Thank you for joining ACCESS Sacramento!

L.A.'s Business Voice in Sacramento

At a pivotal time for Los Angeles, we gathered in our state’s capital as a delegation for our annual member advocacy trip, ACCESS Sacramento. This is not just tradition—it is a critical mission to ensure that the unique needs and priorities of the Los Angeles region are expressed at the highest levels of state government. Governor Newsom met with business leaders from the Chamber’s CEO Council to discuss wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts, with a focus on housing and insurance.

This year, our advocacy agenda included policies that prepare our region for upcoming global events, accelerate wildfire recovery, and develop the workforce of the future. These priorities are essential to sustaining economic growth, strengthening regional competitiveness, and positioning Los Angeles as a model of innovation, resilience, and opportunity for all.

We kicked off ACCESS Sacramento with opening remarks from Maria S. Salinas, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, who spoke to the significance of this delegation trip in advancing the region’s priorities. Jeff Wilson, External Affairs Manager at Chevron, recognized the Chamber’s vital role as a leading civic organization and its impactful advocacy on behalf of the region in Sacramento. We are deeply grateful to Chevron for their generous support as Presenting Sponsor. Chamber Board Vice Chair Sean Burton provided comments on the important role of each member of the delegation in representing the interests of the region.

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, Discusses Navigating the Federal Landscape

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, joined the L.A. Area Chamber for a fireside chat with Maria S. Salinas to discuss public policy in education as the state navigates the federal education landscape. He also shared statewide priorities and the intersection with the private sector, highlighting the opportunity to shape the workforce of the future by aligning education and training with emerging jobs.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Shares Key Insights

Commissioner Ricardo Lara outlined strategies to strengthen California’s insurance landscape, including improved communication with insurers, leveraging technology for wildfire modeling, and prioritizing risk mitigation. In a fireside chat with Chamber Chief of Policy Carlos Singer, he emphasized the importance of investing in grants to help residents harden homes, protect businesses from losing coverage after wildfires, and learning from successful models in other states. He also highlighted the California Safe Homes initiative and called for greater private sector engagement to support long-term solutions.

California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis Joins Chamber to Discuss Global Competitiveness

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis joined Maria S. Salinas for a fireside chat to share insights on the impact of tariffs and the important role of the state’s global economy, noting her office’s focus on international relations. She also highlighted the important role of small businesses in shaping the state’s economic power and discussed some of the difficulties navigating through uncertainty.

MEETINGS WITH LEGISLATORS

Chamber members headed to the Swing Space, the temporary member office space, to meet with legislators and discuss our Advocacy Agenda and the important issues impacting the region. Meetings included legislative leadership, Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas, and Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire.

Advocacy Agenda

THANK YOU TO OUR DELEGATION

The L.A. Area Chamber delegation ended its advocacy day with a reception with legislators. Thank you to all who joined our delegation in championing the region with state legislators!

Event Photos

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
ELENI KOUNALAKIS
State of California

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
RICARDO LARA
California Department of Insurance

SUPERINTENDENT
TONY THURMOND
CA Department of Education