|
|  |
|
|
|
FEATURED STORIES
|
OCBC Goes to Sacramento
OCBC’s delegation of more than 25 elected officials and business leaders went to the State Capitol last week, advocating with a unified voice on the Business Council’s three core advocacy issues: infrastructure, workforce housing, and workforce development. The delegation walked the halls for two days, seeking support from elected officials and making sure these issues and OCBC's legislative positions were understood. This edition of the e-Indicator features many of the trips highlights. Enjoy!
|
OCBC's Bill, SB 872, Passes First Hurdle
More State Funds for OC Traffic Relief
With strong leadership from Senator Dick Ackerman, the OCBC delegation was on-hand to witness the Business Council’s very own Senate Bill, SB 872, pass a contentious hearing before the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee last week. As you’ll recall, OCBC sponsored SB 872 through Senator Ackerman, which will provide so called "self-help" counties (including Orange County) exclusive access to $1 billion that has been set aside as matching-funds under Proposition 1B, approved by voters in November.
We once again thank Senator Ackerman for his unflappable support, without which the effort would have died. There is still much work to do on this bill before it goes to the Governor's desk. As OCBC learned in meetings with Senate Pro Temp Perata's staff, additional amendments to weaken the proposal from Orange County's standpoint will likely be sought. Please contact OCBC's VP of Government Affairs, Kris Murray, for more information.
|
Supreme Court Affirms Design-Build for California Public Works Projects
The California Supreme Court last week upheld Proposition 35, which was passed by voters in 2000, authorizing the use of "design-build" for the delivery of public works projects. Design-build is the ability to concurrently design and build a project in order to save tax dollars and time. Improvements to the 22 freeway were successfully delivered on time and under budget using design-build strategies. With the passage of the infrastructure bonds last year, this legal victory is a win-win for all Californians who voted for congestion relief. These projects can now be delivered cost-effectively with the use of private sector services to augment public sector capabilities.
During its meetings in Sacramento last week, OCBC’s delegation strongly urged Governor Schwarzenegger to take the court’s green light and insist that CalTrans sprints to implementation. OCBC will keep you posted as the Governor takes action.
|
Sacramento Insider Shares Insights with OCBC
Daniel Weintraub, public affairs columnist for the Sacramento Bee, kicked off the OCBC delegation’s second day in Sacramento with the inside scoop on the city’s robust political scene. He regaled us with his unique insights on topics ranging from the myriad health care proposals to term limit reform and the latest from the “Governator.” Weintraub also has a biography on the Governor in the works and shared some of his insights there, as well. You should’ve been there!
|
OCBC Dines with Regional Legislators
The OCBC contingency dined with much of Southern California's legislative delegation at the Esquire Grill in Sacramento last week. Ten of our state representatives joined us for dinner, including special guest Senator Alan Lowenthal, Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. We thank him and the other legislators who made the evening especially festive, including Senator Lou Correa, Senator Tom Harman, Senator Bob Margett, Senator Mark Wyland, Assemblyman Mike Duvall, Assemblyman Jim Silva, Assemblyman Jose Solorio, Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, and Assemblywoman Mimi Walters. Their continued leadership on issues of importance to OC’s business community does not go unnoticed.
We extend special thanks once again to the Metropolitan Water District and Ford Motor Company for generously sponsoring OCBC's 2007 advocacy trip to Sacramento.
|
OCBC Legislative Action Guide Available for Download
OCBC is proud to announce that its 2007-2008 Legislative Action Guide is available on its website. This edition not only outlines the Business Council's public policy guidelines but features invaluable advocacy tools, including contact information for Orange County's legislative delegations in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. You're sure to keep it at arms-reach and use it frequently through the end of next year.
Hard copies will be available in a couple weeks and distributed to OCBC members and investors. In the meantime, download your copy today.
|
|
|
Government Affairs
|
Government Affairs Committee Update
With its inaugural 2007 Government Affairs Committee meeting just around the corner on April 27, OCBC has some exciting changes to announce for this important committee. In order to best harness the diversity and strength of our membership, as well as ensure consistent and defendable pro-business decisions, OCBC’s Board of Directors has amended the Government Affairs Committee’s structure and appointed a limited number OCBC members (selected through an application process) from private industry and government to serve as voting members.
