News : Bay Area Council

Bay Watch: Bay Area Aging Faster Than Ever Before

Jun 2 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Last week, the Bay Area Council Economic Institute wrote about significant racial demographic shifts with data from the la...

Regional Shift Toward Shelter in City Homelessness Budgets

Jun 2 2023

Posted In: Homelessness,

The mayors of the Bay Area’s two largest cities are proposing to shift resources allocated to addressing homelessness aw...

Piling On: New Study Highlights CEQA’s Role in Housing Crisis

Jun 2 2023

Posted In: Housing,

A new study by Bay Area Council member Holland & Knight reveals that housing remains the top target of California Envi...

NCC Rallies Support for Governor’s Infrastructure Proposal

Jun 2 2023

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Government Relations,

The New California Coalition – co-lead by Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman and CEO of LA BizFed Tracy Hernandez – th...

Transit Safety Concerns Show Early Signs of Softening

Jun 2 2023

Posted In: Public Safety, Transportation,

The most recent

Bay Area Council Continues Focus on Fiscal Cliff as Budget Deadline Looms

Jun 2 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

As Bay Area transit systems face the daunting reality of hitting a “fiscal cliff” as early as 2024 –which would subs...

Bay Watch: New Census Data Highlights Shifting Diversity

May 26 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

New demographic data released by the U.S. Census Bureau this week highlights an increasingly diverse Bay Area population. ...

New Partnership Focuses on Growing Life Sciences Jobs

May 26 2023

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

This week Bay Area Council Senior Vice President Matt Regan visited Ohlone College in Newark for a tour of their state-of-...

CA-China Business Forum Highlights Economic Cooperation

May 26 2023

Posted In: China, Global Business and Investment,

This week, in a significant stride toward rebuilding bilateral economic cooperation, the China-California Business Forum ...

Council CEO Shares Ideas with Governor on Addressing San Francisco’s Many Issues

May 26 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

Gov. Newsom on Wednesday (March 24) focused his attention on the city he once led, convening top San Francisco business le...

Ferry Impressive: WETA Completes Clean Ferry Conversion Project

May 26 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council joined the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, and other tran...

Chip, Chip Hooray! VP Harris Hails New $4 Billion Silicon Valley High-Tech Manufacturing Plant

May 26 2023

Posted In: Science and Innovation,

Highlighting the Bay Area’s continuing tech and innovation dominance, Vice President Kamala Harris this week (May 22) tr...

Coming Down to Crunch Time for Transit

May 26 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

As state budget negotiations are heating up in the Legislature, the Bay Area Council has launched a full court press to se...

West Coast Best Coast: New Study Shows Tourism Returning to California

May 19 2023

Posted In: Economy,

Few industries suffered during the pandemic quite like tourism as operations ground to a halt and travelers remained wary ...

Council-Supported Victory for Housing in Redwood City

May 19 2023

Posted In: Housing,

The Bay Area Council put our commitment to alleviate this region’s housing crisis to work on Tuesday evening (May 16) an...

The Bay Area Council is Bringing “California” to CIIE

May 19 2023

Posted In: China, Global Business and Investment, International Business,

The Bay Area Council is excited to announce that we’re full steam ahead in preparing for the China Internat...

Bay Area Job Gains in April Defy Tech Layoffs and Previous Month’s Losses

May 19 2023

Posted In: Economy,

The Bay Area’s two-year job growth streak came to an end in March 2023 when the region lost 4,400 jobs – a blow many a...

Council Applauds Gov. Newsom’s Unveiling of Bold New Infrastructure Package for California’s Future

May 19 2023

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure,

As an expected $180 billion from the federal infrastructure and climate bills is poised to head to California, the state m...

Senate Appropriations Committee Results Announce Future of Council-Sponsored Bills

May 19 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

The much-anticipated, but often obscure Suspense File process in the California Legislature for the Appropriations Committ...

Council Applauds Federal Bill that Aims to Eliminate Parking Requirements Near Transit

May 12 2023

Posted In: Housing, Transportation,

If a bill drops in Congress during debt ceiling negotiations with the fate of the world economy in the balance, does it ma...

CEQA Strikes Again!!

May 12 2023

Posted In: Housing,

Citing costly delays from an abusive CEQA lawsuit, a nonprofit builder of a proposed UC Berkeley project to provide housin...

Gimme Shelter: Council Research Cited in SF Resolution Calling for More Temporary Housing

May 12 2023

Posted In: Homelessness,

Like many jurisdictions across California, San Francisco has for years prioritized the construction of permanent housing o...

May Budget Revise Offers Narrow Opening for More Transit Funding to Ward Off Fiscal Cliff

May 12 2023

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

Gov. Newsom today (May 12) unveiled his May budget revision and the overall picture has worsened since he first proposed h...

New Poll: Overwhelming Support for More Police on BART, Greater Focus on Cleanliness and Stronger Enforcement of Rules

May 9 2023

Posted In: Press Releases, Transportation,

San Francisco—BART riders and others who have stopped using the system or reduced their use drama...

Celebrating Centennial of Hetch Hetchy’s O’Shaughnessy Dam

May 5 2023

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed and Bay Area and federal officials joined the San Francisco Public Utilities...

New BART Tool Will Help Give Passengers a Smoother Ride

May 5 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

On May 3, BART unveiled its newly acquired geometry car, known as the Rail Inspection Vehicle or RIV for short, which will...

Bay Watch: Bay Area Population Loss Since 2020 Surpasses 200,000 People

May 5 2023

Posted In: Economy,

New data released this week by the California Department of Finance shows a continuation of population losses in the nine-...

Gilead Unveils New R&D Facilities, Highlighting Bay Area Life Sciences Growth

May 5 2023

Posted In: Membership,

As a continuing sign of the boom in biotechnology in the Bay Area, the Bay Area Council helped celebrate the opening of tw...

Costly Berkeley Housing Mandates Highlight Need for Continuing Reform

May 5 2023

Posted In: Housing,

Costly, excessive and often unnecessary local fees, regulations and other mandates have been a major contributor to Cal...

Small Housing Victories in Marin Worth Celebrating; Highlight Council’s Statewide Reform Victories

May 5 2023

Posted In: Housing,

Getting new housing approved in Marin County is notoriously difficult so it’s worth celebrating when even a smaller proj...

Council-Sponsored Legislation Advancing

May 5 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council’s biggest package of legislation in recent memory crossed an important milestone last week when 10 ...

Forum Emphasizes Importance of Broadband Infrastructure

Apr 28 2023

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute added to a busy week in Sacramento as it hosted aroundtable discussion on broa...

Viewpoint: With World Leaders Coming, SF and Bay Area Can Reset Perceptions

Apr 28 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

With President Biden, China President Xi Jinping and other top world leaders preparing todescend on San Francisco in N...

CEO Transit Ride-Along Highlights Importance of StateFunding Support

Apr 28 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

On April 21, Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman joined 10 transit CEOs from across theBay Area for a multimodal, three...

Big Win for Bay Area Council Capital Transportation Funding Priorities

Apr 28 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

Nearly $141 million in state funding will flow to important public transportation projects acrossthe region that the B...

Council Gaining Traction in Securing Transit Funding toAvert Fiscal Cliff

Apr 28 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

As transit agencies across the state are barreling towards a fiscal cliff, the Bay Area Council andits partners in the...

Studies Shows Council’s Efforts on Housing Reforms Are Making an Impact

Apr 28 2023

Posted In: Housing,

Two recent

Senate Tax Increase Proposal Boggles the Mind, Brings Swift Rebuke

Apr 28 2023

Posted In: Economy,

State Senate Democrats this week unveiled their proposed spending plan, including a taxincrease on California’s larg...

California Can’t Make Progress Without CEQA Reform

Apr 28 2023

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Housing,

California’s signature environmental law, the California Environmen...

Impact of Council’s California Resilience Challenge Reverberates Across State

Apr 21 2023

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Storm & Flood Protection,

The Bay Area Council Foundation’s California Resilience Challenge was launched in 2019 withthe aim of speeding clima...

Homeless Housing Legislation Clears Major Hurdle

Apr 21 2023

Apr 14 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

Finding a solution to the fiscal cliff facing many Bay Area transit agencies is a top priority for the Bay Area Council an...

Streamline Permitting of Existing Distribution Power Lines

Posted In: Economy,

On Monday (March 20), the City of San Francisco, Mayor London Breed, and a coalition of business groups comprised of the B...

