www.sdchamber.org

Public Policy Update

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its popular "Straight Talk from Sacramento" on Thursday, November 6, 2008, at the Holiday Inn on the Bay, 1355 North Harbor Drive.  Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. and the program will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“Straight Talk” is an interactive forum that facilitates interaction between Chamber members and elected officials serving the region in Sacramento. Participating legislators will address targeted issues and initiatives facing individuals and businesses on local, regional and state levels. Using a real-time polling technique, the audience responds electronically to specific policy questions, followed by the response of the elected officials.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has called for a Special Session of the Legislature to address the growing State budget crisis.  In early October, the state budget shortfall was estimated at approximately $3 billion. Recent projections have the potential deficit as high as $10 billion. The implications of the slowing economy are significant for business and threaten our economic well-being. 

This year’s forum will focus on a behind the scenes perspective to help us understand what the Special Session can accomplish, how our state government is positioned to respond to the budget crisis, and how San Diego's business community will be affected by decisions made in Sacramento during the next four weeks.  Dennis Morgigno of Channel 4 TV will moderate the forum, along with our expert panel.

Invited participants include:

- Hon. Christine Kehoe, State Senator, 39th District

- Michael Genest, Director of Finance for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

- Hon. Dede Alpert, former State Senator

- Hon. Steve Peace, former State Senator and Director of Finance for Governor Gray Davis

The cost for this program is $45 for Chamber members, $55 for prospective members, 70$ at the door, and $320 for a table of eight.  For more information and to register, visit www.sdchamber.org. 

Special thanks to our sponsors for this event: AT&T, Sharp Healthcare, Sharp Continuing Medical Education, Kaiser Permanente, Sempra Energy, Solar Turbines and Union Bank of California.