In the Mayor’s “State of the City” address he focused on two important and interconnected areas: jobs and education. The Mayor also spoke about making the impossible possible, a message that resonates with many citizens today. With unemployment at record highs (8.5% in the U.S., 11.3% in California and 11.1% in Sacramento) and prevalent low academic performance in the U.S. (compared internationally) and in California (compared to other states), the impossibility of the “American dream” is all too real for far too many people today. Still, all hope is not lost. There is a sense of urgency sweeping the nation and jobs and education are two very hot topics swirling in the media. There is a fe

A new program to raise $10 million for arena financing and turning Sacramento into an “Emerald Valley” were two key points in Mayor Kevin Johnson’s State of the City address Monday. Johnson’s speech focused on boosting the local economy in three areas: building an entertainment and sports complex, green-sector jobs and reforming public schools to create a more competitive workforce. “The economy is bad everywhere, but it’s worse here,” Johnson told the nearly 1,000 people in the audience. “We have to take bold actions,” Johnson said. “We have to make the impossible possible.” The mayor delivered the 20th annual speech at the Sacramento Convention Center in an event hosted by the Sacram

In addition to breaking the news that former Washington, D.C., Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee would base her education group in Sacramento at Thursday’s State of the City address, Mayor Kevin Johnson also laid out his agenda for the environment, education and downtown development. Johnson’s speech was the key draw of the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s 19th annual event, held at the Sacramento Convention Center. The chamber’s communications director, Hal Silliman, said this year’s turnout of about 950 people set a record. In remarks before Johnson’s speech, Metro Chamber Board Chair Gregory Eldridge commented on the poor economic environment in Sacramento, saying “many of our members contin

In her State of the City address Monday, Roseville Mayor Gina Garbolino acknowledged the punch the Galleria arson dealt the city last month. “Certainly, the fire is a blow to the Galleria and city, but hardly a knockout punch. Roseville is tougher than that,” she said. Roseville’s innovative city programs and services as well as its careful resource planning assure the city’s continued role as a regional leader, she said. Garbolino said she oversaw the “second-best era” for Roseville. “I absolutely believe the very best is still to come.” Garbolino became mayor in 2008. She also previously served as mayor from 2004 to 2006. With Macy’s and Nordstrom now open and JC Penney scheduled to

Mayor Kevin Johnson called for city government reform, the launching of a green initiative, increased public safety and moving forward with the arena project at his second State of the City address Thursday. “The state of the city is in our hands,” Johnson told the members of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “The key is not about getting hit, it’s about getting up again.” Johnson discussed the hits the city has recently taken, including an increase to 13 percent unemployment from about 5 percent just a couple years ago, high crime rates and lackluster business performance, but he emphasized the need to be optimistic. “This is our time, Sacramento,” Johnson said. He high

Today Mayor Kevin Johnson made a strong speech at the 17th annual State of the City address in Sacramento State University's Student Union. Amidst Sacramento's high rates of unemployment and violent crime and a large state budget deficit, Mayor Johnson made it clear that "we must have a new way to address the problems of the past." One way Johnson said citizens can help the city is by taking the "opportunity right now to get our fair share, or maybe even more from the state of California" and also by having "ins and outs on how to get economic stimulus dollars." Then Johnson applauded Congresswoman Doris Matsui, who secured more than $69 million for Sacramento in a comprehensive appropr

Last night, President Barack Obama gave a powerful speech to our nation. He told the Joint Session of Congress that we're not a nation of quitters, and implored us to maintain our confidence during these troubled economic times. As I noted on the Larry King Live Show last night, President Obama's themes of acting boldly to confront the serious challenges our nation faces with a new era of responsibility, accountability, and cooperation is exactly what we're trying to do in Sacramento, albeit on a smaller scale. This afternoon, I built on the President's remarks when I delivered the "State of the City" address to the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce at California State University, Sacramento