Valley Economy Will Get a Close Look From Newsom at Summit

What might Gov. Gavin Newsom talk about when he speaks in Fresno next week?

His transportation adviser offered a few clues.

Newsom will deliver the keynote address Friday, Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m., at the California Economic Summit at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Fresno.

Last week, Egon Terplan, Newsom’s Senior Adviser for Economic Development and Transportation, delivered a speech at a transportation conference in Fresno organized by the Fresno Council of Governments.

Terplan talked about “Regions Rise Together,” a new initiative from Newsom’s office.

“It’s really trying to understand California’s regions in their diversity and strengths, and how they are interconnected and interdependent,” Terplan said.

The plan has three pillars: changing California’s mental map, supporting a “region’s up” system of economic development, and strengthening the bonds between regions.

“The governor will be building on this during his talk,” Terplan said.

The summit will draw leaders in several sectors from all over the state. It starts on Nov. 6, with guided tours, ranging from high-speed rail to Fresno State agriculture.

The next two days will feature many speakers and discussion groups talking about challenges the state and the Central Valley face.

The agenda can be viewed here. Topics include housing affordability, higher education, and “The Fresno Showcase.”

Kingsburg Mayor Wants Meeting with AG

Michelle Roman

Kingsburg Mayor Michelle Roman is arranging a meeting with state Attorney General Xavier Becerra to discuss his office’s lawsuit against the T-Mobile-Sprint merger. The company committed to building a call center with 1,000 jobs in Kingsburg.

Federal authorities approved the merger between the telecom giants. California, however, is one of several states suing to block the transaction.

She and other county elected officials hope to convince Becerra to back off.

Related Story: T-Mobile Merger Is a Great Thing for Valley: Autry

One Year Later, Hurtado Gives Back

Nearly one year after becoming one of the youngest elected politicians ever in Fresno County (age 20) and winning by the slimmest of margins (eight votes), Kingsburg City Councilwoman Jewel Hurtado wanted to give back.

To celebrate her 21st birthday, Hurtado held a fundraiser event last Friday, even though she isn’t up for reelection until 2022.

“I want to put it back in my community,” Hurtado told Politics 101. “I want to make things community based, that people feel they are part of the picture.”

Hurtado plans to use the funds raised to create a youth leaders scholarship, sponsor a Veterans Day breakfast, and host town halls/block parties.

“The best way to bond (with the community) is over food,” Hurtado said.

Much of Hurtado’s media attention focuses on her age and her support from many of the county’s Democratic Party leaders — not to mention Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But people I talked to in Kingsburg say that the most notable thing about Hurtado is the stellar job she’s doing on the city council.

“Potholes don’t get fixed by Republicans or Democrats,” Hurtado noted.

At many events, she has her toddler son, Anthony, in tow. She is also studying sociology at Fresno City College.

Kingsburg City Councilwoman Jewel Hurtado (in red dress) is honored at the Fresno County Democratic Party dinner in May 2019 (Twitter/Jewel Hurtado)