GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE DISCUSSES CA BUSINESS CLIMATE

The Bay Area Council’s Government Relations Committee met last week (June 30) and focused its attention on California’s often-maligned business climate during a discussion with North Bay Assemblyman Marc Levine. Levine updated the Committee on his policy priorities and heard from Council members about some of the bureaucratic and regulatory difficulties many businesses face in attracting investment, expanding and starting up. The topic echoed a similar discussion by the Council’s Board of Directors on July 25.

Few would disagree that California has considerable competitive advantages and generally is enjoying an economic resurgence, particularly in the Bay Area. But a recent F grade for the state’s small business climate, regular visits by out-of-state governments seeking to recruit companies and electric car maker Tesla’s doubts about locating its new 6,500-employee battery factory here have kept the topic of business climate top of mind.

The Council will continue to work with the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown on ways to reduce business regulations and improve the economic competiveness of the state. Thank you to Government Relations Committee Co-Chairs Andrew Giacomini, Managing Partner, Hanson Bridgett, LLP and Peter Brightbill, Vice President and Director, Government Relations, Wells Fargo for their leadership, and to Hanson Bridgett for hosting the meeting. To engage in our State Government Relations efforts through our Sacramento Office, contact Policy Manager Cornelious Burke.