Tag Archives: Gavin Newsom

Whither the LG?

Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel at the 2008 Gay ParadeGeorge Skelton asks: Why do we have a LG?

by Brian Leubitz

In many states, the LG runs on a ticket with the governor. They are effectively a glorified aid, but all power runs through the governor. That is not the case in California, where LGs are independently elected. Getting elected to statewide office is not a trivial matter, but many are now wondering if the effort is worth it at all. Skelton summarizes the office:

California’s lieutenant governor is a voting member of the UC Board of Regents and state university trustees. That’s the job highlight.

He’s also ostensibly president of the state Senate – and can vote if there’s a 20-20 tie – but got booted off the chamber floor this year because there was nothing for him to do officially. He also chairs the state economic development commission, but it can’t vote because Brown hasn’t filled enough vacancies.

So lieutenant governor is pretty much a nothing job. … Newsom’s budget is down to less than $1 million. That’s enough for 3 1/2 employees.

Just dump the whole office. Why bother?

“I think it can have an important purpose,” Newsom responds. “It can be the eyes and ears for the governor on higher ed, economic development, delta water….”(George Skelton / LAT)

While Newsom is trying to strengthen the office, his bill to link the elections into one wasn’t even carried this year. Of course, the cost savings of such a measure will mean that eventually somebody will consider it, if only for purposes of grandstanding. But the question of whether we should have an office of the LG at all is a bigger question, that should be addressed.

One of these days we’ll really have that constitutional convention where we can really discuss how we can really reform our government in an holistic manner. And you could certainly draw up a number of proposals that make the LG more useful. Heck, in Texas, many consider the LG almost as powerful as the Governor. Bill Hobby and Bob Bullock became Texas legends from the LG spot. But, seeing as the convention idea kind of went nowhere just a few years back, maybe not any day soon. In the mean time, LG Newsom will continue to work to make his office relevant.

Photo credit: flickr user Franco Folini.

CA-17: Gavin Newsom Picks Ro Khanna over Mike Honda

Ro Khanna & Jeremy Bird EventLG breaks ranks with Democratic Leaders

by Brian Leubitz

In a move that boosts the campaign of CA-17 Democratic challenger Ro Khanna and simultaneously promotes his Citizenville book, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed Ro Khanna.

I’m proud to support Ro. I know he will govern from a place of courage and authenticity. He has many innovative ideas to grow California’s economy and to apply technology to make government better for all his constituents. (h/t Josh Richman)

Most of the Democratic establishment, including Khanna’s former boss, President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and many members of the state Congressional delegation, has already endorsed Rep. Mike Honda. But this endorsement gets some attention for the former SF Mayor and may be able to push the former Commerce dept. official’s fledgling campaign off the ground.  

Finally, A Real Chance for Public Higher Education Reform in California

As a recent graduate of San Francisco State University, I am thrilled that there is finally momentum gaining in the movement to achieve real public higher education reform in California. In particular, the Middle Class Scholarship Act is an economically feasible way to make public higher education more affordable for all Californians.

While I was a student at SFSU my tuition increased every semester. To make matters worse, I never qualified for financial assistance to help fund my education because the State determined that my parents could afford to pay not only my tuition but also those of both of my sisters.

California’s public college students are continuing to struggle. The CSU Board of Trustees’ recent decision to close Spring 2013 enrollment is just one of the devastating blows that our public higher education students have been forced to endure, with no end in sight.

Luckily, help for California’s public university students and their families could be on the way. The Middle Class Scholarship Act recently proposed by California State Assembly Speaker John A. Perez is exactly the kind of public higher education reform that California’s students and their families need in these difficult financial times.

If it is approved by two-thirds of the California State Legislature, the Middle Class Scholarship Act will provide scholarships to approximately 150,000 CSU students and roughly 42,000 UC students who have family incomes less than $150,000 and whom do not already have their fees covered. These Middle Class Scholarships will slash student fees by two-thirds. Additionally, our California Community Colleges will receive $150 million to address their unique needs. The Middle Class Scholarships will be paid for in full by closing a wasteful corporate loophole that only benefits out-of-state businesses.  

The Middle Class Scholarship is an innovative solution to California’s public higher education crisis that will help students achieve their dreams, while at the same time, ensure that our Golden State has a strong workforce that is prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century economy.

I know that as a student, it is difficult just to make time to study and to work but I strongly urge all of California’s UC, CSU and Community College Students to do whatever they can to help pass the Middle Class Scholarship Act and to fight for the higher education reform they deserve. From signing and sharing this petition and tweeting and posting Facbook messages to your State legislators and Governor Brown (if you don’t know who your State legislators are, you can look them up here) to organizing on campus and gathering signatures, no action is too small or insignificant. Keep the faith and, most importantly, keep making your voices heard.

Please embrace the help of the politicians who want to help The Middle Class Scholarship Act become law. Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, Speaker Perez, Senators Darrell Steinberg, and Leland Yee and many other State leaders have consistently stood in solidarity with California’s college students and have fought tirelessly against every single higher education budget cut and fee increase. To pass the Middle Class Scholarship Act, the support and expertise of these politicians will be invaluable.    

If California’s public college students continue to come together and rally the support of our State legislators to pass the Middle Class Scholarship Act, I think we will finally see the dawn of real public higher education reform in California.

What if Senator Feinstein Retired? (Fantasy Draft)

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