At the UC Berkeley bill-signing event, Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed recent controversy about universities and state funding, saying he supports academic freedom and that the state "will not be part of" efforts to prescribe academic activity.

"I believe in academic freedom. I believe it's what made California the fourth largest economy in the world," Newsom said, adding that academic freedom is core to the state's research strength and innovation pipeline.

Newsom criticized unspecified external efforts to "put the thumb" on universities and said he and the legislature would not support measures that undercut academic autonomy. He told reporters, "We will not be part of that. And, I thought it was important to do so at this critical moment."

The governor framed academic freedom as essential to California's research output, saying the state's institutions account for a large share of global research and development and produce significant innovation. "These universities, best in class," he said, urging a unified defense of public research institutions.

Newsom said he had been working with the UC regents and system leadership "collaboratively for weeks" and said he had confidence in their capacity to respond thoughtfully to concerns raised about specific campuses. He said the state would "have their backs" and described a commitment to preserving research strengths.

At the same event reporters asked about a press release referenced the previous day and whether the state would withhold funding from particular universities; Newsom did not announce any formal funding action during the signing and said he expected the UC system and regents to navigate the issue.

No formal legislative action on university funding was announced at the event; Newsom's comments were framed as policy position and public support for academic freedom and the UC system.