News - Bay Area Council

In Ominous Sign, Net Migration to Bay Area Turns Negative; First Time in a Decade

Apr 19 2019

Posted In: Economy,

In an ominous sign for the Bay Area economy and labor market, net migration to the region turned negative for the first ti...

Oh Canada! New Report Highlights Strong Economic, Innovation Ties with Bay Area

Apr 19 2019

Posted In: Economy, Uncategorized,

Strong and growing economic connections between the Bay Area/Silicon Valley and Canada are helping fuel a vibrant cross-bo...

Council Takes Positions on Numerous Housing Bills

Apr 19 2019

Posted In: Housing,

The Bay Area Council’s Housing Committee met this week to determine positions on a raft of state housing bills. The meet...

After 20 Years, Time to Increase Cal Grant Funding for Students Attending Private Colleges

Apr 19 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The buying power of Cal Grant financial aid for students attending independent nonprofit colleges and universities has plu...

Solving Local Transit Barriers through Public Private Partnerships

Apr 19 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council brought together top employers in the Peninsula with local government elected leaders to openly engag...

Council Partners with James Irvine Foundation to Address Poverty

Apr 19 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized, Workforce of the Future,

Almost half of all California workers are struggling with poverty. Recognizing the inequities and challenges this poses fo...

Port of Oakland Delivering Big Economic Benefits

Apr 19 2019

Posted In: Economy, Uncategorized,

The Port of Oakland supports 84,144 jobs in the Bay Area and 20% of those jobs are Oakland-based, according to an

Member Spotlight: BPM Helping Low-Income Students Realize College Dreams

Apr 19 2019

Posted In: Membership, Uncategorized,

As stewards of the Bay Area, Bay Area Council members are constantly seeking opportunities to better serve the region we c...

Groundbreaking Report Shines Light on Regional Homelessness Crisis

Apr 12 2019

Posted In: Homelessness, Uncategorized,

The Bay Area’s homeless crisis ranks among the most severe in the United States, according to a groundbreaking new study...

Big Week in Sacramento for Council-Supported Legislation

Apr 12 2019

Posted In: Housing, Uncategorized,

Fanning out across hearing rooms in the state capitol, Bay Area Council policy leaders this week testified in support of f...

Encouraging Ruling in Regional Measure 3 Court Case

Apr 12 2019

Posted In: Transportation, Uncategorized,

Funding from an almost $5.6 billion regional transportation ballot measure that the Bay Area Council helped pass in 2017 ...

Paula Downey Goes Out on Top

Apr 12 2019

Posted In: Membership, Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council congratulates Executive Committee member Paula Downey on her retirement last week as President and CE...

Announcing 2019 Pacific Summit with Gov. Gavin Newsom

Apr 10 2019

Posted In: Events,

Mark your calendar for one of the Bay Area Council's most anticipated and thought-provoking events of the year. The 2019 P...

Report: Bay Area Homeless Crisis among Worst in the Country

Apr 10 2019

Posted In: Homelessness, News, Uncategorized,

The Bay Area’s homeless crisis ranks among the most severe in the United States, according to a groundbreaking new study...

Key Housing Bills Clear First Hurdle

Apr 5 2019

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing, Uncategorized,

Key legislation the Bay Area Council supports to address California’s housing crisis cleared an important first hurdle t...

Much Work to Do to Close Gender Pay Gap

Apr 5 2019

Posted In: Gender Equity,

More than 50 years since the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, women still are paid just .80 cents for every dollar pa...

What’s the Future of Work in the Age of AI?

Apr 5 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

As our workforce continues to change and expand in the age of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) will play a critica...

Highlighting Importance of the World’s Bay Areas

Apr 5 2019

Posted In: China, Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council took center stage as co-hosts of the Global Bay Areas Cooperation and Development Forum (GBAF) last F...

Unicorns Prancing in the Bay Area

Mar 29 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area is home to more than half of all U.S.-based “unicorns,” according to a new analysis by the Bay Area Counc...

Advocacy Pays Off on Peninsula Express Lane Project

Mar 29 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Easing traffic on one of the Bay Area’s most economically productive corridors through Silicon Valley has long been one...

Council Welcomes United States Ambassador to the European Union

Mar 29 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council on Wednesday (March 27) welcomed U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland for a wide-ran...

Getting Into the Zone

Mar 29 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council is getting in the zone, the Opportunity Zone, that is. The 2017 federal tax reform created Opportunit...

Bay Area Council Announces Support for STEM Legislation

Mar 29 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council is supporting crucial legislation to expand access to computer science education in K-12 classrooms.&...

The Apprentice (Bay Area Style)

Mar 29 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Expanding apprenticeship opportunities is a key strategy in the Bay Area Council’s efforts to meet the region’s growin...

Partner Spotlight: Golden State Opportunity’s CalEITC4Me Campaign

Mar 22 2019

Posted In: Economy,

Every year hard working Californians leave roughly $2 billion on the table. That’s money working families and individuals could have claimed thro...

Iconic Bay Area Flintstone Home Under Stone Age Criticism

Mar 22 2019

Posted In: Community Engagement,

Last week the city of Hillsborough filed a lawsuit against the homeowner of the landmark Flintstone House nestled in the hills off of I-280. A long...

Developing the Next Generation of Aspiring Change Makers in A City Classroom

Mar 22 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Using the Bay Area as a classroom, the Coro Fellows Program develops emerging leaders to work and lead acro...

Homelessness: Causes, Consequences and Solutions

Mar 22 2019

Posted In: Homelessness, Housing,

The Bay Area has one of the largest and least sheltered homeless populations in the United States, but does little to coordinate resources at a reg...

We Messed with Texas

Mar 22 2019

Posted In: Economy,

It was the Golden State against the Lone Star State on Thursday night at the Commonwealth Club, as Bay Area Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman...

Council Sponsors Housing Legislation to Address Missing Middle

Mar 22 2019

Posted In: Housing,

State lawmakers are working furiously to push a suite of housing legislation encompassing over 200 bills and secure endorsements ahead of committe...

Ferry Service Coming to Berkeley?

Mar 15 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

A public planning process for connecting Berkeley to a fast-growing regional ferry system got the thumbs up this week from the City Council. Berkel...

LinkedIn Report Highlights Importance of Council’s Upskilling Work

Mar 15 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The pace of hiring may slow nationally in the coming months, according to a recent report by Bay Area Council member LinkedIn that highlights the i...

Former Council Chair Michael Covarrubias Profiled

Mar 15 2019

Posted In: Housing, Membership, Uncategorized,

Even if you have not crossed paths with Michael Covarrubias in business or socially, it’s likely that as a Bay Area resident you have had indir...

Tour Showcases North Bay Rebuilding Opportunities

Mar 15 2019

Posted In: Housing,

As the North Bay continues to rebuild following the devastating 2017 fires, the Bay Area Council today led a group of real estate developers and in...

New Regional Housing Authority Proposed

Mar 8 2019

Posted In: Housing,

Strengthening regional approaches to solving the housing crisis has long been a major advocacy focus for the Bay Area Council, so we were encourage...

Celebrating Gender Equity on International Women’s Day

Mar 8 2019

Posted In: Gender Equity,

Today (March 8) we celebrate International Women's Day. The Bay Area Council joins the global community in celebrating the women who support our co...

A Passage to India

Mar 8 2019

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council on March 4 welcomed newly-appointed Indian Ambassador to the United States Harsh Vardan Shringla on his first trip to the Bay ...

Connecting Students to Careers at SFO

Mar 8 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

For the second consecutive year, the Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee partnered with the San Francisco International Airport ...

Flexibility Critical to Preserving Millions of Independent Contractors Jobs

Mar 1 2019

Posted In: Government Relations, Workforce of the Future,

A move to modernize state labor laws could jeopardize millions of California jobs—from real estate agents to graphic designers—if changes now b...

Developing Regional Talent Development Network

Mar 1 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Education and training are critical elements in developing an inclusive and diverse workforce, but the connections between employers and educators/...

Advancing Workforce Digitalization and Economic Inclusion

Mar 1 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

As technology continues to impact the development of our workforce, big questions are emerging about maintaining and growing economic inclusivity i...

Council Applauds Gov. Newsom’s Action on Trade

Mar 1 2019

Posted In: China, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council applauded Gov. Gavin Newsom’s action this week (Feb. 28) appointing Lt. Gov. and former U.S. Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis as ...

Searching for Solutions to Growing Homelessness Crisis

Mar 1 2019

Posted In: Homelessness,

Top leaders gathered in Sacramento this week (Feb. 28) in search of solutions to California’s housing and homelessness crisis at a summit convene...

Atmospheric River a Reminder of Bay Area Vulnerability to Extreme Storms

Mar 1 2019

Posted In: Storm & Flood Protection,

A second atmospheric river pummeled Northern California this week, bringing historic rain, flooding, snow and winds, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to...

Member Spotlight: Sutter Health Opens New CPMC Van Ness Campus in SF

Mar 1 2019

Posted In: Membership,

San Francisco residents now have a modern new hospital at their doorstep as Sutter prepares to open the doors to its new California Pacific Medical...

Construction Leadership Convenes to Grow Workforce Pipelines Across Region

Feb 22 2019

Posted In: Events, Housing, Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council convened top employers in the construction industry for the first-of-its-kind Occupational Council this week (Feb. 19) to addr...

Council and Community Partners Host President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Summit in Oakland

Feb 22 2019

Posted In: Events, Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council served on the local host committee for the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Rising! Summit held in Oakland this week...

Council Reviews Key Housing Legislation

Feb 22 2019

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

The LAO urged the Legislature to focus more on lower income housing than the “missing middle” where Governor placed a lot of emphasis. As Calif...

Chinese New Year Event Honors Legendary Florence Fang

Feb 15 2019

Posted In: China, News,

A packed room of Bay Area Council members, partners and friends gathered Wednesday (Feb. 13) to honor Florence Fang with the Global Leadership Awar...

Reports of Death of High Speed Rail Greatly Exaggerated

Feb 15 2019

Posted In: Press Releases, Transportation,

No, high speed rail in California is not dead. Despite some initial confusion over remarks in his state of the state address this week, Gov. Gavin ...

Council Works to Strengthen Healthcare Talent Pipeline

Feb 15 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee recently conducted its first medical assistant Occupational Council 2019, examining ways...

Member Spotlight: Postmates

Feb 15 2019

Posted In: Membership, Workforce of the Future,

Postmates is exploring policy solutions with lawmakers to address workforce challenges in the gig economy. Last month, Postmates expressed support ...

Shape the Future of the Bay Area

Feb 15 2019

Posted In: Membership, News,

The Bay Area is a place of incredible innovation, transformation and progress. And for almost 75 years, the Bay Area Council has been the leading s...

Council Sounds Alarm Bell for Regional Action on Extreme Storms

Feb 13 2019

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

An atmospheric river battering the Bay Area and Northern California should serve as a powerful reminder of the mounting risks and costs the region ...

Member Spotlight: Accenture Unveils New Innovation Hub

Feb 8 2019

Posted In: Membership,

Accenture this week (Feb. 6) opened a flagship innovation hub in the iconic Salesforce Tower. The hub is a state-of-the-art destination where cli...

Economic Forecast: Slower Growth a Good Thing?

Feb 8 2019

Posted In: Economy,

Is a looming recession about to hit? That question was on the top of everyone’s mind this morning as the Bay Area Council Economic Institute conv...

Homes, Not Walls

Feb 8 2019

Posted In: Housing,

An ill-advised attempt at humor by a Silicon Valley mayor brought a strong backlash from housing advocates this week and put a spotlight on the Bay...

Council Hears from State Water Board Chair on Controversial Cuts

Feb 8 2019

Posted In: Water,

Against a backdrop of lawsuits and accusations of water grabs, state Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus addressed a packed house a...

BART Readies Early Bird Bus Service as Seismic Project Nears

Feb 8 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

As BART gets ready to begin a critical seismic retrofit of the Transbay Tube it’s ...

Bay Area Cities Dominate Best-Performing Ranking

Feb 1 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Bay Area (and megaregion) cities again dominated an annual ranking of the nation’s best-performing cities. The ranking by the esteemed Milken Ins...

Member Spotlight: Auerbach International

Feb 1 2019

Posted In: Membership,

For almost three decades, Auerbach International has expanded its clients into countries and cultures b...

Register for North Bay Development Tour

Feb 1 2019

Posted In: Housing,

In the wake of the tragic North Bay fires, civic leaders in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County enacted a sweeping package of incentives to promote more f...

Working at SFO: A Spotlight on Hospitality in the Aviation Industry

Feb 1 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Jobs, jobs, jobs! This was what over 80 educators, talent trainers, employers, and other community stakeholders took away from Working at SFO on Th...

Getting Serious about Hovercraft

Feb 1 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

With ridership soaring on regional water transit, Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman thinks it’s time to take a much closer look at adding hoverc...

Mourning a True Bay Area Hero

Feb 1 2019

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area and San Francisco Giants fans everywhere mourned the death this week (Jan. 27) of Peter Magowan, whose boyhood love for the team would...

Statement on Pacific Gas & Electric Reorganization Plans

Jan 15 2019

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council issued the following statement on the announcement by PG&E that it plans to file for Chapter 11 reorganization. PG&E w...

Bold Regional Plan Offers Unique Opportunity to Significantly Help Fix the Bay Area’s Painful Housing Crisis

Jan 11 2019

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

Solving the Bay Area’s epic housing crisis will require a wide range of strategies and a considerable amount of give and take among a diverse mix...

Council Cements Partnership with Key Chinese City

Jan 11 2019

Posted In: China,

Fresh from cementing a new partnership agreement with the Chinese city of Nanjing, the Bay Area Council hosted a reception on Monday (Jan. 7) for t...

Member Spotlight: 49ers Home Field Shines in Championship

Jan 11 2019

Posted In: Membership,

No Bay Area sports teams hoisted a trophy from the NCAA football title game on Monday, but the 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium was in championship form. ...

Gov. Newsom’s Proposed Budget a Good First Step for Addressing California’s Major Challenges

Jan 10 2019

Posted In: Economy, Education, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council applauded Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2019-20 budget as a good first step in addressing California’s major challenges whi...

Former Council Chair Mendonca Named Chief Economic, Business Advisor to Gov.-elect Newsom

Jan 5 2019

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

The Bay Area Council today (Jan. 5) heartily applauded the appointment of its former chair, Lenny Mendonca, to serve as Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom’s...

Seattle Shows Benefits of Increasing Housing Supply

Jan 4 2019

Posted In: Housing,

Funny how the whole supply/demand thing works when it comes to housing. A recent story in the —even as the region grows. It’s a message the Bay...

Another Milestone for Regional Ferry Service Expansion

Jan 4 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

For the second time in as many months, regional ferry service expansion will celebrate another important milestone. The Water Emergency Transportat...

Optimism, Anxiety over Water Plan and Bay Restoration

Jan 4 2019

Posted In: Water,

The Bay Area Council Water Committee received mixed news as state regulators continued their plan to reclaim water from the Bay Area and other regi...

Resounding Council YES to Denser Housing near Transit

Dec 14 2018

Posted In: Housing,

The Bay Area Council Housing Committee this week endorsed Sen. Scott Wiener’s revised legislation aimed at increasing housing density near public...

State Approves Water Cuts; SF Eyes Plan Warily

Dec 14 2018

Posted In: Water,

State regulators approved a controversial water plan late Wednesday (Dec. 12) that the Bay Area Council Economic Institute

Council Gives Big Thumbs Down to Texting Tax

Dec 14 2018

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations,

A proposal by the California Public Utilities Commission to tax text messaging got a strong thumbs down this week from the Bay Area Council and oth...

Meeting California’s Advanced Energy Workforce Needs

Dec 14 2018

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee partnered with California Community Colleges to host an Advanced Energy Industry Roundta...

Expanding Economic Opportunity in the Megaregion

Dec 14 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The economic and social progress of the North San Joaquin Valley (NSJV) was discussed recently at the University of the Pacific’s Center for Busi...

