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FEATURED STORIES
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Editor's Note
OCBC apologizes if Indicator subscribers were unable to open Tuesday’s newsletter. In trying to honor the victims of 9/11, an image was included which caught the publication in many spam filters. Your attention to OCBC’s activities is appreciated, as always.
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OCBC Supports Governor’s Principles for
Healthcare Reform
OCBC's Lucy Dunn, Kris Murray, Michelle Hart and Robb Korinke participated in a briefing today with Governor Schwarzenegger's lead staff on the healthcare reform push currently taking place in Sacramento. Among the alternatives still being discussed by the administration are a sales tax financing mechanism, as well as a potential ballot measure if the legislature and governor are unable to come to terms on a workable reform package.
In a letter this week to Governor Schwarzenegger, OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn outlined OCBC’s support of five principles for reforming California’s healthcare delivery systems. Like the governor, OCBC supports economically sound and reasonable reforms that increase access to healthcare for all Californians, while rewarding healthy choices and decreasing costs.
OCBC is committed to partnering with the administration, the health care industry, elected officials and other business groups to determine the most viable, long-term solutions to reform and expand healthcare access for all Californians.
The Business Council urges the governor to stand firm on these key principles for effective reforms, specifically:
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OCBC supports the concept of every Californian having access to health insurance, and insurance that is portable.
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OCBC agrees that increases to Medi-Cal reimbursements to doctors and hospitals need to be made, reducing their need to shift costs onto insured individuals, families and employers.
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OCBC agrees that all Californians will benefit from reforms to the current healthcare system, and that one group cannot burden the sole responsibility of addressing these issues – especially the business community or healthcare providers. Since all will benefit, all sectors -- individuals, employers, providers, and government -- ought to contribute their fair share to healthcare reform.
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OCBC supports a system that rewards healthy choices and contains costs. The Governor's plan outlines a comprehensive prevention policy that encourages and rewards healthy behaviors; supports new efforts to fight chronic conditions including diabetes and obesity; reduces smoking; promotes more efficient service delivery and will help prevent medical errors.
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OCBC opposes a government-run system or board with the power to determine the payroll rates for the business community.
Alternative proposals, including SB 840 and the recently vetoed AB 8, do not satisfy the business community and do not have the support of the Orange County Business Council.
Healthcare reform is tremendously complex, and it is essential that all parties -- hospitals, doctors, the business community, labor and legislators from both side of the aisle -- participate in crafting the solution. As the legislative session winds to a close, OCBC urges both the governor and legislature to craft a viable, workable reform package. An issue this important should not be rushed or left to ballot box policy making.
OCBC members and investors are encouraged to participate in its Healthcare committee meetings, the next is scheduled for September 26.
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Register Today.
Workforce Development Conference
Less Than Two Weeks Away!
Event Set for Monday, September 24 at the Island Hotel
in Newport Beach
 Orange County Business Council and the Orange County Workforce Investment Board present the 2007 Annual Workforce Development Conference, sponsored by Wells Fargo. The Master of Ceremonies at this engaging, interactive forum will be OCBC Chair of Workforce Development Chris Harrington, of Toshiba, with opening remarks made by Dan Miller of the Irvine Company.
Featuring Keynote Speaker Wing Lam, Founder and CEO of Wahoo's Fish Tacos, along with panel moderator Robbin Preciado of Wells Fargo, this year's conference will tackle corporate social responsibility and how to connect good business with good education. OCBC's own Dr. Wallace Walrod will be presenting the 2007 Workforce report, comparing last year's OC workforce and education trends with today's.
Register Now!
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BIZPAC Hosts Insider's Briefing with Senator Ackerman
OCBC's BIZPAC will be honored to host Senator Dick Ackerman on October 16 for a private briefing on the 2007 legislative session. Join a select group of Orange County business leaders as they meet with Senator Ackerman, who recently led the Senate Republicans in a principled stand on the state budget. Attendees will receive a private re-cap of the recent Legislative Session, as well as a look ahead to the second year of the two-year session, and what lies ahead for climate change legislation, redistricting and more.
