News : Bay Area Council

AAPI Coalition and Bay Area Council Requests Gov. Newsom Deploy the CHP on BART to Improve Safety

Nov 13 2024

The Bay Area Council and a coalition of over 100 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) groups and individual leaders, plu...

Bay Area Council Statement on the November 2024 Election

Nov 6 2024

Posted In: Government Relations, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (Nov. 6) issued the following statement on the results of the 2024 General Election.

Women’s Leadership: Q&A with Sutter Health Executive Christina Oh

Sep 25 2024

Posted In: Gender Equity, Membership,

With excitement growing for the Bay Area Council’s inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit presented by Sutter Health ...

Vancouver, BC, Trip Offers Inspiring Vision for Transforming Downtown, Urban Centers

Apr 10 2024

Posted In: Uncategorized,

This week the Bay Area Council took a delegation to Vancouver, British Colum...

Bay Area Council and Silicon Valley Leadership Group Exploring Partnership to Establish Nation’s Most Influential Business Group

Apr 6 2024

Posted In: Economy,

The Bay Area Council and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group – two of California’s leading business associations – y...

Celebrating Inspiring Women of the San Francisco Bay Area

Posted In: Homelessness,

Legislation the Bay Area Council is co-sponsoring to streamline production of interim housing to address California’s un...

Member Event: SF Business Times Real Estate Deals of the Year

Mar 13 2024

Posted In: Membership,

Thursday, March 285:15-8:30 p.m.Westin St. FrancisJoin ...

Save the Date: Pacific Summit Set for May 30 in San Jose

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council ran the table in San Francisco in yesterday’s primary election. Proposition A, a $300 million affor...

Bay Area Council and Silicon Valley Leadership Group Exploring Partnership to Establish Nation’s Most Influential Business Group

Mar 5 2024

Posted In: Press Releases,

First-of-its-kind partnership would represent hundreds of innovative businesses across both Silicon Valley and the...

Prop. F Offers New Tool to Address San Francisco Drug Overdose Crisis

Feb 28 2024

Posted In: Government Relations,

Drug overdose deaths in San Francisco this year are on track to exceed last year’s record total of 813, which was up fro...

Employers Pursue Many Strategies to Reduce Automobile Trips

Feb 28 2024

Posted In: Transportation,

Some of the nation’s most innovative transportation professionals came together last week (Feb. 23) at the Bay Area Coun...

Bay Area Council Congratulates Sweden on New Consulate General in San Francisco

Feb 28 2024

Jan 31 2024

Posted In: Transportation,

Last Thursday (Jan. 25) Bay Area Council leadership and members joined the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA)...

Rampant Oakland Crime Prompts Companies to Take Extraordinary Safety Measures

Jan 31 2024

Posted In: Public Safety,

The news was bleak out of Oakland this week as residents and businesses are increasinglyfalling victim to growing crim...

Perspective: Doubling Down on DEI

Jan 31 2024

Posted In: Gender Equity,

Bay Area Council Chair and Hanson Bridgett Managing Partner Kristina Lawson joined Hanson Bridgett Chief Diversity, Eq...

Planning Under Way for 2026 Regional Transportation Funding Measure

Jan 31 2024

Posted In: Transportation,

While much attention is focused on the upcoming March primary election and the November Presidential election, it’s not ...

Council Weighs in on Regional Housing Bond Proposal

Jan 31 2024

Posted In: Housing,

The November 2024 ballot, from top to bottom, is already shaping up to be one of the most consequential in modern times.&n...

Bay Area Council Endorses Prop. 1 on March Ballot; Announces Positions on Other Key Local Measures

Jan 24 2024

Posted In: Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council this week announced our endorsement of Proposition 1, the Be...

Bay Area Council Housing Reforms Paying Dividends

Jan 24 2024

Posted In: Housing,

Housing reform legislation the Bay Area Council sponsored and supported in recent years is paying dividends for homebuilde...

San Mateo County Passes Bay Area Council-Backed Ordinance to Bring Homeless Residents Indoors

Jan 24 2024

Posted In: Homelessness,

Unsheltered homeless residents in San Mateo County will be required to accept shelter when available under a new ordinance...

Bay Watch: Population Woes May Be Easing

Jan 24 2024

Posted In: Economy,

The California Department of Finance released new county-level population data for 2023, and for the first time since 2012...

Member Spotlight: Big Win for Calpine Decarbonization Projects

Posted In: Membership,

After an illustrious 30-year career as head of the Bay Area’s preeminent business news publications, Mary Huss this week...

