Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov at Zocolo Friday eve.

Gavin Newsom, our 44 year old Lt. Governor, was at Zocolo Public Square Friday night interviewed by Conan Nolan.  The event was held at Grand Park between City Hall,and the Music Center.  Newsom is the former mayor of San Francisco.  He was raised in San Francisco and graduated from Santa Clara University, a noted Jesuit college.  He started and runs the PlumpJack Wine Shop which has grown to numerous sites and over 700 employees in the restaurants, cafes and wine shops.  Although he sold his share of the S.F. business when he became mayor in 2004, he maintained his ownership in the companies outside San Francisco.

Newsom talked about Proposition 30 and his concerns that there will be $250 Million in CSU and UC budget cuts if it doesn't pass.  He agrees with Eli Broad that we need to overhaul the tax code...taxing services not just products.  However, right now we need the revenue from Proposition 30.  He is concerned that Proposition 38 , Molly Munger's funding for schools, will pass and this would not help the general budget.  He said that Education needs reform also.  For example, with the technology now available, it makes more sense to have the lectures viewed on line and that homework be done in groups in class rooms. Teaching online is the future.  UCLA is leading the way.  M.I.T. offers all courses online.

He also talked about the two California's:  Coastal and In Land.  For example, Imperial County has 29% unemployment.  San Bernardino and other cities in land are bankrupt.  He says that California needs an aggressive economic plan to promote California around the work and in this country as a great place to do business.  Other states are doing this.  He said that California's growth is stagnant, 1.3% down from 3.6% in 1980.

He also talked about how cities can get more done because they are less partisan.  He sited his "Care Not Cash" program for the homeless in S.F.  This moved many street people into shelters and housing.  Also the city Health care program for all city citizens.

He said we had the "Greatest Generation" who created and built and that now we have the "Grasshopper Generation" who ate up all the resources....leaving little remaining.  "We need an entrepreneur generation that builds resources again."  Yes, he is frustrated by the limited role of Lt. Governor and would like to be let loose to promote California's economy.  Conan Nolan said that governors want their Lt. Govs to act like "Sheltie Dogs" be loyal and in the back ground.  Newsom said that we would like to run for governor if Jerry Brown chooses not to seek a second term.  His role model is Bobby Kennedy who reached out to poor minorities.