Member Spotlight: Alston & Bird, Celebrating 10 Years in CA

Dec 14 2018

Posted In: Membership,

2018 marks a year of celebration for Alston & Bird, a leading national law firm that provides a full ra...

How an Earthquake and a Helicopter Ride Led to Regional Water Transit

Dec 7 2018

Posted In: News, Storm & Flood Protection, Transportation,

The creation of the Bay Area’s modern-day regional water transit service may have all started with an earthquake and a helicopter ride. Renowned ...

Wiener Returns with New Housing-Transit Bill

Dec 7 2018

Posted In: Housing, Transportation,

State Sen. Scott Wiener is stepping up again to address California’s massive housing crisis, this week introducing legislation that would require...

Council Briefs Gov.-elect Newsom on Megaregion Project

Dec 7 2018

Posted In: Economy,

Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom received a briefing today on research the Bay Area Council Economic Institute is doing that examines the important economic...

Workforce of the Future Completes Morgan Family Foundation Grant

Dec 7 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future team successfully completed outcomes for a second grant from the Morgan Family Foundation. The gra...

Celebrating the Year of the Pig

Dec 7 2018

Posted In: China, Events,

Join the Bay Area Council for its 9th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration on February 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Fr...

Member Spotlight: SENER

Dec 7 2018

Posted In: Membership,

Perspective matters. And though 10 years may not seem like a long time to some, to the engineering and technology group,

Damning Report Highlights What Council Has Been Saying for Years

Nov 30 2018

Posted In: Housing, Transportation,

A damning report the California Air Res...

Council, KPMG Explore Exciting New Opportunity Zone Program

Nov 30 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy,

Dozens of impoverished and low-income areas around the Bay Area are eligible for investment under a new federal O...

Workforce of the Future Completes Grant with Citi Foundation

Nov 30 2018

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future initiative wound down a successful grant with the Citi Foundation at the end of November. The gran...

SF State Announces Largest Gift in Its History

Nov 30 2018

Posted In: Membership,

From one Bay Area Council member to another, San Francisco State University President Leslie Wong recently announced the largest gift in the school...

Member Spotlight: CSAA Insurance Group

Nov 30 2018

Posted In: Membership,

CSAA Insurance Group, an AAA insurer, joins a small group of private financiers to invest in a new Forest Resilience Bond that funds the upfront co...

Many Ways to Help Victims of Deadly Fires

Nov 16 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, News,

Northern California too soon is reeling from a deadly fire. The Camp Fire in Butte County exploded to become one of the state’s most destructive ...

Hall of Fame Honors Business, Civic & Philanthropic Leadership

Nov 16 2018

Posted In: Events, Membership,

A star-studded audience of more than 700 celebrated business, civic and philanthropic leadership on Thursday at the Bay Area Council’s 73rd

Call to Action for Tech Apprenticeships

Nov 16 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Tech companies often poach talent from one another, competing for the same employees in the region in order to fill critical technical positions, a...

Election Results Point to Need for More Regional Cooperation

Nov 9 2018

Posted In: Government Relations,

Tuesday’s election produced some great news on the housing and transportation fronts, but it was more difficult to divine a clear overarching mes...

Council’s Wunderman among the Bay Area’s Most Admired CEOs

Nov 9 2018

Posted In: News,

Great leadership, vision and values. Those were the themes of the San Francisco Business Times’ Most Admired CEOs Awards on Thursday celebrating ...

Council Opens New Office and New Agreements in China – Greeted Warmly At President Xi’s Trade Event

Nov 9 2018

Posted In: China,

The U.S. and China may be locked in a simmering trade war, but that didn’t dampen the warm reception the Bay Area Council received as it led a de...

Council Works to Address Aviation Maintenance Labor Shortfall

Nov 9 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Airline officials met this week with faculty from five Bay Area community colleges for the last of a series of Occupational Councils the Bay Area C...

Members Making News: Sutter Health, Heller Manus

Nov 2 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Healthcare,

Sutter Health’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center recently announced the launch of a new groundbreaking approach to avoid delays in treating ...

As Election Day Nears, No Time for Complacency

Nov 2 2018

Posted In: Government Relations,

With the election just days away, new polling shows voters siding with the Bay Area Council on two of the most hotly contested propositions on the ...

Council Welcomes New Chinese Consul General

Nov 2 2018

Posted In: China,

Sino-American relations may be strained, but that isn’t interfering with the Bay Area Council’s long-standing work to advance regional economic...

California’s Housing Horrors

Nov 2 2018

Posted In: Housing,

California is producing just seven units of housing for every 10 new households, according to a report by Up for Growth that was the focus of a dis...

Member Spotlight: Claremont Club & Spa

Nov 2 2018

Posted In: Membership,

The historic Claremont Club & Spa perched in the verdant Berkeley hills was the sett...

Bay Area – Germany Dialogue on Smart Manufacturing / Industry 4.0

Nov 2 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

From November 7 – 9, the Bay Area hosts a German delegation of Smart Manufacturing / Industry 4.0 leaders, including the recipient of the Frost &...

Highways to Hell

Oct 26 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

On the remote chance Bay Area commuters weren’t aware how awful their commutes are, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission this week released...

Strengthening Career Pathways for Community College Students

Oct 26 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Construction in the Bay Area is booming, which is presenting serious challenges for many companies that badly need workers for a variety of importa...

So Much for the Demise of Silicon Valley

Oct 26 2018

Posted In: Economy,

While some outsiders see a decline of Silicon Valley, a major announcement by JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon suggests the news of its death may be...

ANNUAL DINNER: TICKETS NOW ON SALE, TABLES SELLING OUT

Oct 26 2018

Posted In: Events,

Don't miss the business leadership event of the year! Tables are going quickly - and tickets are now on sale - for our 73rd Annual Dinner & Bu...

New Data: Bay Area’s Roads Worst in the Country

Oct 19 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

With absentee ballots arriving in mailboxes and election day just a few weeks off, new data released this week on California’s deteriorating road...

Leaders Share Ideas on Family-Friendly Workplaces

Oct 19 2018

Posted In: Gender Equity,

How do companies create family-friendly workplace policies to advance gender equity? The Bay Area Council on Wednesday (Oct. 17) hosted the Future ...

Employers Weigh In on Creating an Inclusive Workforce

Oct 19 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Business giants Airbnb, Genentech, Nibbi Brothers General Contractors, and Salesforce joined the Bay Area Council on Monday (Oct. 15) at Airbnb to ...

As Ferry Ridership Grows, a New Vessel Commissioned

Oct 19 2018

Posted In: Transportation,

There’s more good news in the push to accelerate the expansion of regional ferry service. The Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) thi...

Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Dismantle Hetch Hetchy

Oct 19 2018

Posted In: Water,

The California Supreme Court on Wednesday (Oct. 17) pounded yet another nail in the coffin of a misguided effort to tear down the system that provi...

Election 2018: Where the Council Stands

Oct 12 2018

Posted In: Government Relations,

Political campaigns are heating up. Absentee ballots are arriving. Votes are being cast. There are critical issues on the November ballot that will...

Trip Highlights Potential of Hovercraft on the Bay

Oct 12 2018

Posted In: Transportation,

The gate opened at the bow of the vessel, a black skirt draped around its hull. We boarded and took our seats. Within minutes, the boat rose quickl...

Tracking Rebuilding Progress One Year after North Bay Fires

Oct 12 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement,

On the one-year anniversary of the horrible North Bay fires, Bay Area Council Economic Institute President Micah Weinberg joined KQED Forum this we...

Career Fair Focuses on Highly Skilled Immigrants and Refugees

Oct 12 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

In the United States, two million skilled immigrants and refugees currently face under-employment or unemployment. In partnership with Upwardly Glo...

SF Business Times Names Its Most Admired CEOs of 2018

Oct 12 2018

Posted In: News,

You'll never guess who was named one of the San Francisco Business Times outstanding CEOs of 2018? That's right. We are thrilled to announce th...

Member Spotlight: United Airlines Flexes Economic Muscle at SFO

Oct 12 2018

Posted In: Membership,

United Airlines recently held its SFO Family Day to show off its United San Francisco maintenance facility that includes 15 buildings on 144 acres,...

Partner Spotlight: CA Competes Report Examines College Dropout Problem

Oct 12 2018

Posted In: Education,

California Competes today released its latest report, Back to College...

Dismal Grades for California’s Bridges, Roads and Transit

Oct 5 2018

Posted In: Transportation,

Good thing California’s bridges, roads and transit aren’t trying to get into a top tier college. More likely, they’d be placed on academic pr...

Merced Visit Highlights Megaregion, Public-Private Partnerships

Oct 5 2018

Posted In: Economy,

The important role of Merced and UC Merced in the growing Northern California megaregion was the focus of a recent trip the Bay Area Council made t...

Council-Backed Bills Provide New Tools to Combat Homelessness

Oct 5 2018

Posted In: Housing,

This year’s legislative session closed with Governor Brown signing three Bay Area Council-backed bills aimed at easing California’s spiraling h...

Career Fairs Focus on Increasing Workforce Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion

Oct 5 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Career fairs the Bay Area Council helped support and organize in the past several weeks with partners LeadersUp and Work2Future connected hundreds ...

Member Spotlight: Alaska Airlines Goes Back to School

Oct 5 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Membership,

In celebration of “Back to School,” Alaska Airlines along with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and the San Francisco Police D...

Learning from Portland’s Regional Governance Model

Sep 28 2018

Posted In: Economy,

A Bay Area Council delegation of business and government leaders traveled to Portland, Ore., this week to see what we can learn about that region�...

City Manager Resignation Highlights Housing Frustration

Sep 28 2018

Posted In: Housing,

The city manager of tony Lafayette submitted his resignation this week in a move that reflected the growing frustration many in the Bay Area feel a...

Road Funding Repeal & Rent Control Ballot Propositions Trailing

Sep 28 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

Two key California propositions that the Bay Area Council has made mission critical for the November election appear to be trending favorably, acco...

Major Water Districts Join California Resilience Challenge

Sep 26 2018

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Santa Clara Valley Water District today (Sept. 26) announced they have joined the

Housing Advocacy Paying Off

Sep 21 2018

Posted In: Housing,

There was encouraging news on the housing front this week as several projects the Bay Area Council was supporting won approval. It may not end a cr...

Getting a First Hand Look at North Bay Fire Recovery

Sep 21 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement,

The deadly and devastating fires were long ago extinguished, but the difficult work of recovering and rebuilding continues in the North Bay. To und...

Can the Bay Area Hover Its Way Out of Traffic?

Sep 21 2018

Posted In: Transportation,

In the 1930s, a fleet of ferry boats carried about 55 million passengers a year in the Bay Area (adjusted for population, twice the ridership of BA...

Combatting Toxic Workplace Cultures

Sep 21 2018

Posted In: Gender Equity,

We Said Enough and #MeToo movement leader Adama Iwu, Vice President of State and Community Relations for Visa, joined the Bay Area Council Gender E...

Member Spotlight: AIM Addresses Looming Aviation Maintenance Worker Shortage

Sep 21 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

As a wave of retirements threatens a labor shortage in the aviation maintenance industry, Bay Area Council member Aviation Institute of Maintenance...

Warriors’ Rick Welts Adds Hall of Famer to His Title

Sep 14 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement,

Rick Welts hasn’t scored a single point, made a single steal or grabbed even one rebound since he began an almost 50-year career in the NBA in 19...

Council Members Take Center Stage at Global Climate Summit

Sep 14 2018

Posted In: Storm & Flood Protection,

Gov. Jerry Brown convened leaders from around the world in San Francisco this week for the Global Climate Action Summit and many Bay Area Council m...

Career Fair Focuses on Opportunities for Youth of Color

Sep 14 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee this week (Sept. 20) partnered with Work2Future on a San Jose career fair that focused o...

Closing the Skills Gap across Industries

Sep 7 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Fierce demand and competition for workforce talent is steering a growing number of tech companies, including Google, Amazon, IBM and Tesla, to buil...

Leveraging Tech, Innovation to Address Regional Challenges

Sep 7 2018

Posted In: Economy,

The Bay Area Council this week was thrilled to partner with member company TechCrunch on Disrupt SF 2018, one of the technology industry’s bigges...

CA Faces Staggering $1 Trillion Infrastructure Funding Gap

Sep 7 2018

Posted In: Economy,

California’s vibrant economy and communities rely on an extensive infrastructure network of highways, bridges, ports, levees, rail lines, schools...

Hetch Hetchy Tour Highlights Latest Threat to the System

Sep 7 2018

Posted In: Water,

Bay Area Council Water Committee Chairs Andy Ball and Jim Levine this week led a coalition of business leaders on an overnight tour of the Hetch He...

Gavin Newsom Outlines Priorities at Council Forum

Aug 31 2018

Posted In: Government Relations,

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the Bay Area Council on Tuesday to talk about his bid to become California’s next governor and share his insights o...

SF Mayor Breed Addresses Council Members at Annual Meeting

Aug 31 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, Membership,

It was a double-header at the 2018 Annual Members Meeting this week (Aug. 27) as Bay Area Council members gathered at AT&T Park to hear from ke...

Council Urges Governor’s Signature on Key Bills

Aug 31 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

It ain’t over until Gov. Brown signs, but the Bay Area Council this week was still cheering one of its most successful legislative campaigns in r...

Council Hosts India’s Technology Minister

Aug 31 2018

Posted In: China, Government Relations,

On August 28 the Bay Area Council hosted a private dinner in Palo Alto with the Hon. Ravi Shankar Prasad, India’s Minister of Electronics, IT, La...

Flawed Plan Would Decimate Bay Area Water Reliability

Aug 31 2018

Posted In: Water,

(This opinion piece ran in the San Francisco Chronicle on Aug. 28, 2018) By Jim Wunderman Apart from a famous Mark Twain quote involving...

Stupski Foundation Grant Propels Occupational Councils

Aug 31 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Innovative Occupational Councils (OCs) the Bay Area Council launched this year to address workforce gaps in key industries have exceeded expectatio...

Key Council-Backed Housing Legislation Advances

Aug 29 2018

Posted In: Housing, News, Press Releases,

Legislation (SB 1227, Skinner) the Bay Area Council sponsored to address a critical statewide shortage of affordable student housing is headed to G...

Council-Backed BART Housing Bill Clears Senate

Aug 24 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

Legislation the Bay Area Council is supporting that would usher in tens of thousands of new housing units near BART stations passed the Senate this...

Pushing Back on Business, Jobs Taxes

Aug 24 2018

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations,

A number of Bay Area cities are teeing up new taxes on the November ballot aimed at jobs and business that will hurt the region’s economic compet...

Member Spotlight: UC Merced Celebrates Completion of First Phase of ‘2020 Project’

Aug 24 2018

Posted In: Membership,

The University of California, Merced — the newest campus in the 10-school University of California syste...

JP Morgan Chase Grant Fuels Innovative Workforce Program

Aug 24 2018

Posted In: News, Workforce of the Future,

JPMorgan Chase & Co. continues its commitment to the Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future program with a $100,000 grant. These funds wi...

Partner Spotlight: 42 Silicon Valley

Aug 24 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council's Workforce of the Future Committee is always looking for organizations to partner with that are committed to expanding access...

Council Partners on Leading Tech Industry Conference

Aug 24 2018

Posted In: Events,

The Bay Area Council is partnering with TechCrunch on its biggest, most-anticipated event of the year. Disrupt SF 2018 will be held September 5-7 i...

Council Works the Capitol Halls as Legislative Deadlines Near

Aug 17 2018

Posted In: Government Relations,

State lawmakers were working furiously this week to wrap up the current legislative session and the Bay Area Council was working furiously to ensur...

Council CEO Again Named to Top 100 Influencers List

Aug 17 2018

Posted In: News,

For the fourth straight year, Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman was named to the

New Report: Expanding Rent Control Hurts Local Coffers

Aug 17 2018

Posted In: Housing,

Expanding rent control will chill investment in new and existing housing and reduce local tax revenues by tens of millions of dollars annually, acc...

