Newsom's message to those leaving California

Summary

In a recent interview, California's Governor discusses the state's current challenges, including wildfires, blackouts, and air quality issues, which have led some residents to consider moving. Despite these concerns, the Governor highlights California's economic prosperity, innovation, and strong higher education system as reasons for optimism. He emphasizes the importance of inclusion and equity in the state's recovery efforts and addresses the new equity metric for reopening businesses and schools. The Governor also touches on the state's COVID-19 response, including his own testing practices and the state's low positivity rate, urging continued vigilance to maintain progress.

Takeaways

• 📈 Economic Prosperity: California has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, with an average GDP growth of 3.8% and 120 consecutive months of net job creation.
• 🔬 Innovation Hub: The state is home to numerous scientists, researchers, and Nobel laureates, highlighting its strong focus on innovation and research.
• 🏫 Higher Education: California boasts one of the finest systems of higher education in the world, contributing to its competitive edge.
• 🌳 Environmental Concerns: The governor acknowledges the challenges of wildfires and their impact on the state's residents, but emphasizes that these are not unique to California.
• 💪 Inclusive Growth: The administration is focused on ensuring that economic growth is inclusive, not leaving communities behind, and is introducing an equity metric to guide reopening plans.
• 📉 Pandemic Response: California has been proactive in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, with the governor emphasizing the importance of testing, wearing masks, and maintaining vigilance.
• 📉 Positive Trends: The state has seen a decline in transmission rates, with a 7-day positivity rate of 2.6% being the lowest since April.
• 🏰 Reopening Plans: The governor discusses the reopening plans for Disneyland and other theme parks, indicating that updates on the tiered status will be provided by health officials.
• 🗳️ Political Engagement: The governor has not been actively campaigning due to responsibilities related to governance and the pandemic, but acknowledges the importance of supporting endorsed initiatives and candidates.
• 🏥 COVID-19 Testing: The governor has been tested for COVID-19 on multiple occasions and has tested negative; any positive result would be disclosed to the public.
• 🤝 Collaboration: The governor mentions speaking with the governor of Colorado about their shared experiences with wildfires, emphasizing a collaborative approach to common challenges.

Q & A

What was the general perception of California a decade ago?

A decade ago, many people described California as ungovernable.

Why are some people considering leaving California?

Some people are considering leaving California due to worsening wildfires, rolling blackouts, and smoky days that affect their children's outdoor activities.

What does the governor say about California's economic growth in the last decade?

The governor highlights that California has enjoyed economic prosperity with 3.8 percent average GDP growth, 120 consecutive months of net job creation, record surpluses, and record reserves.

How does the governor respond to the criticism about California's current situation?

The governor acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes California's strengths, such as its economic growth, innovation, and high-quality education system, and expresses confidence in the state's ability to prosper.

What is the governor's reference to a 1994 Time Magazine edition regarding California?

The governor refers to a 1994 Time Magazine special edition that claimed California's best days were behind it, discussing issues like wildfires, mass exodus, and diversity challenges, to illustrate that the state has faced and overcome similar issues in the past.

What is the current situation with California's happiness index?

Despite current challenges, California remains one of the happiest states for individuals to live in, according to a recent happiness index.

What is the latest on the reopening plan for Disneyland and other theme parks?

The governor did not provide specific details on the reopening plan for Disneyland and other theme parks in the transcript.

Why is the equity metric being introduced in the state's reopening strategy?

The equity metric is being introduced to ensure inclusion and not to leave communities behind, aiming for a more comprehensive recovery that benefits all members of society.

How often is the governor tested for COVID-19?

The governor has been tested on multiple occasions and has tested negative each time. Testing occurs in accordance with established protocols, especially after highly vulnerable events or interactions.

What is the current positivity rate for COVID-19 in California?

The 7-day positivity rate is at 2.6%, which is the lowest recorded since April, indicating a positive trend in managing the disease spread.

How does the governor plan to balance campaigning with his responsibilities as the state's leader?

The governor's top priority is governing the state of California. While acknowledging the importance of campaigning, especially for causes and candidates that impact California, he has not yet made a determination on his campaign involvement.

What is the governor's stance on the current wildfire situation in California?

The governor recognizes the severity of the wildfire situation and is actively engaged in addressing it, highlighting that such challenges are not unique to California and are being faced by other states as well.