The Region’s Global Connections Run through the Council and its Floating HQ, the Klamath

Jan 10 2024

Posted In: Global Business and Investment,

2023 was a big year for the Bay Area Council on the international front. In addition to

As Homelessness Increases, Council Urges Bay Area Legislators to Embrace Interim Housing

Jan 10 2024

Posted In: Homelessness,

California is losing ground in the fight against homelessness and should shift focus towards bringing people indoors and s...

Council Condemns Attacks that Cause Berkeley Councilmember to Step Down

Jan 10 2024

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Citing ongoing political “harassment, stalking and threats” from members of the community, Berkeley City Councilmember...

SCOTUS Hears Oral Arguments in Case Challenging Arbitrary Local Impact Fees

Jan 10 2024

Posted In: Housing,

The U.S. Supreme Court this week heard oral arguments in a case in which the Bay Area Council submitted an

Homelessness Grew in California in 2023, but at a Slower Pace than the Rest of the U.S.

Dec 20 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

California continues to lose ground in its fight against homelessness, according to the latest data released Friday by the...

Council CEO Named to State Task Force to Reimagine Transit

Dec 20 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

Bay Area Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman has been appointed by California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin ...

Poll: Richmond Voters Feel Ignored by Regional Transportation Leaders, Overwhelmingly Support Opening Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Third Lane to Motorists

Dec 8 2023

Posted In: Press Releases, Transportation,

Eighty percent of Richmond voters support opening the third lane on the upper deck of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge for c...

Breached Bay Levee = Climate Resilience

Dec 6 2023

Posted In: Storm & Flood Protection,

With the help of a large excavator, Bay water recently poured through a broken earthen levee and began filling an old, 300...

Delivering Results for the Bay Area and Our Members

Dec 6 2023

Posted In: Membership,

We’re going to need a bigger Flash. That’s what it feels like as ...

A Bright Future for California’s Supply Chain

Dec 6 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The importance of California’s supply chain cannot be overstated – it drives one-third of the state’s economy and cr...

Exploring the Promise of Carbon Sequestration

Dec 6 2023

Posted In: Storm & Flood Protection,

Achieving California’s ambitious climate goals will take many strategies, including prioritizing new and innovative tech...

Homeless Committee Welcomes New Chairs, Sets Ambitious 2024 Agenda

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

On Friday November 18, the Bay Area Council and our partners in the Northern California Apprenticeship Network hosted a ce...

Council Statement on Gov. Newsom’s AI Announcement

Nov 22 2023

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council this week (Nov. 21) issued the following statement on Gov. Newsom’s announcement about the release ...

Council Joins Supreme Court Case Challenging Arbitrary Local Impact Fees

Nov 22 2023

Posted In: Housing,

Excessive and often arbitrary local fees have long contributed to California’s housing crisis, driving up the cost of bu...

Bay Area, San Francisco and Klamath Shine During Successful APEC Week

Nov 22 2023

Posted In: International Business,

What a week that was! San Francisco hosted what was by all accounts a very successful APEC Leaders Summit. The ...

Busy Week on the Housing Front

Nov 15 2023

Posted In: Housing,

It was a busy week on the housing front, with a key federal court ruling smacking down a lawsuit challenging legislation (...

As APEC Launches, the Bay Area and the Historic Klamath Take Center Stage

Posted In: Community Engagement,

A consortium of San Francisco business leaders this week (Oct. 19) launched a groundbreaking multimedia campaign to remind...

Regional Commuter Rail Expansion Plans Face Post-Pandemic Realities

Oct 20 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

The plans are bold and visionary. They aspire to create a highly integrated network of rail transportation systems connect...

Bay Watch: Home Prices Rise for First Time in 14 Months

Oct 13 2023

Posted In: Economy,

Last week news reports across the region celebrated that Bay Area home prices had risen for the first time in 14 months, f...

California Celebrates Selection as National Hydrogen Hub

Oct 13 2023

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

In a transformative move for renewable energy, California

Bay Area Council Stands with Israel in Wake of Barbaric Attack; Calls for Peace

Oct 13 2023

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council this week issued the following statement in the wake of the violent attack by the terrorists group Ha...

Big Swell of Support for SF Waterfront Ferry Expansion

Oct 13 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

The wave of support for ferry expansion is growing in San Francisco, thanks to an effort spearheaded by the Bay Area Counc...

