News - Bay Area Council

Fighting to Keep Jobs in California

Jan 15 2021

Posted In: Economy,

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

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

Jan 15 2021

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

Statement on AB 71 to Raise Taxes on Struggling Businesses

Jan 13 2021

Posted In: Press Releases,

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

Take Action: Support UCSF Parnassus Heights Plan

Jan 11 2021

Posted In: News,

A UC San Francisco project the Bay Area Council has endorsed to modernize the university’s 70-year-old Parnassus Heights...

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

Jan 11 2021

Posted In: News, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council is inviting employers to join focus groups for in-depth conversations about returning ...

Council Helps Secure Almost $1 Billion for Regional Transportation

Jan 11 2021

Posted In: News, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council applauds Congress for awarding almost $980 million to the Bay Area to support our regional transporta...

In Memoriam: Silicon Valley Legend and Former Bay Area Council Chair Paul Cook

Jan 11 2021

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council is mourning the recent death of

Newsom Plan for Helping Struggling Businesses a Welcome Start

Jan 8 2021

Posted In: News,

Gov. Newsom this week previewed his

Statement on the Violent Insurrection to Overturn the Election

Jan 7 2021

Posted In: Press Releases,

On behalf of the Bay Area Council, CEO Jim Wunderman today (Jan. 7) issued the following statement in the wake of the horr...

New Analysis Shows Number of Jobs that Can Work from Home in the Bay Area, Highlights Regional Implications

Dec 21 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

SAN FRANCISCO—The Bay Area has a higher percentage of jobs eligible for remote work than any other majo...

Business Climate Woes Weigh Heavily

Dec 18 2020

Posted In: Economy, News,

Beyond the hard data and growing anecdotal evidence of departing companies, declining investment, lost jobs and shrinking ...

Grim COVID News Calls for Redoubling Safety Precautions

Dec 18 2020

Posted In: News,

News reports this week delivered some gut-punching statistics about the very serious spike of COVID-19 in the Bay Are...

Declining Population Signals More Trouble for Economy

Dec 18 2020

Posted In: Economy, News,

New data released Wednesday by the California Department of Finance shows the nine-county Bay Area total population stagna...

Small Business Getting Walloped by Pandemic Closures

Dec 18 2020

Posted In: Economy, News,

As the state of California faces new public health orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, a new Small Business Majorit...

Clint Reilly Expands Media Holdings

Dec 18 2020

Posted In: News,

Legendary political strategist, real estate mogul and philanthropist Clint Reilly this week expanded his growing media hol...

Bay Area-Australia Report Released

Dec 18 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute on Wednesday (Dec. 16) released its latest global study, this time examining&...

Member Spotlight: Gilead Sciences

Dec 18 2020

Posted In: News,

Gilead Sciences this month announced the launch of its Racial Equity Community Impact Fund, which will support high-impact...

Skelton: Sen. Feinstein Should Be Able to Retire on Her Own Terms

Dec 18 2020

Posted In: News,

Sen. Dianne Feinstein has dedicated her life to public service and the Bay Area Council has been extremely proud to work w...

Oracle’s Departure Another Sign Business Climate Deniers Are Dooming California Economy

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council today issued the following statement on the announcement by Oracle that it is relocating its headquar...

WETA Names New Executive Director, Releases Study to Bring Hovercraft Services to the Bay

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council is thrilled to congratulate Seamus Murphy on his appointment as the new Executive Director of the San...

Council Looks Ahead to a Full 2021 Legislative Session Focused on Housing

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

The 2021 legislative session appears the be shaping up as a retread of 2020 with all the major housing bills that failed t...

California Releases Smartphone-Based Exposure Notification System

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: News,

This week, California released its smartphone-based exposure notification system “CA Notify.” The system—built into ...

Was 2019 the Final Year of a Dominant Decade for the Bay Area?

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: Economy, News,

Newly released data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2019 reveals a slowing GDP picture for the region, one that i...

CA State Treasurer Named to Global Economy and Environment Leadership Group

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: News,

Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer, was named to the Council for Inclusive Capitalism this week (Tuesday), joining 27 le...

From Silicon Valley to Sydney: What will a Trans-Pacific Collaboration Mean for the Future?

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute has developed a new report to assess the unique ties connecting Australia with the...

Opinion: Passive Observer: the U.S. and Asia’s New Trade Pact

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: News,

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

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

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

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

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

Dec 11 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

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

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

Dec 10 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

SAN FRANCISCO--Today the Water Emergency Transportation Authority received a much-anticipated Hovercraft Feasibility Study...

