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Public Policy Update

Representing the interests of the San Diego region’s business community, a group of 20 of the Chamber’s leaders made their way north to Sacramento on May 6, 2008, to spend a fruitful day of advocacy in and around the State Capitol Building.

The day was separated into three modules, representing key priority issues for the Chamber for the legislative year.  The first two focused on transportation, and on water infrastructure issues and funding, and were held with key agency and elected officials.  Taking advantage of the rare opportunity to use facilities within Governor Schwarzenegger’s office suite, the third module featured presentations and spirited dialogue with key members of the Governor’s senior staff.

Transportation module

The delegation’s first meeting was focused on the myriad of transportation infrastructure issues facing the state.  High-level administration and agency officials attended the meeting and discussed their priorities and outlook for the enhancement of the state’s highway and rail systems. Dale Bonner, the Governor’s Secretary of Business, Transportation & Housing, and Sen. Alan Lowenthal, Chair of the State Senate Transportation & Housing Committee, highlighted the dialogue.  John Barna, the Executive Director of the California Transportation Commission and officials from CalTrans highway and rail divisions joined them.

The Chamber’s focus on funding for regional transportation solutions has been highly regarded in Sacramento and with elected leaders in the county.  Our testimony at statewide hearings on the allocation of Prop 1B funding was key to the region garnering nearly a half billion dollars in specified funding over the last year.

Water module

Water issues are another key public policy focus for the Chamber in 2008, as the entire state faces lower supplies and higher costs.  California Strategies hosted a working lunch for the delegation, and Susan Sims, the head of Public Affairs for the California Department of Water Resources spoke to the group in depth about how the state’s water crisis developed, what we are doing to solve the supply, storage and transfer issues, and the outlook for solutions.

Several members of the local state delegation joined the discussion, including senators Mark Wyland and Denise Ducheny, and Assembly members Mary Salas and Martin Garrick.  California State Chamber President Alan Zaremberg also spoke about what the state chamber is doing to address the water issues.

Governor’s module

Meeting in the Governor’s Office Conference Room in the Capitol Building, the delegation spent the afternoon in high-level discussions with key members of the gubernatorial staff.

Cabinet Secretary Dan Dunmoyer, Legislative Secretary Chris Kahn and Chief Deputy Legislative Secretary Michael Prosio discussed some of the inside information about how the administration is interacting with the elected members of the state senate and assembly, providing an interesting insight into the process of how ideologies, legislation and the partisan system is working in the halls of the Capitol. 

They were followed by Susan Kennedy, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, who imparted fascinating background on how the Governor’s office works, the obstacles they face and partnerships they develop, and the key role she plays in coordinating all of it.  A former chair of the CPUC, Kennedy’s comments were both enlightening and entertaining.

State Director of Finance Mike Genest joined the discussion to discuss the state’s budget issues, providing the delegation with an advance look at the intricate budget revisions that the office would be proposing.  The sessions were capped off by a visit from Herb Schultz, Senior Health Policy Advisor to the Governor and a familiar face for those at the Chamber who have worked hard with Sacramento leadership to play a role in the shaping of the ongoing healthcare reform debate.

Chamber Board of Directors Chair Phil Blair, Vice Chair Ben Haddad and CEO Ruben Barrales led the delegation, along with other key members of the Chamber Board and public policy committees.

Sacramento delegates with Herb Shultz, Senior Health Care Advisor, in the Governor's conference room