Gavin Newsom, Lt. Governor

San Francisco, CA

November 2, 2010

Brief bio on elected official Gavin Newsom, Lt. Governor of California. Included are a few key issues that Newsom endorses.

Gavin Newsom, dashingly handsome at the ripe age of 43, has had an esteemed career in politics since 1996. Newsom was appointed to President of the Parking and Traffic Commission during his early years of civic duty and gradually worked his way up to be elected as the 42nd Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco on December, 9, 2003. His constituents re-elected him with over 73% for another term as Mayor of San Francisco in November of 2007. Some key issues that Newsom advocates include combating homelessness, same-sex advocacy, provision of universal health care for all SF residents, and the promotion of greener energy sources.
Newsom’s responsibilities as Lieutenant Governor of California would involve him acting as the vice executive or second-in-command after the Governor of California. The term for Lt. Governor is a length of 4 years with a maximum of a 2 term service. Newsom would be a part of the UC Board of Regents, CSU Board of Trustees, Ocean Protection Council, California Clean Energy Council, etc. Newsom’s track record on rebuilding California’s flailing economy includes:
• Invest in local businesses;
• Reduce burdens that local government places on local businesses;
• Support the workforce to attract foreign investment into San Francisco;
• San Francisco began a $4.3 billion project to rebuild the region’s water infrastructure and a $383 million renovation to San Francisco International Airport;
• In May 2009, Mayor Newsom launched JOBS NOW!, a subsidized employment program funded through federal stimulus money. Through this program, 3,820 San Franciscans with dependent children have been put back to work
Gavin’s stance on education seems “promising” as well:
• Allow current high school students in California access to the UC and CSU systems;
• Maintain top-notch University-run hospitals;
• Keep eight UCs in the top 100 in the US News rankings;
• Prevent the shortage of up to one million college-educated workers by 2025[1];
• End furloughs and pay cuts for faculty and staff;
• Cease the poaching of scholars by other states’ universities.

In addition to committing California to fully fund higher education, as Lieutenant Governor, Gavin would prioritize:
• Ensuring all California children have access to pre-school;
• Limiting the number of lay-offs to California’s K-12 teachers on account of budget shortfalls;
• Continuing to streamline processes and reduce costs at the UC and CSU systems;
• Keeping fees low at California’s 112 community colleges;
• Ensuring that California’s community colleges are able to handle all students who desire to take classes;
• Encouraging California’s college students to seriously consider entering the teaching profession upon graduation.
Newsom’s promise as Lt. Governor of California during his 2010-2015 term is to focus on raising the economy, encouraging higher education and greening technologies.

Source: gavinnewsom.com

[Linzy Ross, Aileen Young]