The 2007 voting members are: Ron DiLuigi, St. Joseph Health System (Chair); George Basye, Aera Energy; Bob Bein, RBF Consulting; Lucy Dunn, OCBC; Mark Gaughan, The Gas Company; Mo Hayes, Parsons; Michael Kelly, Boeing; Steve LaMar, LegiSight; Barry Liden, Edwards Lifesciences (Vice Chair); Todd Priest, Curt Pringle and Associates; Daymond Rice, Safeway, Inc., Vons Division; Dave Stefanides, Orange County Realtors Association; Liz Toomey, University of California, Irvine; and Wendy Villa, Orange County Transportation Authority.
OCBC looks forward to working with you to advance our advocacy agenda in 2007. While it is these members alone who are authorized to vote on OCBC’s public policy decisions, the participation and input of all committee members will be invaluable to these voting members as the committee considers myriad complex and multi-faceted advocacy issues. If you have any questions, please contact Kris Murray.
|
BIZPAC Luncheon May 18
OCBC's political action committee, BIZPAC, will hold its annual luncheon on Friday, May 18, at noon at the Irvine Hyatt. It is through BIZPAC that the Business Council is able to financially support local and statewide candidates and ballot measures that advance its public policy agenda. The list of sponsors keeps growing and now includes:
THIS JUST IN: Governor Schwarzenegger’s Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff, Dan Dunmoyer, will be featured as the luncheon’s keynote speaker. As Cabinet Secretary, Dunmoyer is the direct liaison between the Governor and his Cabinet members and all Executive Branch agency and department directors. He is sure to share some keen insights.
Please join our growing list of sponsors and pledge your contribution today. Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and offer you a wide variety of benefits and recognition, as outlined on the event webpage. Individual tickets to the luncheon are also available for purchase. Please direction questions to Todd Priest at 714.939.9070.
|
Janet Huston Appointed to Department of Public Health
Orange County's very own Janet Huston, former executive director of the League of California Cities Orange County Division and Orange County Council of Governments, has been appointed associate director of external affairs for the Department of Public Health. She has served as the director of communications and governmental affairs for the Department of Housing and Community Development since 2005.
OCBC congratulates Janet and wishes her the best of luck in this new endeavor. The position will take effect on July 1, 2007.
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
OCBC's CLB Series to Welcome Henry Samueli
Register Today!
There's still time to join OCBC in welcoming Dr. Henry Samueli, co-founder, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Technical Officer of Broadcom Corporation, to the 2007 Chairman's Leadership Breakfast series. Broadcom, a global leader in providing semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, is one of the foremost companies in all of Orange County, employing more than 5,000 employees worldwide and earning gross revenues exceeding $3.5 billion annually. Dr. Samueli is responsible for driving the vision of Broadcom's research and development activities as well as helping coordinate corporate-wide engineering development strategies. He also owns the Anaheim Ducks hockey club and is well-known for his generous philanthropic works.
To register or for more information, please visit the OCBC website. Special thanks to our event sponsor, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, The Waltos Group.
|
|
|
|
Membership
|
Ricoh Recognized for Environmental Consciousness
OCBC member Ricoh Electronics was recently recognized for their environmental sustainability achievements at the ninth annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco. The company achieved a startlingly impressive "zero waste to landfill" in 2001, meaning Ricoh did not send any waste to landfills--no food, paper, plastic, glass, office and production supplies, equipment, production by-products, or product. Nothing. That's an incredible feat!
The Business Council applauds Ricoh for its environmental consciousness and for serving as a leader to all business as the company reduces its environmental "footprint." Click here to read the full press release.
|
|
|
Media
|
Life Lessons for Leaders
Request for Submissions
Do you have a heart-warming, insightful, humorous and powerfully moving story you have written or experienced concerning the role of leadership in your company, organization or life? If so, Life Lessons for Leaders is currently seeking stories, quotations and other material appropriate for inclusion in their upcoming publication Chicken Soup For the Soul®: Life Lessons for Leaders. The story deadline is June 31, 2007.