COVID Surge Prompts New Lockdown Measures

Dec 4 2020

Posted In: News,

A dramatic surge in COVID cases and rising hospitalizations prompted Gov. Newsom this week to unveil

Labor Force Numbers Plummet in High-Cost Metro Areas

Dec 4 2020

Posted In: Economy, News,

New data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides finer detail on the potential long-term economic destruction ...

Bay Area Council Prevails in Lawsuit Opposing Trump Administration H-1B Restrictions

Dec 4 2020

Posted In: News,

The U.S. District Court for Northern California this week (Dec. 1) handed the Bay Area Council and U.S. Chamber of Commerc...

Bay Area Benefits from State Transportation Funding

Dec 4 2020

Posted In: News, Transportation,

Legislation (SB1) the Bay Area Council worked hard to pass in 2017 will provide $400 million for 11 transportation project...

Bay Area Council Support Leads to $100 Million for Megaregion Rail Project

Dec 4 2020

Posted In: News, Transportation,

One of California’s worst freight rail bottlenecks will be unclogged with help from a $100 million federal infrastructur...

Newsom Unveils Early Learning Master Plan

Dec 4 2020

Posted In: News,

This week Governor Newsom released his much-anticipated Master Plan for Early Learning and Care. For over a decade th...

Court Rules in Favor of Bay Area Council in Lawsuit Opposing Trump Administration H-1B Restrictions

Dec 1 2020

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

The U.S. District Court for Northern California today handed the Bay Area Council a major victory in its lawsuit to block ...

After Raising Objections, Bay Area Council Applauds End of 60% Work from Home Mandate

Nov 20 2020

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

An onerous work-from-home mandate on Bay Area businesses was formally shelved today (Nov. 20) after the Bay Area Council r...

Council Honors Business, Philanthropic Leadership at 25th Anniversary Business Hall of Fame

Nov 20 2020

Posted In: Events, Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council this week (Nov. 17) honored three incredible business and philanthropic leaders at the 25th

Hire Together 2.0 – Connecting the Region’s Future Workforce

Nov 20 2020

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

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

Damning Report Highlights Need for Affordable Housing Reforms

Nov 20 2020

Posted In: Housing,

A damning

Bay Area Comes Out on Top as Project Homekey Wraps

Nov 18 2020

Posted In: Homelessness, News,

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

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

Nov 13 2020

Posted In: News,

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

Council-Backed Housing Near BART Station Approved

Nov 13 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

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

Hire Together 2.0 Virtual Career Fair

Nov 13 2020

Posted In: News, Workforce of the Future,

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

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

Nov 13 2020

Posted In: News,

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

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

Nov 13 2020

Posted In: Healthcare, News,

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

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

Posted In: News,

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

Council-Endorsed Affordable Housing Project Approved

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

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

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

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: News, Transportation,

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

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

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: News,

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

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

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: News, Workforce of the Future,

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

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

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: Economy, News, Transportation,

New data analyzed by the Bay Area Counc...

The Port of Oakland is Open for Business

Oct 30 2020

Posted In: News,

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

Prop. 15 Will Add to California’s Economic Hardship

Oct 29 2020

Posted In: Government Relations,

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

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

Oct 23 2020

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, News,

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

Court Ruling Highlights Urgency of Passing Prop 22

Oct 23 2020

Posted In: News, Transportation,

A state appeals court ruling Thursday (Oct. 22) threatened the existence of app-based ride-hailing companies in California...

11th Economic Profile Highlights Sluggish Recovery

Oct 23 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute on Thursday (Oct. 22) released its 11th Bay Area Economic Profile, mark...

Bay Area Council Sues Trump Administration to Block New H1-B Visa Restrictions

Oct 23 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council this week (Oct. 20) filed suit to block the Trump Administration from implementing harmful new restri...

Council Unveils Second Ad in Tax Impact Campaign

Oct 23 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council this week began airing the second in a series of ads highlighting how a raft of proposed general tax ...

Housing Committee Welcomes Sen. Wiener, Talks 2021 Legislative Strategy

Oct 23 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

This week, the Bay Area Council’s Housing Committee met to shape our legislative strategy for 2021. The meeting was kick...

Regional Housing Allocations Adopted

Oct 23 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

The Association of ...

Member Spotlight: Blue Shield

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Find out on October 22nd by joining us for our Biennial Economic Profile Virtual Launch Event presented by Fifth Third Ban...