Council Welcomes Speaker Rivas for Discussion on Key Issues

Posted In: Events,

Her stories and insights are real, infuriating, poignant, uplifting and painful. They reflect the kaleidoscope that is San...

Member Spotlight: Nor Cal Carpenters Union Works to Advance a Culture of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Oct 6 2023

Posted In: Membership,

The Nor Cal Carpenters Union has fought to change the culture of our industry since new leadership was elected to power in...

Meeting Climate Goals with Carbon Capture

Friday, September 2911 a.m. to 12noonThe Klamath, Pier 9, the Embarcadero, San Francisco

Growing Ties with China at Greater Bay Area Development Business Conference

Sep 22 2023

Posted In: China,

The Bay Area Council’s Jennifer Zou participated recently in the first-ever Greater Bay Area (GBA) Development Business ...

Curtain Rises on Shutdown Theater

Sep 22 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

With House Republicans locked in an increasingly ugly intra-party battle and unable to even begin debate on the most nonco...

A Bridge (and Estuary) Not Too Far

Sep 22 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council was proud to join local leaders and stakeholders this week for a ferry ride in the Oakland-Alameda Es...

Bay Area Council Goes Nuclear

Sep 22 2023

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

With California chasing ambitious climate goals and demand for clean energy skyrocketing, the importance of the Diablo Can...

Council Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Intervene in Homelessness Ruling

Sep 22 2023

Posted In: Homelessness,

The Bay Area Council today formally asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower federal court ruling that has effective...

Leg Tracker: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Sep 22 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

It was a banner year for Bay Area Council legislation on a range of issues, but the overall picture from Sacramento was fa...

Partner Event: Hotel Council of San Francisco

Sep 15 2023

Posted In: Membership,

The Hotel Council of San Francisco is delighted to announce its highly anticipated 29th Annual Golf Tournament, the signat...

Fleet Week Weekend Is a Bay Area Favorite!

Sep 15 2023

Sep 8 2023

Posted In: Economy,

California’s unemployment insurance system is currently saddled with $19 billion in debt from claims made during the pan...

Council Members Step Up as San Francisco’s APEC Planning Picks Up Steam

Sep 1 2023

Posted In: Events,

Preparations for the arrival of the APEC Leaders Summit in November are picking up steam with recent data from the office ...

As BART Plans New Fare Gates, D.C. Metro Success Shows the Pay Off

Sep 1 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

With the installation of new more secure fare gates, the Metro transit system serving Washington, D.C.,

Buses, Trains, and Ferries, Oh My! Soon Bay Area Transit Commuters Could Ride All with a Single Card

Sep 1 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

Congratulations to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) on completing the first year of the

Council Congratulates North Bay Sen. Mike McGuire on Being Named Next Senate Pro Tem

Sep 1 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council this week congratulated state Sen. Mike McGuire, who represents a wide swath of the North Bay an...

Research Reveals Power of Bay Area Council’s Groundbreaking ADU Reforms

Posted In: Homelessness,

Judges for the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday appeared poised to answer San Francisco’s pleas for clarit...

Council Shares Key Priorities with CA Transportation Secretary and Caltrans Regional Director

Aug 25 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin visited the Klamath this week to discuss several key regional transp...

Behind Council’s Advocacy, Bridge Toll Hike Paused

Aug 25 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council was the first and loudest to oppose a proposed $1.50 bridge toll hike that divided the region, failed...

San Francisco Steers Wrong Direction on Driverless Cars

Aug 18 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

At a time when San Francisco should be doing everything in its power to create a welcoming environment for innovative tech...

New Poll Supports Council’s Work to Reform CEQA, Land Use Laws

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Please join the Los Angeles Business Council on September 22 at USC for their Sustainability Summit. This year's Summit wi...

Join the Council in the Clean Air Challenge

Aug 11 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council has joined the Coalition for Clean Air's

Bay Watch: State of Bay Area Business Travel

Posted In: Housing, Science and Innovation,

This week the Redwood City Council approved Longfellow Real Estate Partners to begin theCalifornia Environm...

Opinion: Driverless Technology Can Make Streets Safer

On June 21 the Bay Area Council hosted four U.S. Ambassadors to the ASEAN region (Southeast Asia) for a discussion of regi...

Governor’s Office Briefs Council on Infrastructure Package

Jun 23 2023

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure,

With Governor Newsom’s CEQA streamlining proposal for clean energy, water, and semiconductor infrastructure projects fac...

