We've shown here in San Francisco what happens when you stop hiding from problems and start trying to solve them.
We are still the first and only city in America on its way to universal health care. Our Healthy San Francisco program has already enrolled nearly 30,000 previously uninsured San Franciscans into a comprehensive health access program. While the state and nation falter on health care - San Francisco is showing the way.
While nearly every other major school district in California is threatening to lay off teachers - our public schools are giving teachers a raise. San Francisco's Partnership for Achievement is helping to make our public schools the top-performing urban schools in California. We didn't fight about who was to blame or who was going to be in charge. We worked with teachers, parents and principals, and came up with a solution that is putting art and music back in the schools, putting nurses back in the schools, making it possible for every child to attend preschool and attracting and retaining the very best teachers.
Across California, local cities are facing severe economic hardship. Our financial house is so sound that we just saw our bond rating increase.
While politicians from every corner of America try to one-up each other on green rhetoric, we've built a green record in San Francisco that is second to none. We have the highest recycling rates in America. And a new study just found that our carbon emissions have plummeted and we are surpassing the goals set by the Kyoto Accords.
I'm proud of our record in San Francisco. On so many of the most important challenges, we are showing that solutions are possible when you stop playing politics and start focusing on the facts.
Now, as many of you know, I've taken the first steps to explore taking the same bold approach to solving problems throughout California.
I have opened an Exploratory Committee to take a hard look at a candidacy for Governor of California in 2010. I am going to be reaching out to policy experts and community leaders from throughout our state to build a base of knowledge - and if we go forward - a base of support for real solutions.
The first and most important step in this process is to ask my friends and supporters if they are willing to take this journey with me.
That's why I am writing today to ask for your help.
We need to raise the first funds to set up this committee. And so I am asking all of my friends to join me today by making whatever contribution you can afford.
Giving $50, $500, $1,000 or even more if you can afford to do so will help us take the first steps in this exciting exploration of solutions for California.
So many of you, wherever you live, have been part of our coalition for reform in San Francisco. Your help made Healthy San Francisco possible. You joined our efforts to improve our schools, strengthen our economy and help clean our environment.
Now I hope you will join me today as we work to find solutions for California.
Sincerely,
Gavin Newsom
www.GavinNewsom.com