Bad Roads Costing Bay Area Commuters Thousands

Aug 17 2018

Posted In: Transportation,

Bad roads and highways cost many Bay Area commuters upwards of almost $3,000 a year in wasted time, vehicle repairs and other costs, according to a...

Mentorship Programs Valuable for Growing New Leaders

Aug 17 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Mentorships are a valuable way for employers to grow leadership from within their ranks, while building employee satisfaction through repeated enga...

Breakfast with Ravi Shankar Prasad

Aug 17 2018

Posted In: Economy, Events, Government Relations,

The California Business Roundtable, California Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Council, DLA Piper, and The Westly Group, in partnership with NASSCOM,...

A Bay Area-Europe Collaboration on Cybersecurity Education

Aug 10 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Cybersecurity, Economy,

EIT Digital and Bay Area Council member UC Berkeley have joined forces to launch Cybersecurity...

Council Urges Stronger Police Response to BART Crime

Aug 10 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

Despite a spasm of violent and deadly attacks on BART, wavering confidence in the system and a depleted police force, the mass transportation agenc...

As Housing Crisis Grows, Council Convenes Top Leaders to Identify Solutions

Aug 10 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council Housing Committee on Wednesday (Aug. 8) convened a powerhouse group of elected, labor, government and industry leaders at our ...

Sen. Feinstein Leads Landmark Shoreline Restoration Project Launch

Aug 10 2018

Posted In: News, Water,

Sen. Dianne Feinstein led a group of local, state and federal officials in a ceremony Friday in San Jose’s Alviso neighborhood launching the Sout...

Advanced Manufacturing: Gears are Turning

Aug 10 2018

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee convened its first Advanced Manufacturing Occupational Council on Wednesday, August 1 to...

New Report: Overcoming CA’s $1 Trillion Infrastructure Deficit

Aug 10 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, News, Transportation,

With California facing a $1 trillion infrastructure deficit between now and 2050, a new Bay Area Council Economic Institute report explores how pub...

Council CEO Calls for Regional “Mutual Aid” Response for BART

Aug 8 2018

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

Bay Area Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman today (Aug. 8) called for an immediate regional “mutual aid” response by Bay Area law enforcem...

New Tariffs to Escalate Construction Costs Impacting Bay Area’s Housing Production and Prices

Aug 3 2018

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

Tariffs of 20% the Trump administration imposed last year on imports of Canadian softwood lumber, and more recent tariffs of 15% and 10% on steel a...

Bay Area Cities Approve, Deny New Taxes on Business

Aug 3 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Housing, Membership,

A number of cities across the Bay Area have been pursuing initiatives to increase taxes on businesses with stated goals of generating revenue amid ...

73rd Annual Dinner & Business Hall of Fame to Honor Business and Philanthropic Titans

Aug 3 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

Mark your calendar for the Bay Area Council’s signature celebration of the region's top business, civic and community leadership. The 73rd Annual...

Modernizing The Master Plan: The Future of Higher Ed in California

Aug 3 2018

Posted In: Economy, Education, Events,

On August 14, the Assembly Select Committee on the Master Plan for Higher Education in California, chaired by Assemblymember Berman (Palo Alto), wi...

Start-Up Competition Highlights Bay Area-China Connections

Jul 27 2018

Posted In: China,

As part of our ongoing work to build stronger economic and innovation connections between the Bay Area and China, the Bay Area Council on Thursday ...

Workforce Engaged as a Partner in the Region

Jul 27 2018

Posted In: Events, Gender Equity, Workforce of the Future,

Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future has been active on all fronts, continuing to participate in regional events centered on workforce ...

A Gusher of Water News

Jul 27 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Water,

Water news was flowing this week as the Bay Area Council hit back at a new attempt to raze Hetch Hetchy reservoir, applauded funding for increased ...

November Ballot Positions Announced

Jul 27 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Early Childhood Education,

The Bay Area Council Executive Committee has adopted positions on a range of state and local ballot measures that voters will decide in November. ...

Responding to New Threat to Hetch Hetchy Water and Power System

Jul 27 2018

Posted In: News, Press Releases, Water,

The Bay Area Council today (July 24) issued the following statement following a recent visit by U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to Yosemite Nati...

Member Spotlight: Siebert’s Gary Hall Appointed Chair of National Securities Oversight Board

Jul 25 2018

Posted In: Membership, Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council congratulates Executive Committee member Gary Hall for his appointment as Chair of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (...

Napa Moves Proactively to Ease Onerous Granny Unit Fees

Jul 25 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Housing,

Reducing and eliminating onerous local fees that discourage homeowners from building accessory dwelling units (ADUs), aka granny units, is among th...

Da Mayor Honored for Lifetime of Civil Rights Leadership

Jul 20 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Events, Government Relations,

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Jr. was awarded the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal on Wednesday, July 18 for his lifelong commitment to the commu...

Member Spotlight: Landed

Jul 20 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Education, Housing,

Founded in 2015 by Stanford Business School alumni facing the uncertainty of being able to afford to buy a home in the Bay Area themselves, Landed ...

Feds Surprise with $177M for Massive Sea Level Rise, Restoration Project

Jul 20 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The South Bay is poised to become more resilient to rising sea levels, thanks to an unexpected decision from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fu...

Voters to Decide on Housing at Brisbane Baylands

Jul 20 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area would add 2,200 units of badly needed housing at an idle former industrial property located near transit under a proposal the Brisbane...

Careers Take Flight at Working@SJC

Jul 20 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Education, Events,

Amid San Jose’s warm and sunny weather Tuesday afternoon, roughly 70 job seekers, educators, and talent trainers on Tuesday (July 17) attended Wo...

New Report: Tri-Valley Rising 2018

Jul 20 2018

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Events,

There’s a valley in the Bay Area that has been leading the region in job creation over the past 12 years, but it’s not the valley you might be ...

PROFILE X: BAY AREA JUMPS TO TOP 20 WORLD ECONOMIES

Jul 13 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy,

With a GDP of nearly $750 billion, the Bay Area is now a Top 20 world economy, jumping from 23 to 19 since 2016. This was just one of many key find...

ALAMEDA OKS 760-UNIT HOUSING PROJECT THAT COUNCIL ENDORSED

Jul 13 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Housing,

Alameda took a big step in adding much needed housing when the City Council on Tuesday (July 10) unanimously approved the EIR and Master Plan for A...

TRAFFIC RELIEF MEASURE HEADING TO SAN MATEO COUNTY BALLOT

Jul 13 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Transportation,

Worsening traffic plagues the Bay Area, and San Mateo County commuters suffer from some of the worst of it. A 2017 Metropolitan Transportation Comm...

Statement Denouncing Misguided Regional Measure 3 Lawsuit

Jul 10 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (July 10) issued the following statement responding to a lawsuit seeking to invalidate Regional Measure 3 (RM3), an init...

ADVISORY: Bay Area Council Economic Institute to Unveil New Regional Economic Profile

Jul 9 2018

Posted In: News, Newsroom, Press Releases,

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – This Tuesday the Bay Area Council Economic Institute will release its biannual comprehensive analysis of the regional economy...

STATEMENT: COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF GOVERNOR’S ESTABLISHMENT OF A WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Jul 9 2018

Posted In: News, Newsroom, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council applauds Governor Jerry Brown and the Legislative Leadership’s decision to convene a conference committee dedicated to Wildf...

Endgame: Tariffs, Technology and China

Jul 6 2018

Posted In: China, Economy, News,

This opinion piece by Bay Area Council Economic Institute Senior Director Dr. Sean Randolph appeared in the Silicon Valley Business Journal in ...

BART HOUSING BILL ADVANCES

Jun 29 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing, Transportation,

The Bay Area would add 20,000 units of new transit-oriented housing, including 7,000 units designated as affordable for lower and middle income res...

STACEY ABRAMS TALKS WITH THE COUNCIL ON HER HISTORIC RUN FOR GEORGIA GOVERNOR

Jun 29 2018

Posted In: Events, Gender Equity, Government Relations,

Stacey Abrams, whose historic run to become the first African American female governor in U.S history has captured national attention, was the feat...

KEVIN DURANT HELPS COUNCIL WELCOME ALASKA AIRLINES CEO BRAD TILDEN TO BAY AREA

Jun 29 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Events, Membership,

It was a star power celebration Thursday as the Bay Area Council joined with member company Alaska Airlines to co-host a reception for Alaska Airli...

COUNCIL-BACKED WATER STORAGE PROJECTS MOVE CLOSER TO REALITY

Jun 29 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Water,

Three important Bay Area water storage projects that originally were slated to receive zero or only a small portion of available state funding are ...

COUNCIL’S THREE HOUSING BILLS ADVANCE

Jun 22 2018

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

All three of the bills the Bay Area Council is sponsoring to address California’s housing crisis advanced this week. The Council is sponsoring mo...

Council Urges Immediate Action on Comprehensive Federal Immigration Reform

Jun 20 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (June 20) issued the following statement on the urgent need for enacting comprehensive immigration reform and ending the...

Opinion: What ZTE Deal Tells Us About Chinese Technological Prowess

Jun 19 2018

Posted In: China, Economy, News,

(This OpEd by Bay Area Council Economic Institute Senior Director Sean Randolph ran in the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday, June 17.) B...

Council Urges Legislative Action for Secure, Reliable Energy Future

Jun 18 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council on Friday, June 15 submitted the following letter urging Gov. Brown and state legislative leaders to take immediate action...

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, DAVID BROOKS & #METOO LEADERS WOW PACIFIC SUMMIT

Jun 15 2018

Posted In: China, Community Engagement, Cybersecurity,

The timing was ideal. As President Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore, guests at the Bay Area Council’s 2018 Pacific Sum...

REGISTER TODAY: MAPPING BIOTECH’S FUTURE IN THE BAY AREA

Jun 15 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Education, Events,

The Bay Area Council Workforce of the Future program will be hosting a

2018BACPoll: Voters Hold Dim View of Tax Reform, Immigration Crackdown

Jun 12 2018

Posted In: Economy, News, Press Releases,

As the national debate on immigration rumbles – from banning or punishing so-called sanctuary cities, fortifying borders, ending Deferred Action ...

2018 BACPoll: 4 of 10 Have Witnessed Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Jun 8 2018

Posted In: Economy, Gender Equity, News,

Almost four out of 10 Bay Area voters say they have witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace and a ...

2018 BACPoll: Can Transportation Tech Solve Bay Area Traffic?

Jun 7 2018

Posted In: News, Newsroom, Press Releases,

Bay Area voters are embracing new automobile and transportation technologies, from ride-hailing apps to responsive traffic signals, drones and elec...

BACPoll: Housing Frustration Spikes

Jun 6 2018

Posted In: Economy, Housing, News,

Frustration over the Bay Area’s housing crisis intensified over the past year as the number of voters in the 2018 Bay Area Council Poll who say i...

BACPoll: Voters Say They’d Pay to End Awful Traffic

Jun 4 2018

Posted In: News, Press Releases, Transportation,

Bay Area voters are so frustrated with the region’s horrific traffic that they are willing to dig deep—really deep—into their pockets to solv...

BACPoll: More People Looking to Leave Bay Area as Housing, Traffic Problems Mount

Jun 3 2018

Posted In: Economy, Housing, News,

Growing pessimism among voters about the overall direction the Bay Area is heading has more and more people thinking about heading for the doors. B...

Study: 20 Strategies for Improving (or Worsening) Housing Crisis

May 29 2018

Posted In: Housing, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute today (May 29) released a study showing how 20 different strategies – from fast tracking mega projects to...

Bay Area Council Poll: Newsom Holds Strong Lead in Governor’s Race

May 16 2018

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Newsroom,

Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom holds a firm lead among Bay Area voters in the June primary to become California’s next Governor, according to the 2018...

THE COCA-COLA FOUNDATION TO HELP BAY AREA YOUTH “TASTE THE FEELING”

May 11 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Initiative received a big boost of support from the Coca-Cola Foundation with a year-long grant to...

VOTE EARLY, VOTE OFTEN FOR REGIONAL MEASURE 3

May 11 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

Absentee ballots began arriving this week in Bay Area mailboxes ahead of the June election and the Bay Area Council is urging early voters to suppo...

New Study Will Explore Opportunities for Expanding, Deepening Bay Area, Fresno, Central Valley Megaregion Connections

Apr 30 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Bay Area Council Economic Institute and Central Valley Community Foundation today announced the launch of an in-de...

New Report: Early Childhood Care and Education Key to Advancing Gender Equity in the Workplace

Apr 24 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Early Childhood Education, Economy,

Workplace cultures that promote and even reward crazy long hours are doing more than causing baggy, blood-shot eyes and caffeine addictions. They�...

GOOD NEWS, NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS ON HOUSING

Apr 20 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

It was a good news, bad news week in the Bay Area Council’s continuing fight to loosen the grip of the state’s historic housing shortage and af...

STATE ECONOMIC STRATEGY BILL ADVANCES

Apr 20 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Community Engagement,

California is a global innovation and economic powerhouse, but currently does not have a statewide, comprehensive plan to grow its economy. That wo...

HISTORIC VOTE TURNS THE TIDE FOR SAN FRANCISCO BAY

Apr 13 2018

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Government Relations,

The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority on Wednesday approved nearly $18 million in grants for wetlands restoration and flood protection projec...

Charting a Course for Megaregion Coordination

Apr 6 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

A rising economy, a massive housing shortage and growing traffic in the Bay Area are causing major changes across the Northern California megaregio...

New Report: California’s Healthcare Sector Key to Meeting State Climate Action Goals

Apr 2 2018

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Healthcare,

New Report: California’s Healthcare Sector Key to Meeting State Climate Action Goals

Council’s Board Welcomes Senator Feinstein and Mayor Schaaf

Mar 30 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Community Engagement,

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf met with the Bay Area Council’s Board of Directors Thursday to discuss a range of pr...

ON ONE HAND: GROWING CHINESE INVESTMENT IN THE BAY AREA MEGAREGION

Mar 16 2018

Posted In: China, Community Engagement, Economy,

As business and economic connections deepen across the Bay Area megaregion so do opportunities to attract greater foreign direct investment in ever...

THUMBS UP FOR NEW HOUSING THAT COUNCIL BACKED

Mar 16 2018

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Government Relations,

It won’t solve the region’s housing crisis alone, but it was a step in the right direction as the Millbrae City Council Tuesday (March 13) appr...

OP-ED: KEEP INTERNATIONAL STARTUPS FLOWING TO THE BAY AREA

Mar 9 2018

Posted In: Economy, News, Newsroom,

It’s no secret that the Bay Area is the leading place for technology, innovation and entrepreneurial activity in the nation. Not the only one, fo...

OCCUPATIONAL COUNCILS TARGET SKILLS GAPS

Mar 9 2018

Posted In: Economy, Education, Events,

Last Wednesday, the Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee wrapped up research for a one-year evaluation of its Occupational Counci...

CELEBRATING WOMEN AND WORKING FOR GENDER EQUITY

Mar 9 2018

Posted In: Economy, Events, Gender Equity,

The world celebrated International Women's Day on Thursday to honor the social, economic, and political achievements of women across the globe and ...

COUNCIL-SPONSORED BILL TACKLES DEARTH OF STUDENT HOUSING

Feb 26 2018

Posted In: Economy, Education, Government Relations,

Across California an estimated 762,000 college students experience some form of housing insecurity or homelessness because of the state’s massive...

TRAFFIC RANKING POINTS TO URGENCY FOR BIG INVESTMENT

Feb 9 2018

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Housing,

Not that Bay Area residents need a reminder of how urgently we need to invest big on regional traffic relief, but a ranking released this week by c...

LEADERS DISCUSS WAYS TO SOLVE THE BAY AREA’S HOUSING CRISIS

Feb 9 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area’s top business and political leaders converged at Facebook today (Feb. 9) to recommit themselves to addressing California’s housin...

