Politics & Government

Fletcher Reveals Plan to Create 130K Jobs by 2020

Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher said if he becomes mayor he will focus on innovation and job creation.

Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego, said Thursday that if he won the city's mayoral election next year, he would shift the focus of the position to being the regional economic leader.

The idea was part of his plan to create jobs and fuel the area's economy.

Fletcher, along with Councilman Carl DeMaio, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, will run in the June 5 primary election in hopes of succeeding Mayor Jerry Sanders, who is being termed-out.

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Fletcher said he would bring all of the city's economic development functions under one roof and rebrand San Diego as "The World's Most Innovative City."

He said the next mayor needs to focus on future opportunities.

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"I am running for mayor because I believe San Diego expects its leaders to take on big problems, bring people together to find solutions, and then get them done," Fletcher said. "I want to be a mayor who says 'my job is job creation,' a mayor who brings together the private sector, public sector, city, state and federal leaders to find ways to put San Diegans back to work."

He said he would lead delegations abroad to reintroduce San Diego to the world and attract investment. He also wants to improve the education of the area's children and enhance infrastructure.

The plan's goals are to create 130,000 new jobs in the region by 2020; and have the number of patents, amount of venture capital, value of exports and median income for residents all increase by 33 percent.

DeMaio previously announced a jobs plan called "Pathway to Prosperity" that would streamline city permitting, establish fair and open competition policies and strengthen Business Improvement Districts.

Dumanis has not released a specific jobs plan, but in previous statements has said the city can contribute by getting its own financial house in order and creating the best possible environment for the private sector to thrive.

Filner, the only major Democrat in the race, said he wants to turn the port into a global maritime center and use the public sector to create demand for solar power.

-City News Service


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