OCBC Hosts Successful Meetings with 18 State Leaders in Sacramento

Irvine, CA – March 25, 2022 – Orange County Business Council (OCBC) and a large group of business leaders representing a diverse array of Orange County industry sectors traveled to Sacramento on March 21 and 22 to speak with 18 prominent state leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, GO-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers and CalChamber CEO Jennifer Barrera. Thank you to Title Sponsor Southern California Edison and all trip sponsors. A few highlights from each day include: DAY ONE AG Bonta discussed what his office is doing to curb organized retail theft and hold governments accountable in meeting state housing goals; Senator Bob Hertzberg talked tax reforms and how to best utilize the state budget surplus, while also referring Orange County’s water districts as models for others to follow in their water recycling efforts; CA Building Industry Association President Dan Dunmoyer gave an overview of legislation affecting development and how business and the state can work with municipalities to incentivize building; A panel of state housing agency heads talked about the need for housing in Orange County, with HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez noting “the voice of business is critical” in building more housing; Assemblymember Vince Fong covered the tax surplus from his perspective as Vice Chair of the Budget Committee and recognized the need for the state to start significantly investing in the supply chain; Senator Scott Wiener, Chair of the Housing Committee, thanked OCBC for standing on the right side of housing issues and emphasized that the state needs to reform CEQA, not make it easier to halt development through CEQA abuse. Finally, the night concluded with a Reception and Dinner hosted by Disneyland Resort featuring nearly all of Orange County’s state legislators for a night of unparalleled networking. DAY TWO GO-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers agreed that the Private Attorneys General Act, which allows frivolous lawsuits against businesses, is ripe for reform, and heard directly from businessowners the challenges of running a business in such a highly regulated labor landscape; CalChamber CEO Jennifer Barrera described how the Legislature has a “pent up demand” on policies they haven’t been able to move forward due to a focus on COVID the past two years; Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk went over redistricting, bipartisan efforts to reform the Employment Development Department, and how to help businesses by supporting paying down the $20B Unemployment Insurance Fund debt; CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin and CTC Director Mitch Weiss, two leading transportation policy leaders, shared their visions for distributing historic infrastructure funding while Orange County leaders asked how to ensure our region receives its fair share; Controller Betty Yee expressed her appreciation of her office’s collaboration with OCBC throughout her eight years as Controller and gave an overview of the state’s fiscal health; CA Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot heard input from businesses on how to balance conservation efforts with the need for housing and discussed the state’s ongoing transition to carbon neutrality. Thank you again to all investors who participated in this year’s Sacramento Advocacy Trip. Together, we made the voice of business loud and clear in Sacramento. About OCBC:Orange County Business Council (OCBC) represents and promotes the business community, working with government and academia, to enhance Orange County’s economic development and prosperity to preserve a high quality of life. OCBC is comprised of the region’s most influential global businesses and organizations, working to assure effective investment in infrastructure, an advanced education system that produces skilled workers, growth of venture capital and high-tech companies, and housing solutions for the workforce. OCBC membership is comprised of some of the world’s largest global corporate leaders as well as representation from local government and academia. CONTACT: Kathy CorpuzDirector, Communications and [email protected]