Riverside County supes endorse White House jobs summit despite political questions

Riverside County supervisors have endorsed a White House-sponsored jobs summit set for January. But before the endorsement, they engaged in partisan squabbling over the motivation for the event.

It’s billed as a “jobs roundtable” that will spotlight a federal Commerce Department-funded "Business Center" in Riverside. The center’s primary mission will be to boost job growth regionwide, with an emphasis on minority-owned companies. The Obama administration will likely send some officials to the launch.

“I just question the political timing of this," said Supervisor Jeff Stone. Stone questioned the use of taxpayer money for a White House-sponsored event geared to minorities, “and not anyone regardless of race, color and creed. Unemployment in Riverside County has been at 15 percent now for a couple of years — why is this coming at the end of a White House term? Why didn’t it happen earlier on when this insult was placed upon our citizens?”

“Supervisor Stone I would support this regardless of who’s in the administration," said Supervisor Bob Buster. Buster proposed having the county Economic Development staff help the White House conduct the roundtable.

Keep up with LAist.

If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.

Subscribe

“If they misuse their forum that they have here in Riverside County," Buster said, "that would be unfortunate, and we would learn from it, but normally this is gonna go on whether Riverside County is involved or not, and I think the economy is a key issue here.”

The county’s Employment Development Agency chief told supervisors the summit would be open to a diverse cross section of Inland businesses leaders, and predicted that only around 20 people would be invited.

Supervisor Marion Ashley said it’s an ideal opportunity to air whatever grievances local leaders may have with the Obama Administration’s handling of the economy. “You know, you’re stifling us with these environmental regulations — that’s the very thing they need to hear, they’re gonna hear it too. I think it’s a good thing to help our jobs. And we have to show our courtesy to the president.”

The White House jobs roundtable is scheduled for next month in Riverside.