Good Week on the Public Safety Front

Mar 24 2023

Posted In: Public Safety,

There was a triple shot of good news this week for addressing public concerns about crime, safety and cleanliness on BART ...

Please Permit Us to End Onerous Housing Permit Review

Mar 24 2023

Posted In: Housing,

With the Legislative session briskly underway, the Bay Area Council is excited that our priority housing streamlining bill...

New Council-Sponsored Bill a Game Changer in Battle Against Homelessness

Mar 24 2023

Posted In: Homelessness,

Providing permanent housing is the end goal for addressing our homelessness crisis and getting unhoused people off the str...

Edelman Trust Barometer: Navigating a Polarized World

Mar 24 2023

Posted In: Events,

On March 7, over 120 business and thought leaders met on the Klamath for the release of Bay Area Council member Edelman’...

Region’s Top Science and Innovations Leaders Convene

Mar 24 2023

Posted In: Science and Innovation,

The Bay Area Science and Innovation Consortium (BASIC) Board of Directo...

International Data Center Day Highlights Critical Importance of Industry to Our Economy

Mar 22 2023

Posted In: Economy,

We are excited to be celebrating International Data Center Day. International Data Center Day is designed to create i...

Celebrating World Water Day

Mar 22 2023

Posted In: Water,

World Water Day (March 22) inspires awareness and action to promote access to clean water worldwide. This year is all abou...

Member Spotlight: Nossaman Exec Yuliya Oryol Hits Her Stride

Mar 17 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Congratulations to Nossaman Partner and Bay Area Council Board Member

Additional SF Police Funding Council Supported Clears First Hurdle

Mar 17 2023

Posted In: Public Safety,

Restoring a sense of safety in our cities is critical to bringing workers and visitors back to our downtowns, supporting l...

With Council’s Help, Bay Area Debuts Nation’s First Hydrogen Ferry

Mar 17 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The nation’s first commercial zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell ferry arrived in the Bay Area this week, and the Bay Area...

About Time! CA Supreme Court Tosses Abusive CEQA Lawsuit; Clears Way for Lafayette Housing

Mar 17 2023

Posted In: Housing,

While the news was good, even if it took so long, for a 315-unit housing project in Lafayette (item above), a

Bay Watch: Bay Area Employment Recovers to Pre-Pandemic Levels, with South Bay Leading the Way

Mar 17 2023

Posted In: Economy,

After 3 years of steady, slow growth, the Bay Area has fully recovered its pre-pandemic jobs.A Bay Area Council Econom...

Annual SacDay Advocacy Trip Highlights Council’s Ambitious Legislative Agenda

Mar 17 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The path to addressing many of the Bay Area’s biggest challenges often runs straight through Sacramento, which is why th...

New First-Of-Its-Kind Tool Will Track San Francisco Bay Area’s Pandemic Recovery Against Other Major Metropolitan Areas

Feb 28 2023

Posted In: Economy,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute and CBRE benchmark economic activity across 15 indicators

Bay Watch: Leisure, Hospitality Industry Slow to Recover

Feb 24 2023

Posted In: Economy,

The Bay Area’s tourism industry has experienced one of the slowest recoveries in the nation. Between shutdowns during th...

Council Welcomes Order by Newsom to Increase Delta Water Deliveries

Feb 24 2023

Posted In: Water,

Capturing water from atmospheric river storms and storing it for future use by people and the environment is more importan...

Council Applauds Appointment of Andrew Fremier to Lead Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Feb 24 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council this week applauded the appointment of veteran transportation leader Andrew Fremier as Executive Dire...

BART Doubling Police Presence on Trains

Feb 24 2023

Posted In: Public Safety, Transportation,

Moving to address concerns about safety and cleanliness on the region’s backbone transit system, BART President Janice L...

Council-Sponsored Bill Seeks to Accelerate Housing Permitting in San Francisco

Feb 24 2023

Posted In: Housing,

San Francisco is one of the only jurisdictions in the country that requires developers to go through arduous and discretio...

Former Council Chair Nelson Rising Passes Away

Feb 17 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Member Spotlight: BART Unveils New Communications Campaigns to Complement Ridership Recovery

Feb 17 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

With a focus on rider experience and community engagement, especially of younger demographics, BART has unveiled new campa...

A Tireless Champion for California, the Bay Area and San Francisco, Sen. Feinstein Announces Retirement

Feb 17 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Climate Bond Debate Heats Up

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Opinion: Would Government Reform Lead to Better Outcomes on Key Issues?

Feb 3 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

Money—and more accurately, taxpayer money--often seems to be the solution to many of the problems that ail us, from home...

Latest Return to Work/Transit Survey Shows New Habits Getting Locked In

Feb 3 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

Since April 2021, the Bay Area Council has been collecting data from the Bay Area’s biggest employers on their return to...

Renewed Push for SALT Relief in DC

Feb 3 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 passed in November of that year, many Americans and U.S. businesses hailed its lowe...

Take Down of Crime Ring Highlights Effectiveness of Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Response

Feb 3 2023

Posted In: Public Safety,

Brazen daylight robberies, thefts and other street-level crimes against individuals and businesses take a steep toll on th...

State Workers’ Comp System Proves Reforms Can Work

Feb 3 2023

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Achieving meaningful and comprehensive government reforms can seem impossible in a place as politically and bureaucratical...

Council Hosts Early APEC Planning Meeting

Feb 3 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council this week (Feb. 1) hosted business and government leaders aboard our floating headquarters, the Klama...

Bay Watch: As Transit Struggles, Traffic Surges

Jan 10 2023

Posted In: News,

San Francisco—The Bay Area Council today (Jan. 10) issued the following statement on Gov. Newsom’s pr...

Bay Area Council Launches 2023 Workforce Initiative

Jan 6 2023

Posted In: News, Workforce of the Future,

2023 promises to be a very big year for the Bay Area Council Workforce Committee. Significant new philanthropic fund...

Big Bay Area Wins in Omnibus Package

Jan 6 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

The Bay Area’s global innovation and technological dominance was on full display this week when Bay Area Council member ...

Christmas Miracle: Federal San Francisco Bay Restoration Program Gets Huge Boost

Jan 6 2023

Posted In: Water,

San Francisco Bay is one of the largest and most ecologically important estuaries in the United States, but you would neve...

Council Working to Restore Confidence in Public Transit

Jan 6 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

Public safety is the core of a functioning and productive society and vital for attracting and retaining a competitive wor...

A New Year, A New Agenda for Recovery, Growth

Jan 6 2023

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council begins the new year with a renewed sense of optimism and energy, along with a sober and focused deter...

Up, Up and Away: United Bringing New Jobs to SFO

Dec 16 2022

Posted In: Membership,

Bay Area Council member United is planning to add 2,200 jobs at San Francisco International Airport next year as part of a...

We Have Ignition: Bay Area Innovation Engine Goes Nuclear

Dec 16 2022

Posted In: Science and Innovation,

The Bay Area’s global innovation and technological dominance was on full display this week when Bay Area Council member ...

Celebrating 200 Years of U.S.-Mexico Relations

Posted In: Water,

The Bay Area Council today (Aug. 11, 2022) applauded Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy to strengthen the state’s...

5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Historic Klamath

Jul 18 2022

Posted In: Newsroom,

The Bay Area Council put the Klamath out of business! The Klamath started her service running ...

Bay Area Council Adds Powerhouse Team to Bolster Housing, State Government Relations Work

Jul 15 2022

Posted In: Press Releases,

Alex Torres and Louis Mirante Bring Deep Connections, Strong Record...

California Resilience Challenge Announces Statewide Request for Proposals for Climate Adaptation Projects

Jul 14 2022

Posted In: Press Releases,

Grants of up to $200,000 ava...

Webinar Replay: Homeless Encampments and the Law

Posted In: Homelessness, Membership,

Visa Foundation has announced a $12 million grant to

Fang Family Makes Major Gift to Recognize AAPI Month

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

Helps ease unwanted sprawl. Check. Reduces automobile emissions. Check. Avoids development in areas threatened by wildfire...

New Homelessness Counts Offer Bad News, Good News

May 13 2022

Posted In: Housing,

New data released this week shows that homelessness in the Bay Area is getting worse, with the region’s unhoused populat...

Member Spotlight: Intel Commits to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2040

May 13 2022

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

In April, Intel Corporation announced plans to further reduce our direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions to develop ...

