Valerie Nera
Valerie Nera specializes in advocacy on agriculture, water, resources, crime, and banking and finance issues for the CalChamber. She joined the CalChamber staff in 1978 as a legislative assistant on agricultural issues. She also has lobbied air, environmental and privacy issues for the CalChamber. She earned a B.A. with honors from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. from the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. See full bio.
The Consequences of Drought
It’s official, California is in another drought cycle as are most of the western states. A look at the U.S. Drought Monitor shows a...
Drought Preparations Picking Up as State Dry Spell Continues with No Relief in Sight
California’s water supply levels are continuing to drop closer to those at the beginning of 2014, which was the start of the last drought...
CalChamber, Water Security Coalition Commend Governor’s Framework to Prepare for Water Supply Challenges
On Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom released a framework to help prepare the state’s water supply for the anticipated impacts of climate change. The Water...
Job Killer Bill Will Limit Lending Opportunities for Californians
A bill that will limit the financial opportunities for Californians, further harming the housing market and creating job loss is advancing in the Assembly.
AB...
Job Killer Update: AB 2501 Added to List, 1 Bill Stalled, 1 Bill Removed
A job killer bill that will significantly restrict Californians’ ability to access home and auto loans by placing onerous burdens on lenders, which will...
Larger Businesses Share in CARES Provisions
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed by President Donald Trump has provisions to help larger businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis.
Under...
Federal CARES Act Provides Small Business Relief
Last week, Congress passed and President Donald J. Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Relief Act (CARES Act), which among other...
Voluntary Water Agreements Get Nudge Forward from Administration
Ongoing discussions on improving conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, central to water access and supply considerations in California, inched ahead this month.
The focus...
State Begins Year with Good Sierra Snowpack
The first manual snow survey of the year on January 2 showed a a healthy snowpack of 33.5 inches, according to the California Department...
CalChamber, Coalition in Support of Plan to Fix Aging Water Delivery Infrastructure
A broad coalition that includes the California Chamber of Commerce, and labor, business, environmental, community and water leaders announced the formation of Californians for...
Sweetened Beverage Bill Tabled, Workers’ Comp Bill Falls Short
Two more job killer bills failed to advance this week in the face of strong concern about their negative impacts.
• The author of AB 138...
Senate Health Committee Moves Beverage Warning Bill
The Senate Health Committee yesterday moved a California Chamber of Commerce-opposed mandating a state-only labeling requirement for sugar-sweetened drinks.
CalChamber is opposed to SB 347...
Landowner Safe Harbor for Endangered Species Act Passes Committees
Assembly and Senate policy committees this week gave approval to California Chamber of Commerce-supported bills extending landowner protections in connection with the state endangered...
More Water in Sierra Snowpack This Year
More water is available in the Sierra snowpack this year than last due to the January storms, according to the state Department of Water...
California Water Board Backs Plan to Increase River Flows
A state board on Wednesday approved a contentious proposal to boost water flows through a Central California river, a move that would increase habitat...
State Water Board Delays Action on River Flows Again
In an unexpected turn of events, after receiving a letter from Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Governor-elect Gavin Newsom, the State Water Resources...
CalChamber-Supported WaterFix Gains Critical State Approval
The California Chamber of Commerce-supported California WaterFix project has achieved the next crucial milestone on the road to securing the state’s future water supplies.
The...
CalChamber-Supported California WaterFix Moves Forward
Biological Opinions Are Vital Step in Permitting Process
With this week’s release of biological opinions (BiOps) from federal agencies responsible for protecting species listed under...
CalChamber Opposition Helps Stop Two Job Killers in Policy Committees
Opposition from the California Chamber of Commerce and the business community helped to stop two job killer bills in their policy committees this week.
...
Job Killer Update: New Bill Mandates California-Only Beverage Labeling
The California Chamber of Commerce has identified a new job killer bill that mandates state-only labeling requirements for sugar-sweetened drinks.
SB 300 (Monning; D-Carmel) establishes...