BART Takes Big Step to Increase Police on the System

Jun 23 2023

Posted In: Public Safety, Transportation,

This week the BART Board voted unanimously to instantly boost the salaries of their police in July by 21% in a bold statem...

Countering the False Narrative on San Francisco

Jun 23 2023

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council is a regional organization, but we are headquartered in San Francisco. So, we take particular umbrage...

2023 Pacific Summit Explores Key Trends, Issues and Challenges

Jun 23 2023

Posted In: Events,

The Klamath hosted its first-ever Pacific Summit this week (June 20) with top leaders in business, government, and academi...

Wanted: Innovative Ideas for Revitalizing SF

Jun 16 2023

Posted In: Community Engagement,

Bay Area Council members Deloitte and Salesforce are among a coalition of organizations behind a new initiative inviting e...

Port of Oakland Hails Labor Agreement

Jun 16 2023

Posted In: Economy,

A shroud of uncertainty lifted from the Port of Oakland this week with the announcement of a tentative agreement in long-r...

Visionary Google Plan with 7K Homes Gets Approval

Jun 16 2023

Posted In: Housing, Transportation,

We are thrilled to celebrate the momentous and unanimous approval of the Google North Bayshore Master Plan by the Mountain...

San Mateo County Governments Skirt Council-Supported Housing Law

Jun 16 2023

Posted In: Housing,

In 2015 the Bay Area Council sponsored SB 1069 (Wieckowski) recognizing that Accessory Dwelling Units were an under-utiliz...

Bay Watch: Strong Job Gains in May, Defying Tech Layoffs and March Losses

Jun 16 2023

Posted In: Economy,

In March 2023, the Bay Area’s two-year growth streak came to an end when the region lost 4,400 jobs, which many saw as&n...

Oakland Mayor Thao, Oakland Port Welcomes Council Executive Committee

Jun 16 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

New Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao welcomed the Bay Area Council Executive Committee to her city on Thursday, hosted by executiv...

Council Scores Big Win to Save + Improve Transit

Jun 16 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

After months of tireless advocacy, the Bay Area Council applauded the state Legislature this week as it voted to approve a...

Bay Watch: Regional Banking Sector Withdraws

Jun 9 2023

Posted In: Economy,

The recent turmoil in the banking sector has put the spotlight on the Bay Area, with the notable failure of Silicon Valley...

Study Endorses Regionalism to Counter Wane in California’s Competitiveness

Jun 9 2023

Posted In: Economy,

If California were a country, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world, poised to surpass Germany and become the...

43rd U.S. Treasurer “Pays” Visit to the Klamath

Jun 9 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council welcomed a special visitor this week who you may know from her signature on your cash – 43rd Treasu...

Going Green: Caltrain Begins Testing Electrified Trains

Jun 9 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

In an exciting step toward full electrification, Caltrain ran its first tests running trains using its electric catenary �...

Cutting Red Tape to Spur More Housing, Lower Costs

Jun 9 2023

Posted In: Housing,

This week, the Bay Area Council submitted a letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in support of a proposed ordi...

Shoe Leather Sacrificed In Push For Newsom Infrastructure Package

Jun 9 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council wore out a lot of shoe leather this week in Sacramento in our continuing advocacy for Gov. Newsom’s...

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

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

Posted In: Homelessness, Housing,

With an estimated 170,000 Californians experiencing homelessness on any given day, it’scritical that we find fast, a...

Boooo! Oakland A’s Announce Las Vegas Stadium Land Deal

Apr 21 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Heartbreak. Shock. Anger. Sadness. The announcement Wednesday that the Oakland A’s hadentered into a binding agreeme...

New study shows how communities in the Wildland Urban Interface can drastically reduce fire risk and reduce insurance premiums

Apr 17 2023

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

Huge implications for insurance coverage and housing construction in ...

New Economic Institute Report Highlights Importance of Improving Connectivity in California

Apr 14 2023

Posted In: Economy, Uncategorized,

While California companies have pioneered the communications innovations that are now an everyday part of life for billion...

SF State Breaks Ground on New Affordable Student Housing

Apr 14 2023

Posted In: Housing,

San Francisco State University this week broke ground on its West Campus Green project, which includes a first-year reside...

Council-Backed Housing Bills Move Forward

Apr 14 2023

Posted In: Housing,

The Bay Area Council’s housing bills are all doing well as the Legislature holds its first round of hearings. This week ...

Transit Leaders Discuss Ways to Avoid Fiscal Cliff

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: News, Press Releases,

Findings Highlight Significance of Business Taxes as Cities Ramp Up C...

