High profile pols to meet with technologists to untangle Golden State budget and policy problems

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi will lead a bi-partisan, high-tech panel discussion Friday on how the Golden State might untangle itself from the continuing budget and policy paralysis it finds itself in.

Garamendi will join Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Steve Westly, former state controller, Michael Splinter, president and chief executive officer of Applied Materials and Bill Watkins, chief executive officer of Seagate Technology for the panel discussion called "Crisis in California."

The gathering, to kick off at noon at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel, brings together three 2010 gubernatorial hopefuls - Garamendi and Westly, two Democrats and Poizner, a Republican.

Of the three pols only Garamendi and Poizner have confirmed their interest in entering what promises to be a crowded race to succeed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.