On Friday, April 10, at 5 p.m., Californians learned I had resigned as chief economic and business advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and chair of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The press release stated I was leaving “to focus on family and personal business.” In corporate speak, this usually means...
It’s a Bust for Gaming Rooms Betting on Small Business Loans
It's been a bust for California's gaming industry betting on federal stimulus dollars to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Club One Casino in Fresno laid off its employees after voluntarily shutting down March 17. The card room applied for federal loan-to-grant programs made available through the CARES Act, but ran...
Fresno is the Future, Gov. Newsom's Economic Adviser Says
Gov. Gavin Newsom's chief economic adviser believes in Fresno. As the California Economic Summit convened at the downtown Double Tree Hotel ballroom, an estimated 900 attendees from around the state listened to what makes Fresno tick. And holding it here is key for Lenny Mendonca. Listen to this article: "It's...
Helping Define What It Means to Be ‘Made in California’
Let me start with an admission: government officials — at all levels — don’t do a good job of engaging the public as we grapple with big, complex challenges. Hearings only go so far. Videos and social posts get into only so much detail and nuance. And, most importantly, most...
Arias Will Resign Fresno Unified Post on Friday
Miguel Arias and Nelson Esparza are officially Fresno city councilmen, assuming office Tuesday, as prescribed by the city charter. They will be ceremonially sworn in Thursday (Jan. 10). For Arias, he will focus his time and attention fully on City Hall. He tells GV Wire he is resigning his position as...