New Report: Benefits of Optimizing Land Uses Near Transit Stations

May 13 2022

Posted In: Economy, Transportation,

A new brief from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute this week highlights the benefits of optimizing land use at trans...

Council Launches New Committees on Waterfront Mobility and Goods Movement

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council joined the chorus of community members and Congressional leaders who mourned the passing this week of...

Council Hosts Briefing with Attorney General Rob Bonta

May 6 2022

Posted In: Government Relations,

On Tuesday evening (May 3), California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined members of the Bay Area Council Executive Committ...

WETA Votes to Propel Region into Greener Future

Apr 22 2022

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Colleges across America are experiencing an unprecedented enrollment crisis. California’s own community college system h...

Council Talks with Rep. Doris Matsui about U.S. Competitiveness Legislation

Apr 22 2022

Posted In: Economy,

The Bay Area Council Government Relations Committee held a special meeting with Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) ...

Council-Sponsored Homelessness Bill Faces First Test

Apr 22 2022

Posted In: Homelessness,

SB 2211 (Ting), a bill the Bay Area Council is co-sponsoring to expand California’s inventory of emergency shelters, wil...

Council-Sponsored Water Innovation Bill Clears First Committee Hurdle

Apr 22 2022

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

A bill co-sponsored by the Bay Area Council and the California Municipal Utilities Association to advance technological in...

Bay Area Council Leads North-South-Valley Coalition to Boost Drought Resilience

Apr 22 2022

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council and the Southern California Water Coalition this week asked state leaders to commit $6.5 billion from...

New Analysis: Tech Jobs and the Many Jobs They Create

Apr 15 2022

Posted In: Economy,

An analysis released this week (April 13) by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute found that technology jobs are as imp...

Major Council-Backed Sea Level Rise Project Breaks Ground

Apr 15 2022

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

The US Army Corps of Engineers broke ground Thursday (April 14) on a project to build four miles of 15 foot high levees an...

New Regional Leadership Focuses on Housing Solutions

Apr 15 2022

Posted In: Housing, Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council has long advocated for a strong regional approach to addressing our housing crisis, including sup...

Bay Area Council Poll: Voters Say It’s Getting Much Harder to Find Housing

Apr 14 2022

Posted In: Housing, Press Releases,

Overwhelming support for ADUs, infill and transit-oriented housing and converting unused office space to housing; supp...

2022 Bay Area Council Poll: COVID Fears Linger with Many Saying a Return to “Normal” Could be Six Months, One Year Away

Apr 7 2022

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Even as the COVID pandemic recedes, almost half of Bay Area voters (49%) harbor concern about contracting the deadly virus...

2022 Bay Area Council Poll: Voters Demand “Get Tough” Approach on Homelessness

Apr 4 2022

Posted In: Homelessness, Press Releases,

Bay Area voters have reached their breaking point when it comes to a seemingly intractable homeless crisis that is wreckin...

2022 Bay Area Council Poll Registers Big Jump in Concerns about Crime and Safety

Mar 31 2022

Posted In: Press Releases,

Nearly 2/3rds avoid big city downtowns because of concerns about crime

Report: Future of California Advanced Technology and Basic Research

Mar 29 2022

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute released today (March 29) its Future of Basic Science and Advanced Technology Repo...

2022 Bay Area Council Poll Finds Deep Malaise Settling Over the Region

Posted In: Press Releases, Transportation,

Almost one full year of survey data provided by Bay Area employers shows the post-pandemic “new normal” for in-person ...

Bay Area Council Calls on Legislature to Enact Comprehensive Reforms to End Abuse of CEQA

Mar 7 2022

Posted In: Press Releases,

In the wake of an abusive and shameful California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lawsuit that effectively will deny enro...

We’re Not Done Yet: Council Sponsors New ADU Reform Bill

Mar 4 2022

Posted In: Housing,

Six years after the Bay Area Council sponsored the legislation (SB 1069, Wieckowski) that launched a statewide and nationa...

New CA Housing Goals Better Reflect Actual Need

Mar 4 2022

Posted In: Housing,

One of the primary challenges in addressing California’s decades-old housing affordability crisis is the ridiculously lo...

Council Examining Newsom Plan for Treating Homeless with Mental Health, Substance Abuse Disorders

Mar 4 2022

Posted In: Homelessness,

Amidst growing scenes of human suffering and despair on California’s streets, Governor Newsom on Thursday (March 3) anno...

Council Announces New Policy Focus on Maritime, Goods Movement

Posted In: News,

There’s still a long way to go, but Bay Area Council member Oakland A’s reached an important milestone this week (Feb....

Big Month for Regional Ferry Service

Feb 18 2022

Posted In: News,

There was a lot of good news this past month for fans of regional ferry service. The Port of Redwood City this week (Feb. ...

Worst Drought in 1,200 Years? How About We Make More Water

Feb 18 2022

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, News,

New resear...

Not Again! Failed Wealth Tax Legislation Returns

Feb 18 2022

Posted In: News,

We worked hard to kill it once and we’ll do it again. San Jose Assemblymember Alex Lee has returned with legislation to ...

Council Sponsors Legislation to Fast Track Transportation Infrastructure Projects

Feb 11 2022

Posted In: News, Transportation,

With billions of dollars in new federal infrastructure funding poised to pour into the Bay Area, new legislation (SB 922) ...

Gov. Newsom Signs Legislation Reinstating Business Tax Credits

Feb 11 2022

Posted In: News,

There was a ray of good news this week for thousands of businesses statewide struggling (see related story below) to recov...

California Holds Highest Unemployment Rate in the Nation

Feb 11 2022

Posted In: Economy, News,

Though California’s joblessness peaked at 16.4 percent in April 2020, our state’s unemployment rate remains the highes...

New Data Highlights Impact of Bay Area’s Horrible Housing Shortage

Feb 11 2022

Posted In: Housing, News,

Not that we need more evidence of California’s historic housing shortage and affordability crisis, but the National Asso...

Council Advocates for Megaregion Dozen Transportation Projects

Feb 4 2022

Jan 21 2022

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, News,

Join the Bay Area Council Foundation the evening of Monday, February 28 for a hybrid virtual and in-per...

Council CEO Jim Wunderman Named to MTC Network Manager Advisory Group

Jan 21 2022

Posted In: News, Transportation,

The rubber is about to meet the road on our way to a more integrated Bay Area transit system. Bay Area Council President a...

Council-Endorsed Housing Development in Alameda Wins Preliminary Approval

Jan 21 2022

Posted In: Housing, News,

This week (Jan. 18) the Alameda City Council on a 4-1 vote moved ahead with the approval process for a 589-unit mixed use ...

Legislation to Dismantle CA Healthcare System Moves to Assembly Floor

Jan 21 2022

Jan 14 2022

Posted In: Housing, News,

The Daly City City Council last week gave an initial OK to 1,200 units of new housing as part of a larger development the ...

Council-Sponsored Reforms Tighten Screws on Cities to Produce Housing

Jan 7 2022

Posted In: Housing, News,

It was supposed to be the blueprint for meeting the Bay Area’s housing needs. But it was barely worth the paper it was p...

Massive $163 Billion Tax Hike Proposed to Dismantle CA Healthcare System

Jan 7 2022

Posted In: News,

Taxes on California businesses and consumers would be increased a stunning $163 billion annually (yes, annually!) under di...

Bay Area Council Joins Key State Transportation Working Group on Infrastructure Investment

Jan 7 2022

Posted In: News, Transportation,

As a key California transportation stakeholder, the Bay Area Council has been invited by California Transportation Sec. Da...

Steep Drop in Migration to CA a Troubling Sign for the Economy

Dec 17 2021

Posted In: Economy,

A big part of California’s economic success over the decades is the migration here of top talent from other states and o...

Council Advocacy Helps Push Two Major Water Projects Closer to the Finish Line

Dec 17 2021

Posted In: Water,

Plans to build the new Sites Reservoir and expand the Pacheco Reservoir both cleared major hurdles at the California Water...

Major Milestone for Oakland A’s Waterfront Ballpark

Dec 17 2021

Posted In: Community Engagement,

The Oakland A’s bold plans for a new waterfront ballpark and surrounding commercial and residential development at Howar...

Downtown SF Rail Extension, Cornerstone of Regional Transit Network, Achieves New Milestone

Dec 17 2021

Posted In: Transportation,

The Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA), which owns and operates the multimodal Salesforce Transit Center in downtown S...