Opportunity for All Summit Highlights Affirmative Action, White Allies, and more!

Oct 2 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

Council Members Share Deep Concerns Over Work from Home Mandate

Oct 2 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

25th Anniversary Bay Area Business Hall of Fame

Oct 2 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

Council Fights Cockamamie Work from Home Mandate

Posted In: News,

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

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

Posted In: News,

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

New Resilience Challenge Video Highlights Launch of Round 2

Sep 4 2020

Posted In: News, Water,

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

Legislature Heads Home after Failing to Advance Significant Housing Reform

Sep 4 2020

Posted In: Housing, News,

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

Fighting Back Against Ill-Timed Taxes

Sep 4 2020

Posted In: News,

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

Council Urges Supporters to Send Governor Newsom Letters Backing Housing Bills

Posted In: News,

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

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

Aug 28 2020

Posted In: News,

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

CRC Spotlight Series: Fighting Fire with Incentive in San Diego

Aug 28 2020

Posted In: News,

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

Council Joins Members in Making Clean Air Day Pledge

Aug 28 2020

Aug 21 2020

Posted In: News,

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

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

Aug 21 2020

Posted In: News, Uncategorized,

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

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

Aug 21 2020

Posted In: News,

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

Council Secures Critical PPE Face Masks for Communities in Need

Aug 21 2020

Posted In: News,

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

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

Aug 21 2020

Posted In: News,

A new survey released this week by member company Franklin Templeton in partnership with Gallup reveals importan...

Bay Area Council Responds to Near Suspension of Lyft, Uber in California

Aug 20 2020

Posted In: News, Uncategorized,

San Francisco — The Bay Area Council issued the statement below today (Aug. 20) following the potential suspension of Ly...

Hitting the (Virtual) Road to Secure More Housing

Aug 14 2020

Posted In: Housing,

With more than 2,200 new housing units at stake, the Bay Area Council this week hit the virtual road to testify in support...

SF Bay Ferry Celebrates Opening of Expanded SF Terminal

Aug 14 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

This week the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), joined by Mayor London Breed, state ...

Wunderman Named (Again) to Top 100 CA Movers and Shakers

Aug 14 2020

Posted In: Government Relations,

For the sixth consecutive year, Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman has been named to the prestigious Capitol Weekly Top 10...

Health Equity Taking Center Stage

Aug 14 2020

Posted In: Healthcare,

Among other things, COVID-19 has highlighted serious inequities in our healthcare system. The pandemic has had a dispropor...

California Resilience Spotlight Series: Repairing the Gold Rush’s Tarnished Legacy

Aug 14 2020

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

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

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

Aug 14 2020

Posted In: Science and Innovation,

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

Member Spotlight: Oakland Zoo Reopens, Needs Your Support

Aug 14 2020

Posted In: Membership,

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

Council-Backed Housing Reforms Hitting Home

Aug 7 2020

Posted In: Housing,

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

Council Hitting Back Against Dangerous New Taxes

Aug 7 2020

Posted In: Economy,

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

Caltrain Funding Measure Gets OK for November Ballot

Aug 7 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

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

Expanding Apprenticeships Can Fuel Equitable Economic Recovery

Aug 7 2020

Jul 31 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council Transportation Committee this week (July 28) welcomed California High Speed Rail Authority CEO Brian ...

Regional Ferry Service Awarded $4.45 Million Federal DOT Grant

Jul 24 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

In great news for Bay Area water transit, the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) was awarded a $4.45 million ...

Support Flowing for Casita Coalition

Jul 24 2020

Posted In: Housing,

Within a few months of its incorporation into its own nonprofit, the Casita Coa...

California Resilience Challenge Spotlight: Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

Jul 24 2020

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

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

Silicon Valley Leadership Group Welcomes New CEO

Jul 24 2020

Posted In: News,

The Bay Area Council extends its hearty congratulations to new Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Ahmad Thomas, and exten...

ICYMI: What to Expect in the Next Round of Federal COVID Relief

Jul 24 2020

Posted In: News,

As Congress returned from recess this week, all eyes have been on Washington to see what the next roll out of federal st...

Member Spotlight: Google Strengthens Anti-Discrimination Policies for Advertising

Jul 24 2020

Posted In: Membership,

To further improve access to housing, employment, and credit opportunities, Google is introducing a new personalized adver...

Jobs Return, But Remain at Risk as COVID Surges

Jul 17 2020

Posted In: Economy,

Following unprecedented job losses as a result of shelter in place orders, over a quarter of jobs had returned to the regi...

