Gov. Newsom pulls billionaires, CEOs, ex-governors to join advisory committee to reopen state

<p>Gov. Gavin Newsom is pulling together billionaires, big tech CEOs, former governors and the former Chair of the Federal Reserve to help him navigate how best to reopen California’s economy.</p><p>Newsom, who announced the 80-member council during his daily press briefing Friday, introduced billionaire, liberal activist and former presidential candidate Tom Steyer, who will be in charge of the broad advisory committee. Steyer’s co-chair will be Newsom’s chief of staff Ann O’Leary, a former senior advisor to Hilary Clinton.</p><p>Other members include Jacqueline Resis of Square, former Chair of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen, Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger and Apple CEO Tim Cook. The council includes both Republicans and Democrats, including four former California governors: Pete Wilson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gray Davis and Newsom's predecessor Jerry Brown, says Newsom.</p><p>The group will be tasked to work in sub-groups covering areas like entertainment, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, and regional issues around the state, Newsom said, and will meet twice a month through 2020.</p><p>A record 2.7 million Californians have filed for unemployment benefits in the last month, according to the governor.</p>