Bayer Gets Green Light for Berkeley Campus Plans

Dec 17 2021

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Plans by biopharmaceutical leader and Bay Area Council member Bayer to transform its Berkeley product development and manu...

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks Appointed Housing Committee Chair

Dec 10 2021

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon this week (Dec. 7) appointed East Bay Assemblymember Buffy Wicks Chair of the A...

Council Confronts Tough Options for Boosting Drought Resilience

Dec 10 2021

Posted In: Water,

With California plunging deeper into drought, the Bay Area Council Water & Climate Resilience Committee met with Natur...

With Political Changes, Big Opportunity for Business

Dec 10 2021

Posted In: Economy,

From redistricting, term limits and demographic shifts to a wave of legislative retirements, California’s political land...

Housing, Homelessness Top Bay Area Council Priorities for 2022

Dec 3 2021

Posted In: News,

Two of the Bay Area’s most intractable and worsening problems are housing and homelessness, and the Bay Area Council, ou...

Survey: Fewer Days at the Office, More Traffic

Dec 3 2021

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area commute may never be the same again, but what that means for the region’s highways and mass transit systems...

Member Spotlight: Comcast

Dec 3 2021

Posted In: Membership,

Comcast recently announced it will award $1 million in total grants as well as technology and marketing resources to 100 O...

Celebrating 76 Years of Business, Philanthropic Leadership

Nov 19 2021

Posted In: Events,

In our first major in-person event since the COVID pandemic forced us all into a virtual world, the Bay Area Council and C...

New Report Examines Growing Economic Losses from Wildfires

Nov 12 2021

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

California’s record-breaking fires over the last five years have illustrated an urgent need for policy action to reduce ...

Ten Years On, an East Bay Housing Project Poised to Move Forward

Nov 12 2021

Posted In: Housing,

When Bay Area Council Senior Vice President Matt Regan first testified in support of a 315-unit housing project in Lafayet...

Santa Clara Knuckles Under to Opponents of Homeless Housing

Nov 12 2021

Posted In: Homelessness,

The Santa Clara City Council this week knuckled under to angry local opponents of a proposed 60-unit project to provide tr...

Member Spotlight: California Life Sciences

Posted In: Economy,

Manufacturing holds an important key to the economy of California, which is the nation’s largest manufacturing state. It...

Member Spotlight: Automotus Accelerates Commercial Adoption of EVs, Improves Parking Turnover for Local Businesses

Oct 26 2021

Posted In: News,

Founded in 2017, new Bay Area Council member Automotus uses first-of-its-kind computer vision technology to help cities, a...

Campaign Seeks Hybrid Lane on Richmond Bridge

Oct 22 2021

Posted In: Transportation,

Advocates for less congestion on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge led by the Bay Area Council recently launched the Common S...

New Study Examines California’s Landmark Paid Family Leave Program Over 20 Years

Sep 21 2021

Posted In: Press Releases,

California’s first-in-the-nation paid family leave (PFL) program is almost two decades old and a new in-depth Bay Area C...

Gov. Newsom Signs Council-Sponsored Bill to Close Major Housing Reform Loophole

Sep 16 2021

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (Sept. 16) applauded Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing urgency legislation (AB 1174, Tim Grayson) i...

Statement on Gov. Newsom’s Recall Victory

Sep 15 2021

Posted In: Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council today (Sept. 15) issued the following statement on the resounding defeat of an effort to recall Gov. ...

Bay Area Council Urges Gov. Newsom to Sign Wildfire Bill

Sep 10 2021

The Bay Area Council today (Aug. 31) announced it is formally recommending all private sector employers, businesses and ot...

Big Win for Housing

Aug 27 2021

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

Breaking the stranglehold of single-family zoning on California’s housing landscape has long been seen as a critical par...

Survey: As Delta Variant Surges, Employers Delaying Return to Office Plans

Aug 27 2021

Posted In: Healthcare,

The fast-spreading COVID-19 delta variant appears to be causing some Bay Area businesses to pull back slightly on their pl...

Bay Area Council Helps Plan Sea Level Rise Defense

Aug 27 2021

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

How will the Bay Area pay for defending its shoreline from rising sea levels? How can we speed projects to ensure action i...

Council CEO Jim Wunderman Again Named to Capitol Weekly Top 100

Aug 27 2021

Posted In: Government Relations,

We’ve frankly lost count of the number of times Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman has been named to the state’s most-...

Bay Area Council Calls for State Forestry Stimulus to Fight Wildfires

Aug 20 2021

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

With record wildfires again sweeping California and state and federal agencies struggling to manage California’s 33 mill...

Council Asks Legislature to Help Silicon Valley Stave Off Drought Disaster

Aug 20 2021

Posted In: Water,

The Bay Area Council this week called on state legislators to appropriate $20 million to help Valley Water—Silicon Valle...

Housing and Homelessness Committees Meet

Aug 20 2021

Posted In: Homelessness, Housing,

The Bay Area Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committees this week welcomed Dr. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Sen...

All Aboard Bay Area Transit

Aug 20 2021

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council is proud to support the newly-launched All Aboard Bay Area Transit campaign, a one-stop shop for info...

Attention Shifts to State Water Plan as Drought Worsens

Aug 13 2021

Posted In: Water,

Plans by state agencies to force water users in the Bay Area and elsewhere to leave more water in rivers and streams at th...

Picture Worth 1,000 Words – and Even More ADUs

Aug 13 2021

Posted In: Housing,

Member Spotlight: 49ers Elevate Bay Area Black-Owned Businesses

Aug 13 2021

Posted In: Membership,

Amid both the ongoing pandemic and the fight against social injustice, the San Francisco 49ers, a longtime member of the B...

How much would it cost to drought-proof the Bay Area?

Aug 6 2021

Posted In: Water,

Even a small risk of supply disruption warrants big investments in drought-proof water.

Bay Area Council Employer Survey: 40% Expect Return to Workplaces Just Three Days a Week Post-Pandemic

Aug 4 2021

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area commute may never be the same again, but what that means for the region’s highways and mass transit systems...

Stage Set for 2021 Annual Dinner and Business Hall of Fame Presented by Kaiser Permanente

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute (BACEI) and Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) today announced that they are t...

Enter and Win: Council Announces #TixforTransit Contest

Jul 16 2021

Posted In: Transportation,

Bay Area transit systems are continuing to ramp up service and provide reduced fares while also taking strong measures to ...

Council Launches 2021 California Resilience Challenge Amidst Drought, Wildfire Emergencies

Jul 16 2021

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council Foundation on Monday, July 12 launched the official request for proposals for the California Resilien...

California Unemployment Badly Lags Pre-Pandemic Trends

Jul 16 2021

Posted In: Economy,

While many media outlets and business climate deniers across the state continue their fixation on the lack of a so-called ...

Keeping the Oakland A’s in Oakland

Jul 16 2021

Posted In: Economy,

With a key vote looming on the Oakland A’s plan to build a new ballpark at Howard Terminal north of Jack London Square, ...

California Clean Air Day 2021: Microgrants Program

Jul 16 2021

Posted In: Government Relations,

On Wednesday, October 6, the Bay Area Council and 250 businesses and organizations across the state will unite to take par...

Redwood City Ferry Terminal Steaming Ahead

Jul 16 2021

Posted In: Transportation,

Plans for extending regional ferry service to Silicon Valley are accelerating, with Gov. Newsom this week signing budget l...

California Resilience Challenge Announces Statewide Request for Proposals for Climate Adaptation Projects

Jul 12 2021

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council Foundation today launched the official request for proposals for the California Resilience Challenge ...

California Economic Future: What, Me Worry?

Jul 9 2021

Posted In: Economy,

Almost 50% of Californians said they are seriously thinking of leaving the state in the next few years or are giving it so...

Transit Agencies Getting Aggressive to Promote Ridership

Jul 9 2021

Posted In: Transportation,

As the Bay Area economy reopens, the regional commute is also revving up. And while new data shows commuters are choosing ...

Council Helps Push Record State Investments to Fight Homelessness

Jul 9 2021

Posted In: Homelessness,

The budget Gov. Newsom signed last week commits a record $12 billion over the next two years to fight homelessness, and ca...

Climate Priorities Poised for Big Wins in State Budget – But Fight’s Not Over

Jul 9 2021

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Storm & Flood Protection,

The record budget Gov. Newsom signed last week includes nearly $8 billion for unspecified climate resilience, drought, and...

