agencies in California have been playing fast and loose with tax dollars. Eight state agencies earned the dubious distinction of being labeled “high-risk” due to their handling of funds, specifically related to COVID-19 relief and unemployment insurance. The details are enough to make taxpayers’ heads spin—mismanaged funds, incorrect wage reports threatening to cost the state billions, and hefty fees on unused government-purchased cell phones. It’s a chaotic mish-mash of errors that could only be described as tragically comedic.

And who should we thank for this spectacular oversight? None other than California’s own Governor, Gavin Newsom. Apparently, he believes the Golden State is a shining example for the nation. Now that’s rich! Newsom seemingly dreams of taking California’s bureaucratic bungling and applying it to the whole country, perhaps as part of his unannounced presidential ambitions. Who wouldn’t want to export such inefficiency to the national stage? One can only imagine the pitch: “Experience the chaos of California, now nationwide!”

Of course, the governor’s office didn’t sit silently. They quickly issued a statement that, predictably, attempted to divert the blame. According to them, any identified issues are part of a grand scheme to drive corrective action. They were adamant that billions supposedly lost are, in fact, accounted for. And as for the $18 million vanishing into thin air over some pipe dream of a high-speed rail system that’s still lacking, well, let’s just say the tracks on that story are missing too. The rebuttals would be more convincing if they weren’t so predictable.

There’s a silver lining, though. The monumental mess seems to have crossed party lines in its absurdity, prompting calls for reform in Sacramento. Even Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna from the Bay Area is hopping on the accountability bandwagon. He’s proposing legislation for a full, independent audit of California’s budget. Such rare bipartisan unity in California could either be a sign of the apocalypse or perhaps, just maybe, a step toward sanity in the state’s finances.

All in all, as the saga unfolds, taxpayers are left shaking their heads, wondering if their hard-earned dollars are destined for anything other than bureaucratic limbo. The report is a wake-up call—not just for Californians but for the nation—about the importance of fiscal responsibility and government accountability. As California endeavors to clean up its act, the rest of the country watches, less inspired and more curious about just how exactly we got here.