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FEATURED STORIES
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SUCCESSFUL 2ND MAYORS’ SUMMIT
Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido kicked off the event, co hosted by the cities of Santa Ana and Anaheim. The program included several expert panels focused on three topics: Telecommunications - New Options for Consumers and Cities; Mitigating the Impacts of Goods Movement in an Expanding Global Economy; and Green Building Techniques to Improve Air Quality and Build Sustainable Communities. The overarching theme was one of collaboration—the need for business, academia, labor and government to work together to maintain the region’s economic prosperity and high quality of life.
PHOTO of OCBC Chairman, Dan Miller, The Irvine Company; OCBC President & CEO, Lucy Dunn; Orange County Supervisor, 1st District, Janet Nguyen; Santa Ana, Mayor Miguel Pulido.
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Senator Correa Invites Lucy Dunn to Present Business Perspective on Workforce Housing
Lucy Dunn, OCBC’s President and CEO, testified before a packed house at a hearing convened on Friday, June 22, by Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), Chairman of the California State Senate Select Committee on Infrastructure and Technology. The focus of the hearing held at Santiago Community College in Santa Ana was the allocation of the infrastructure bonds for Affordable Housing (Prop. 1C); Flood Control/Parks/Santa Ana River (Props 1E and 84); and Education (Prop. 1D). Lucy Dunn emphasized that one of the Business Council’s core strategic objectives is to increase the supply of affordable, quality workforce housing in Orange County. In addition, she shared with the committee that on June 27, OCBC would be unveiling its inaugural 2007 Orange County Workforce Housing Scorecard to examine and publicize OC’s housing trends from a broad, long-term, employer-based perspective.
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OCBC Hosts Assembly Speaker for Business Roundtable Discussion
OCBC hosted California State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) on Friday, June 15, for an informal discussion with top Orange County industry leaders on a range of topical issues including the allocation of the infrastructure bonds, health care reform, SR-241 toll road extension, Delta levee emergency preparedness, and climate issues. Speaker Nunez addressed these issues and answered tough questions ranging from his health care reform proposal to term limits from the business executives who attended the meeting.
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Senator Lou Correa Fights the Good Fight
In a vote expected to be strictly along party lines, Orange County State Senator Lou Correa (D- Santa Ana) broke ranks by voting against legislation that would authorize government-run universal healthcare. The Orange County Business Council applauds Senator Correa for his vote in opposition to Sheila Kuehl’s (D-Santa Monica), SB 840, universal healthcare bill. This was a gutsy vote that is representative of his long-standing leadership and strong support for the business community. Senator Correa continues to fight the good fight with a balanced approach to legislation that takes into account the effects on business and the quality of life in Orange County. We appreciate your vote Senator Correa!
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2008 Economic Forecast Conference: Save the Date!
The housing market? Employment trends? Inflation? Oil prices? Global warming and economics? We’re all wondering, what does 2008 have in store for Orange County? In response, OCBC and Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics will host the 2008 Economic Forecast Conference, presenting a multi-perspective view of the latest economic issues and trends. Save the date -- Monday, October 22, 2007!
Special thanks to our title sponsor, US Bank, as well as our forecast sponsors, Chevron and the Client Advocate Network. Click the EFC banner captioned below for more details, including sponsorship opportunities.
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OCBC Hosting Luncheon with Congressman Meeks
The Orange County Business Council is co hosting a lunch with Washington Mutual PAC and First American Title on Friday, July 6 from 12:30pm - 2:00pm in honor of U.S. Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), who serves as a senior member, Financial Services Committee and senior member, International Relations Committee. Congressman Meeks has been a strong voice in support of business development and a leader in the growing movement to reform the most onerous provisions of Sarbanes Oxley. Rep. Meeks has also gained significant praise for his balanced voting record and advocacy on labor and business issues. According to the National Journal's Congressional scorecard, Congressman Meeks has one of the highest-scores for his voting record on business and economic issues in the Democratic caucus reflecting his bipartisanship and independence on votes such as class action reform, bankruptcy reform, energy legislation, trade liberalization, etc. Congressman Meeks has also been credited for creating a strong economic environment for the aviation industry in New York City and throughout the country. For more information, click on the attached invitation or contact Kris Murray, Vice President of Government Affairs, at 949-794-7210.
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Toll Road Supporters, Please Sign Here
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) has created a page on The Toll Roads and Foothill-South websites that includes the names of individuals who support completing the 241 Toll Road to San Clemente. TCA is also planning a publication in the near future that will additionally include names of Foothill-South supporters.
