More inland California voices should inform Gov. Newsom’s statewide recovery task force

As we aspire to rebuild a new California after COVID-19, we must avoid the same tendencies that historically have left inland California behind. This time all voices must be heard.

The governor’s statewide Task Force for Business and Jobs Recovery is a good start, but only a few of its 100-plus members live inland. Without more of inland voices, the recommendations will not fully reflect the rich diversity of the state and the economic needs of Californian’s fastest-growing region.

Before the pandemic, our work as a mayor and foundation leader largely focused on economic equity, as we saw too many Californians left out of our state’s unprecedented wealth. In fact, 47% of California workers reported struggling with poverty in 2018, and our state’s low-wage workers are disproportionately Black, Latinx and female.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it has laid bare our deep interdependence on one another; when one county falters or one group is vulnerable, their neighbors are unquestionably exposed and impacted. Now we face skyrocketing unemployment rates and economic pain throughout the state. As we rebuild the economy, we encourage policymakers to make sure our collective recovery efforts create a new economy that works better for all Californians.

We praised Gov. Gavin Newsom’s commitment to inland California when he announced Regions Rise Together before COVID-19, an initiative to grow local economies from the ground up and better link them across regions. That effort will only succeed when inland economies are healthy and strong, and our entire system is resilient.

We urge the governor now, in the wake of COVID-19, to maintain his commitment by ensuring that inland voices meaningfully inform the task force’s recommendations. We believe California’s overall economic success is directly tied to the success of its inland communities. They are rapidly growing and diversifying as high costs drive coastal residents inland — creating competition for opportunities that were already scarce for existing residents.

Rather than be an anchor to the state’s economy, we see evidence that inland California can lead the way during the recovery. Indeed, inland regions must lead if we are to rebuild the economy with greater equity and more economic opportunity for communities historically left behind — or tagged on at the end of decision-making.

And this is where we find reasons for hope. Before COVID-19, we saw exciting efforts emerge for more inclusive economic growth, efforts developed with low-wage workers rather than foisted on them. In Fresno, the DRIVE initiative is a 10-year investment plan that is engaging a diverse array of Fresno residents in developing their future economy.

In Riverside and San Bernardino, Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity and IE Rise will offer roadmaps for inclusive growth in the region, and impressive, community-driven campaigns like JUST San Bernardino are emerging to ensure diverse voices in planning.

Stockton leaders are also exploring ways to retain its bright, local talent. This includes the nation’s first mayor-led basic income pilot, a push to add a Cal State University, and $20 million in new, private funds for scholarships, Stockton Scholars, to help a generation of students attend college or trade school. And the Reinvent South Stockton Coalition brings together nonprofits and the public and private sectors to engage residents in the root causes of — and solutions for — intergenerational poverty.

Inland cities are innovative places worthy of investment by the public, private and philanthropic sectors. That’s why The James Irvine Foundation recently announced $135 million over seven years for inclusive economic development in Fresno, Riverside, San Bernardino, Salinas and Stockton. We believe that these investments are more likely to succeed because the Foundation is listening to community voices and supporting local solutions.

Irvine also supported the governor’s listening efforts, through a project with UC Riverside’s Center for Social Innovation, so the state and funders could hear directly from Central Valley and Inland Empire leaders about the needs and opportunities for investment, particularly considering COVID-19.

Similarly, the statewide task force will better serve Californians by hearing the distinct needs and perspectives of inland communities. And there’s a difference between listening and being heard, and we look forward to inland voices influencing the decisions being made about our collective futures.

The road to a more just and equitable economy will not be short or easy, but we know it runs through inland California.

This story was originally published August 1, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "More inland California voices should inform Gov. Newsom’s statewide recovery task force."