NEW BILL INTRODUCED ON SKILLED IMMIGRATION

Jan 26 2018

Posted In: Economy, Education, Government Relations,

In the ongoing immigration debate, the Bay Area Council places special importance on the issues surrounding skilled immigration – H-1B visas, the...

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT: FIRST AVIATION CAREER EXPLORATION DAY IS A SUCCESS

Jan 26 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

Seeking to find solutions to their growing technical talent needs, Bay Area Council members Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and San Francisco Int...

Voters to Decide $4.5 Billion Traffic Relief, Transit Improvement Plan

Jan 24 2018

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council today (Jan. 24) loudly cheered a decision by the Bay Area Toll Authority to seek voter approval in June 2018 for Regional Me...

REGIONAL MEASURE 3 TAKES IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD

Jan 12 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

A bold plan to invest $4.5 billion across the region to ease traffic and improve mass transit for millions of commuters took an important step forw...

KEY MILESTONE IN SEA-LEVEL RISE DESIGN COMPETITION

Jan 12 2018

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Government Relations,

The Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge entered its final phase on Thursday (Jan. 11), with each of the 10 world-class design teams being assign...

WITH RECORD BUDGET PROPOSAL, GOV. BROWN SEES RAIN IN THE FUTURE

Jan 12 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Community Engagement,

There hasn’t been a lot of rain so far this winter, but Gov. Jerry Brown had the wet stuff on his mind this week (Jan. 11) when he released a $19...

THE YEAR OF HOUSING, ROUND II

Jan 5 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

Many folks in Sacramento called 2017 the Year of Housing for the 15 bills (many of which the Bay Area Council supported) that Gov. Jerry Brown sign...

THE ART OF FERRIES

Jan 5 2018

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Housing,

Expanding regional ferry service in the Bay Area continues to be a top priority for the Bay Area Council, and we have been inspired by the ambitiou...

11TH ANNUAL ECONOMIC FORECAST CONFERENCE ON JAN. 19

Jan 5 2018

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

What is the economic outlook for the Bay Area in 2018 and beyond? How will national and international trends affect our region? Join the Bay Area C...

2018 POLICY AGENDA TARGETS HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, WORKFORCE

Dec 8 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Community Engagement,

Behind the Bay Area Council’s continuing advocacy, the California legislature this year took its first (albeit modest) actions to address the sta...

BREAKING THE SILENCE ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Dec 8 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Gender Equity,

The issue of sexual harassment has burst into the open in recent months as a growing number of women across the country have shared graphic and pai...

FOCUS TURNS TO 2018 FOR ESCALATING RESPONSE TO CA HOUSING CRISIS

Dec 1 2017

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Events,

California’s housing crisis was the hot topic of a discussion the Bay Area Council Housing Committee hosted this week with special guest Eleni Ko...

BANDING TOGETHER AGAIN TO HELP NORTH BAY FIRE VICTIMS

Dec 1 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

As winter approaches, there is growing urgency to help get shelter, medical care and other important services to the tens of thousands of residents...

Bay Area Leads Nation in Squeezing Most Economic Value from Water

Nov 28 2017

Posted In: Economy, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area not only is one of the stingiest water users in the country it also squeezes more economic value out of every precious drop than any m...

Tax Reform Proposal Misses the Mark

Nov 17 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

The Bay Area Council is a nonprofit nonpartisan public policy organization that represents many of the largest employers in the Silicon Valley/Bay ...

California Businesses Launch Major New Climate Resilience Initiative

Nov 13 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council today launched the “California Climate Challenge,” a major new initiative to strengthen California’s resilience to clima...

Council Announces $3.3 Million for North Bay Fire Relief

Nov 10 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Government Relations, News,

The Bay Area Council raised more than $3.3 million for North Bay fire relief during its Annual Dinner and Bay Area Business Hall of Fame event on N...

BAY AREA BANDING TOGETHER FOR NORTH BAY FIRE RELIEF

Oct 27 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

The Bay Area Council this week announced it is partnering with a coalition of business and community leaders to promote Band Together Bay Area, a c...

WHO ARE THE BAY AREA’S MOST ADMIRED CEOS?

Oct 27 2017

Posted In: Economy, Events,

The Bay Area Council is proud to partner with member San Francisco Business Times on one of the largest and most highly anticipated CEO award progr...

Regional Coalition Submits Bid for Amazon HQ2

Oct 19 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

Leveraging a highly skilled and educated talent pool, a renowned innovation culture unmatched in the world and a slew of large transit-rich develop...

SAN FRANCISCO STATE TO HONOR COUNCIL’S JIM WUNDERMAN

Oct 6 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Education, Events,

The Bay Area Council’s own Jim Wunderman will be honored as San Francisco State University Alumnus of the Year at the 2017 President’s Dinner &...

REGIONAL HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION PLAN STARTING IN THE RED

Oct 6 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

An update to the Bay Area’s long-range regional housing and transportation planning roadmap, Plan Bay Area 2040 (PBA), has been finalized and we�...

TAKING NEW APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING REGION’S WORKFORCE NEEDS

Oct 6 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

Joined by leaders from industry, academia and philanthropy, the Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee on Monday (Oct. 2) explored ...

FIRST IMPORTANT STEP IN ADDRESSING CA HOUSING CRISIS

Sep 30 2017

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Events,

California took an important first step today in addressing its massive housing crisis when Gov. Jerry Brown signed a package of legislation aimed ...

COUNCIL CHAIR BERNARD J. TYSON A NATIONAL VOICE ON BIPARTISAN HEALTHCARE FIX

Sep 30 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Healthcare,

The debate over the nation’s healthcare system continues to rage and Kaiser Permanente Chairman and CEO and Bay Area Council Chair Bernard J. Tys...

COUNCIL HEADLINES CHINA’S MAJOR INNOVATION WEEK PRESIDED OVER BY PREMIER LI KEQIANG

Sep 30 2017

Posted In: China, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

For over 10 years, the Bay Area Council has helped expand bilateral trade and investment between the Bay Area and the fast-emerging technology and ...

NEW POLL HIGHLIGHTS URGENCY FOR HOUSING SOLUTIONS

Sep 22 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

Results of a new statewide poll gave added urgency to the Bay Area Council’s efforts in securing Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature on legislation to...

COUNCIL WELCOMES BEIJING MAYOR, SIGNS MOU EXPANDING ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Sep 22 2017

Posted In: China, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council this week was honored to welcome Beijing Mayor Chen Jining to the Bay Area as he attended a ceremony for the signing of a memo...

TAKING OFF: COUNCIL LOOKS TO STRENGTHEN TALENT PIPELINE IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY

Sep 22 2017

Posted In: Economy, Education, Events,

Strengthening talent pipelines from high schools into technical training programs and improving the rate of community college graduates taking cert...

LEGISLATURE TAKES FIRST STEP IN ADDRESSING HOUSING CRISIS

Sep 15 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The state legislature late Thursday (Sept. 15) took a first step in addressing California’s epic housing crisis by approving a package of bills a...

MAKING THE BAY RESILIENT BY DESIGN

Sep 15 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

Against the backdrop of record-breaking flooding in Houston and the Caribbean, the Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge on Sunday (Sept. 10) anno...

MAJOR NEW BAY AREA INNOVATION CENTER IN CHINA ANNOUNCED

Sep 15 2017

Posted In: China, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council this week joined leaders from the Chinese district of Gulou to announce the launch of an exciting new Bay Area Innovation Cent...

Bay Area Coalition Hails Assembly Passage of Traffic Busting Bill

Sep 13 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

A coalition representing many of the Bay Area’s largest employers and millions of workers and residents today hailed the state Assembly passage o...

MAJOR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING MEASURE CLEARS CRITICAL HURDLE

Sep 8 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

After months of the Bay Area Council’s intense advocacy in Sacramento, a bill that could lead to major transportation improvement projects to eas...

OVER 80% OF COUNCIL MEMBERS OPPOSE RESCINDING DACA

Sep 8 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council joins with many others nationwide that are expressing serious policy concerns about the Trump Administration’s rescinding of...

SUPERVISOR TANG TALKS NEW LOCAL DENSITY PROGRAM FOR MISSING MIDDLE

Sep 8 2017

Posted In: Economy, Events, Government Relations,

The missing middle has become an increasing problem in the Bay Area, with affordable housing production aimed at low and very low income residents ...

DEVELOPING STRONG TALENT PIPELINES TO MEET GROWING WORKFORCE DEMANDS

Sep 8 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

“Casting a wide net” was agreed upon as a top priority by Bay Area Council member participants at the Workforce of the Future Committee’s thi...

Statement on Charlottesville Tragedy, Bay Area Rallies

Aug 17 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Government Relations, News,

The Bay Area Council today (Aug. 17) issued the following statement in response to reported plans by a white nationalist or similar group to hold a...

TALKING WORKFORCE, HOUSING & AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES WITH ASSEMBLYMEMBER BERMAN

Aug 14 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Education,

How California and the Bay Area prepare for rapidly changing workforce needs was a major focus of a conversation today (Aug. 11) that the Bay Area ...

KEY CHINA PARTNER HONORED AS RISING INNOVATION STAR

Aug 14 2017

Posted In: China, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

A rising star in China’s fast-emerging technology and innovation sector that the Bay Area Council has been partnering with since our entry into t...

FLYING IN TO CLOSE AVIATION INDUSTRY WORKFORCE GAP

Aug 14 2017

Posted In: Economy, Education, Events,

An expected surge in aviation maintenance jobs in the Bay Area in the next few years has industry leaders scrambling to find qualified workers. Emp...

WORKING TO CAPTURE BIGGER SHARE OF CHINESE INVESTMENT

Aug 14 2017

Posted In: China, Economy, Events,

Chinese investment in the U.S. is booming and the Bay Area Council is working to attract as much as possible to our region. Chinese foreign direct ...

BAY AREA WATER SUPPLIES DEPENDENT ON HEALTHY FORESTS

Aug 14 2017

Posted In: Economy, Events, Storm & Flood Protection,

The impact of a century of fire suppression policies in the Sierra Nevada could have major implications for Bay Area water supplies, and the Bay Ar...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: BACK TO SCHOOL AT ORACLE

Aug 14 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

If you visit Oracle headquarters in Redwood Shores, you'll see a new building under construction at the north end of campus. In early 2018, Design ...

BAY AREA JOBS-HOUSING IMBALANCE GROWS

Aug 4 2017

Posted In: Economy, Housing, Transportation,

The Bay Area’s jobs-housing imbalance is getting worse, adding to the region’s affordability crisis and threatening to undermine the region’s...

FERRY RIDERSHIP SOARS TO NEW HIGHS

Aug 4 2017

Posted In: Economy, Transportation, Water,

Ridership on San Francisco Bay Ferry is soaring, highlighting the importance of the Bay Area Council’s continuing work to dramatically expand the...

COUNCIL URGES CAUTION ON NEW PROPOSAL TO LIMIT IMMIGRATION

Aug 4 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

The Bay Area Council issued the following statement responding to legislation introduced Wednesday (Aug. 2) by President Trump and Sens. Tom Cotton...

Bernard J. Tyson Elected Bay Area Council Chair

Jul 31 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

The Bay Area Council Executive Committee and Board of Directors on Wednesday (July 26) welcomed new Chair Bernard J. Tyson, Chairman and CEO of Kai...

Council Scores Another Housing Win with New TOD Law

Jul 31 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

Legislation the Bay Area Council sponsored that could bring 20,000 units of new housing to the region got Gov. Brown’s signature last Friday (Jun...

Addressing Gender Bias in Workplace Communications

Jul 31 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

Gender differences in communications styles can often adversely affect women in the workplace, as men are more likely to talk more and suggest idea...

Sen. Monning Addresses Water Committee on Clean Water Fund

Jul 31 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

It’s estimated that as many as one million Californians (10 times the population of Flint, Michigan) lack access to safe, clean drinking water, m...

Advancing U.S.-China Cooperation on Financial Services Innovation

Jul 31 2017

Posted In: China, Community Engagement, Economy,

On Tuesday, the Council was joined by Fiona Ma, member of the California Board of Equalization, to honor 14 top banking officials from China’s ce...

Innovation Bridge: Technology, Startups, and Europe’s Connection to Silicon Valley

Jul 31 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

On July 25 the Economic Institute released its newest report—Innovation Bridge: Technology, Startups, and Europe’s Connection to Silicon Valley...

California Community College’s Career Education Rebranding Looking Good

Jul 31 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

On Friday (July 21), the California Community Colleges launched a new campaign the Bay Area Council had advocated for that will boost awareness of ...

Historic Caltrain Electrification Groundbreaking

Jul 21 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

Following years of hard work and advocacy, the Bay Area Council today joined Governor Jerry Brown, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Anna E...

Major Victory for California’s Clean Energy Future

Jul 21 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

This week marked a major victory for Governor Jerry Brown and California’s clean energy future with the legislature's bipartisan passage of a lan...

Council Says Goodbye to Friend, Colleague and Civic Leader Patricia Dando

Jul 21 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Government Relations,

Longtime San Jose leader Patricia Dando passed away on July 16 with her husband Bob and her family at her side. Pat, who was former Vice-Mayor of S...

Ronnie Lott, Dave Clark, and Leonard Williams Welcomed as BAYEP Champions

Jul 21 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

On Monday, the Bay Area Council and Bay Area Young Men of Color Employment Partnership (BAYEP) partner LeadersUp met with NFL star Ronnie Lott, KTV...

Innovation Bridge: Technology, Startups, and Europe’s Connection to Silicon Valley

Jul 21 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute, EIT Digital, and the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations invite you to ...

Statement: Caltrain Electrification Groundbreaking

Jul 21 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

MILLBRAE, CA— Bay Area Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman today joined Governor Jerry Brown, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Anna ...

Council Hails Key Vote on Bill to Address Bay Area’s Traffic, Commute Crisis

Jul 14 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

Following weeks of intensive advocacy in the Bay Area and Sacramento, the Bay Area Council hailed yesterday’s pivotal vote by the Assembly Transp...

Next Steps for Businesses in the California-China Clean Energy Partnership

Jul 14 2017

Posted In: China, Community Engagement, Economy,

This week, the Council reunited participants of Governor Jerry Brown's recent Clean Energy delegation to Beijing, China to discuss next steps. Cali...

Water Committee Meeting set to discuss controversial bill with Senator Monning

Jul 14 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

The next meeting of the Bay Area Council Water Committee will feature special guest Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) to discuss SB 623. An estimat...

International Competition for Bay Resilience off to Huge Start

Jul 14 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

Last month, the Bay Area Council joined with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine and other Bay Area leaders to annou...

Bay Area Balance: Preserving Open Space, Addressing Housing Affordability

Jul 14 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

Failure to produce housing in the Bay Area’s urban core and near transit represents a serious threat to the region’s open space, according to a...

Coca Cola Looking to Bottle Bay Area Talent

Jul 14 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

On Wednesday the Bay Area Council Workforce of the Future team and Bay Area Young Men of Color Employment Partnership (BAYEP) colleague LeadersUp t...

Council Hails Key Vote on Bill to Address Bay Area’s Traffic, Commute Crisis

Jul 13 2017

Posted In: Economy, Housing, News,

SAN FRANCISCO—Following weeks of intensive advocacy in the Bay Area and Sacramento, the Bay Area Council today hailed a pivotal vote by the Assem...

New Report: Underdevelopment of Urban Infill Jeopardizes Bay Area’s Economically Significant Open Space

Jul 13 2017

Posted In: Press Releases,

Key Business, Environmental Groups Unite in Unprecedented Partnership A...

Key Vote on Bill to Authorize Regional Transportation Funding Measure

Jul 7 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Government Relations,

A critical vote is scheduled for Monday, July 10 in the Assembly Transportation Committee on legislation (SB 595) to authorize a regional transport...

Workforce Opportunities Soar at United

Jul 7 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

In a recent tour of United Airlines, the Bay Area Council Workforce of the Future team learned about the ample workforce career pathways offered in...