For an outline of the book and to submit a story, click here.
|
KOCE-TV's Dialogue with Jim Doti
"Dialogue with Jim Doti" is a half-hour, weekly talk show on KOCE-TV, where host Jim Doti and his guests “talk shop” on topics such as politics, business, the arts, culture and more. Check your local listings for channel information. April and May feature the following programs:
Topic/Guests: "Undocumented Immigrants and Taxes" with Francine Lipman, tax law expert and Colleen Rucker, IRS tax specialist.
When: Tuesday, April 24, 11:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 29, 10 a.m.
Topic/Guests: "Creative Wars Between Actors and Directors" with John Badham, director of "Saturday Night Fever," "Heroes," "Crossing Jordan," and author of I'll Be in My Trailer.
When: Tuesday, May 1, 11:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 6, 10 a.m.
|
|
|
Meetings & Events
|
Committee Meetings
April 2007
|
|
Wednesday, April 25, 2007 |
Workforce Development Committee Meeting, 7:30a |
|
Wednesday, April 25, 2007 |
Health Care Committee, 11a -- CANCELLED |
|
Friday, April 27, 2007 |
Advocacy and Government Affairs, 9a |
May 2007
|
|
Friday, May 4, 2007 |
Latino Educational Attainment Working Group, 9a |
|
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 |
Golf Tournament Committee, 7:30a |
|
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 |
Infrastructure Committee, 7:30a |
|
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 |
Workforce Development Committee, 7:30a |
|
Thursday, May 17, 2007 |
Economic Forecast Conference Committee, 8a |
|
Monday, May 21, 2007 |
Membership Committee, 12p |
|
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 |
Health Care Committee, 11a |
|
Thursday, May 24, 2007 |
Community College Working Group, 3p |
Click "DETAILS" below for more information. You may also view OCBC's Master Calendar on the web.
[DETAILS]
|
Community Events
Wednesday, April 25, 2007: The 5th Annual Conference on Business and Ethics
The Orange Catholic Foundation brings you the 5th Annual Conference on Business and Ethics featuring OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, as keynote speaker.
Thursday, April 26, 2007: Getting Down to Business Seminar Series
Rancho Santiago Community College District and Santa Ana College are pleased to co-host this series of workshops to introduce the Orange County business community to how our unique business incubator benefits the Orange County economy.
Saturday, April 28, 2007: Cal State Fullerton's 14th Annual Vision & Visionaries Awards Gala
OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, was recently selected by her college alma mater, Cal State Fullerton, to receive the university's Distinguished Alumni Award. This special accolade--the highest honor afforded an alumna/us of the university--will be presented to her, along with tributes to other award recipients, at the university’s 14th Annual Vision & Visionaries Awards Gala. Register for the event today, and join us in the celebration.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007: The Housing Summit: Best Practices and Real Solutions for Housing Orange County's Workforce
The Orange County Housing Trust, the League of California Cities, and ULI Orange County, are hosting THE HOUSING SUMMIT: Best Practices and Real Solutions for Housing Orange County’s Workforce, to focus on what the public and private sectors are doing to promote, plan and build more affordable rental and for-sale housing for Orange County workers.
Thursday, May 3, 2007: Rancho Santiago Community College District Annual Mixer
RSCCD's Economic Development Coordinating Council presents its third annual mixer, "Strengthening Connections."
Tuesday, May 15 - Wednesday, May 16, 2007: 6th Annual Industry Research Symposium, "California: Prosperity Through Technology"
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering brings you the 6th Annual Industry Research Symposium, "California: Prosperity Through Technology," focusing on energy and the environment. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Thursday, May 24, 2007: Orange County Business Journal's Women in Business Awards
The Orange County Business Journal invites you to take this opportunity to nominate an outstanding woman who merits special recognition for her accomplishments. OCBC CEO and President, Lucy Dunn, was among last year's honorees.
For more information about any of these events, click the "DETAILS" link below.
[DETAILS]
|
|
|
