|
|
The Chamber in Sacramento – A delegation of more than two dozen business leaders joined the Chamber in Sacramento this week to meet with lawmakers and advocate on issues impacting San Francisco’s business climate. During CityState |
2010, the group met with Senators Mark Leno and Leland Yee, Assemblymember Fiona Ma, Labor & Workforce Development Secretary Victoria Bradshaw, Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Belshe and others to discuss economic recovery, business regulation and much more. The group also heard from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the High Speed Rail Authority, the Emergency Management Agency, the Air Resources Board and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. Click here to see photos. |
State Budget – The delegation heard from Governor Schwarzenegger on the state of the budget at the 85th Annual Sacramento Host Breakfast. “The problem with Sacramento is that they don't understand business that well,” the Governor said. “They think that when Sacramento makes a mistake that the private sector should pay for it.” In a separate meeting, Senator Mark Leno highlighted the statuary obligations which now exceed the Governor’s proposed $83 billion budget. “We are looking at how we can spend our current dollars more efficiently,” Leno said as he described potential savings related to pension reform, prison health care and other measures. “Pensions will be a part of the final budget negotiations,” he added. “But the devil is in the details.” Click here view the Governor’s Proposed 2010-11 Budget.
Economic Development – The Chamber received an overview of the recently formed Governor’s Office for Economic Development (GoED) from Director Joel Ayala. “California has been operating without a plan,” said Ayala of the state’s 20 departments and more than 100 programs currently engaged in economic development activities. “Our goal is to bring all these departments and programs together under one roof so we can be more effective,” he said. The group discussed efforts to attract green and clean technology companies, as well as more direct foreign investment to California. Read more 
High Speed Rail (HSR) – The Chamber received an update from the California High Speed Rail Authority Interim Executive Director, Carrie Pourvahidi, on the Authority’s management transition and pending legal challenges from “NIMBYists” on the Peninsula. The delegation also discussed HSR with Assemblymember Fiona Ma, who thanked the Chamber for its ongoing support to bring the system into downtown San Francisco. “If it does not come up to the Transbay Terminal, what’s the point?,” she said. The Chamber continues to champion HSR and the development of the northern terminus at the TransBay Transit Center. Read more
Bayer HealthCare Coming to Mission Bay – Bayer HealthCare’s pharmaceutical division has selected Mission Bay to establish its U.S. Innovation Center, which will bring 65 jobs and major research activities to San Francisco. “We expect the U.S. Innovation Center to further catalyze and anchor the significant activity and growth we’ve already seen at Mission Bay, cementing its place as the premier biotech cluster in the nation,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. The Chamber’s foundation program, the San Francisco Center for Economic Development, had early contact with Bayer HealthCare regarding the U.S. Innovation Center and believes its decision to locate in Mission Bay will help attract more pharmaceutical companies to the city. Read more
| |
|
|
 |
|
Vote for a Better Economic Future on June 8th! |
Join the Chamber in voting for a better economic future in the California Primary Election on June 8. According to election officials, as many as 1,000 San Francisco residents may have received the wrong mail-in ballots. Concerned absentee voters can vote on Election Day at San Francisco City Hall or call the San Francisco Department of Elections for more information at (415) 554-4375. Click here to view the Chamber’s June 8 Primary Election Voting Guide.
| |
|
|
 |
|
Be a Guest at Hottest Leads Club
in Town on May 21! |
The Chamber’s Business Alliance is a structured leads-exchange program meeting twice monthly designed for networking, professional and personal development. Members develop skills and tools to grow their businesses, dramatically expand their network of contacts, and exchange leads, which turn into increased revenue. Want to lean more? Come as a guest to the May 21 Business Alliance group meeting from 7:30 – 9:30 am in the Chamber Boardroom. Contact Maya Lewis at mlewis@sfchamber.com or 415.352.8840. Read more
|