Council-backed Housing Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk

Jul 6 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council today (July 6) cheered the passage by the California Legislature of a bill by state Sen. Bob Wieckowski (Fremont) that clears ...

Poll: Strong Majority Back Bridge Toll Increase to Ease Grinding Traffic

Jun 30 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

Bay Area voters fed up with grinding congestion badly want new funding for large, regional traffic relief and transportation improvement projects a...

Real Reasons to Embrace Autonomous Vehicles

Jun 30 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

Autonomous, or self-driving, vehicles are undeniably cool, but, in their meeting with industry experts from Waymo (Google), Zoox, and Lyft, Bay Are...

Council Works to Improve Workforce Diversity

Jun 30 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

On Tuesday (June 27), Bay Area Council Workforce of the Future Committee Chair Julius Robinson, Managing Director & Group Head, Corporate Socia...

Senator Skinner and Council Talk Solutions to Housing Crisis

Jun 30 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

On Thursday (June 29), the Bay Area Council Housing Committee met with State Senator Nancy Skinner, whose district covers large parts of Contra Cos...

Council Comments on NAFTA Modernization

Jun 30 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

This week, the U.S. International Trade Commission held hearings to explore and receive input on modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreemen...

Building Housing, Protecting Open Space Compatible

Jun 30 2017

Posted In: Economy, Events, Housing,

This Monday, Economic Institute President Micah Weinberg discussed the importance of preserving open space in the Bay Area while addressing the hou...

Upcoming Healthcare Committee Meeting

Jun 30 2017

Posted In: Economy, Events, Government Relations,

Would you like to discuss the very latest developments in healthcare policy with other industry leaders? Would you like the chance to weigh in co...

Traffic is Hellish: New Measure Big on BART and Ferries Will Help A Lot

Jun 23 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Government Relations, Transportation,

Our polling and traffic studies all confirm what you experience – traffic is the Bay Area is epically bad. The Bay Area Council is working direc...

Leading the Megaregion Charge for Better Rail Connections

Jun 23 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Events,

The Bay Area Council continues to lead the charge for enhancing megaregional rail system, and on Wednesday joined a gathering of 50 key decision ma...

New Oakland A’s Stadium Would Generate $3.05 Billion in Economic Benefits, 2K Jobs

Jun 23 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

Oakland residents and businesses would reap $3.05 billion in economic benefits over the first 10 years from the construction and operation of a new...

Council Builds on Momentum to Attract Chinese Investment to California

Jun 23 2017

Posted In: China, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

Building on a successful trip with Governor Jerry Brown to China and the Select California Investment Summit in Sacramento, the Bay Area Council’...

GOP Healthcare Bill Unveiled; Big Impacts for California

Jun 23 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Healthcare,

Senate Republicans on Thursday (June 22) revealed draft language of a bill that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Better ...

Member Spotlight: DLA Piper Launches Global Scholarship Initiative

Jun 23 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Early Childhood Education, Economy,

DLA Piper has awarded 21 scholarships to students from some of the world's least developed countries including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Ugan...

New Oakland A’s Stadium Would Generate $3.05 Billion in Economic Impacts, Create 2K Jobs

Jun 20 2017

Posted In: Economy, News, Newsroom,

Oakland residents and businesses would reap $3.05 billion in economic benefits over the first 10 years from the construction and operation of a new...

New Analysis Looks at Strengths, Weaknesses of Bay Area Economy

Jun 16 2017

Posted In: Economy, News, Science and Innovation,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute today released analysis of recent California Employment Development Department (EDD) job and labor force es...

Oakland Zoo Expansion Benefits Entire Region

Jun 16 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

The launch of the new California Trail, an $80 million expansion project that will double the size of Oakland Zoo, heralds an exciting new commitme...

Council Works to Bring Chinese Clean Energy Investment to CA

Jun 16 2017

Posted In: China, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

Fresh from our successful trip with Governor Jerry Brown to China to promote climate change partnership, the Bay Area Council this week joined a fi...

Council Agenda Gets Receptive Ear in D.C.

Jun 16 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Economy,

Transportation, housing, trade and healthcare were among the issues a Bay Area Council-led business delegation discussed this week in Washington, D...

Council Statement on Tragic Shootings in SF, D.C.

Jun 14 2017

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Newsroom,

Two shooting tragedies today (June 14) struck painfully close to home for the Bay Area Council. A Bay Area Council-led business delegation arriving...

TALENT DRAIN GROWING AS HOUSING CRISIS DEEPENS

Jun 9 2017

Posted In: Economy, Education, Housing,

Net new arrivals to the Golden State have fallen 17% since February, a new LinkedIn report finds. While the Bay Area historically has shown strong ...

COUNCIL CHINA CLEAN ENERGY DELEGATION WITNESS TO HISTORY

Jun 9 2017

Posted In: China, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council’s delegation of business leaders accompanying Gov. Jerry Brown this week to Beijing, China, for a global conference on clima...

BAY AREA COUNCIL LEADS DELEGATION ACCOMPANYING GOV. JERRY BROWN TO CHINA FOR GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY SUMMIT

Jun 2 2017

Posted In: China, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

On Monday, June 5, the Bay Area Council will lead a high-level business delegation to Beijing, China, to accompany Gov. Jerry Brown for an annual m...

BAY AREA COUNCIL HELPS LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL RESILIENT BY DESIGN COMPETITION

Jun 2 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council on Wednesday (May 31) joined with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine and other Bay Area leaders...

Statement on President Trump’s Decision to Withdraw U.S. from Paris Climate Accord

Jun 1 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Economy,

The Bay Area Council today (June 1) issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s withdrawing the United States from the...

COUNCIL WORKING TO CONNECT SILICON VALLEY AND THE HEARTLAND

May 12 2017

Posted In: Economy, Events, Government Relations,

Much of the political rhetoric of the 2016 Presidential campaign focused on the winners and losers of the nation’s economic transformation over t...

COUNCIL KEEPING UP PRESSURE FOR CALTRAIN ELECTRIFICATION FUNDING

Apr 21 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

With the clock ticking on a June deadline to begin work on electrifying Caltrain, the Bay Area Council is continuing its advocacy to secure $647 mi...

NEW REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE PLAN TAKES UNPRECEDENTED REACH

Apr 21 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

A sweeping plan approved this week by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to address climate change takes unprecedented reach in cracking ...

COLIN POWELL, FAREED ZAKARIA, ERIC GARCETTI HEADLINE OUTLOOK CONFERENCE

Apr 21 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Community Engagement,

Time is running out to secure your seat at the Bay Area Council’s 2017 Outlook Conference: The Pacific Summit presented by Kaiser Permanente on T...

PUSH FOR SINGLE-PAYER THREATENS ACA STABILITY

Apr 14 2017

Posted In: Economy, Events, Healthcare,

With rumors continuing to swirl around Republican-led efforts to repeal and replace the ACA, California legislative leaders are taking a different ...

MEETING WITH REP. DESAULNIER FOCUSES ON TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

Apr 14 2017

Posted In: Economy, Events, Government Relations,

On Thursday (April 13), the Bay Area Council’s Transportation Committee met with Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA 11) at Microsoft Corporation t...

New Poll Finds That 25% of Homeowners Would Add an In-Law Unit, Creating 400,000 New and Affordable Housing Units

Apr 12 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Government Relations,

SAN FRANCISCO—Amid the Bay Area’s crippling housing crisis, important legislation that took...

COUNCIL HAILS HUGE VICTORY FOR CA ROADS, TRANSPORTATION

Apr 7 2017

Posted In: Economy, Housing, News,

Bay Area motorists dodging potholes and fighting traffic can loosen their grip on the wheel after an historic vote in the legislature last night (A...

BAC POLL: ECONOMIC CONFIDENCE SLIPPING; GENERATIONS DIVIDED OVER HOUSING

Apr 7 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

The Bay Area Council is responding to recent results of our Bay Area Council Poll that show economic confidence slipping as the region’s epic hou...

COUNCIL OFFERS INSIGHTS ON US-CHINA AGTECH GROWTH

Apr 7 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Economy,

Bay Area Council Chief of Global Business Development Del Christensen on Thursday (April 6) led a panel at the Silicon Valley Forum’s “AgTech a...

BAC Poll: Millennials, Older Generations Divided Over Housing Problems, Solutions

Apr 2 2017

Posted In: Economy, Housing, Membership,

Older Bay Area voters who have lived here the longest and own their home are far less likely to support building new housing compared with millenni...

Economic Confidence Slipping as Housing, Traffic Woes Mount

Apr 1 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area’s epic housing and traffic crises are taking a serious and growing toll on economic confidence, according to results of the 2017 Bay...

Residents Say Declare Traffic Emergency; Fix It, Tax Me If Needed

Mar 31 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

With federal and state transportation funds dramatically falling off even as regional traffic reaches new records, Bay Area voters are ready to tak...

Council Supports Landmark CA Investment to Fix Roads and Highways

Mar 29 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

The Bay Area Council today (March 29) issued the following statement on the announcement by Governor Jerry Brown and top Legislative leaders of a 1...

Statement on NFL OK for Raiders to Las Vegas Move

Mar 27 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Government Relations, News,

The Bay Area Council issued the following statement in response to a vote today (March 27) by NFL owners approving plans by the Oakland Raiders to ...

Council Helps Forge New UCBerkeley-China R&D Partnership

Mar 27 2017

Posted In: China, Economy, Healthcare,

The Bay Area Council today (March 27) applauded the announcement of a new partnership between the Center for Information Technology Research in the...

SOLVING ENERGY STORAGE PUZZLE KEY TO RENEWABLES FUTURE

Feb 23 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

California’s continuing efforts to shift to renewable energy will depend to a large degree on solving the challenge of how to store that energy. ...

FINAL DECISION NEAR FOR INNOVATIVE COMMUTER SHUTTLES PROGRAM

Feb 17 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

A commuter shuttles program that the Bay Area Council was instrumental in developing on behalf of regional employers is poised to be made permanent...

COUNCIL ADVOCATES FOR FINAL CALTRAIN ELECTRIFICATION FUNDING

Feb 13 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Economy,

After years of hard work and advocacy, the Bay Area Council is making a final push to secure the remaining funding needed to electrify and moderniz...

FORUM FOCUSES ON DISRUPTIVE APPROACHES TO SOLVING BAY AREA TRAFFIC

Feb 13 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

An overflow audience of Bay Area business and transportation leaders met today at the Bay Area Council for a riveting forum on innovative approache...

Restricting Immigration Hurts the Bay Area, Council Members Say

Feb 3 2017

Posted In: China, Community Engagement, Economy,

Recent actions and statements by President Trump and his administration on immigration, including an executive order ostensibly banning citizens an...

MENLO PARK HOUSING PROJECT ENDORSED BY COUNCIL APPROVED

Jan 27 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

A transit-oriented housing, retail and office development that the Bay Area Council endorsed won unanimous approval by the Menlo Park City Council ...

THE NEW COMMUTE: DISRUPTING BAY AREA TRAFFIC

Jan 27 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

In response to the Bay Area’s traffic crisis, emerging private transportation companies are offering new, innovative solutions for a comfortable,...

WATER TRANSIT COMMITTEE MAKING WAVES

Jan 27 2017

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Events,

This week, the Bay Area Council’s Water Transit Committee met with Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco), who reported on opportunities to ...

TOP ECONOMISTS, BUSINESS LEADERS GIVE ECONOMIC FORECASTS ON INAUGURATION DAY

Jan 20 2017

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Education,

As the world watched the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the Bay Area Council Economic Institute’s 10th Annual Economic Forecast presente...

Council Secures Grant for New, Innovative Workforce Program

Jan 20 2017

Posted In: Economy, Education, News,

A regional initiative the Bay Area Council is leading to increase employment opportunities for young men of color in the Bay Area got a major boost...

Statement on Gov. Brown’s Proposed 2017-18 Budget

Jan 11 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

The Bay Area Council issued the following statement on Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed 2017-18 budget: “Gov. Brown’s proposed budget wisely refl...

Proposed Water Cuts Could Be Devastating for Bay Area

Jan 6 2017

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council voiced strong concerns at a State Water Resources Board hearing Tuesday (Jan. 3) on proposed changes to how water is allocated...

Council Pushes for Legislative Action on Housing Crisis

Jan 6 2017

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

As the Bay Area Council gears up to drive action in the Legislature this year on California’s housing crisis, a new report out this week provides...

Council in the Mix as Affordable Care Act Repeal Plans Debated

Jan 6 2017

Posted In: Economy, Healthcare,

Anxieties are running high as the new Administration and Congress are signaling imminent changes to the Affordable Care Act if not a full repeal. C...

What the President-Elect Should Know about Trade, Manufacturing & Jobs

Dec 16 2016

Posted In: China, Economy, Government Relations,

A wave of working-class anger and discontent over lost manufacturing jobs is credited by many with helping Donald Trump win the White House, but a ...

Help End the Scourge of Family Homelessness

Dec 16 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Early Childhood Education, Economy,

The Bay Area Council is urging its members to help secure a $10 million challenge grant from Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife, Lynne, to fu...

Bay Area Water Leaders Give Input to National Policy Agenda

Dec 16 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Events,

Forty of the Bay Area’s top water leaders convened at Google on Thursday (Dec. 15) to map out federal water advocacy in the Trump-era. The meetin...

Council Joins President Obama for Final My Brother’s Keeper White House Convening

Dec 16 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

This week, Bay Area Council Economic Institute President Micah Weinberg attended the final White House convening for President Obama's My Brother's...

Taking Action to Address Workforce Needs

Dec 9 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Education,

The Bay Area Council recently hosted Van Ton-Quinlivan (Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Economic Development, Cal...

Decision Time: Keeping the Raiders in Oakland

Dec 9 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Government Relations,

A deal to build a modern, new stadium for the Oakland Raiders is headed to the Oakland City Council next Tuesday, and the Bay Area Council is worki...

Will 2017 Be the Year for Housing Solutions in Sacramento?

Dec 9 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

A who’s who of Bay Area housing leaders and major employers converged on the Bay Area Council Thursday for an unvarnished and sobering discussion...

Mentorships Key to Increasing Women in Senior Leadership Roles

Dec 9 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events, Gender Equity,

The Gender Equity Committee met this week to participate in an interactive discussion with Shavon Lindley, CEO of Women Evolution, which creates in...

Council Doubling Down on Solving Regional Commute Mess

Dec 2 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Community Engagement,

The Bay Area Council just loves a good challenge, and there is perhaps no bigger challenge for the region than bringing some relief to the congeste...

Prime Minister of Ireland Addresses Council Leadership

Dec 2 2016

Posted In: Economy, Education, Events,

Enda Kenny, Prime Minister (An Taoiseach) of the Republic of Ireland, addressed the Bay Area Council’s Board of Directors on Thursday, discussing...

Commuter Shuttles Program Getting Better and Better

Nov 18 2016

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Transportation,

The commuter shuttles program that the Bay Area Council helped develop on behalf of employers just gets better and better. A mid-year progress repo...

Stricter Homesharing Limits Hurt Housing Affordability

Nov 18 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Housing,

Placing stricter limits on homesharing does almost nothing to increase housing supply and only makes things worse for homeowners that rely on short...

Exciting News for Expanding Ferry Service to Silicon Valley

Nov 18 2016

Posted In: Economy, News, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council is wading forward in its work to expand ferry service to the Peninsula and South Bay, where exploding job growth has led to se...

Commuter Shuttles “Hub” Approach Means More Traffic, Emissions, Accidents

Nov 15 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Newsroom,

Replacing the successful system that private commuter shuttles use to pick up and drop off riders with fewer centralized “hub” locations would ...

Big Election Wins for Bay Area, Council on Housing, Transportation

Nov 11 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Economy,

Millions of Bay Area commuters could breathe a sigh of relief Tuesday when 70 percent of voters passed Measure RR to fix and upgrade BART, the regi...

