California Gov. Gavin Newsom appears to be trying to strike a delicate balance between the political brawler that his Democratic base admires and a more measured national leader capable of winning back disenfranchised voters across the country.

"There’s really no capacity for new commitments because we do estimate there to be these pretty significant operating deficits," a state budget expert said.

A special session​ called by California Gov. Gavin Newsom will begin Monday. Lawmakers have been tasked with weighing how to defend the state's progressive policies during President-elect Donald Trump's second term.