Partner Spotlight: CEO Action for Racial Equity

Jul 9 2021

Posted In: Membership,

Launched in October 2020, CEO Action for Racial Equity

Report: Rethinking Mexico and Its Ties to Silicon Valley

Jul 9 2021

Posted In: Economy,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute recently released a report authored by Senior Director Dr. Sean Randolph exami...

WETA Launches New Alameda Seaplane Lagoon Route, Increases Other SF Bay Ferry Services

Jul 2 2021

Posted In: Transportation,

This week (July 1), the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), the City of Alameda and Alameda Point Partne...

Berryessa TOD Project Advances in San Jose

Jul 2 2021

Posted In: Housing,

A mixed-use development directly adjacent to the Berryessa BART station in San Jose that proposes to create 3,450 resident...

Bernard J. Tyson’s Legacy Celebrated with Portrait Unveiling

Jul 2 2021

Posted In: Membership,

The Bay Area Council was honored to be included in a celebration of the legacy and contributions of Bernard J. Tyson this ...

Litigation Abuse Under CEQA Delays Yet Another Affordable Housing Project

Jul 2 2021

Posted In: Housing,

After an exhaustive review process with multiple public hearings and countless hours of community outreach and input, the ...

Bay Area Council Applauds BART for Restoring Service Hours Ahead of Schedule, Bolstering Economic Recovery

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Calbright College, California’s first statewide online community college, got off to a bumpy start but deserves the oppo...

#MeetLocalSF Can Help Speed Up Economic Recovery, Boost Jobs

Posted In: Economy,

Does the minting of new startup billionaires mean California shouldn’t be concerned about the economy? Don’t tell that...

Headwinds Buffet California Jobs Recovery

Apr 9 2021

Mar 31 2021

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

As concerns grow about a possible fourth COVID surge and public health officials race to roll out vaccines, the 2021 Bay A...

Council’s D.C. Week Comes at Key Time, Helps Deepen Important Relationships

Mar 26 2021

Posted In: Government Relations,

With the recent passage of the federal COVID relief package and ahead of an expected federal infrastructure bill, the Bay ...

Whoa, Not More Taxes

Mar 26 2021

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council has joined over 3...

Member Spotlight: A’s Hit Key Milestone on Waterfront Ballpark

Mar 5 2021

Posted In: Membership,

The city of Oakland on Feb. 26 released its Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), which offers an incredibly thorough ...

Council Endorses Legislation for $6.7 Billion Climate Resilience Bond

Mar 5 2021

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Storm & Flood Protection,

Assemblymember Kevin Mullin (San Mateo) joined the Bay Area Council’s Water and Climate Resilience Committee recently fo...

Waiting for Economic Point of No Return Not an Option

Mar 5 2021

Posted In: Economy,

The Bay Area Council didn’t coin the term “exodus” to describe anecdotal stories of companies, jobs and investment l...

New Housing Report Studies Regional Initiatives That Can Be Replicated Statewide

Feb 26 2021

Posted In: Housing, News,

The Bay Area isn’t the only region in California facing a housing crisis. In every corner of the state, housing advocate...

Council Congratulates New MTC Chair Alfredo Pedroza

Feb 26 2021

Posted In: News, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council congratulates Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza on being named this week (Feb. 24) Chair of the ...

Council Announces New Partnership to Deepen Board, Executive Diversity

Feb 19 2021

Posted In: Economy,

Despite years of hard work, women and communities of color continue to be underrepresented in the highest echelons of busi...

Council Meets with Governor’s Senior Counselor on Housing and Homeless

Feb 19 2021

Posted In: Housing,

The Bay Area Council’s Housing Committee this week welcomed Jason Elliott, Senior Counselor to Gov. Newsom on Housing an...

Celebrating the Year of the Ox

Feb 12 2021

Posted In: China,

The Bay Area Council wishes you a happy, healthy and prosperous Lunar New Year. We are optimistic that the Year of the Ox ...

Liccardo: Don’t Blame Tech for Exodus

Feb 12 2021

Posted In: Economy,

As the Bay Area Council moves quickly to advance our Business Climate Initiative, we were encouraged to read a powerful co...

Council Co-Sponsors Water Innovation Bill

Feb 12 2021

Posted In: Water,

The Bay Area Council is proud to partner with the California Municipal Utilities Association in sponsoring SB 351 which au...

Terner Center Study Affirms Value of Housing Reforms

Feb 12 2021

Posted In: Housing,

Legislation (SB 35) the Bay Area Council supported has been effective in reducing housing costs and streamlining productio...

State Audit Details “Disjointed” Homeless Response

Feb 12 2021

Posted In: Homelessness,

California’s approach to addressing homelessness is disjointed between siloed state agencies, and the entity tasked with...

George P. Shultz: An Appreciation

Feb 12 2021

Posted In: Membership,

With the recent passing George P. Shultz, who served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1982 to 1989, America lost perhaps it...

Partner Spotlight: California Competes

Feb 12 2021

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

In California there are 6.8 million adults ages 25–54 who graduated high school but have not completed a postsecondary d...

Council Joins Campaign to Deepen Board Diversity

Feb 8 2021

Posted In: News,

Despite years of hard work, women and communities of color continue to be underrepresented in the highest echelons of busi...

Statement on Passing of George P. Shultz

Feb 7 2021

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (Feb. 7) issued the following statement on the passing of George P. Shultz.

Troubling New Data Highlights Urgency of Addressing Bay Area Jobs Exodus

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (Jan. 20) issued the following statement on the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice Pr...

Fighting to Keep Jobs in California

Jan 15 2021

Posted In: Economy,

The stories continue to mount about California’s worsening business climate and the exodus of key companies, investors a...

Keeping Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream Alive More Important Than Ever

Jan 15 2021

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Like few periods in recent memory, the past year has exposed our country’s continuing struggle to address painful, long-...

Statement on AB 71 to Raise Taxes on Struggling Businesses

Jan 13 2021

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (Jan. 13) issued the following statement in response to the introduction of AB 71, proposed le...

Take Action: Support UCSF Parnassus Heights Plan

Last month, fifteen nations signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP); the U.S. however, did not sign....

Member Spotlight: Facebook Invests $150 Million in Bay Area Low Income Housing

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

Facebook Inc. announced this week (Wednesday) that developments for the lowest-income tier in the Bay Area will get $150 m...

Council Applauds Appointment of Dee Dee Myers to Lead GO-Biz

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council applauds Gov. Gavin Newsom’s appointment today of Dee Dee Myers, former Warner Brothers e...

With Release of Feasibility Study, Bay Area Council Encourages WETA to Bring Hovercraft Services to the Bay

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

On Thursday, students and job seekers from throughout the region gathered (virtually) to hear from some of the region’s ...

Damning Report Highlights Need for Affordable Housing Reforms

Nov 20 2020

Posted In: Housing,

A damning

Bay Area Comes Out on Top as Project Homekey Wraps

Nov 18 2020

Posted In: Homelessness, News,

Governor Gavin Newsom has finished announcing Project Homekey grants. How did the Bay Area do? The Bay Area accounts for r...

Replay: UC President Michael Drake in Conversation with Council CEO Jim Wunderman

Nov 13 2020

Posted In: News,

New University of California President Michael V. Drake, MD joined Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman this week (Nov. 12) ...

Council-Backed Housing Near BART Station Approved

Nov 13 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

More than 750 units of new housing near the West Oakland BART station that the Bay Area Council endorsed have been approve...

Hire Together 2.0 Virtual Career Fair

Nov 13 2020

Posted In: News, Workforce of the Future,

One week until the second Bay Area virtual career fair! The Bay Area Council is excited to provide a platform for leading...

Economic Profile: Bay Area Leads California in H1-B Visas

Nov 13 2020

Posted In: News,

Foreign workers and immigrants have always been significant contributors to the Bay Area’s and California’s economies....

Replay: Doctors Creating CA’s COVID Vaccine Guidelines Discuss Process

Nov 13 2020

Posted In: Healthcare, News,

As multiple potential COVID-19 vaccines enter larger-scale efficacy trials, hopes are growing for a release of one or more...

California Voters Appear to Reject Big Tax Increase on Business, Spike Rent Control and Back Gig Economy

Posted In: News,

Stories are legion of fearful parents of Black children having to caution them about how to conduct themselves in encounte...

Council-Endorsed Affordable Housing Project Approved

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

A 72-unit affordable housing development in Castro Valley that the Bay Area Council endorsed won approval from the Alameda...

