California’s New Senate Leader Gets Pressed On Oversight As Fraud Scrutiny Intensifies
New Democratic California Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón said she hopes to bring another shakeup to state oversight amid growing calls for investigations into wasteful and fraudulent spending of taxpayer dollars.
Pressure to examine potential fraud and government waste in California has intensified after independent journalist Nick Shirley released a video investigating Somali child care centers in Minnesota. During a press interview Monday, KCRA3 Political Director Ashley Zavala asked Limón if, under his new leadership, lawmakers would ensure California taxpayer dollars are used effectively. (RELATED: Trump targets California in fraud probe and Newsom says he welcomes investigation)
“I’m also going to tie that question into the last question about how we can build on what’s been done. I remember Pro Tem Emeritus Atkins and Pro Tem Emeritus McGuire both really talked about our ability as a legislature to do more oversight. I will say Speaker Rivas also said that, and I think that’s part of it,” Limón said. Increased oversight on our part ensures that we are doing what is necessary to ensure that the public believes that we are good stewards of their money, of our money. We all pay taxes.
“I think it’s going to be important, and I think when the public tells us and signals to us that this is something that they’re interested in, that they have questions about something, that’s our responsibility. I don’t see that as a bad thing,” Limón added. “It’s our responsibility to say what we’re going to put in place to make sure that the existing checks and balances that we have are working. And if they’re not working, let’s figure out how to course-correct and make sure that they’re working so that the people who entrust us with this work feel like we’re doing a good job, and we’re transparent in that way. It’s tough. It’s a big state.”
Limón added that while there are “brilliant minds” among lawmakers to address the state’s problems, she recognizes that Californians are “calling out” their concerns and that lawmakers need to be able to explain how they “came to that conclusion, how we arrived at that outcome and what the process was.”
California State Senator Monique Limon speaks at a press conference in support of farmworkers targeted in ICE raids. (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images)
California is plagued by homelessness, crime and unfinished projects that have swallowed up large sums of taxpayer money. In addition to the high spending, the nonpartisan State Legislative Analyst’s Office admitted in November 2025 that it had botched the deficit estimate by about $5 billion.
Zavala then asked if the Democrat had any specific ideas on how she would lead possible oversight efforts, which Limón emphasized by pointing to leaders already in place.
“I think right now I’m very excited about the leaders that we’ve appointed specifically in the budget areas. So you’ll see new subcommittee chairs, as well as a budget chair who will build and work with others who can do more oversight. I think there are already ideas about what oversight looks like. It’s not just about bills,” Limón said. “It’s also hearings. It’s the ability to work with some of our state agencies to make sure not only are we getting answers, but sometimes the process to get that answer isn’t in place.”
“I learned that well and well. I had to deal with my first year of billing just to create a website to post public information. I learned, ‘Oh, I had to identify the problem first, and then I had to be able to present a bill.’ I still don’t understand why I had to introduce a bill to create a website, but we had to do it,” Limón continued. “So I think you’re going to see more of that, and it will also depend, I think, on the caucus on how we provide oversight beyond the hearings and the bills and the processes and procedures.”
Limón was officially sworn in as Senate president pro tempore on Monday after officially assuming the leadership role in November 2025, following the resignation of former leader Mike McGuire, according to CapRadio.
During her speech, Limón opposed the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigrants in the state, saying she carries a copy of her passport on her phone and alleging that people have been targeted by federal officials because of “the way they look.”
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