City Express | Mayor & Council Corner

WayUp Sacramento, an initiative by Councilmember Jay Schenirer, is focusing on what kids need to be successful. Making Sacramento a healthier, more vibrant place to live requires a comprehensive solution. WayUp Sacramento addresses the need to expand youth education and career programs, improve access to medical care and healthy food, strengthen fitness priorities, and create new jobs.

WaySmart – Introduces students to careers in health services.

WayFit – Creates access to affordable and accessible healthcare for youth and their families.

WayHome – Improves blighted properties, converting them into livable, affordable housing and offers guidance and support to first-time homebuyers.

WaytoWork – Creates a Health Innovation Zone, incentivizing the location of biotech and biomed companies into the South Sacramento area.

WayFresh – Revitalizes neighborhoods through park clean-up projects and by building community gardens, while giving residents much-needed access to locally-grown fruits and vegetables and equipping residents with basic gardening skills.

To get involved in the the WayUp movement, get the details here and please connect with us on Twitter.

File photo of Mayor Kevin Johnson

Mayor Kevin Johnson gave his 2012 State of the City address at the Sacramento Convention Center, Feb. 6, as part of the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s 20th Annual State of the City event. In his fourth such speech, Mayor Johnson focused almost exclusively on the economy. Citing Sacramento’s extensive challenges, the Mayor made a case for why bold and transformational steps are crucial to Sacramento’s future.

“We can’t wait for the economy to recover on its own. We have to take bold actions to ensure we determine our own destiny. We have to make the impossible possible,” said Mayor Johnson.

Before 1,000 business, government, and community leaders, Mayor Johnson outlined priorities in three focus areas: building an entertainment and sports complex that will create 4,000 jobs for the region; promoting growth in our green sector to attract investment and diversify the economy; and continuing efforts to reform public schools in order to ensure a competitive workforce for years to come. See video of the entire speech.