Statement on Sen. Dianne Feinstein Announcing She Will Not Seek Re-election

Feb 14 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council today issued the following statement on the announcement by Sen. Dianne Feinstein that she will not b...

Council Mourns Passing of Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle

Feb 3 2023

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

Feb 3 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

Since the onset of the pandemic, transit agencies that rely on office workers for sustained ridership have struggled to re...

Council Applauds State Grant to Complete Caltrain Electrification

Feb 3 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

This week the State of California awarded $367 million to Caltrain to complete its electrification project that will fully...

Majority of Bay Area Cities Shirk Housing Deadline

Feb 3 2023

Posted In: Housing,

A majority of Bay Area cities and counties this week struggled to meet a deadline for submitting plans required by the sta...

Bay Area Council Hails State Supreme Court Ruling Rejecting Challenge to Regional Measure 3 (RM3)

Jan 25 2023

Posted In: Press Releases, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council today (Jan. 25) released the following statement applauding a ruling by the state Supreme Court defea...

Council Celebrates Ruling for Livermore 100% Affordable Housing Project

Jan 20 2023

Posted In: Housing,

A rabid anti-housing group in Livermore recently got a solid beat down in its lawsuit opposing a 100% affordable housing p...

Not Again: Zombie Wealth Tax Bill Returns

Jan 20 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

Like a zombie from a B-grade horror movie, it appears legislation to chase away jobs and investment by raising taxes on hi...

Bay Watch: Region Ends the Year Strong, but Layoffs Loom

Jan 20 2023

Posted In: Economy,

The Bay Area ended the year strong, adding nearly 14,000 jobs and bringing unemployment rates across the region down even ...

New Data: Professional Workers Returning to San Francisco Bay Area

Jan 20 2023

Posted In: Economy,

We’re not out of the woods yet, by a long shot, but

Council Urges State Funding to Avoid Transit Fiscal Cliff

Jan 20 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

Staring down the barrel of at least a $22 billion budget deficit, Gov. Newsom and the Legislature will have some hard choi...

Bay Watch: Bay Area Population Falls for Third Straight Year

Jan 20 2023

Posted In: Economy,

New data released this week by the California Department of Finance offers a first look at the region’s population in 20...

Council Applauds Federal Grant for Critical Golden Gate Bridge Seismic Work

Jan 20 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

Federal officials gathered in San Francisco this week (Jan. 23) to celebrate the awarding of a $400 million federal grant ...

Bay Area Must Address Police Officer Shortages

Jan 20 2023

Posted In: Public Safety,

Police departments across the Bay Area are experiencing severe officer shortages and the timing couldn’t be worse as con...

New Global Business and Investment Committee Launches Consuls General Speaker Series; Announces APEC Emphasis

Jan 20 2023

Posted In: Global Business and Investment,

The Bay Area Council’s new Global Business a...

Major Victory! CA Supreme Court Ruling Unlocks Windfall for Bay Area Transportation

Jan 20 2023

Posted In: Transportation,

Better late than never. The Bay Area Council this week (Jan. 25) wildly cheered a ruling by the California Supreme Court t...

Bay Watch: Have We Really Turned the Corner on Inflation?

Jan 13 2023

Posted In: Economy,

New data released this week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics had markets excited about easing inflation readings for the ...

What a Waste: Time Is Now to Accelerate New Water Storage

Jan 13 2023

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The recent storms that tore a destructive path across California also dumped an estimated 24 trillion gallons of water, en...

Governor’s Proposed Budget Sees Big Deficit, and It Could Get Worse

Jan 13 2023

Posted In: Government Relations,

The state’s reservoirs may be filling from historic rainfall, but the budget coffers are not enjoying a similar downpour...

CEQA Court Case Could Be Unmitigated Disaster for California’s Housing Crisis

Jan 13 2023

Posted In: Housing,

The stakes could not be higher for addressing California’s historic housing shortage and affordability crisis than the o...

Bay Area Council Statement on Gov. Newsom’s Proposed 2023 Budget

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

Dec 16 2022

Posted In: International Business,

For his work on advancing deeper economic ties between the Bay Area, California and Mexico, Bay Area Council Economic Inst...

Building Support for More U.S. Investment in Housing

Dec 16 2022

Posted In: Housing,

The Bay Area Council and 30 of our members met this week with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Stei...