The Bay Area Takes on Big Data

Nov 11 2016

Posted In: News,

California is a hotbed for big data innovation. Against that backdrop, the Bay Area Council recently welcomed some of the region’s brightest mind...

BAC Insiders Tour: SFO

Nov 11 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Events, Membership,

SFO International Airport reflects the City itself: small but mighty. In its compact 2,500 acres of developed land, it manages to move more than ...

Getting Down to Business to Enact In-Law Legislation

Nov 11 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events, Government Relations,

Energized by our victory in passing SB 1069 to make building in-law units easier, faster and cheaper for homeowners, the Bay Area Council's Housing...

On Nov. 8, Vote for a Better Bay Area

Nov 4 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Government Relations, Housing,

It's almost over, but there's still one more very important thing to do before you can put Election 2016 in your rear-view mirror. Unless you've al...

Learning Lessons from Los Angeles on Bold Transportation Planning

Nov 4 2016

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council last year took pride in touting a book by a prominent UCLA professor detailing how our region has outperformed Los Angeles ove...

Talking Tech with Assemblymember Evan Low

Nov 4 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Government Relations, Science and Innovation,

Autonomous vehicles, drones and internet privacy were among the topics covered on Tuesday (Nov. 1) when the Bay Area Council’s Government Relatio...

Member Spotlight: KKR

Nov 4 2016

Posted In: Membership,

Congratulations to KKR, the global investment firm which rece...

Council Honors John Chambers and Jane Shaw

Oct 28 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

The Bay Area Council on Wednesday held its 71st Annual Dinner and Bay Area Business Hall of Fame presented by Union Bank, inducting Cisc...

Council Water Transit Advocacy Makes Waves; WETA Opens New Facility

Oct 28 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events, Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council’s advocacy efforts to rapidly expand our region’s water transit system are paying off. This week the Water Emergency Trans...

Proposed Water Cuts Hit SF, Silicon Valley

Oct 28 2016

Posted In: Water,

The Bay Area could lose as much as 10 percent of its water supply if draft recommendations by the State Water Resources Control Board are adopted n...

By the Numbers: Solving the Housing Affordability Crisis

Oct 21 2016

Posted In: Economy, Housing, News,

A groundbreaking analysis of San Francisco’s housing crisis released this week (Oct. 19) by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute identified wh...

Council Leads Tech Delegation to China

Oct 21 2016

Posted In: China, Science and Innovation,

A high-level delegation of Bay Area entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors and scientists led by Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman this week (...

Educators, Employers Meet to Bridge Workforce Gap

Oct 21 2016

Posted In: Education, Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council's Workforce of the Future Committee, in partnership with the Bay Area Community College Consortium, hosted its first marketpla...

Dim Assessment of Regional Housing, Transportation Plan

Oct 21 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

Plan Bay Area – the region’s long-range housing and transportation blueprint -- isn’t likely to do much to improve housing affordability or e...

House Committee Readies for Action in 2017

Oct 21 2016

Posted In: Housing,

On the heels of passing statewide legislation we sponsored (SB 1069) to expand housing by easing restrictions on in-law units, the Bay Area Council...

Council’s Cornelious Burke Named Sacto 40 Under 40

Oct 21 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News,

This week (Oct. 17) the Sacramento Business Journal honored Sacramento’s top young leaders at its 40 Under 40 celebration, and the Bay Area Counc...

Election 2016: Bay Area Council Positions

Oct 14 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council Executive Committee approved positions on various state, regional and local ballot measures and propositions appearing on the ...

Water Committee Meets. Rain Falls.

Oct 14 2016

Posted In: Water,

There were no special dances or incantations at the Bay Area Council Water Committee meeting last Friday (Oct. 7) at member HNTB in Oakland, and ye...

Housing Crisis Hurting CA Climate Change Goals

Oct 14 2016

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Housing,

The Bay Area’s housing crisis is undermining California’s ambitious and global-leading work to combat climate change. Bay Area Council Senior V...

Member Spotlight: Year Up

Oct 14 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Education, Membership,

Six million motivated young adults in this country lack access to stable career pathways. At the same time, 12 million U.S. jobs will go unfulfille...

How Will the Bay Area Meet Future Workforce Needs?

Oct 7 2016

Posted In: Economy, Education, Events,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee convened Thursday (Oct. 5) to give an update on the Council’s work to improve the numb...

BASIC Scores Big Win for California Innovation

Oct 7 2016

Posted In: Education, Government Relations, Science and Innovation,

The Council’s Bay Area Science and Innovation Consortium (BASIC) scored a hug win when Governor Brown recently signed AB 2664 into law. This bill...

Covered CA Making Progress, but Challenges Remain

Oct 7 2016

Posted In: Healthcare,

The Bay Area Council’s Healthcare Committee hosted a fascinating discussion this week (Oct. 5) about the current state of the Affordable Care Act...

Council Forms Megaregion Partnership with Sacramento to Keep Jobs, Grow Economy

Oct 5 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council today announced a new partnership with the Greater Sacramento Area Economic Coun...

More Ferries Coming Soon, Serving New Routes and Destinations

Sep 30 2016

Posted In: Economy, News, Transportation,

The big WETA and Golden Gate ferries that serve the region’s heavy commute corridors will soon be complemented by nimble, privately financed and ...

Council Notches Its Best Legislative Record in Years

Sep 30 2016

Posted In: Economy, Education, Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council was poised to notch its best legislative record in years with the deadline for Gov. Jerry Brown to sign or veto bills coming t...

Council Explores Legal Options on Brisbane NIMBY Plan

Sep 30 2016

Posted In: Economy, Housing, News,

The city of Brisbane made its claim for NIMBY of the year with its audacious proposal to accept 8 million square feet of commercial and industrial ...

Governor Signs Council-Sponsored Housing Bill

Sep 27 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council today (Sept. 27) applauded Governor Jerry Brown for signing legislation it sponsored that will make it easier, faster and less...

State Sen. Jackson Talks Fair Pay with Council’s Gender Equity Committee

Sep 16 2016

Posted In: Economy, Gender Equity, Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council's Gender Equity Committee on Thursday (Sept. 15) welcomed state Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) for an invigorat...

Council Builds Stronger Economic, Trade & Investment Connections with Nanjing

Sep 16 2016

Posted In: China,

The Bay Area Council, in collaboration with the Gulou District of Nanjing, recently completed a trade show promoting Bay Area businesses and Counci...

Council-MTC Study Finds 9.6 Million Ride Commuter Shuttles

Sep 16 2016

Posted In: Economy, News, Transportation,

Public and private shuttle services around the Bay Area carried more passengers in the 2014-15 fiscal year than all but six of the region's public ...

Member Spotlight: 49ers Foundation Makes Big Play to Help Community

Sep 16 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Membership,

The 49ers Foundation has a long history of generously support...

Shovel Ready: Leaders Mark Key Milestone for Regional Ferry Expansion

Sep 15 2016

Posted In: News, Press Releases, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council on Thursday (Sept. 15) hailed the ground breaking for a new Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) operations and mai...

Council Calls for Strong Regional Effort to Keep Raiders

Sep 15 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council responded quickly to a decision by the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee on Thursday (Sept. 15) approving $750 ...

New Report: $15.4 Billion in Economic Impacts from Santa Clara County Transportation Plan

Sep 15 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

Santa Clara County is forecast to realize at least $15.4 billion in new business and economic activity from a 30-year transportation investment pla...

CEO Policy Roundtable Focuses on Coming Trends, Challenges

Sep 9 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events, Membership,

The Bay Area Council on Thursday (Sept. 8) hosted a CEO Roundtable discussion moderated by KPMG San Francisco Managing Partner Debbie Messemer that...

Member Spotlight: Pucci Foods

Sep 9 2016

Posted In: Membership,

Pucci Foods has been around for almost 100 years, but the Hayward-based seafood supplier is not stuck in the past. Under the leadership of CEO Chri...

Council’s Work to Expand Bay Area-China Trade Highlighted

Sep 9 2016

Posted In: China,

As leaders from the world’s largest economies gathered in Hangzhou last week, we are reminded of China’s rising global responsibilities. Protoc...

Council Welcomes Senator Boxer During CA Farewell Tour

Sep 2 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events, Government Relations,

Making a stop at the Bay Area Council on a California farewell tour ahead of her retirement later this year, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer Thursday (Aug....

Bay Area Businesses Lead the Way to Renewable Energy Future

Sep 2 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The basic architecture of the electricity grid is unchanged from the time of Thomas Edison, Professor Arun Majumdar told the Bay Area Council’s E...

Council Scores Big Legislative Wins, Urges Governor’s Signature

Sep 2 2016

Posted In: Education, Government Relations, Housing,

When the state’s solons adjourned late Wednesday (Aug. 31), two major bills the Council sponsored were headed to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk fo...

Legislature Passes Council-backed Second Unit Housing Bill

Aug 30 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council today (Aug. 30) hailed the passage of SB 1069, legislation authored by state Sen. Bob Wieckowski (Fremont) that clears the way...

Major Win for Council’s Transformative Water Data Bill

Aug 26 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, News,

Legislation the Bay Area Council is sponsoring to revolutionize how California uses data technology to better manage the state’s water system is ...

Do You Know the Way… to LA?

Aug 26 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events, Housing,

Join the Bay Area Council on our trip to Los Angeles from Sept. 19-21 and meet with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles Metropolitan Trans...

Council Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer

Aug 18 2016

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (Aug. 18) announced the hiring of Jeanine Hawk as its new chief financial officer. Hawk will carry out the financial, fi...

New Report: UC Supports Immense, and Growing, Start-Up Culture

Aug 17 2016

Posted In: Economy, News, Press Releases,

Entrepreneurial activity and innovation has been rapidly accelerating across the University of California in recent y...

Council Urges Continued Talks on By-Right Housing Reforms

Aug 12 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council and Southern California Leadership Council, which are leading a statewide coalition of employers, affordable housing advocates...

Council Continues Push for Landmark Housing Reform

Aug 12 2016

Posted In: Economy,

California’s epic housing crisis is hurting more than lower- and middle-income working families struggling to find housing they can afford. It’...

Second Dwelling Unit Bill Clears Key Assembly Committee

Aug 12 2016

Posted In: Economy, Housing, News,

Legislation (SB 1069) by Senator Bob Wieckowski that the Bay Area Council is sponsoring to ease restrictions on second dwelling units sailed throug...

New Report: Housing Crisis Threatens CA Climate Change Goals

Aug 9 2016

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Government Relations,

California’s epic housing crisis is hurting more than lower- and middle-income working families ...

Misguided Tech Jobs Tax Fails in San Francisco

Aug 5 2016

Posted In: Economy, News, Newsroom,

A misguided proposal to tax San Francisco tech companies for creating jobs — a proposal we vigorously opposed — failed this week at the Board ...

Bay Restoration Funding to Start Flowing in 2017

Aug 5 2016

Posted In: Economy, News, Newsroom,

Fresh from the historic passage of Measure AA by voters this June, the San Francisco Baylands Steering Committee convened at the Bay Area Council o...

Council Battles Stiff Opposition on Fast Track Housing Bill

Aug 5 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

It’s do or die time for legislation the Bay Area Council is championing to help combat California’s epic housing crisis. As legislators returne...

First-of-its-Kind Workplace Gender Equity Guide Unveiled

Jul 29 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

Advancing gender equity in the workplace, especially at the C-suite and Board level, continues to be a major challenge for employers nationwide. Th...

Council Advocacy on Near-Term Commute Relief Rewarded

Jul 29 2016

Posted In: Economy, News, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council’s advocacy for near-term commute relief was rewarded this week when the Metropolitan Transportation Commission approved $40 ...

Supporting Free Trade and Growing Manufacturing Not Mutually Exclusive

Jul 29 2016

Posted In: China, Economy, Government Relations,

Council Names Bernard J. Tyson Vice Chair

Jul 26 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Government Relations, Healthcare,

The Bay Area Council Executive Committee has elected Kaiser Permanente Chairman and CEO Bernard J. Tyson Vice Chair of the organization, positionin...

Council Works to Expand Opportunities for Boys and Men of Color

Jul 22 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events, News,

On Thursday, in partnership with LeadersUp, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, Urban Strategies Council, PolicyLink and the City of Oakland, the Bay A...

No Summer Recess in Work to Win Landmark Housing Reform

Jul 22 2016

Posted In: Housing, News, Transportation,

The Legislature may be on summer recess, but the Bay Area Council isn’t taking a break from its continuing work to win approval of Governor Jerry...

Council Housing Committee Co-Chair Kofi Bonner Highlights Governor’s Streamlining Affordable Housing Bill on “Market Makers”

Jul 13 2016

Posted In: Economy, Housing, News,

All Aboard on Caltrain Electrification

Jul 13 2016

Posted In: Economy, News, Newsroom,

First-of-its-kind Regional Online Tool Will Connect Educators, Employers

Jul 1 2016

Posted In: Economy, Education, News,

Helping students enter the workforce with the education, skills and training that employers want is the goal of a first-of-its-kind regional online...

Council Scores Big Wins this Week in Sacramento

Jul 1 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Council’s two sponsored bills SB 1069 and AB 1755 were both passed by Legislative Committees this week in Sacramento. SB 1069 authored by S...

Can Megaregion Approach Help Solve Megaproblems?

Jul 1 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Northern California megaregion is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the United States, but the rapid speed and scale at which it is tak...

New Report: As Northern California Megaregion Takes Shape, Megaproblems Intensify

Jun 30 2016

Posted In: Economy, Education, Government Relations,

The Northern California megaregion is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the United States, but the rapid speed and scale at which it is tak...

Council Cramming for Legislative Finals Ahead of Summer Recess

Jun 24 2016

Posted In: Economy, Education, Government Relations,

With the Legislature’s summer recess looming, the Bay Area Council is cramming to get strong grades on its legislative agenda. So far, so good. K...

How Brexit May Impact Bay Area Economically

Jun 24 2016

Posted In: Economy,

(Bay Area Council Economic Institute Senior Director Sean Randolph offers initial analysis of the historic vote in Britain to exit the European ...

Addressing Real Estate Professionals on Housing Crisis

Jun 24 2016

Posted In: Events, Housing,

California’s epic housing shortage was among the topics that Bay Area Council Senior Vice President Matt Regan covered during remarks at the rece...

Council Works to Attract Foreign Investment to CA, Bay Area

Jun 24 2016

Posted In: China, Economy, Events,

The Bay Area Council joined a statewide delegation of leading business and economic development executives that traveled to Washington, D.C. this w...

Obama Senior Advisor Jarrett Meets with Council Executives

Jun 24 2016

Posted In: Economy, Gender Equity, Government Relations,

Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, met with Bay Area Council members this week (June 20) and briefed them on some of the issues on...

Bold NYC Plan Offers Inspiration for Expanding Bay Area Ferry Service

Jun 17 2016

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area isn’t alone in its push to expand ferry service. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio this week (June 15) announced a massive $325 mil...

Progress on Governor’s Affordable Housing Reforms

Jun 17 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing, News,

The real work now begins in the Bay Area Council’s campaign to pass landmark reforms speeding approval of new affordable housing statewide that G...

Economic Institute Study Lays Foundation for UC Campus Expansion

Jun 17 2016

Posted In: Education, Science and Innovation,

A 2010 study by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute helped lay the groundwork for a decision this week by the University of California at Merce...

Upcoming Report Examines Emerging Megaregion

Jun 17 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events, Housing,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute is gearing up to release a major new report – Northern California Megaregion: Innovative, Connected and G...

Council’s Housing Advocacy Rewarded; More Work to Do

Jun 10 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

An intensive advocacy effort led by the Bay Area Council was rewarded late Thursday (June 9) when legislative leaders and Governor Jerry Brown anno...

Council Cheers Historic Regional Measure AA Win

Jun 10 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Storm & Flood Protection,

Bay Area voters made history on Tuesday (June 7) by passing Measure AA, the region’s first ever nine-county ballot measure. The measure will rais...