Call to Participate in Bay Area Council Focus Groups on Returning to Transit

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: News, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council invites employers to participate in focus groups to have in-depth conversations about returning to wo...

Council Says “Whoa!” To New Taxes in Latest Ad

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council this week unveiled the third in a series of hard-hitting video ads to bring attention to the harmful ...

MUFG Union Bank Grant Supports Council’s Workforce of the Future Initiative

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: News, Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Initiative has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the

COVID Recovery: Bridge Traffic Near Normal Levels as Commuters Avoid Transit

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: Economy, News, Transportation,

New data analyzed by the Bay Area Counc...

The Port of Oakland is Open for Business

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: News,

On October 22, the Bay Area Council and the Jiangsu Department of Commerce co-hosted a semi-virtual trade seminar to intro...

Prop. 15 Will Add to California’s Economic Hardship

Oct 29 2020

Posted In: Government Relations,

Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman co-authored the following OpEd with Greater Sacramento Economic Council CEO Barry B...

How We’re Preparing for More Wildfires and the Big One

Oct 23 2020

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, News,

California’s hotter and drier climate, paired with a century of fire mismanagement, has created an explosive combination...

Court Ruling Highlights Urgency of Passing Prop 22

Oct 23 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Affirmative action has had a controversial history in California. Despite various attempts to overturn the ban enacted by ...

Council Members Share Deep Concerns Over Work from Home Mandate

Oct 2 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Bay Area Council members shared their specific concerns regarding the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s proposed ...

25th Anniversary Bay Area Business Hall of Fame

Oct 2 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

It’s virtually the best event you will attend this year. The Bay Area Council is gearing up for our 25th Anni...

Council Fights Cockamamie Work from Home Mandate

Sep 25 2020

Posted In: News, Transportation,

Think you’re tired now of Zoom meetings? Just wait until you get a load of a daft new scheme from the Metropolitan Trans...

Act Now: Support UCSF’s Bold Plan for SF Parnassus Campus

Sep 25 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

The Bay Area Council proudly endorses plans by member organization University of California, San Franc...

CRC Spotlight: Resilient Groundwater in California’s Agricultural Heartland

Sep 25 2020

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, News,

This is the last in a series of profiles of the 12 winners of the

Statement on Gov. Newsom’s order banning gas-powered vehicles

Sep 23 2020

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council, which was the first business organization to endorse California's historic AB 32 Global Solutions Ac...

Remembering Affordable Housing Champion John Stewart

Sep 18 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council lost a good friend and California lost a great champion for low-income housing with the passing of Jo...

Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund Announces First Investments

Sep 18 2020

Posted In: News,

The American Heart Association this week announced the first 10 organizations that will receive investments from the

California Laggin’ – State’s Economic Recovery Stalls

Sep 18 2020

Posted In: News,

New data released this morning (Sept. 18) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows California’s unemployment rate in Au...

Council Hails Signing of Paid Family Leave Legislation

Sep 18 2020

Posted In: News,

Governor Newsom on Thursday (Sept. 17) signed legislation the Bay Area Council helped create and bring to the finish line ...

Council’s Advocacy Helps Secure $1.2 Billion for BART

Sep 18 2020

Posted In: News,

Gridlock may rule the day in Washington, D.C., but that didn’t stop the Bay Area Council from helping unlock $1.2 billio...

CRC Spotlight Series: Gateway Cities Council of Governments

Sep 18 2020

Posted In: News,

This is one in a series of profiles of the 12 winners of the

Scary Skies Call for Urgent Climate Resilience Action

Sep 11 2020

Posted In: News,

The skies over the Bay Area and much of the West Coast took on an apocalyptic hue this week as record wildfires poured thi...

Save The Date: Opportunity for All Summit: Affirmative Action in California

Sep 11 2020

Posted In: News,

On Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 12noon, the Bay Area Council will be hosting the Opportunity for All Summit presented by Kaiser ...

Council Urges Governor’s Signature on Key Bills, Including Hard-Fought Reform for Nurse Practitioners

Sep 11 2020

Posted In: News,

After eight long years of focused advocacy, the Bay Area Council joined with other supporters in applauding the hard-fough...

Member Spotlight: Waymo

Sep 11 2020

Posted In: News,

Waymo is a technology company with a mission to make it safe and easy for people and things to get where they’re going. ...

RSVP: San Francisco Crisis Point or Turning Point?

Sep 11 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council is pleased to partner on the San Francisco Business Times’ annual signature event San Fran...

CRC Spotlight Series: Strengthening Western Riverside County Energy Resilience

Sep 11 2020

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, News,

This is one in a series of profiles of the 12 winners of the

Council Welcomes New Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Chairs

Sep 11 2020

Posted In: Gender Equity, News,

The Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee this week (Sept. 9) announced the appointment to new co-chairs, including J...

CRC Spotlight Series: Greening the City of Watsonville

Sep 4 2020

Posted In: News,

This is one in a series of profiles of the 12 winners of the California R...

New Resilience Challenge Video Highlights Launch of Round 2

Sep 4 2020

Posted In: News, Water,

Following up the wild success of our 2020 California Resilience Challenge, the Bay Area Council Foundation has completed p...

Legislature Heads Home after Failing to Advance Significant Housing Reform

Sep 4 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

Claims that this would be the year of housing quickly fizzled when the Legislature’s lack of action left many important ...

Fighting Back Against Ill-Timed Taxes

Sep 4 2020

Posted In: News,

As if we needed another reminder of California’s battered and fragile economy, a prominent social media company made sur...

Council Urges Supporters to Send Governor Newsom Letters Backing Housing Bills

Posted In: News,

This week (Aug. 26) we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th am...

Big Apple Shares Lessons on Right to Shelter and COVID Response for Homelessness

Aug 28 2020

Posted In: News,

Shortly after the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) moved quickly t...

Supporting Wildfire Relief and Response

Aug 28 2020

Posted In: News,

Wildfires are once again wreaking havoc on Northern California, displacing thousands of residents and causing untold damag...

Council Delivers 57,000 COVID Masks to South Bay Homeless Services Provider

Aug 28 2020

Posted In: News,

After several months of delays due to backlogs in international shipping, the Bay Area Council China Initiative team this ...

CRC Spotlight Series: Fighting Fire with Incentive in San Diego

Aug 28 2020

Posted In: News,

This is one in a series of profiles of the 12 winners of the

Council Joins Members in Making Clean Air Day Pledge

Aug 28 2020

Aug 21 2020

Posted In: News,

California's new Housing and Community Development Director Gustavo Velasquez and Zillow Sr. Economist

Council Partners with Silicon Valley Leadership Group and Bay Area Community College Consortium on First-of-its-Kind Virtual Career Fair

Aug 21 2020

Posted In: News, Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future program has partnered with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the Bay A...

California Resilience Spotlight Series: Extreme Flooding in the San Joaquin River Basin

Aug 21 2020

Posted In: News,

This is one in a series of profiles of the 12 winners of the California R...

Council Secures Critical PPE Face Masks for Communities in Need

Aug 21 2020

Posted In: News,

As reopening schools and businesses join hospitals and government agencies in efforts to procure masks and PPE, shortages ...

New Franklin Templeton-Gallup Survey Gives Key Insights for Restaurant Industry on Road to Recovery

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

This is one in a series of profiles of the 12 winners of the California R...

Science, Innovation Consortium Helps Secure $185 Million for Energy Research

Aug 14 2020

Posted In: Science and Innovation,

A consortium of the Bay Area’s leading science and technology institutions led by the Bay Area Council and our Economic ...

Member Spotlight: Oakland Zoo Reopens, Needs Your Support

Aug 14 2020

Posted In: Membership,

Outfitted with robust health and safety protocols, the Oakland Zoo has reopened its doors to provide stir-crazy Bay Area r...

Council-Backed Housing Reforms Hitting Home

Aug 7 2020

Posted In: Housing,

A raft of housing reforms that the Bay Area Council has played a leading role in getting through the legislature in recent...

Council Hitting Back Against Dangerous New Taxes

Aug 7 2020

Posted In: Economy,

Dangerous new legislation, AB1253, surfaced last week in Sacramento proposing a massive new personal income tax increase t...

Caltrain Funding Measure Gets OK for November Ballot

Aug 7 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council applauds an agreement hammered out this week by leaders in Santa Clara, San Francisco, and San Mateo ...

