California Gov. Gavin Newsom joined a Fresno State advanced reporting class via Zoom on April 28 for a 40-minute conversation with student journalists.

The conversation shed light on many issues facing Fresno, the Central Valley and California as a whole.

Newsom’s virtual visit was arranged by Professor Jim Boren, who developed a professional relationship with the governor during his previous tenure as a political reporter and editor at The Fresno Bee.

The discussion covered a range of topics, including the potential impact of state budget cuts on Fresno State, the governor’s efforts to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students amid federal challenges and the state’s continued support for agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. He took questions from 11 students.

In response to a question about the California State University (CSU) system’s declining budget, Newsom shared what he is doing on that.

“We are trying to do everything we can to preserve the commitment I made a couple of years ago with the CSUs and about state funding,” Newsom said. “That funding is finite, and it is a stress when balancing a budget.”

The prior commitment was for more funding of CSU and University of California (UC) campuses if they would admit more in-state students and better use of the transfer protocol.

Newsom also highlighted his “course correction” of the funding that higher education has received under his administration, but said that this year and last year’s budgets have been challenging.

“We are working with the systems to land on some compromise in the May [budget] revise,” Newsom said.

Student Allison Moua nationalized the budget issue, asking Newsom how the state will ensure that universities will secure the funding it needs to thrive with the pushback from the Trump administration’s attacks on education.

Newsom did not offer any concrete solutions to protect universities. He did, however, offer deeper insight into the budget and where he wants to see California universities improve.

“The last thing I want to do is cut, but I also want to see reforms,” Newsom said. “I want to see some innovation. I want to see that entrepreneurial spirit.”

Student Ryan Leonardo asked how California is addressing the rising cost of tuition and keeping higher education affordable.

Newsom referred back to the first question posed and noted that the CSU cohort has been more conservative about its tuition hikes. He also said there should be crackdowns on other areas of higher education that exploit students.

“I think the textbook [industry] is a racket,” Newsom said. “I think it is outrageous that they have been able to get away with it for as long as they have.”

Newsom offered his support for the Open Source project. This project is similar to VitalSource, which Fresno State utilizes to give students cost-effective textbook options in some class sections.

Newsom mentioned university fees as another avenue to cut down on costs.

Student Fernanda Sistos asked about the state of DACA recipients in California and how Newsom can help dreamers due to the program’s uncertainty. Newsom took this as an opportunity to boast about California’s diligence and its support for undocumented individuals.

“There’s not a state doing more for DACA and protecting their Dreamers,” Newsom said.

Newsom sounded off on the Trump administration and its handling of mass deportations.

“It’s kidnapping of American citizens, there’s no other way to describe it,” Newsom said. “Deporting American citizens, deporting kids. I don’t care what your politics are, you lay claim to faith and family, then you give a damn about that.”

Newsom took questions about the Central Valley’s agriculture and protections of farm workers.

Student Samantha Rangel asked how California is protecting low-income Latino farm workers from pesticide-related health issues.

Newsom highlighted California being top in the nation in access to healthcare, regardless of pre-existing conditions or immigration status.

“No state in the United States of America has done more to provide universal healthcare,” Newsom said. “We have universal healthcare in this state. We have the opportunity to not only focus on sick care, but also prevention and wellness.”

Newsom spoke about the numerous unions that are involved in workers’ rights for stricter labor codes and workforce conditions.

He broadened the scope of the discussion when mentioning that on April 29, California launched its 16th lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his administration over tariff issues.

The governor did duck the question about his potential presidential run in 2028, saying it is not on his radar and that he is committed to California.