WETA Welcomes Two New Board Members; Adopts Means-Based Fares

Jul 17 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

The Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) chaired by Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman has welcomed two new mem...

California Resilience Challenge Spotlight: Transforming Schools Into Resilience Centers

Jul 17 2020

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

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

ICYMI: How COVID is Impacting Commercial Real Estate

Jul 17 2020

Jul 2 2020

Posted In: China,

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

Council’s Leadership Helping Expand Paid Family Leave

Jul 2 2020

Posted In: Gender Equity, Workforce of the Future,

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

Council-Backed Housing Project Gets OK in Mtn. View

Jul 2 2020

Posted In: Housing,

A little-used parking lot will be repurposed to build 303 new homes as part of a mixed-use project the Bay Area Council en...

First-Of-Its-Kind Regional Housing Authority Takes Flight

Jul 2 2020

Posted In: Housing,

A new regional housing financing authority—the first of its kind in California—that the Bay Area Council helped create...

Bay Area Council Hails Court Ruling in Favor of Regional Measure 3

Jun 29 2020

Posted In: Press Releases, Transportation,

The Bay Area Council today hailed a state Court of Appeal ruling rejecting a legal challenge to Regional Measure 3 (RM3), ...

Top Leaders Join Bay Area Council Webinar on Racial Inequity in the Time of COVID

Posted In: Membership,

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

Member Spotlight: Biocom Study Examines Life Sciences

Jun 26 2020

Posted In: Membership,

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

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

Jun 22 2020

Jun 16 2020

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

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

Listening, Taking Action on Racial Justice, Equity

Jun 12 2020

Posted In: Community Engagement, Gender Equity,

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

Replay: Virtual Pacific Summit Videos Now Available

Jun 12 2020

Posted In: Events,

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

Council Initiative to Unveil Winners of $2 Million Climate Challenge

Posted In: Community Engagement,

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

Racial Justice, COVID-19 Focus of 2020 Pacific Summit

Jun 5 2020

Posted In: Events,

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

Interest Growing in Economic Recovery Bond

Jun 5 2020

Posted In: Government Relations,

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

Statement on Protests in Wake of George Floyd’s Death

Posted In: Housing,

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

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

May 15 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

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

Bay Area Council Statement on Agreement Between Tesla and Alameda County

May 13 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

San Francisco—The Bay Area Council today issued the following statement on the agreement between Tesla ...

Climate Resilience Bond Could Create Between 75,000-119,000 Jobs Says New Bay Area Council Economic Institute Report

May 12 2020

Posted In: Press Releases, Storm & Flood Protection,

A bond measure to protect California communities from wildfires, droughts, floods, and extreme heat events could create be...

Big Win for Major Cupertino Housing Project

May 11 2020

Posted In: News,

A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge last week delivered a major victory for Bay Area Council member Sand Hill Proper...

Bay Area Council Statement on Threat by Tesla CEO Elon Musk to Relocate Company over COVID-19 Restrictions

May 10 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (May 9) issued the following statement in response to tweets by Tesla CEO Elon Musk threatening...

Bay Area Council Statement on Lawsuit Against Uber and Lyft

May 5 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

The Bay Area Council today (May 5) issued the following statement on a lawsuit filed against Uber and Lyft:

Council’s Advocacy Helps Reopen Vital Construction Work

Posted In: Events,

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

Bay Area Awarded $160 Million for Key Transportation Projects

Apr 24 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

The California State Transportation Agency this week

Member Spotlight: Alaska Airlines Foundation Supports Vulnerable Nonprofits

Apr 24 2020

Posted In: Membership,

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

ICYMI: Is China Getting Back to Business?