Expanding Apprenticeships Can Fuel Equitable Economic Recovery

Aug 7 2020

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

In the past five months, we have faced a pandemic, record unemployment, and nationwide protests over the killing of George...

Council’s Sustainable Transportation Bill (SB 288) Advances

Aug 7 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

Legislation the Bay Area Council is co-sponsoring to fast track sustainable transportation projects this week cleared a ke...

Cutting Red Tape to Advance Green Projects

Aug 7 2020

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

In 2016, behind the leadership of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Bay Area voters overwhelmingly approved regional Measure AA to ra...

California Resilience Challenge Spotlight Series: Resilient Communities at Clear Lake

Aug 7 2020

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Water,

This is one in a series of profiles of the 12 winners of the California Resilience Challenge, a first-of-its-kind stat...

ICYMI: How COVID is Impacting Commercial Real Estate

Jul 17 2020

Jul 2 2020

Posted In: China,

With travel still restricted across the globe, entrepreneurs and investors are searching for new ways to connect for cross...

Council’s Leadership Helping Expand Paid Family Leave

Jul 2 2020

Posted In: Gender Equity, Workforce of the Future,

Legislation (SB 1383, Jackson) the Bay Area Council was instrumental in drafting to expand paid family leave (PFL) to more...

Council-Backed Housing Project Gets OK in Mtn. View

Posted In: Transportation,

Legislation (SB 288, Wiener) the Bay Area Council is working to pass would speed up a wide range of bicycle, complete stre...

Analysis: BART Ridership and Racial Disparities

Jun 26 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

BART ridership under COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders has fallen less significantly at stations located in neighborhoods w...

Member Spotlight: AT&T California Contributes $3.5 Million for COVID Relief

Jun 26 2020

Posted In: Membership,

AT&T California is making $3.5 million in contributions to California community-based organizations who are providing ...

Member Spotlight: Union Bank Pledges $10 Million for Social and Racial Justice

Jun 26 2020

Posted In: Membership,

On June 18, Union Bank committed $10 million to launch a Community Recovery Progr...

Member Spotlight: Biocom Study Examines Life Sciences

Jun 26 2020

Posted In: Membership,

Biocom recently released its 2020 Economic Impact Report featuring the most recent data about California’s life science ...

Bay Area Council Statement on President Trump’s Plan to Extend Restrictions on Foreign Workers

Jun 22 2020

Jun 16 2020

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

Once the source of epic traffic jams, new data-visualization shows travel between Silicon Valley and San Francisco is lagg...

Listening, Taking Action on Racial Justice, Equity

Jun 12 2020

Posted In: Community Engagement, Gender Equity,

The horrific killing of George Floyd ignited nationwide protests to end police brutality against Black Americans, but it h...

Replay: Virtual Pacific Summit Videos Now Available

Jun 12 2020

Posted In: Events,

What?! You missed the Bay Area Council’s first-ever Pacific Summit presented by TMG Partners? Then you’re in luck. Vid...

Council Initiative to Unveil Winners of $2 Million Climate Challenge

Posted In: Community Engagement,

During these unprecedented times, Visit California is working on initiatives to inspire community support and begin safe a...

Racial Justice, COVID-19 Focus of 2020 Pacific Summit

Jun 5 2020

Posted In: Events,

A powerful lineup of business and elected leaders and national political commentators joined the Bay Area Council’s firs...

Interest Growing in Economic Recovery Bond

Jun 5 2020

Posted In: Government Relations,

California cities, counties and school districts could avoid drastic cuts to vital public services under a proposal by Bay...

Statement on Protests in Wake of George Floyd’s Death

Posted In: Housing,

Three development projects that include a combined almost 1,700 units of housing this week earned the endorsement of the B...

New CEO Survey Finds Dramatic Workplace Changes in Response to COVID-19

May 15 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area can expect a dramatic shift in where employees work as shelter-in-place orders slowly lift and the economy re...

Bay Area Council Statement on Agreement Between Tesla and Alameda County

May 13 2020

May 1 2020

Posted In: Homelessness,

Providing hotels and other innovative housing solutions for California’s homeless population is key to stopping the spre...

Member Spotlight: pymetrics Revolutionzing Talent Acquisition

May 1 2020

Posted In: Membership,

As employers across the country, and especially in the Bay Area, are confronted with endless changes brought about by COVI...

Bay Area Council Survey Finds Growing Pressure to Reopen Economy

Apr 28 2020

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

Strong support for shelter-in-place restrictions, but economic toll mounting as growing number of business ...

Council Mourns Passing of Linda Bidrossian

Apr 24 2020

Posted In: News,

On Saturday, April 18, the Bay Area Council received the crushing blow when our beloved Linda Bidrossian - the Senior Vice...

Council Helps Secure Large Shipment of Masks for Port of Oakland

Apr 24 2020

Posted In: News, Uncategorized,

A large shipment of surgical masks the Bay Area Council sourced from a manufacturer in China and helped clear customs and ...

Announcing Virtual 2020 Pacific Summit on June 5

Apr 24 2020

Posted In: Events,

We’re extremely excited to announce that the 2020 Pacific Summit is going virtual, with an incredible line up of speaker...

Bay Area Awarded $160 Million for Key Transportation Projects

Apr 24 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

The California State Transportation Agency this week

Member Spotlight: Alaska Airlines Foundation Supports Vulnerable Nonprofits

Apr 24 2020

Posted In: Membership,

The Alaska Airlines Foundation is awarding $315,000 to 23 nonprofits in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington....

ICYMI: Is China Getting Back to Business?

Apr 24 2020

Posted In: China,

As part of the Bay Area Council’s continuing series of webinars on various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we talked r...

Council Engaging National Effort to Save Thousands of Nonprofits Excluded from CARES Act

Are you a startup with a solution that can reduce the severity of the coronavirus outbreak, but need help commercializing ...

April 3 COVID-19 Response Update

Apr 3 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council is continuing to work with our members, partners, and local, state and federal government officials o...

Member Spotlight: Instacart to Add 300,000 Personal Shoppers

Mar 27 2020

Posted In: Membership,

As the economy and workforce begin to feel the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, Bay Area Council member Instacart is provi...

Federal COVID-19 Includes Billions for Homeless

Mar 27 2020

Posted In: Homelessness,

Following efforts by the Bay Area Council and AllHome to corral regional leaders behind a united ask for $5 billion in fed...

Keeping Essential Services/Businesses Operating

Mar 27 2020

Posted In: Housing,

While state and local shelter-in-place orders are helping stop the spread of COVID-19, they are also creating confusion am...

New Webinar Series Provides Expertise, Insights on COVID-19 Issues

Mar 27 2020

Posted In: Healthcare,

Accurate, timely information is among the key weapons in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, from understanding public ...

Bay Area Council Poll: COVID-19 Economic Concerns Soar

Mar 25 2020

Posted In: News,

Bay Area residents’ concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic rose dramatically over a one-week period in mid-March as the vi...

Message from CEO Jim Wunderman

Mar 20 2020

Posted In: News,

I hope this finds you all safe and healthy. These are unprecedented times. Our world has been turned upside down and insid...

COVID-19 Impacts Intensify, Widen; So Do Countermeasures

Mar 13 2020

Posted In: News,

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically worsened this week, with schools and other public institutions closing, ...

New “Missing Middle” Housing Bill Introduced

Mar 13 2020

Posted In: Housing,

The Bay Area Council’s 2020 housing priority is to pass legislation designed to boost housing production. While the stat...

One Step Closer to Redwood City Ferry Service

Mar 13 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

The future for ferry service in Redwood City is looking bright after the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) t...

Council Urges Reauthorization of Federal Transportation Funding Bill

Mar 13 2020

Mar 6 2020

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

It matters what your employees think. Pay equity and transparency continue to be essential in building a more equitable wo...

Member Spotlight: Bank of Marin Celebrates 30 Years

Mar 6 2020

Posted In: Housing,

Happy 30th Anniversary to Bank of Marin! Since 1990, the bank’s philosophy, “banking built on trust and relation...

Council Urges YES Vote on Prop. 13 to Benefit Colleges, Universities

Feb 28 2020

Feb 14 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

It’s no secret that building housing in the Bay Area is expensive, but new data shows just how jaw-dropping those costs ...

