Before there was DOGE there was Arnold Schwarzenegger who when elected governor in 2003 hoped to implement big reforms and sweep cronyism from the State Capitol. But he was blocked by a State Legislature in the pockets of cronies, something I experienced first hand as a member of his administration when the State Senate removed me from the board of a state pension fund and denied me a full term on the UC Board of Regents at the behest of public employee unions. So after Schwarzenegger left office I launched GFC in 2011 to support legislators who support the public interest. That focus worked relatively well under Jerry Brown as governor but not under Gavin Newsom who has been the most crony-friendly governor since Gray Davis, especially towards public employee unions.
That’s why we have turned so much attention to the contest to succeed Newsom. California will not see serious improvement in its governance until it has both a change agent as governor and a Legislature that supports that governor’s agenda. In 2025 we will continue doing whatever we can to help a change agent become the next governor while also engaging on the budget, maintaining relationships with state legislators, and supporting effective political philanthropies whose success can help our state mission. Let us know of any questions or concerns.
