California’s lieutenant governor has an important role for university students, acting as a member of the UC Board of Regents and Cal State Board of Trustees. The clear choice for students is Democrat Gavin Newsom.
As mayor of San Francisco for the past six years, Newsom helped pass laws that positively influenced education, such as a 2010 program that provides all kindergarten students in the city with a seeded college savings account. In 2009, he prevented more than 400 public school teacher layoffs by taking $24.5 million out of the city’s rainy day fund. San Francisco is currently rated the highest performing urban school district in California.
Although his opponent, Republican Abel Maldonado, mentioned plans to limit student fee increases, his campaign has not given education the same emphasis as Newsom’s resume and campaign.
Newsom’s achievements in primary and secondary education will help California’s economy in the long run by fostering a larger college-educated community, which will undoubtedly funnel into his higher education policies.
Newsom is someone who students can look to for support in influencing Sacramento policy-making.