Apr 24 2020

Posted In: China,

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

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

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

April 3 COVID-19 Response Update

Apr 3 2020

Posted In: News,

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

Member Spotlight: Instacart to Add 300,000 Personal Shoppers

Mar 27 2020

Posted In: Membership,

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

Federal COVID-19 Includes Billions for Homeless

Mar 27 2020

Posted In: Homelessness,

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

Keeping Essential Services/Businesses Operating

Mar 27 2020

Posted In: Housing,

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

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

Mar 27 2020

Posted In: Healthcare,

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

Bay Area Council Poll: COVID-19 Economic Concerns Soar

Mar 25 2020

Posted In: News,

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

Message from CEO Jim Wunderman

Mar 20 2020

Posted In: News,

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

COVID-19 Impacts Intensify, Widen; So Do Countermeasures

Mar 13 2020

Posted In: News,

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

New “Missing Middle” Housing Bill Introduced

Mar 13 2020

Posted In: Housing,

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

One Step Closer to Redwood City Ferry Service

Mar 13 2020

Posted In: Transportation,

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

Council Urges Reauthorization of Federal Transportation Funding Bill

Mar 13 2020

Mar 6 2020

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

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

Member Spotlight: Bank of Marin Celebrates 30 Years

Mar 6 2020

Posted In: Housing,

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

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

Feb 28 2020

Feb 14 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

Deadline Near to Reserve Hospitality Space at 2020 PGA Championship

Feb 14 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

A Quiet Upzoning Revolution

Feb 7 2020

Posted In: Housing,

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

Unclogging the Talent Pipeline

Feb 7 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

Opportunity Zone Regulations Coming into Focus

Jan 31 2020

Posted In: Housing,

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

Member Spotlight: Microsoft Going Carbon Negative

Jan 31 2020

Posted In: Membership,

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

Casita Coalition Earns National Recognition

Jan 31 2020

Posted In: Housing,

Co-founded by the Bay Area Council,

Will California Have the Talent It Needs to Compete Economically?

Jan 31 2020

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

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

Momentum Gaining in Winning Housing Reforms, but Much Work Remains

Jan 24 2020

Posted In: Housing,

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

Council Delegation Forges New Ties with India

Jan 24 2020

Posted In: Economy,

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

Lloyd Dean Named CEO of CommonSpirit Health

Jan 24 2020

Posted In: Membership,

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

San Francisco Business Times’ 2020 Mayors Economic Forecast

Jan 21 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

FASTER Legislation Advances in Sacramento

Jan 17 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

Chief Diversity Officers Outline Broad 2020 Goals

Jan 17 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

Governor Announces New Actions on Homelessness

Jan 17 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

Council Endorses Coastside Affordable Housing Project

Jan 17 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

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

Jan 13 2020

Posted In: Press Releases,

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

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

Jan 10 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

Wunderman Takes Gavel at First WETA Meeting

Jan 10 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

BART Makes Game-Changing Investment to Modernize the System

Jan 10 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

Council Priorities Reflected in Governor’s Draft Water Resilience Portfolio

Jan 10 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

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

Jan 7 2020

Posted In: Housing, Press Releases,

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

New Research Supports Council’s Landmark ADU Initiative

Jan 3 2020

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

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

Jan 2 2020

Posted In: Press Releases, Transportation,

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

Bay Area Council Names New Leader to Head Its Economic Institute

Dec 16 2019

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

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

New Ferry Service Coming to Alameda Next Year

Dec 13 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

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

FASTER Continues Regional Engagement in the East Bay

Dec 13 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

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

Housing Committee Celebrates Productive 2019

Dec 13 2019

Posted In: Housing,

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

Carrying Subnational Panda Diplomacy in the 21st Century

Dec 13 2019

Posted In: China, Uncategorized,

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

Check Your Blind Spots on Unconscious Bias

Dec 13 2019

Posted In: Gender Equity, Workforce of the Future,

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

Council Praises Agreement on USMCA

Dec 11 2019

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

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

New Council Chair Mary Huss Outlines Her Vision

Dec 6 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

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

California Resilience Challenge Announces Statewide Competition for Climate Adaptation Projects

Dec 2 2019

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

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

Connecting Immigrants, Refugees to Tech Jobs

Nov 22 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

There are nearly 2 million immigrants and refugees currently in the U.S. who have college degrees from their home countrie...

Fighting to Keep Statewide Housing Reform

Nov 22 2019

Posted In: Housing,

A terrible and misguided court decision in San Mateo County threatens to undo and undermine a raft of recent legislation a...

Expanding Trade through Subnational Connections

Nov 22 2019

Posted In: China,

The Bay Area Council continued its support for subnational dialogue by co-hosting the Yangtze River Delta-California Coope...

Promoting Bay to Bay Technology Links

Nov 22 2019

Posted In: China,

As part of our recent China trade mission, the Bay Area Council participated in the 21st China Hi-Tech Fair with over 3,00...

Tri-Valley 2040 Visioning Summit

Nov 22 2019

Posted In: Economy,

On Monday, the Bay Area Council Economic Institute organized the Tri-Valley 2040 Visioning Summit in partnership with the ...

On Housing, Tech Companies Walking the Walk

Nov 8 2019

Posted In: Housing,

Bay Area Council member Apple became the latest tech company to put its money where its mouth is in addressing the region�...