Council Ready to Lead BART Bond Measure to Victory

Jun 10 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council is swinging into action with the unanimous vote Thursday (June 9) by the BART Board of Directors to place a $3.5 billion bond ...

Council Energy Committee Welcomes New Co-Chair from Apple

Jun 10 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council Energy Committee on Thursday (June 9) welcomed new Co-Chair Mike Petouhoff, Global Energy Team Leader at Apple. He joins Co-Ch...

Creating Employment Opportunities for Boys and Men of Color

Jun 10 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, News,

Bay Area Council Workforce of the Future Co-Chair Glenn Shannon of Shorenstein Properties on Thursday (June 9) kicked off a fantastic employer conv...

New BACEI Report Measures Medi-Cal Impact on CA Economy

Jun 10 2016

Posted In: Healthcare, News,

Last Friday (June 3), the Bay Area Council Economic Institute released a major report at an event hosted by Blue Shield of California that document...

Gingrich Talks Presidential Politics with Jim Wunderman

Jun 10 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Membership, News,

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, now a Senior Advisor to Bay Area Council member Dentons law firm, sat down with business leaders on Tues...

Member Spotlight: KPMG

Jun 10 2016

Posted In: Gender Equity, Membership,

Debbie Messemer, KPMG’s Market Managing Partner for the Bay Area and member of the Bay Area Council’s Executive Committee, has been named “20...

Council, Strategic Partners Cheer Regional Measure AA Win

Jun 10 2016

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Government Relations, News,

Bay Area voters made history on Tuesday by passing Measure AA, the region’s first ever nine-county ballot measure. The measure will raise $500 mi...

COUNCIL HOSTS GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY MINISTERIAL

Jun 6 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

They’ll always have Paris, but San Francisco is where the world’s top energy ministers really got down to business this week in developing plan...

COUNCIL MOBILIZING SUPPORT FOR GOVERNOR’S HOUSING BILL

Jun 6 2016

Posted In: Economy, Housing, News,

Behind an all-out advocacy blitz led by the Bay Area Council, support is growing rapidly for Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to fast-track local approval...

Council Mobilizing Support for Governor’s Landmark Housing Bill

Jun 3 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

Behind an all-out advocacy blitz led by the Bay Area Council, support is growing rapidly for Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to fast-track local approval...

Council-sponsored Water Data Bill Advances

Jun 3 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Water,

The Bay Area Council on Monday (May 31) cheered the state Assembly’s passage of AB 1755, which require the Department of Water Resources to creat...

Member Spotlight: Burr Pilger & Mayer

Jun 3 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Gender Equity, Membership,

As Bay Area Council member Burr Pilger & Mayer (BPM) ente...

Council Ramps Up Advocacy on Governor’s Affordable Housing Bill

May 27 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council is stepping up its advocacy of Governor Jerry Brown’s legislation to fast track approval of affordable housing. In a letter ...

Council Leads High-Level Executive Delegation to D.C.

May 27 2016

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Events, Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council this week (May 24-26) led a high-level business delegation to Washington, D.C. for meetings with top White House and legislati...

Council Prepares to Host World’s Top Energy Ministers

May 27 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

The Bay Area Council this week was in the final stages of preparations for welcoming 23 of the world’s top energy ministers, including U.S. Energ...

Leveraging Data to Solve California’s Drought

May 27 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Water,

California might be the home of technological innovation, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the state’s antiquated water data system. With...

Member Spotlight: San Jose Earthquakes

May 27 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Membership,

In true team spirit, the San Jose Earthquakes, the City of San Jose and the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy have agreed to a new partnership to de...

Council Moving the Dial on Housing in Capitol

May 20 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing, News,

The Bay Area Council’s unrelenting advocacy for removing barriers to creating badly needed housing is making an impact. On Monday (May 16) the Co...

Outlook Conference Goes Bigger Better Bolder

May 20 2016

Posted In: Cybersecurity, Economy, Education,

Hundreds of business, government and academic leaders gathered Tuesday, May 17 at the Bay Area Council’s 2016 Outlook Conference presented by Wel...

Council Joins Rally for CA Transportation Funding

May 20 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council on Thursday (May 19) joined a statewide coalition of transportation advocates for a Fix Our Roads rally at the state Capitol t...

Council Joins Computer Science Education Coalition

May 20 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Education, News,

The Bay Area Council is proud to announce that it has joined the Computer Science Education Coalition, a nonprofit organization comprised of busine...

Jobs Watch: CA Captures One-Third of U.S. Job Growth

May 20 2016

Posted In: Economy, News, Workforce of the Future,

The regional and state employment survey released this morning (May 20) by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed California leading the nation...

Member Spotlight: U.S. Bank

May 20 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Membership, Workforce of the Future,

Earlier this year, U.S. Bank’s CEO Richard Davis announced the company’s new corporate giving and volunteering platform,

Council Applauds Governor’s Housing Proposals

May 16 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council today (May 16) issued the following statement on proposals made by Gov. Jerry Brown in his May budget revision that would he...

Building Connections Among Universities and Employers

May 13 2016

Posted In: Economy, Education, Workforce of the Future,

The colleges and universities of the San Francisco Bay Area helped create Silicon Valley, the economic phenomenon that’s made the region the envy...

Promoting Medical Devices Opportunities in China

May 13 2016

Posted In: China, Healthcare,

The Bay Area Council recently cohosted a medical device reception at the Westin-Shanghai’s Crown Hall in cooperation with the California Center ...

Member Spotlight: Intel

May 13 2016

Posted In: Membership,

Intel has approximately 13,000 employees in California at its two major sites in Folsom and Santa Clara. During the past five years in those two re...

2016 Bay Area Council Poll Reinforce Council’s Priorities

May 6 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The results of the 2016 Bay Area Council Poll this week (May 2) reinforced the work we’re leading to grow the region’s housing supply, boost in...

Council Names Assemblymember Evan Low Regionalist of the Year

May 6 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council on Monday (May 2) announced Silicon Valley Assemblymember Evan Low its 2016 Regionalist of the Year. Low has been a stalwart i...

Top-Level Meetings Highlight Council’s Sacramento Day

May 6 2016

Posted In: Education, Government Relations, Housing,

Building more housing, fixing the region’s unbearable traffic congestion, securing a stable water supply and preparing a strong workforce of the ...

Keeping up the Fight for Equal Pay

May 6 2016

Posted In: Economy, Gender Equity,

More than 50 years after John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act to abolish wage discrimination based on gender, women in the United States still ...

Council Works to Keep Caltrain Modernization on Track

May 6 2016

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council is working with regional transportation officials to close an estimated $600 million funding gap for the Caltrain Modernizatio...

Progress in Realizing Regional Water Transit Vision

May 6 2016

Posted In: Transportation,

Today (May 5), the Bay Area Council Water Transit Subcommittee hosted the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) and heard a presentation ...

Member Spotlight: The Chertoff Group

May 6 2016

Posted In: Membership,

The Chertoff Group, a premier global advisory firm focused on security and risk management, helps clients grow and secure their enterprise through ...

Council Unveils New Regional Water Supply Prioritization

May 5 2016

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

The Bay Area Council today (May 5) released a first-of-its-kind prioritization of regional water infrastructure projects that, if completed, could ...

Bay Area Residents Narrowly Support Legalizing Marijuana

May 4 2016

Posted In: Economy, News, Press Releases,

A California initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana that appears headed for the November 2016 ballot would have the support of a ...

BACPoll: Economic Confidence Softening

May 3 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

Bay Area residents agree the regional economy is humming right along, according to results of the 2016 Bay Area Council Poll released today, but a ...

COUNCIL CHEERS COURT RULING STAMPING OUT HETCH HETCHY THREAT

May 2 2016

Posted In: News,

A misguided lawsuit seeking to dismantle one of the Bay Area’s most important water storage and clean energy supplies was dismissed Thursday in a...

2016 BAY AREA COUNCIL POLL: HOUSING, TRAFFIC ISSUES DOMINATE

May 2 2016

Posted In: Economy, Housing, News,

BACPoll: One Third of Residents Ponder Leaving Bay Area

May 2 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

Soaring housing costs stemming from a chronic shortage combined with an overwhelmed transportation system and grinding traffic are taking a heavy t...

Court Tosses Commuter Shuttles Challenge

Apr 29 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council hailed a ruling on Thursday (April 28) dismissing a lawsuit against the San Francisco commuter shuttles program that we played...

UC Grad Slam Showcases Research Talent

Apr 29 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Education, Science and Innovation,

In partnership with the Bay Area Council and LinkedIn, the University of California on April 22 held its second annual Grad Slam competition showca...

Member Spotlight: San Francisco International Airport

Apr 29 2016

Posted In: Membership, Transportation,

Lots of news took flight at San Francisco International Airport this week (April 25), with Mayor Ed Lee naming a successor to Director and Council ...

Key Housing, Water Data Bills Move Forward

Apr 22 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing, Water,

Two bills the Bay Area Council is sponsoring to remove barriers to an untapped source of affordable housing and improve how California uses data to...

World’s Top Energy Ministers Converge on Bay Area

Apr 22 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

Leaders from around the globe have gathered in New York today to sign an historic climate agreement negotiated at United Nations climate change tal...

Winning the Clean Energy Transformation

Apr 22 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Science and Innovation,

With passage of its new federal energy bill, the U.S. Senate has acknowledged what the Bay Area Council’s

Member Spotlight: Reed Smith LLP

Apr 22 2016

Posted In: Membership,

One of the largest law firms in the world, Reed Smith LLP rec...

OUTLOOK CONFERENCE SELLING OUT, INDIVIDUAL TICKETS AVAILABLE

Apr 19 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events,

Demand for the Bay Area Council’s 2016 Outlook Conference: Bigger Better Bolder presented by Wells Fargo on May 17 has been robust with full tabl...

Rising Tide for Expanding Regional Ferry Service

Apr 15 2016

Posted In: Transportation,

There’s a rising tide for efforts to expand regional water transit service, which is among the Bay Area Council’s leading policy priorities. Th...

BART Takes Positive Step Toward November Bond Measure

Apr 15 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

Bay Area commuters got some encouraging news this week (April 11) when BART announced a tentative agreement that for five years would effectively a...

Exciting News for Regional Water Transit Service

Apr 8 2016

Posted In: Transportation,

Efforts to grow regional water transit service, a top policy priority for the Bay Area Council, got a big boost Thursday (April 7) when the San Fra...

New Study: CA Leading Manufacturing Transformation

Apr 8 2016

Posted In: Economy, Science and Innovation, Workforce of the Future,

California is poised to lead an emerging transformation in global manufacturing as technological advances like 3D printing and robots and changin...

Council’s Early Ed Campaign Honored

Apr 8 2016

Posted In: Early Childhood Education, Healthcare, News,

The ground-breaking Talk Read Sign program that the Bay Area Council developed to promote early childhood education has been recognized with a pres...

Landmark SF Parental Paid Leave Policy Passes

Apr 8 2016

Posted In: Early Childhood Education, Gender Equity, Government Relations,

San Francisco on Tuesday (April 5) became the first city in the nation to ensure that nearly all employees will have access to fully paid parental ...

Member Spotlight: Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass

Apr 8 2016

Posted In: Membership,

San Francisco-based law firm Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass announced this week (April 4) they have opened new offices in

COUNCIL ANNOUNCES IT’S MOVING TO TEXAS, UNVEILS NEW HORN LOGO

Apr 1 2016

Posted In: News,

After 70 years in the Bay Area, the Bay Area Council today (April 1) announced it is pulling up stakes and moving to Texas. “Our work here is don...

Council Endorses Landmark Paid Family Leave Law

Mar 29 2016

Posted In: Economy, Gender Equity, News,

There are numerous causes of gender inequity in the Bay Area economy, and almost none can be corrected without change, and sometimes without new, s...

Council Readies Ambitious Water Plan

Mar 29 2016

Posted In: News, Newsroom, Storm & Flood Protection,

El Nino has come and gone, but it hasn’t quenched California’s thirst for robust debate over how to manage our water resources. And the Bay Are...

BART BREAKDOWNS HIGHLIGHT URGENT NEED FOR INVESTMENT

Mar 18 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

There wasn’t a lot rapid in BART this week (March 14) as the region’s largest mass transit system suffered through a series of crippling mechan...

Wells Fargo CEO Headlines Powerful Outlook Conference Speaker Lineup

Mar 18 2016

Posted In: Events, Membership, News,

Bigger, Bolder, Better. That’s the theme of the Bay Area Council’s 2016 Outlook Conference on May 17 in San Francisco and the exciting lineup o...

Member Spotlight: Johnson Controls

Mar 18 2016

Posted In: Membership,

Bay Area Council Board Member Johnson Controls has been recognized for the 10th consecutive year as a 2016 World's Most Ethical Company by the Ethi...

Council Pursues New Approach to Ease Housing Crisis

Mar 11 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

Bay Area Council Senior Vice President Matt Regan on March 9 championed the benefits of second or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to the Senate Com...

Water Transit Agency Unveils New Emergency Response Plan

Mar 11 2016

Posted In: Storm & Flood Protection, Transportation,

When the Loma Prieta earthquake knocked out the Bay Bridge in 1989, ferries motored to the rescue. As the Bay Area’s designated agency in charge ...

COUNCIL PUSHES STATE, LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO SHRINKING TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS

Mar 11 2016

Posted In: Transportation,

Record low gas prices may be a boon to drivers’ wallets, but they are a disaster for funding highway and transit improvements. State gas tax re...

Innovative Workforce Lab Tackles Middle-Skills Gap

Mar 4 2016

Posted In: Economy, Education, News,

Over the past year, the Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future committee, co-chaired by Teresa Briggs, Vice Chair and West Region Managing Pa...

Water, Taxes Highlight Gov. Relations Committee Agenda

Mar 4 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Membership, Water,

The Government Relations Committee under the leadership of Co-Chairs Andrew Giacomini of Hanson Bridgett and Peter Brightbill of Wells Fargo on Thu...

Member Spotlight: University of the Pacific

Mar 4 2016

Posted In: Education, Membership, Workforce of the Future,

Established in 1851 as the first chartered institution of higher education in California,

Lucas Museum: From Buzz to Action

Feb 26 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Press Releases,

Buzz is growing about the possibility of the Bay Area being reconsidered as a site for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art as the project hit new pol...

Precision Medicine Summit Zeroes in on Cost, Quality

Feb 26 2016

Posted In: Healthcare,

Top leaders in the emerging field of precision medicine gathered Thursday (Feb. 25) for a day-long summit convened by the Bay Area Council and host...

New Report Highlights Potential of Impact Investing

Feb 26 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, News,

Impact investing has garnered tremendous interest from the White House and the World Economic Forum all the way to individual investors. But the mo...

Bay Restoration Campaign Gets a Big Boost

Feb 25 2016

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Government Relations, News,

A regional ballot measure campaign that the Bay Area Council is helping lead to raise funding for San Francisco Bay restoration got a major boost t...

Bay Area Council Brokers Agreement with SF Supervisors to Keep Commuter Shuttles Moving

Feb 24 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (Feb. 23) announced an agreement that will ensure the continuing operation of commuter shuttles in San Francisco that re...

Council Urges Action on State Road Repair Funding

Feb 19 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Transportation,

Commutes are only going to get worse and potholes bigger until the State of California gets serious about its responsibility to fund transportation...

Council’s Work Lays Track for Bullet Train Switch

Feb 19 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Transportation,

The Bay Area would get bigger and smaller at the same time under a major change announced this week by the California High Speed Rail Authority (CH...

Sen. Feinstein Announced as Co-Chair of Bay Restoration Campaign

Feb 19 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Press Releases,

The regional campaign (Yes on Measure AA) that the Bay Area Council is helping lead to protect and restore San Francisco Bay got a significant boos...

Member Spotlight: Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Feb 19 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Membership,

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a longtime BAC Executive Committee member, has an admirable mission: to...

Study: 2nd Transbay Rail Crossing Offers Major Economic Benefits

Feb 12 2016

Posted In: News,

Building a second transbay rail crossing would have enormous economic benefits for the Bay Area, according to a new report the Bay Area Council Eco...

