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Does Swearengin Want Spot in Newsom Cabinet? Watch Answer.

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After arranging a 60-person roundtable with Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, is Ashley Swearengin interesting in working in his administration?

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Politics 101
David Taub
“I am not. I am very happy with the work I’m doing at the Central Valley Community Foundation,” Swearengin said. “I love being able to continue to make the Valley better. But coming from a local philanthropy role, it’s actually been really exciting and I’m super happy to be staying put right where I am.”
Swearengin has served as CVCF’s president and CEO since leaving City Hall after the 2016 elections.
However, she would not rule out serving on a board — if appointed.
“Anything I can do to improve the region here in the Central Valley, I’m certainly happy to do that. We got our hands full at the Central Valley Community Foundation,” she added.
Watch her answer in the video above.

Valley to Valley

Meeting Newsom was the place to be Friday (Dec. 7) afternoon. Swearengin organized the “Valley-to-Valley” event that not only featured leaders from the Central Valley but some Bay Area economic reps as well.

Members from the Bay Area Council’s Economic Institute were among those speaking with the incoming governor. Micah Weinberg presented research about a Silicon Valley-Central Valley megaregion. High-speed rail could be a game changer in that regard.
Many elected leaders, including nearly the Valley’s entire state legislative delegation attended. Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) was invited but didn’t attend, citing a previously scheduled event.
Education leaders also attended, including Fresno State President Joseph Castro, Fresno City College President Carole Goldsmith, and UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland.
Castro spoke at the meeting, encouraging Newsom to invest in CSU’s enrollment and on-campus infrastructure. He said Fresno State has denied enrollment to 5,000 applicants since the fall.

Salas Explains Bill

Last week, I wrote about the 200-plus pieces of legislation already up for consideration at the state house.

One of those bills, AB 17 by Assemblyman Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield), would prohibit an employer from telling an employee to bring a vote-by-mail ballot to work, or being forced to fill it out while at work.
“It’s an issue we heard of, and we want to make sure we address it,” Salas said. “The best way to address it is to introduce legislation to get the ball rolling. … We want people to feel free to vote the way they want to vote and not feel forced in any way or intimidated with their vote.”
How big of a problem is this?
“That’s something we are continuing to explore, and we’ll continue to look at across the state. We’ve had anecdotal evidence of this occurring, so we want to make sure we address it early on,” he said.
The penalty for the employer would be up to $10,000 per election cycle.

Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email