Bigger is Better: Showcasing California at Massive Chinese Trade Exhibition

Nov 8 2019

Posted In: China, Uncategorized,

Representing the only U.S. state to participate in one the world’s largest import exhibitions, the Bay Area Council this...

Expanding Economic Opportunity to All Regions of the State

Nov 8 2019

Posted In: Homelessness, Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council this week brought its insights and expertise to the 2019 Cali...

Partner Spotlight: Visit California

Nov 8 2019

Posted In: Membership,

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

It’s Baaaack!

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: Housing,

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

New Coalition Targets Traffic’s Stranglehold on the Bay Area

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

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

Now is the Time to Invest in Early Childhood Education

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: Early Childhood Education,

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

China Looks to the Bay Area on Deepening Regionalism

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: China,

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

JPMorgan Chase Joins California Resilience Challenge

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

JPMorgan Chase pledged $500,000 this week to the

Engaging the Region to Create a FASTER Bay Area

Nov 1 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

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

Housing Committee Welcomes Assemblymember David Chiu

Oct 25 2019

Posted In: Housing,

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

Creating Seamless School-to-Career Transitions

Oct 25 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

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

Chief Diversity Officers Forum Advances Inclusive Workplaces

Oct 18 2019

Posted In: Gender Equity, Workforce of the Future,

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

New ADU Laws: Helping Homeowners and Cities Achieve Change

Oct 18 2019

Posted In: Housing,

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

Future of Work: How Employers Are Adapting to Changing Needs

Oct 11 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

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

Protecting the Bay Against Rising Seas Means Amending Old Approaches

Oct 11 2019

Posted In: Water,

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

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

Oct 9 2019

Posted In: Housing,

Key Housing Legislation to Streamline Production and Ease Regulatory Barriers

Bay Area Council Weighs In on State Water Resilience

Oct 4 2019

Posted In: Water,

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

Calbright Online College Opens Its ‘Doors’

Oct 4 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

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

CSU East Bay President Morishita Announces Retirement

Sep 27 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Longtime Bay Area Council Board member Leroy Morishita this week announced his retirement after a 40-year career with the ...

Member Spotlight: Hitachi

Sep 27 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

When you think of fast cars, Hitachi may not be the first name that comes to mind. But Hitachi won big last weekend when t...

Better Managing Forests for Climate Resilience

Sep 27 2019

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Water,

The Bay Area Council Water & Climate Resilience Committee met Thursday to discuss managing California's forests and th...

ADUs Help Solve Housing and Climate Crises

Sep 27 2019

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change, Housing,

The Bay Area’s housing shortage and affordability crisis are pushing more and more workers farther and farther from jobs...

Announcing Annual Dinner Presenting Sponsor

Sep 27 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

We’re extremely excited to announce that Kaiser Permanente will serve as Presenting Sponsor of the

President Trump Weighs in on California Homelessness

Sep 20 2019

Posted In: Homelessness, Uncategorized,

Jetting to the Bay Area for a campaign fundraiser, President Trump this week generated headlines for a series of comments ...

Employer Input Key to Effective Career Technical Education Programs

Sep 20 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

As a leader in workforce development in the region, the Bay Area Council has been asked to serve on California’s Career ...

Council CEO Honored with Prestigious JHC Legacy Award

Sep 20 2019

Posted In: News,

Over 800 guests gathered at the Oakland Museum last night to celebrate the city’s biggest salute to trailblazing busines...

Need for Speed Cited in Bay Restoration Efforts

Sep 20 2019

Posted In: Storm & Flood Protection,

The Bay Area needs to hurry efforts to restore Bay wetlands, according to a recent

President Napolitano’s Leadership Elevated the University of California

Sep 18 2019

Posted In: News, Press Releases, Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council today (Sept. 18) issued the following statement on University of California President Janet Napolitan...

Leaders Convene for Annual Meeting of Members

Sep 13 2019

Posted In: Membership, Uncategorized,

It was a double-header at the 2019 Annual Members Meeting this week (Sept. 9) as Bay Area Council members gathered at Orac...

Wunderman Receives Prestigious Honor in Shanghai

Sep 13 2019

Posted In: China,

For his leadership over more than a decade in building economic ties between the Bay Area and Shanghai, Bay Area Council C...

San Jose Students Get Inside Scoop on Aviation Careers

Sep 13 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized, Workforce of the Future,

A group of San Jose high school students this week learned about the diverse opportunities available to them in aviation d...