Return to Work Survey: 65% of Employers at “New Normal”

Dec 16 2022

Posted In: News, Transportation,

The future of the Bay Area’s transit systems and urban centers is becoming more clear thanks to new data from the bi-mon...

Bay Area Council Hails Selection of San Francisco for Major Asia-Pacific Economic Leadership Summit

Nov 18 2022

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council hailed the announcement today (Nov. 18) that San Francisco will host the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic C...

To Meet Governor’s Drought Goals, These Projects Deserve Support

Aug 26 2022

Posted In: News, Water,

By Jim Wunderman and Charley Wilson Governor Newsom recently unveiled...

A “Sub”-Par Day – Klamath Rams WWII Submarine, During WWII

Aug 12 2022

Posted In: News, Newsroom,

The Klamath is nearly 100 years old and has sailed through many turbulent times (get it, cause boats?) but perhap...

Bay Area Council Applauds Governor’s Water Supply Strategy to Adapt to Drought, Climate Change

Aug 11 2022

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

May 6 2022

Posted In: Transportation,

The Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) Board of Directors voted yesterday (May 5) to launch the first zero-em...

Encouraging News for Oakland A’s Howard Terminal Project

May 6 2022

Posted In: Housing,

The visionary plan by the Oakland A’s to transform an underutilized cargo terminal at Howard Terminal into a gleaming wa...

Apprenticeship Gaining Steam as a Key Tool in California’s Workforce Strategy

May 6 2022

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council is committed to apprenticeship programs as key to developing a workforce that meets the talent demand...

Continuing Population Decline a Warning for California

May 6 2022

Posted In: News,

In an ominous sign for California’s economic future, the state recorded its second straight year of population loss. In ...

Member Spotlight: The Force is with Alaska Airlines

May 6 2022

Posted In: Membership,

Alaska Airlines joined forces with Disneyland Resort on May the Fourth to unveil a new, one-of-its-kind Star Wars-the...

Report on Single-Payer Health Care Leaves “More Questions than Answers”

Apr 29 2022

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Four months after disastrous legislation (AB 1400) to create a so-called single-payer healthcare system in California died...

Council Supports Tax Exemption for Manufacturing, R&D Equipment

Apr 29 2022

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

Mar 4 2022

Posted In: News,

The maritime and goods movement industry is a major driver of economic activity across the Bay Area. It encompasses our po...

Let It Flow: Federal Funding for Bay Area Transportation

Mar 4 2022

Posted In: Transportation,

The Federal Transit Administration announced yesterday (March 3) that five Bay Area transit operators will receive an addi...

San Francisco Mayor London Breed Unveils “Welcome Back to SF” Campaign

Mar 4 2022

Posted In: Economy,

San Francisco Mayor London Breed this week announced commitments by major employers to return to in-person work during the...

Biden SOTU Highlights Importance of Apprenticeships

Mar 4 2022

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

President Biden in his State of the Union on Tuesday (March 1) underscored the critical role our workforce will play in th...

California Resilience Challenge Winners Announced

Feb 28 2022

Posted In: Press Releases,

Today (Feb. 28) the California Resilience Challenge, an initiative of the Bay Area Council Foundation, announced the 13 wi...

Webinar: Can We Restore the California Dream?

Feb 25 2022

Posted In: Economy,

There was a time when people were California dreamin’ and flocking to the Golden State with flowers in their hair. Not s...

Council Hosts Trans-Pacific Ceremony to Celebrate Chinese New Year

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

Posted In: News, Transportation,

Last Friday, the Megaregion Working Group – comprised of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Sacramento Area Cou...

Revitalizing East Bay Manufacturing

Feb 4 2022

Posted In: Economy, News,

The Bay Area tech economy is much more than companies building new software off lines of code. Advanced manufacturing is a...

ADUs Come to the White House

Feb 4 2022

Posted In: Housing, News,

Almost six years after legislation the Bay Area Council sponsored ignited a statewide surge in new accessory dwelling unit...

Council Co-Sponsoring Seamless Transit Transformation Act

Feb 4 2022

Posted In: News, Transportation,

Getting commuters back on transit is hard enough with lingering concerns about COVID, but our region’s disjointed and la...

Bay Area Council Cheers Demise of AB 1400 Single Payer Healthcare Legislation

Jan 31 2022

Posted In: Healthcare, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (Jan. 31) issued the following statement on the demise of AB 1400, single-payer healthcare legi...

High Stakes Wager Sets Stage for 49ers-Rams Showdown

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: 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

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

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

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

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