Sacramento Bee Editorial Board Blasts Rep. Doris Matsui Over Downtown Sacramento Project Announcement
The Bee does not support another term for Rep. Matsui
After 21 years representing Sacramento in Congress, Rep. Doris Matsui is facing unusually sharp criticism from the editorial board of The Sacramento Bee over what the newspaper described as a largely symbolic announcement regarding a proposed downtown Sacramento redevelopment project.
In an opinion piece titled “Rep. Doris Matsui’s claim of securing $3 million for Sacramento was pure theater,” the Bee editorial board criticized Matsui’s recent press conference touting federal funding tied to a proposal to cap a section of Interstate 5 near downtown Sacramento.
The editorial argued the announcement overstated the significance of the federal funding relative to the total anticipated cost of the project.
“Based on the most preliminary of cost estimates, Matsui’s big announcement adds up to less than 1% of the money to build the project,” the editorial board wrote.
The Bee compared Matsui’s announcement to other recent high-profile civic announcements in Sacramento that editors said lacked firm financing or concrete implementation plans. The editorial board wrote that “theater belongs on the stages of the Safe Credit Union Performing Arts Center. But it has been creeping into our local politics with these podium moments of grand announcements with little behind them.”
The editorial also revisited an earlier version of the same downtown freeway cap proposal advanced more than two decades ago by Matsui’s late husband, former Congressman Robert Matsui. According to the Bee, $3.5 million was secured in 2001 for planning related to a similar concept, but the project never advanced beyond studies.
“Doris Matsui’s recent press conference was simply a reminder that little has been done to further this idea during her 20 years in Congress,” the editorial stated, later describing the event as “a curious downtown stunt.”
The Bee also highlighted broader concerns about downtown Sacramento redevelopment efforts, pointing to cost overruns associated with the I Street Bridge replacement project and what it characterized as a pattern of celebratory public events attached to projects still lacking full financing.
“The only time to roll out the podium is when there is real money and a ready project to break some ground,” the editorial concluded. “Otherwise, these announcements mostly serve to elevate the people making the announcements, something the public should always question.”
The criticism comes as Matsui seeks reelection in California’s 7th Congressional District and faces a growing challenge from fellow Democrat Mai Vang. Earlier this election cycle, the Sacramento Bee editorial board declined to endorse Matsui and instead backed Vang in the race, signaling dissatisfaction with the longtime incumbent’s leadership and direction.
Matsui, first elected to Congress in 2005 following the death of her husband, has long been considered an influential federal representatives and has frequently highlighted her role in securing federal funding for regional infrastructure and transportation projects.
The Bee editorial was published yesterday morning and can be viewed below.