U.S. Bank’s Mahesh Kharkar to Co-Chair Workforce Committee

Sep 6 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee welcomes Mahesh Kharkar, US Bank Northern California Market Pre...

744 Housing Units Win Initial OK Behind Council Support

Sep 6 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Housing-starved San Francisco moved a step closer to adding 744 new units Thursday (Sept. 5) when the San Francisco Plann...

Housing Wake Up Call Coming for Regions, Cities

Sep 6 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

It was described at the time as a low-profile or “sleeper” housing bill in the midst of a raft of much higher profile ...

West Coast Leaders Explore Regional Solutions to Homelessness

Sep 6 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Co-Chair of Gov. Newsom’s new Commission on Homelessness and Supportive Housing joined other top West Coast business...

All Aboard! ACE Train Expands Megaregion Rail Service

Sep 6 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Starting tomorrow (Sept. 7), ACE Train and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission wil...

Federal Grant a Boon for BART to San Jose Extension

Aug 30 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

The power of public private partnerships was on full display this week when the Federal Transit Administration announced $...

Summit Celebrates Key Milestone in U.S.-China Relations

Aug 30 2019

Posted In: China,

Hundreds of business, government and civic leaders gathered last week for a day-long event hosted by the Florence Fang Fa...

New Analysis: ADUs Are Good for Your Health

Aug 30 2019

Posted In: Housing,

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are good for your health, according to a new analysis by the California Budget & Polic...

Alaska Airlines Joins California Resilience Challenge

Aug 30 2019

Posted In: Storm & Flood Protection,

Alaska Airlines this week joined the California Resilience Challenge, pledging $10...

The James Irvine Foundation Helps Grow Bay Area Tech Apprenticeships

Aug 30 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future initiative has been awarded a $300,000 grant from The James Irvine Founda...

Regional Ferry Fleet Continues to Expand with Arrival of New Boat

New San Francisco ADU Reforms Signal Success of Council Advocacy

Jul 19 2019

Posted In: Housing,

A major initiative the Bay Area Council launched in 2016 to dramatically expand the construction of accessory dwelling uni...

Mary Huss Elected 39th Bay Area Council Chair

Jul 19 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

Mary Huss, President and Publisher of the San Francisco Business Times and Silicon Valley Business Journal, this week was ...

Council Advocacy Helps Move Housing Legislation Forward

Jul 12 2019

Posted In: Housing,

In a divide and conquer strategy, the Bay Area Council housing policy team this week zigzagged through the Capitol going f...

Preparing for Autonomous Vehicles

Jul 12 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

Autonomous vehicle technology is rapidly changing how cities and companies think about transportation infrastructure and t...

Bay Area Homelessness Up 24% Since 2017

Jul 12 2019

Posted In: Homelessness,

Three months after a Bay Area Council Economic Institute

Scaling Diversity and Inclusion Impacts in the Workplace

Jul 12 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area Council recently convened chief diversity officers from throughout the region to address the challenge of mea...

Community College Chancellor Deserves New Term

Jul 12 2019

Posted In: Education,

The California Community College (CCC) system under the leadership of Chancellor Eloy Oakley has embarked on a bold and in...

Council-Led China Delegation Hailed as Great Success

Jul 12 2019

Posted In: China,

A group of entrepreneurs and business leaders hailed as a major success a one-week tour through China the Bay Area Council...

Governor Signs Far Reaching Energy and Wildfire Bill

Jul 12 2019

Posted In: Energy and Climate Change,

Major new legislation aimed at helping energy utilities grapple with increased wildfire risks sailed through the legislatu...

Major Housing Contributions Underscores the Need for State Action

Jun 28 2019

Posted In: Housing,

Google announced a $1 billion contribution towards the housing crisis, aiming to deliver 20,000 Bay Area homes. Days later...

Apprenticeships Gaining Steam as a Strong Pathway for Talent

Jun 28 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

Professional apprenticeship programs are growing, both in the Bay Area and nationwide, and are proving to be a valuable wa...

Council Advocacy Helps Restore Calbright Funding

Jun 14 2019

Posted In: Education, Workforce of the Future,

Funding for the California Online Community College District (Calbright College) has been restored after a strong advocacy...

Come One, Come All!

Jun 14 2019

May 31 2019

Posted In: Economy,

A threat by President Trump to impose tariffs on goods coming from Mexico has huge implications for California. The Bay Ar...

Council Endorses Stanford University Expansion Plan

May 31 2019

Posted In: Housing,

Stanford University, the fountainhead for Silicon Valley innovation, is advancing a bold, 20-year vision for expanding the...

