California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 5.20.25
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~ Sacramento - Governor Gavin Newsom has announced several appointments today, May 20, 2025. These appointments include Matthew Read as Chief Counsel at the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, Ross Szabo to the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being, and Richard Stein to the California Arts Council.

Matthew Read, a resident of Sacramento, has been appointed as Chief Counsel at the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. He has been serving as Acting Chief Counsel since 2025. With a strong background in environmental policy and law, Read previously held multiple roles at the California Strategic Growth Council from 2021 to 2024. He also served as Policy Director and Chief of Staff for Sacramento City Councilmember Steve Hansen from 2016 to 2020. Read holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and Bachelor of Science degrees in Politics and Rhetoric and Media Studies from Willamette University.

Ross Szabo, a resident of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being. Szabo brings a wealth of experience in mental health advocacy and wellness initiatives to this role. He currently serves as Wellness Director at Geffen Academy at University of California, Los Angeles since 2016 and is also the Chief Executive Officer at Human Power Project since 2013. Szabo previously worked as an NGO Capacity Builder in the Peace Corps from 2010 to 2012 and was Director of Outreach at the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign from 2002 to 2010. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology from Ball State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from American University.

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Richard Stein, a resident of San Juan Capistrano, has been appointed to the California Arts Council. With over two decades of experience in arts administration, Stein brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Arts Orange County from 2008 to 2025 and was Executive Director of the Laguna Playhouse from 1990 to 2007. Stein is also a member of the Dean's Arts Board at University of California, Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts. He holds a Master of Arts degree in English from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Columbia University.

These appointments do not require Senate confirmation, except for Richard Stein's appointment to the California Arts Council which requires confirmation. The compensation for Chief Counsel Matthew Read is $173,844 and there is no compensation for Ross Szabo's role on the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being. Richard Stein will receive $100 per diem for his role on the California Arts Council.

In other news, Governor Newsom has issued a statement regarding an upcoming vote in the U.S. Senate that would undo California's clean cars and trucks program. The Governor has strongly opposed this move by Republican senators, stating that it would harm both California's environment and economy.

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Additionally, state and local law enforcement partners have conducted their largest operation to date in eradicating illegal cannabis operations in the Central Valley. This multi-agency effort resulted in the seizure of $123.5 million worth of illegal cannabis.

Governor Newsom has also expressed concern over a GOP bill that could potentially strip healthcare coverage from up to 3.4 million Californians, cost the state billions, and lead to closures of hospitals and clinics. The Governor has urged Congress to reconsider this proposal, stating that it would have devastating effects on Californians' access to healthcare.

With these recent appointments and pressing issues at hand, Governor Newsom continues to work towards promoting environmental sustainability, mental health awareness, and access to healthcare for all Californians.

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