CalChamber Capitol Summit Brings Community Leaders to Sacramento

Business leaders from throughout the state gathered in Sacramento on June 1 for the CalChamber Capitol Summit. Sessions offered insights from CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera, panel discussions by political pundits and policy experts, and presentations of the President’s Circle and Small Business Advocate of the Year awards.

CalChamber President Highlights Importance of Business Involvement

CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera reminds listeners at the CalChamber Capitol Summit on June 1 of positive trends in areas ranging from COVID, where state guidance has stabilized, to the potential for loosening in the labor market in the next few months, and the state’s record $98 billion budget surplus. As discussions continue on the persistent challenges facing the state, she emphasizes that the business community needs to be at the table to make sure all options are considered on housing, water supplies, energy reliability, and homelessness.

CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera. Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.com

Political Pundits Review Key Races, Campaign Mischief, Voter Turnout

Marty Wilson, CalChamber executive vice president, public affairs, moderates a lively discussion at the CalChamber Capitol Summit on June 2 as elections consultants Rob Stutzman, Christy Wilson and Andrew Acosta exchange comments on topics ranging from the potential for low voter turnout (just 5% of voters had cast ballots less than a week before the June 7 primary); races to watch for the state Senate and Congress; and the pros and cons of campaigns that seek to influence who their candidate’s opponent will be through advertisements or voter mailers.

Marty Wilson. Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.comRob Stutzman. Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.comAndrew Acosta. Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.comChristy Wilson. Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.com

CalChamber Policy Specialists Present Back Stories on Bill Outcomes

Former Assemblymember Autumn Burke, now a principal with Axiom Advisors, moderates an examination of business priority issues with panelists Ashley Hoffman, CalChamber policy advocate; Ben Golombek, CalChamber executive vice president and chief of staff for policy; and Adam Regele, CalChamber senior policy advocate. The fast-paced discussion at the CalChamber Capitol Summit on June 1 covered subjects such as job killer bills stopped and moving; the Governor’s CARE Court proposal (supported by the CalChamber); the unemployment insurance fund deficit; how running in new districts is affecting incumbent legislators’ attitudes toward bills; the challenges of lobbying legislators in the COVID era; and the potential for the state budget surplus to be redirected back to taxpayers.

Autumn Burke. Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.comAshley Hoffman. Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.comBen Golombek. Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.comAdam Regele. Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.com

Pollster Summarizes Pre-Primary Survey on Voter Attitudes

Adam Rosenblatt, Core Decision Analytics, presents the findings of the eighth semi-annual California Chamber of Commerce Poll of voter attitudes at the CalChamber Capitol Summit on June 1. A key finding: two-thirds of voters say the cost of living is extremely important. See story.

Adam Rosenblatt. Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.com