Council Advocates for Higher Education Funding in State Budget

May 31 2019

Posted In: Education, Government Relations,

Education is critical in preparing California’s workforce for current and future jobs. That’s why the Bay Area Council...

A’s Waterfront Stadium, Development Offers Big Economic Benefits

May 31 2019

Posted In: Economy,

A proposal by the Oakland A’s to build a privately financed waterfront ballpark at Howard Terminal near Jack London Squa...

Driving Toward an Autonomous Vehicle Future

May 31 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

Technology and innovation are key driving forces for the Bay Area economy. A new horizon for these forces is the world of ...

Council to D.C.: Release $1.25 Billion BART Funding

May 31 2019

Posted In: Government Relations, Transportation,

A deadly accident this week that shut down the upper deck of the Bay Bridge, wreaking havoc during peak commute hours, hig...

Council Advocates for Key Issues in D.C.

May 24 2019

Posted In: Government Relations,

Restoring funding for high speed rail, easing U.S.-China trade tensions and reversing elements of recent tax reform that p...

Water Transit Subcommittee Welcomes New Co-Chairs

May 24 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

The Bay Area Council Water Transit Subcommittee convened last week with three new co-chairs and a renewed sense of urgency...

Senate Clean Drinking Water Proposal Gets Councils Nod

May 24 2019

Posted In: Government Relations, Water,

The Bay Area Council Water and Climate Resilience Committee met on Tuesday to vet competing proposals in ...

New Paper Identifies Risks of Not Adapting to Changing Workforce

May 24 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The Bay Area is known worldwide as a hub for innovation and strong economic growth. As economic innovation continues to ch...

WaPo Story Features Council Research on Homeless Problem

May 24 2019

Posted In: Homelessness,

The regional nature of the Bay Area’s homeless crisis was brought into sharp relief in a powerful Washington Post story ...

Strong Majority Say the Bay Area is the Best Place on Earth to Live

May 21 2019

Posted In: News, Press Releases,

All is not lost, according to the 2019 Bay Area Council Poll. Despite the Bay Area’s significant challenges, the poll fi...

Homelessness Soars in the Bay Area

May 17 2019

Posted In: Homelessness, Uncategorized,

Maybe it’s time for a different approach. A little over a month after the Bay Area Council Economic Institute released a...

Major Setback for Ambitious Housing Reform Bill

May 17 2019

Posted In: Housing,

Ambitious legislation that would have dramatically eased local zoning and removed other regulatory barriers to allow for m...

New Casita Coalition Working to Expand ADUs

May 17 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Casita Coalition, a grassroots statewide effort co-founded by the Bay Area Council and other housing advocates, held i...

Changing Nature of Work Requires Upskilling and Retraining

May 17 2019

Posted In: Workforce of the Future,

The future of work is increasingly gaining traction among business leaders, educators, and government officials alike. Th...

More Work to Do to Make Workplaces Family Friendly

May 17 2019

Posted In: Gender Equity, Workforce of the Future,

California has work to do to improve conditions for working moms, according to a recent ranking by

New SFO-Tel Aviv Flights Highlight Strong Bay Area-Israel Connections

May 17 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

Underscoring the strong and growing connections between the Bay Area and Israel, El Al Israel Airlines this week began new...

Addressing Growing Demand for Skilled Construction Workers

May 10 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

The Bay Area continues to grow both economically and geographically. That growth puts big demands on the construction labo...

Council Welcomes Budding Leaders

May 10 2019

Apr 26 2019

Posted In: Uncategorized,

As the technology sector continues to grow its innovation footprint throughout the Bay Area, employers are examining new w...

Council Launches Statewide Casita Coalition to Promote ADUs

Apr 26 2019

Posted In: Housing,

The Bay Area Council has launched a new statewide coalition to expand construction of accessory dwelling units, aka “cas...

Big Plans for Expanding Regional Rail Service

Apr 26 2019

Posted In: Transportation,

Regional rail operators have big plans for the future of transit. Representatives from ACE Rail, BART, Caltrain, and Valle...

Council-Sponsored Homelessness Bill Advances

Apr 26 2019

Posted In: Government Relations, Homelessness,

Two weeks after releasing a groundbreaking report on homelessness in the Bay Area, a B...

Council CEO Skewers IPO Tax Proposal

Apr 26 2019

Posted In: Economy, Government Relations,

A proposal this week to tax IPO stock-based compensation brought swift condemnation from Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderma...

Economic Institute Insights: Regional Job Growth Surges

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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...