Council Works to Tap New Source of Affordable Housing

Feb 12 2016

Posted In: Economy, Housing,

Simple policy changes by cities around the Bay Area to ease permitting of secondary units could produce a tsunami of affordable housing. That was ...

Super Bowl 50 Reflects Power of Regional Collaboration

Feb 12 2016

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Events,

Years of planning and hard work across the entire region paid off last Sunday (Feb. 6) when the Super Bowl marked its golden 50th editi...

Report: Building Market Rate Housing Benefits Lower-Income Households

Feb 12 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

Even more evidence surfaced this week that solving the Bay Area’s housing shortage and reducing its impact on lower-income households can be acco...

Council Welcomes Year of the Monkey

Feb 12 2016

Posted In: China, Government Relations, Membership,

More than 400 close friends gathered Tuesday evening (Feb. 10) as the Bay Area Council celebrated Chinese New Year and ushered in the Year of the M...

Member Spotlight: Sandia National Laboratories

Feb 12 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Membership, Science and Innovation,

Sandia National Laboratories, answers the call for faster-to-market EV fuel cell stations. Heeding California’s call for Winning the Clean Ener...

Report: Economic Benefits of 2nd Transbay Rail Crossing

Feb 9 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

Building a second transbay rail crossing would have enormous economic benefits for the Bay Area, according to a new report the Bay Area Council Eco...

Tapping Data to Solve California’s Drought

Feb 5 2016

Posted In: News, Water,

The Bay Area Council applauded legislation introduced this week (Feb. 2) by Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) that would create an open, publicly a...

CAN MODULAR MANUFACTURING BRING DOWN HOUSING COSTS?

Feb 5 2016

Posted In: Housing,

On Friday morning (Feb. 5), Bay Area Council Housing Chairs Denise Pinkston of TMG Partners and Kofi Bonner of Lennar Urban convened regional stake...

NEW UOP STUDY POINTS TO EMERGING MEGA REGION

Feb 5 2016

Posted In: Economy, Transportation,

A new report published by Bay Area Council member University of the Pacific points to the continuing emergence of a growing mega region encompassin...

COUNCIL HONKS ITS CONCERNS ON NEW RULES FOR DRIVERLESS VEHICLES

Feb 5 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

When it comes to exploring the potential of autonomous vehicles in improving safety and reducing traffic, the DMV appears to be stuck in reverse. R...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: TIDELINE MARINE GROUP

Feb 5 2016

Posted In: Membership, Transportation,

Tideline Marine Group is a maritime transportation and logistics company providing commuter water shuttle and water taxi service, as well as mariti...

POLL RESULTS ENCOURAGING FOR BART BOND MEASURE

Jan 29 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

A new poll released this week (Jan. 29) offered very encouraging news for a possible BART bond measure in November, but the results also revealed t...

COUNCIL ENGAGING WITH NEW LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL PLANNING

Jan 29 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

East Bay Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (Richmond) this week was appointed chair of a new Select Committee on Regional Planning in the San Francisco ...

ENERGY SEC. MONIZ ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF CLEAN ENERGY MINISTERIAL IN SF

Jan 29 2016

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Events, News,

U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz this week (Jan. 26) visited San Francisco and announced details of the seventh Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM7), ...

Bay Area’s Connectedness Key in Maintaining Economic Dominance

Jan 29 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events, Housing,

A robust network of connections among top business executives, innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists, academics and investors is a major reason the...

Long-Awaited Win for 75 Howard Residential Development

Jan 29 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing, News,

On Wednesday (Jan. 27), the San Francisco Board of Appeals denied an appeal against 75 Howard Street, a residential ...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: BLAISDELL’S BUSINESS PRODUCTS

Jan 29 2016

Posted In: Membership, News,

Congratulations to new BAC member, Blaisdell’s Business Products! With 50+ years of experience, Blaisdell’s is the largest, woman-owned, inde...

CA TRANSPORTATION FUNDING TO TAKE A BIG HIT

Jan 22 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

State funding for California’s transportation system is expected to decline by $754 million over the next five years, according to a plan the Cal...

ECONOMIC INSTITUTE LAUNCHES BAY AREA JOBS WATCH

Jan 22 2016

Posted In: Economy, News,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute today (Jan. 22) launched its new Bay Area Jobs Watch. Using monthly state employment data, Job...

NEW STUDY: NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF REGULATION, NIMBYS ON HOUSING

Jan 22 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing,

Fascinating new research by two UCLA urban planning scientists concludes that stringent and restrictive land use regulations, lengthy public review...

New Poll: Strong Support for Commuter Shuttles

Jan 20 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (Jan. 20) released results of a new poll that shows strong support among San Francisco voters for commuter shuttles, wit...

MEASURE FOR CLEAN AND HEALTHY BAY SURGES TOWARD JUNE BALLOT

Jan 15 2016

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Government Relations,

As reported on the front page of Thursday’s (Jan. 14)

IS AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN ON THE HORIZON?

Jan 15 2016

Posted In: Economy, Events, Membership,

The question of a coming downturn was among the main topics addressed today (Jan. 15) at the Bay Area Council Economic Institute’s 9th Annual Eco...

COUNCIL CALLS FOR MERGER OF REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCIES

Jan 15 2016

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

Well-coordinated regional planning is absolutely critical if we are to address the region’s housing affordability crisis, upgrade its congested t...

GETTING A CHARGE FROM ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Jan 15 2016

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Transportation,

The electric vehicle has finally gained serious traction with manufacturers and consumers, according to the expert panel that addressed the Council...

COUNCIL’S ADVOCACY HELPING UNLEASH UNTAPPED HOUSING SUPPLY

Jan 8 2016

Posted In: Government Relations, Housing, News,

The Bay Area Council’s advocacy is helping unleash a significant but largely untapped source of affordable housing in the region. On Tuesday (Jan...

COUNCIL PRIORITIES FARE WELL IN PROPOSED STATE BUDGET

Jan 8 2016

Posted In: Economy, Education, Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council reacted generally favorably to the proposed 2016-17 state budget that Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled yesterday (Jan. 7). Here is a ...

New Poll Shows Strong Support for Stabilizing Higher Ed Funding

Jan 6 2016

Posted In: Education, Government Relations, News,

The Bay Area Council today (Jan. 7) released results of a statewide poll that shows California voters want to put the brakes on decades of state fu...

HOUSING, TRAFFIC LEAD DISCUSSION WITH LEGISLATORS

Dec 18 2015

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council’s Government Relations Committee, under the leadership of Co-Chairs Andrew Giacomini, Managing Partner with Hanson Bridgett ...

NEW WEBSITE FOR BAY RESTORATION CAMPAIGN

Dec 18 2015

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

Defending the Bay Area against extreme weather, flooding and sea level rise just got a bit easier with the launch of a new website to support a Jun...

HETCH HETCHY WATER & POWER SYSTEM MARKS A MILESTONE

Dec 18 2015

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Water,

While much of California is grappling with severe water supply and quality challenges, the Bay Area is extremely fortunate to have one of the pures...

CLIMATE CHANGE ACCORD: NEXT STOP, THE BAY AREA

Dec 11 2015

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Economy, Energy and Climate Change,

As world leaders reached an historic global climate change accord this week (Dec. 12) in Paris, the Bay Area Council continues its work on regiona...

BART TO OAK LINE A SMASHING SUCCESS

Dec 11 2015

Posted In: Transportation,

The sleek, elevated rail line connecting BART to Oakland International Airport (BART to OAK) recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. And what...

NEW TOOL CALCULATES COST OF PRETERM BIRTHS TO BUSINESS

Dec 11 2015

Posted In: Community Engagement, Early Childhood Education, Education,

Premature births cost businesses nationwide more than $12 billion annually in excess health care expenses. To address this problem, the Bay Area Co...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: BAYER Marks STEM Leadership Milestone

Dec 10 2015

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Cybersecurity,

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of its award-winning “Making Science Make Sense” program, Bayer and the National PTA announced plans to engage...

COUNCIL EXECUTIVE ACCEPTED TO PRESTIGIOUS PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Dec 10 2015

Posted In: China, Community Engagement, Economy,

Bing Wei, Bay Area Council Senior Vice President for Global Initiatives, has been accepted into the prestigious

COUNCIL’S 2016 POLICY AGENDA TAKES DEAD AIM AT REGION’S TOP CHALLENGES

Dec 4 2015

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Community Engagement,

The Bay Area Council is taking dead aim at solving the region’s crisis-level housing and traffic problems with a 2016 policy agenda adopted this ...

COUNCIL MOURNS LOSS OF DOUGLAS SHORENSTEIN

Dec 4 2015

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, China, Community Engagement,

Council Chair Michael Covarrubias called for a moment of silence at yesterday’s (Dec. 3) Board of Directors meeting to honor beloved Bay Area bus...

NATIONAL URBAN PLANNING GURU APPLAUDS OUR ROADMAP FOR ECONOMIC RESILIENCE

Dec 4 2015

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute’s Roadmap for Economic Resilience got a nod this week from one of the top urban planning thinkers in the ...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: SFO AND UNITED AIRLINES

Dec 4 2015

Posted In: Economy, Membership, Transportation,

SFO and United Airlines recently unveiled the newly-renovated Terminal 3 East Concourse...

BIG WIN FOR COMMUTER SHUTTLES, COMMUTERS

Nov 23 2015

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

Bay Area commuters were the big winners this week in a unanimous decision by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to make permanent a ...

BAY AREA’S OUTSIZED ROLE IN STATE FISCAL OUTLOOK

Nov 23 2015

Posted In: Economy, Housing, Transportation,

The state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office may want to grab a copy of our Bay Area Council Economic Institute’s recent

Member Spotlight: Cargill

Nov 23 2015

Posted In: Community Engagement, Membership,

Longtime BAC member Cargill has earned a spot on Fortune’s first ‘Change the World’ list, which recognizes the top 51 companies that have mad...

COUNCIL’S WORK RESULTS IN EXCITING CA-CHINA INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP

Nov 13 2015

Posted In: China, Economy, Education,

The University of California’s Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) will establish a new global innovat...

ROAD TO ECONOMIC RESILIENCE RUNS THROUGH SACRAMENTO

Nov 13 2015

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Government Relations,

Senior Bay Area legislative staffers this week got a comprehensive briefing on the Bay Area Council Economic Institute’s Roadmap for Economic Res...

AMB. RON KIRK TALKS TRADE & TPP WITH THE COUNCIL

Nov 13 2015

Posted In: Economy, Energy and Climate Change, Government Relations,

Ambassador Ron Kirk, former U.S. Trade Representative under President Obama, was in the Bay Area this week wearing his new hat as Co-Chairman of th...

BOLD NEW VISION FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC RESILIENCE

Nov 6 2015

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Government Relations,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute today unveiled a sweeping (and provocative), new regional economic vision for strengthening the Bay Area’...

NO DROUGHT OF THINKING ON STATE’S WATER WOES

Nov 6 2015

Posted In: Government Relations, Storm & Flood Protection, Water,

California’s increasingly volatile climate is the new normal, and Bay Area businesses and water agencies are coming up with innovative ways to ad...

CYBERSECURITY: CONFRONTING THE THREAT OF OUR TIME

Nov 6 2015

Posted In: Cybersecurity, Government Relations, Science and Innovation,

The Bay Area Council convened its annual Town Hall on cybersecurity together with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) last week. The Town H...

Irish President Higgins Joins Council in Celebrating Benioff, Feeney

Oct 30 2015

Posted In: Community Engagement, Events, Government Relations,

Salesforce Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff and Duty Free Shoppers Group Founder Chuck Feeney were the guests of honor at the Bay Area Council’s 70t...

A (CAUTIONARY) TALE OF TWO REGIONS

Oct 30 2015

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

We’re number 1. That was one of the conclusions of a commentary that ran this week in the Los Angeles Times comparing the economies of the Bay Ar...

COUNCIL’S VISION FOR MORE COORDINATED REGIONAL PLANNING GETS BOOST

Oct 30 2015

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, Housing,

The Bay Area Council has long advocated for greater efficiency and coordination in our regional housing and transportation planning. Following seve...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ORACLE RAISES THE BAR ON MAKING INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION

Oct 30 2015

Posted In: Education, Membership, Workforce of the Future,

Oracle CEO Safra Catz this week unveiled the company’s exciting plans to build a first-of-its-kind public high school on its Redwood Shores campu...

HOUSING COMMITTEE READIES SOLUTIONS TO HOUSING SHORTAGE

Oct 23 2015

Posted In: Economy, Housing, Transportation,

The region faces an unprecedented housing crisis that impacts every family, worker and company. Job growth is dramatically outpacing housing produc...

NEW LEADER TO HEAD COUNCIL’S WORKFORCE POLICY INITIATIVE

Oct 23 2015

Posted In: Economy, Membership, News,

The Bay Area Council welcomes Linda Bidrossian as Senior Vice President heading up our important

Jim Wunderman Joins Mark Zuckerberg on San Quentin Tour

Oct 16 2015

Posted In: Community Engagement, Science and Innovation,

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan this week (Oct. 13) invited Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman in a small group to tour of...

COMMUTER SHUTTLES – FROM “PILOT” TO PERMANENT?

Oct 16 2015

Posted In: Government Relations, News, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council heartily supports making the successful commuter shuttles program permanent, as we await the release of the proposed plan by t...

COUNCIL’S SACRAMENTO ADVOCACY PAID OFF IN 2015

Oct 16 2015

Posted In: 21st Century Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Economy,

As the deadline (Oct. 11) passed for the Governor to sign or veto bills, the Bay Area Council’s advocacy paid off in a big way as the Governor si...

“TALK READ SING” GOING NATIONAL?

Oct 16 2015

Posted In: Community Engagement, Early Childhood Education, Education,

This week Senior Vice President of Public Policy Matt Regan travelled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to participate in an early education conference hosted by...

WHERE WILL YOU BE FOR SUPER BOWL 50?

Oct 16 2015

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Membership,

Normally you might be on a couch eating queso at your friend's annual party, but at the end of the 2015 NFL season, Super Bowl 50 is coming to your...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: DIGNITY HEALTH

Oct 16 2015

Posted In: Healthcare, Membership,

Dignity Health, one of the largest health systems in the nation, is underway with a $220 million multi-phase improvement project across its 39-hosp...

COUNCIL HAILS POSITIVE RESULTS OF COMMUTER SHUTTLES PILOT PROGRAM

Oct 9 2015

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations, News,

The Bay Area Council Tuesday (Oct. 6) hailed a new report by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) that found commuter shuttles...

MAYORS CHAMPION REGIONALISM

Oct 9 2015

Posted In: Community Engagement, Economy, Government Relations,

If the Bay Area is to avoid being a victim of its own success, it will increasingly need to pull together and solve problems as a region, not as in...

MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED CONDITIONS COSTING CA $20 BILLION ANNUALLY

Oct 9 2015

Posted In: Economy, Healthcare,

The Bay Area Council Healthcare Committee, under the leadership of Co-Chairs Jim Henry (PwC LLP) and Dr. Kent Bradley (BTN Advisors), met this week...

COUNCIL SHARES GENDER EQUITY BEST PRACTICES AT SENATE HEARING

Oct 9 2015

Posted In: Gender Equity,

Gender equity best practices of Bay Area Council member companies and information about the “business case” for growing gender equity in the wo...

BAY AREA COUNCIL CELEBRATES SINGAPORE’S GOLDEN JUBILEE

Oct 9 2015

Posted In: News,

This past Tuesday Bay Area Council Members in Sacramento were invited to private dinner with Ambassador Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, Ambassador of the Repu...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: PHILLIPS 66

Oct 9 2015

Posted In: Membership,

Built on more than 140 years of experience, Phillips 66 is a diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company. In keeping with its mission of...

COUNCIL EXPLORES WAYS TO FUND EXPANDED FERRY SERVICE

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