How many governors does it take to change a light bulb? Just one, apparently, but California Gov. Gavin Newsom struggled to change a pair of long, narrow fluorescent office lights while perched atop a ladder as a janitor showed him how.
Newsom is creating a new commission to study the future of work and prepare the state for fundamental economic changes such as automation. He made the announcement while honoring May Day Wednesday at American River College in Sacramento.
“This one, for some reason — do you have to put them in at the same time?” he said, struggling with the bulb.
After signing the executive order, Newsom said he’s heard the theory that technology will overtake the workforce and lead to universal basic income — government stipends for everyone, but he said he thinks that’s a “worst-case, break-glass scenario.”
“Because I think we are more than capable of addressing automation in a way that actually can frame abundance, as opposed to scarcity – meaning, come out the other side with more jobs, more opportunities, not less,” he said.
The governor says his commission will turn its report in early next year.
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