Add your name to the list of toll road supporters today by emailing authorization to use your name and city of residence to pines@thetollroads.com. For more information contact the TCA's Sheldon Pines at 949.754.3489.
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Workforce Housing
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$2.8 Billion from Proposition 1C Will Create New Affordable Homes
In celebration of National Homeownership Month this June, the California Department of Housing and Community Development announced that $2.8 billion in funding from Proposition 1C will generate over 118,000 affordable homeownership and rental opportunities. For more information read the HCD Press Release.
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Infrastructure
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OCBC proudly supports State Route-22 for Award
OCBC proudly supports Orange County Transportation Authority's Garden Grove (State Route-22) project for the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award. The SR-22 highway project was nominated by Assemblyman Van Tran for this prestigious award. The project was successfully completed using the design-build method, which ensured a cost-effective transportation infrastructure project that also considered land use and environmental impacts throughout the design and construction phases.
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CACT Grant
On Thursday, June 21st, OCBC facilitated the CACT Grant Advisory Committee Meeting. The Centers for Applied Competitive Technologies at the North Orange County Community College District works to assist California's manufacturing industry to participate successfully in changing markets and the global economy through Applied Competitive Technologies and workforce education. CACT achieves this through technology education, manufacturing training, and services that contribute to continuous workforce development, technology deployment and business development.
Statistics tell us that almost one of every seven workers in California is employed in the manufacturing industry. This fact represents approximately two million Californians. The Orange County Business Council’s mission is to represent and promote the business community, working with our local Community Colleges, to enhance Orange County’s economic development and success in order to maintain a high quality of life. This grant is the epitome of that mission. For our students to succeed in the Orange County business industry, they must be highly skilled in the manufacturing and technology industry.
Centers for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACTs) enhance the competitiveness of small and mid-sized manufacturers by providing:
- Access to new manufacturing technologies
- Education and advanced technical seminars
- Customized employee training
- Resolution of specific manufacturing problems
- Expertise on facilitating technology transfer opportunities
- Focusing on increasing a business' productivity
- Continuous quality improvements
- Process modernization
- E-Commerce
- Environmentally sound manufacturing
- Workforce assessment
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Cal Chamber Launches New Website
The CalChamber created www.climateconnect.org to serve as an information clearinghouse for their membership and the public to help in this effort. With the passing of AB32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, the CalChamber believes it is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a strong economy and business climate in California. Their website is dedicated to sharing information on current climate change regulations and offers an opportunity to take an active role in the implementation process.
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Media
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KOCE - TV Lawsuit Settled
Orange County's beloved KOCE-TV has reached a settlement that will allow them to remain the only PBS station in the county. After many lawsuits and much heartache, the courts deemed that KOCE is here to stay! For more information, read full article.
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Meetings & Events
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Committee Meetings
June 2007
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007 |
Health Care Committee, 11a |
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Friday, June 29, 2007 |
Government Affairs Committee, 9a |
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Tuesday, July 10, 2007 |
Infrastructure Committee, 7:30a |
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Wednesday, July 11, 2007 |
Golf Tournament Committee, 7:30a |
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Wednesday, July 18, 2007 |
Workforce Development Committee, 7:30a |
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Thursday, July 19, 2007 |
Economic Forecast Conference Committee, 8a |
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Wednesday, July 25, 2007 |
Health Care Committee, 11a |
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Thursday, July 25, 2007 |
Community College Working Group Committee, 3p |
Click "DETAILS" below for more information. You may also view OCBC's Master Calendar on the web.
[DETAILS]
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Community Events
Thursday, June 28, 2007: Regional Biotech/Pharmaceutical Forum Hosted by PhRMA
OCBC is the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America's (PhRMA) local partner in bringing you this So Cal biotech/pharmaceutical forum with special guest speakers, The Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles, and Billy Tauzin, President and CEO, PhRMA.
Thursday, July 19, 2007: Yes You Can: Achieve Excellence
The Asian Business Association of Orange County presents this spectacular event to help you achieve excellence in your business or career. Come to learn from two champions of public speaking and stay to network with fellow businessmen and women.
Thursday & Friday, July 26-27, 2007: OC Fair Cattle Drive--Sponsors wanted!
As a special treat for families of all ages, this year's Orange County Fair will feature a cattle drive. That's right, dozens of cows will be driven down streets in the heart of Orange County. Sponsors wanted!
For more information about any of these events, click the "DETAILS" link below.
[DETAILS]
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