"2007 was the last time that California operated in the black ... the State will not become insolvent on my watch."
— State Controller John Chiang, in remarks to the Access Sacramento delegation on Wednesday indicating that the State will once again run out of money this fall unless a sound budget agreement is reached. Chiang encouraged the delegation to search for any unclaimed property that the State may owe individuals.
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Stop Sign Los Angeles Business Journal, May 31 Read more
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs L.A. Daily News, May 30 Read more
CHAMBER ADVOCATES FOR JOBS AND REFORM. More than 100 business and civic leaders spent Wednesday advocating for pro-jobs legislation in Sacramento. The annual ACCESS Sacramento trip focused on vital issues including education, health care, transportation and California's business climate. The delegation held 40 meetings with state lawmakers and senior officials from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office. This trip's timing coincided with the start of budget negotiations and Friday's legislative deadline for legislation to pass out of its house of origin in order to stay viable. Above, the delegation speaks with Assemblymember Charles Calderon on the importance of enterprise zones to attracting jobs. From left: Chamber Board Chair Matthew Toledo, Los Angeles Business Journal; Chamber Board First Vice Chair Joseph Czyzyk, Mercury Air Group; Assemblymember Calderon; Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben; and Joseph Saunders, Continental Development Corporation. (View photo gallery).
Jobs & Business Growth team meets with legislators on state budget The Jobs & Business Growth advocacy teams met with Assembly Speaker John Perez, left; Susan Kennedy, chief of staff to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; and State Treasurer Bill Lockyer on the State budget. Speaker Perez outlined the Assembly's budget proposal, while Kennedy said that the Governor is pursuing a budget that includes no tax increases and one that does not include reforms to the State's public pension system and budget process. The team also met with the Senate Republican leadership. Chamber members pushed for a sound budget that begins to address long-term structural deficit without pushing the costs onto future taxpayers. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568 or [email protected].
Energy & Environment team discusses implementation of AB 32 The Energy & Environment advocacy teams met with Cal/EPA Secretary Linda Adams (left); Ombudsman to the California Air Resources Board Chair La Ronda Bowen; and Deputy Secretary of Climate Change Michael Gibbs to discuss responsible and balanced implementation of AB 32. The teams emphasized the importance of taking into account the current economic conditions when drafting the final rules and regulations this fall. Secretary Adams asked for the Chamber's help in identifying impacts to small business and the teams led a conversation on how the business community can train the workforce to meet the needs of a future green and clean economy.
Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558 or [email protected]. Health Care team hears from Speaker Emeritus Bass The Health Care advocacy team met with Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass (left), who strongly supported all initiatives the Chamber advocated for, specifically maintaining program funding for our most vulnerable populations — children and seniors. Assemblymember Connie Conway met with the team on the floor of the Assembly and discussed cutting taxes and balancing the State's budget by ending wasteful spending. Contact Janine Glass, 213.580.7565 or [email protected].
Education teams advocate for education legislation The Early Education advocacy team met with legislators to stress the importance of maintaining funding for quality early education programs and stress the negative impacts the Governor's May revise would have on California's children. The delegation provided Republican and Democratic leaders with potential solutions on balancing a budget without eliminating the child care and development programs. The team also stressed the importance of strengthening the early education system by supporting AB 2592. Legislators were impressed that the business community values early education as an investment that will help reduce dropout rates and help narrow the achievement gap. The Chamber's K-12 advocacy team promoted Linked Learning and garnered support for AB 2211 and AB 1223. The team also met with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell (above, left) and thanked him for his leadership on Linked Learning. Contact Sonia Campos-Rivera, 213.580.7538 or srivera@lachamber.com.
Leadership Southern California has conversation on leadership and policy Leadership Southern California discussed the important role leadership plays in helping the legislature effectively govern and reach consensus on issues vital to California's future. Fellows met with Rich Callahan, director, University of Southern California Capitol Center, to better understand the characteristics and development path required to make an effective leader. "Leadership is done in an uncertain space. Leaders should be uncomfortable," he said. "They develop over time and are made by design, not born." Fred Silva, senior fiscal policy analyst for California Forward, outlined the state budget allocations and discussed how civic leaders can become more engaged around policy issues. Fellows also joined the Chamber’s advocacy teams throughout Wednesday. Read more about the session by following @SCLN on Twitter. Contact Kevin Cottrell, 213.580.7577 or [email protected].
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Vote on June 8 The Chamber encourages our members to get out the vote for the California Primary Elections on Tuesday, June 8. The Chamber is supporting Proposition 14, which would reform the primary election process for congressional, statewide and legislative races and allows
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SB 1143 The Senate passed Chamber-sponsored SB 1143 (Liu) by 22 votes Thursday. The bill will now go to the Assembly's Higher Education Committee. The bill would establish a framework for allocating State funds to community colleges in a manner that provides incentives for community colleges to assist students in completing coursework and obtaining a certificate or degree. Read more.
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The Jobs & Business Growth advocacy teams met with Assembly Speaker John Perez, left; Susan Kennedy, chief of staff to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; and State Treasurer Bill Lockyer on the State budget. Speaker Perez outlined the Assembly's budget proposal, while Kennedy said that the Governor is pursuing a budget that includes no tax increases and one that does not include reforms to the State's public pension system and budget process. The team also met with the Senate Republican leadership. Chamber members pushed for a sound budget that begins to address long-term structural deficit without pushing the costs onto future taxpayers. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568 or 
The Energy & Environment advocacy teams met with Cal/EPA Secretary Linda Adams (left); Ombudsman to the California Air Resources Board Chair La Ronda Bowen; and Deputy Secretary of Climate Change Michael Gibbs to discuss responsible and balanced implementation of AB 32. The teams emphasized the importance of taking into account the current economic conditions when drafting the final rules and regulations this fall. Secretary Adams asked for the Chamber's help in identifying impacts to small business and the teams led a conversation on how the business community can train the workforce to meet the needs of a future green and clean economy.
Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558 or 
The Health Care advocacy team met with Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass (left), who strongly supported all initiatives the Chamber advocated for, specifically maintaining program funding for our most vulnerable populations — children and seniors. Assemblymember Connie Conway met with the team on the floor of the Assembly and discussed cutting taxes and balancing the State's budget by ending wasteful spending. Contact Janine Glass, 213.580.7565 or 
The Early Education advocacy team met with legislators to stress the importance of maintaining funding for quality early education programs and stress the negative impacts the Governor's May revise would have on California's children. The delegation provided Republican and Democratic leaders with potential solutions on balancing a budget without eliminating the child care and development programs. The team also stressed the importance of strengthening the early education system by supporting AB 2592. Legislators were impressed that the business community values early education as an investment that will help reduce dropout rates and help narrow the achievement gap. The Chamber's K-12 advocacy team promoted Linked Learning and garnered support for AB 2211 and AB 1223. The team also met with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell (above, left) and thanked him for his leadership on Linked Learning. Contact Sonia Campos-Rivera, 213.580.7538 or 
Leadership Southern California discussed the important role leadership plays in helping the legislature effectively govern and reach consensus on issues vital to California's future. Fellows met with Rich Callahan, director, University of Southern California Capitol Center, to better understand the characteristics and development path required to make an effective leader. "Leadership is done in an uncertain space. Leaders should be uncomfortable," he said. "They develop over time and are made by design, not born." Fred Silva, senior fiscal policy analyst for California Forward, outlined the state budget allocations and discussed how civic leaders can become more engaged around policy issues. Fellows also joined the Chamber’s advocacy teams throughout Wednesday. Read more about the session by following 
