Hour 2 - California politics takes a bizarre turn as the race for governor becomes a battle over facial hair.  Gavin Newsom’s controversial final budget moves — including a $33K portrait and a proposed $20 million governors tribute project — while the high-speed rail fight explodes statewide. Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra says he’d overhaul the rail plan to finish it on time and on budget, as California mayors' revolt over proposals that could stick local taxpayers with a staggering $231 billion bill.

<p>Hour 2 - California politics takes a bizarre turn as the race for governor becomes a battle over facial hair.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gavin Newsom&rsquo;s controversial final budget moves &mdash; including a $33K portrait and a proposed $20 million governors tribute project &mdash; while the high-speed rail fight explodes statewide. Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra says he&rsquo;d overhaul the rail plan to finish it on time and on budget, as California mayors' revolt over proposals that could stick local taxpayers with a staggering $231 billion bill.</p>

Monks & Merrill, with Michael Monks and Chris Merrill.

<p>Monks &amp; Merrill, with Michael Monks and Chris Merrill.</p>

Monks & Merrill

Beards, Billions & Bullet Trains

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/98a2599f-cd9b-4f2a-9be4-b22c00e585f2/clips/17f76180-94b0-4b03-9e32-b457015f020e/transcript