Public Affairs Conference

CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera welcomes attendees to the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference.

Pollsters Adam Rosenblatt (left) of Bold Decision and Robert Green, Pierrepont Consulting and Analytics LLC set the stage for the rest of the conference with a recap of their survey on California voter attitudes.

An afternoon session on day one of the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference gives some of the large class of new legislators an opportunity to introduce themselves. (From left) Robert Moutrie, CalChamber senior policy advocate; Assemblymembers-Elect David Tangipa, Jessica Caloza, Maggy Krell, Alexandra Macedo, John Harabedian, Patrick Ahrens, Senator-Elect Jesse Arreguín, Assemblymember-Elect Anamarie Avila Farias.

Christine Aurre, legislative affairs secretary for Governor Newsom, and Ben Golombek, CalChamber executive vice president and chief of staff for policy.

CEO roundtable with (from left) Jennifer Barrera, CalChamber; Dan Dunmoyer, California Building Industry Association; Dave Puglia, Western Growers; Tom Bannon, California Apartment Association; Brian Maas, California New Car Dealers Association; Dustin Corcoran, California Medical Association.

(From left) Discussing AI policy considerations are CalChamber Policy Advocate Ronak Daylami (moderator), Assemblymember Diane Dixon, Senator Brian Jones, Assembly member Jacqui Irwin and Assembly member Marc Berman.

CalChamber Senior Policy Advocate Ashley Hoffman leads a discussion on antitrust competition and regulatory policy issues with (from left) Assembly member Joe Patterson and Senators Anna Caballero, Steve Glazer and Thomas Umberg.

Reviewing the national election results are (from left) Tara Palmeri, Puck News; Cassandra Pye (moderator), Lucas Public Affairs; and David Drucker, The Dispatch.

(From left) CalChamber’s Adam Regele moderates a discussion on California’s clean energy goals with Assemblymembers Lisa Calderon, Sharon Quirk-Silva, Cottie Petrie-Norris, Senator Anna Caballero, Assembly member James Gallagher and Senator Ben Allen.

(from left) CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera, Courtni Pugh of Hilltop Public Solutions, Jim DeBoo of DeBoo Strategy, Brandon Castillo of BCFS Public Affairs.

Kicking off day one of the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference on October 24 are pollsters Robert Green (left), Pierrepont Consulting & Analytics LLC; and Adam Rosenblatt, Bold Decision. Here they field audience questions about the 9th annual CalChamber survey of California voter attitudes, the People’s Voice.

Offering perspectives on the complexities of goods movement in California at the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference on October 24 are (from left) moderator Adam Regele, CalChamber vice president of advocacy and strategic partnerships; Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale); Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel); and Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank). Panelists commented on topics such as supply chain issues, state and local requirements affecting the location of warehouses, the infrastructure and other challenges raised by the transition toward medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles, and potential mitigation proposals.

The opening session on October 25 — day two of the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference — gives some of the large class of “freshman” legislators an opportunity to review their experiences. From left are session moderator Preston Young, CalChamber policy advocate; Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas); and Assemblymembers Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey), Juan Alanis (R-Modesto), Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) and Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach). All agreed there was far too much legislation introduced in 2023.

Panelists at an afternoon session on artificial intelligence (AI) on October 25 at the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference are (from left) Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim), Senator Steve Padilla (D-Chula Vista), Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), Assemblymember Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) and moderator Ronak Daylami, CalChamber policy advocate. The discussion covered the opportunities and risks of AI, the risks of overregulation, and role of the Legislature in this space, plus how to balance the need for guardrails to protect Californians and avoid the dangers of stifling innovation/economic growth.

Entertaining the luncheon audience on October 25 at the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference are (from left) discussion moderator Rob Stutzman, Stutzman Public Affairs; journalist Mary Katherine Ham, podcast host and author; and Democratic Party strategist and memoirist Lis Smith. The lively discussion about Washington D.C. politics ranged from voter perceptions of the presidential candidates to House Republican issues and predictions for the 2024 elections.

Appearing at a CalChamber Public Affairs Conference session on October 25 to discuss the huge impact of California tribal communities on the state’s economy are (from left) moderator Ben Golombek, CalChamber executive vice president and chief of staff for policy; Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Bermuda Dunes); Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis; Assemblymember James Ramos (D-Highland); and Senators Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) and Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson). Besides gaming, tribes have made investments in water, health care and education, among other areas.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) is featured in an afternoon session at the Public Affairs Conference on October 25. CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera moderates the discussion. Photo by Matt Lara

A panel discussion on October 24 at the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference gives attendees the opportunity to hear the perspectives of seasoned legislators about this year’s legislative session. From left are CalChamber policy advocate Ashley Hoffman (moderator), Senators Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), Anna Caballero (D-Merced) and Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa), and Assemblymembers Heath Flora (R-Ripon) and Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine). Topics covered included the legislative process and effective advocacy. Photo by Matt Lara