Deadline Near to Reserve Hospitality Space at 2020 PGA Championship

Feb 14 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Going, going, gone! Time’s almost up to reserve a private chalet for the upcoming

A Quiet Upzoning Revolution

Feb 7 2020

Posted In: Housing,

SB 50 may be dead, but a movement the Bay Area Council began championing almost five years ago is quietly doing what that ...

Unclogging the Talent Pipeline

Feb 7 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Many students confront significant obstacles to completing their college education and securing necessary certificates and...

Opportunity Zone Regulations Coming into Focus

Jan 31 2020

Posted In: Housing,

The long-awaited release of new federal regulations is bringing into focus what investors can expect from Opportunity Zone...

Member Spotlight: Microsoft Going Carbon Negative

Jan 31 2020

Posted In: Membership,

The scientific consensus is clear. The world confronts an urgent carbon problem. While the world will need to reach n...

Casita Coalition Earns National Recognition

Jan 31 2020

Posted In: Housing,

Co-founded by the Bay Area Council,

Will California Have the Talent It Needs to Compete Economically?

Jan 31 2020

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Are students and job seekers getting the education and training employers need to compete in a rapidly changing and global...

Momentum Gaining in Winning Housing Reforms, but Much Work Remains

Jan 24 2020

Posted In: Housing,

After years of relentless advocacy, housing leaders agree they’re starting to see the tide turn in the fight to refor...

Council Delegation Forges New Ties with India

Jan 24 2020

Posted In: Economy,

Expanding and deepening economic connections between California, the Bay Area-Silicon Valley and India was the focus of a ...

Lloyd Dean Named CEO of CommonSpirit Health

Jan 24 2020

Posted In: Membership,

Lloyd Dean, former Chair of the Bay Area Council, on Wednesday was named CEO of CommonSpirit Health, the largest nonprofit...

San Francisco Business Times’ 2020 Mayors Economic Forecast

Jan 21 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

What are the priorities and top issues being addressed by each Mayor in 2020? San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Oakland...

FASTER Legislation Advances in Sacramento

Jan 17 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

One of the Bay Area Council’s major 2020 priorities passed a legislative milestone this week. The Senate Transportation ...

Chief Diversity Officers Outline Broad 2020 Goals

Jan 17 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Chief diversity officers of Bay Area Council member companies met recently as part of an ongoing series of discussions on ...

Governor Announces New Actions on Homelessness

Jan 17 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday concluded a weeklong statewide homelessness tour in Oakland, where he announced $3...

Council Endorses Coastside Affordable Housing Project

Jan 17 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council Housing Committee this week endorsed a 71-unit affordable housing project that nonprofit MidPen Housi...

Bay Area Council Leads Delegation to India to Expand, Deepen Economic Ties

Jan 13 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

California and the Bay Area-Silicon Valley are poised to reap significant benefits from deepening economic ties with India...

SF State University, United Airlines Partner on Career Advancement Program San Francisco State University and United

Jan 10 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

San Francisco State University and United Airlines have developed a unique new professional development program that offer...

Wunderman Takes Gavel at First WETA Meeting

Jan 10 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman on Thursday (Jan. 9) presided over his first Water Emergency Transportation Authority (...

BART Makes Game-Changing Investment to Modernize the System

Jan 10 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The BART Board of Directors on Thursday (Jan. 9) awarded a $798 million contract to Hitachi Rail STS USA, Inc. to design a...

Council Priorities Reflected in Governor’s Draft Water Resilience Portfolio

Jan 10 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Top Bay Area Council priorities for water and climate resilience were included in Gov. Newsom’s long-awaited draft Water...

Bay Area Council Supports SB 50 to Address California’s Housing Crisis

Jan 7 2020

Posted In: Housing, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council issued the following statement in support of legislation (SB 50) announced today (Jan. 7) by state Se...

New Research Supports Council’s Landmark ADU Initiative

Jan 3 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Making more efficient use of the Bay Area’s already-developed urban and suburban areas to address the region’s housing...

Gov. Newsom Names Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman to Helm Water Emergency Transportation Authority

Jan 2 2020

Posted In: Press Releases, Transportation,

Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman has been named by Gov. Gavin Newsom to serve as Chair of the Water Emergency Transporta...

Bay Area Council Names New Leader to Head Its Economic Institute

Dec 16 2019

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council has named Jeff Bellisario Exec...

New Ferry Service Coming to Alameda Next Year

Dec 13 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

Following on the success of the new Richmond-San Francisco ferry service that launched earlier this year,...

FASTER Continues Regional Engagement in the East Bay

Dec 13 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

This week, FASTER presented to the AC Transit Board of Directors as part of an ongoing effort to engage with stakeholders ...

Housing Committee Celebrates Productive 2019

Dec 13 2019

Posted In: Housing,

The Bay Area Council’s Housing Committee met Monday to reflect on what has been a highly productive year, with passage o...

Carrying Subnational Panda Diplomacy in the 21st Century

Dec 13 2019

Posted In: China, Uncategorized,

This week, the Bay Area Council celebrated a longstanding Chinese foreign policy tradition by promoting dialogue and peace...

Check Your Blind Spots on Unconscious Bias

Dec 13 2019

Posted In: Gender Equity, Workforce of the Future,

Unconscious bias plays a central role in shaping our perspectives on those we work with and the people we surround ourselv...

Council Praises Agreement on USMCA

Dec 11 2019

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council praised Congressional leaders for reaching agreement this week on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

New Council Chair Mary Huss Outlines Her Vision

Dec 6 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council Board of Directors this week held its final meeting of 2019, taking stock of an extremely productive ...

California Resilience Challenge Announces Statewide Competition for Climate Adaptation Projects

Dec 2 2019

Posted In: Press Releases, Storm & Flood Protection, Water,

The Bay Area Council today launched the official request for proposals for the “California Resilience Challenge” — a...

Connecting Immigrants, Refugees to Tech Jobs

Posted In: Membership,

Tourism powers regional economies, and in the past decade in the Bay Area alone, tourism generated $37.8 billion in travel...

It’s Baaaack!

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: Housing,

The high-profile rejection of a fully-compliant housing proposal in San Bruno has been resurrected as a bigger and better ...

New Coalition Targets Traffic’s Stranglehold on the Bay Area

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council today announced it is forming a new coalition of transportation companies focused on dramatically exp...

Now is the Time to Invest in Early Childhood Education

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: Early Childhood Education,

Early childhood education is an issue of public safety, it is an issue of national security, and it is an issue of economi...

China Looks to the Bay Area on Deepening Regionalism

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: China,

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area of China is looking to the Bay Area for insights on how to deepen regional ...

JPMorgan Chase Joins California Resilience Challenge

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

JPMorgan Chase pledged $500,000 this week to the

Engaging the Region to Create a FASTER Bay Area

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

Congested roadways, packed and infrequent transit, and projects that run over-time and over-budget have become an unfortun...

Housing Committee Welcomes Assemblymember David Chiu

Oct 25 2019

Posted In: Housing,

The Bay Area Council Housing Committee this week welcomed Assemblymember David Chiu for a recap of this year’s housing l...

Creating Seamless School-to-Career Transitions

Oct 25 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that students are more likely to fall through the cracks in t...

Chief Diversity Officers Forum Advances Inclusive Workplaces

Oct 18 2019

Posted In: Gender Equity, Workforce of the Future,

Management plays a key role in advancing or damaging diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Chief Diversity Officers co...

New ADU Laws: Helping Homeowners and Cities Achieve Change

Oct 18 2019

Posted In: Housing,

On the heels of Governor Newsom’s signing of a package of Bay Area Council-backed accessory dwelling un...

Future of Work: How Employers Are Adapting to Changing Needs

Oct 11 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The future of work is upon us, and how employers adapt to changing needs in the workforce will be critical in maintaining ...

Protecting the Bay Against Rising Seas Means Amending Old Approaches

Oct 11 2019

Posted In: Water,

After four years of research, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission made an informed and unanimous vote to amend...

Governor Newsom Signs Council-Backed ADU and Housing Reform Bills into Law

Oct 9 2019

Posted In: Housing,

Key Housing Legislation to Streamline Production and Ease Regulatory Barriers

Bay Area Council Weighs In on State Water Resilience

Oct 4 2019

Posted In: Water,

The Bay Area Council’s Water and Climate Resilience Committee has submitted eight key recommendations for Gov. News...

Calbright Online College Opens Its ‘Doors’

Oct 4 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Calbright College this week officially opened its registration for the 2020 year. With over 400 applications in the first ...

CSU East Bay President Morishita Announces Retirement image