October 16, 2007
5:00pm – 6:30pm
The Pacific Club
4110 MacArthur Boulevard
Newport Beach, CA 92660
This event benefits BIZPAC's efforts to promote and protect the public policy agenda of the Orange County Business Council. Contact Todd Priest for more information.
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Congressman John Campbell Recognized by
National Manufacturers Group
On August 28, OCBC’s Kris Murray, VP Government Affairs, and Lucy Dunn, President and CEO, were pleased to join in honoring Congressman John Campbell, awarded the National Association of Manufacturers Award for Legislative Excellence. Paul Margis, CEO of Panasonic Avionics, presided over the awards ceremony.
Following the award presentation, Congressman Campbell responded candidly to questions posed by OCBC staff and others regarding Orange County’s fair share of Federal tax dollars for transportation, his efforts to reform the current earmarking process, support for the 241 toll road completion and patent reform legislation, among other things.
OCBC praises Congressman Campbell for his leadership on these and other critical issues for Orange County residents, and has invited him to speak at an upcoming OCBC Board Meeting.
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OCBC Participates in Defense Industry Conference
OCBC's VP of Government Affairs, Kris Murray, attended the Future Combat Systems (FCS) conference hosted by OCBC member Boeing and Northrop Grumman in Huntington Beach August 29.
The FCS system is the US military’s premier modernization program and involves over 220 California-based suppliers. By supplying our troops with the best technical capability in the world, FCS is vital to the national defense as well as humanitarian efforts.
OCBC will be working in conjunction with the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce to build a county-wide advocacy effort to support full funding of the FCS program in the 2008 Federal Defense Budget.
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OCBC Day at Angels Stadium
 OCBC Member Gibson Dunn & Crutcher hosted OCBC and prominent business leaders at the Anaheim Angels game last Friday, for an evening of networking and a terrific match-up of two first-place teams in the heat of the pennant race.
In attendance, and staying into extra innings for an Angels win, were OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn, Larry Buster of First American Title, Laguna Niguel Councilwoman Linda Lindholm with her husband Wayne Lindholm of Hensel Phelps, Chris Lowe of Disneyland and Celeste Signorino with OCTANE.
Special thanks again to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher!
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OCBC President Honors Her Alma Mater
OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn was recently interviewed by her alma mater, CSU Fullerton, as part of the notable alumni profiles being compiled for the institution’s 50th Anniversary.
Dunn recalled her experiences as a Titan and how her education at Fullerton laid the foundation a career that has seen her serve as president of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, Director of Housing and Community Development under Governor Schwarzenegger, and her current leadership role at OCBC. Dunn’s profile will appear in the near future on the University’s 50th anniversary website.
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Orange County TV Coverage Comes to Orange County
KOCE-TV, partnering with The Orange County Register, Chapman University, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable, will be launching a new 24-hour channel dedicated entirely to Orange County.
The new OC Channel, unveiling October 24, will feature local news, traffic, weather and a companion website with county-specific content. KOCE-TV “intends to showcase the real breadth and depth of this diverse community,” said Mel Rogers, General Manager and President of KOCE.
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For Our Chamber Partners -- OC Register Unveils
New Blog for Orange County Small Businesses
After 26 years with the Orange County Register, Jan Norman’s blogging career starts now. Centered on Orange County’s small business owners, Norman’s blog on the Register's website offers news, insights, and tips for small businesses.
Norman also writes the “It’s Your Business” column for the Register. Visit the 'Jan Norman on Small Business' today!
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Infrastructure
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Water Supply Reaching Crisis Stage
OCBC's Vice Chair of Infrastructure, Les Card, CEO of LSA Associates, Inc., attended a private briefing last week with Tim Quinn, the new Executive Director of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA).
The meeting took place ahead of Quinn’s presentation to the Water Advisory Committee of Orange County last Friday, and focused on the recent decision to halt pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta to save the nearly extinct Delta Smelt, a 4-inch fish that has fallen under Federal endangered species protections.
Quinn’s presentation outlined that while California is facing one of the driest years in decades, further reducing the water output of the Delta presents, in Card's words, “a real problem in Central and Southern California."
[FULL STORY]
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The Transportation Movement
Dunn to Join Supervisor Bates on Panel of Experts
Hosted by OCBC member, Cox Communications, Lucy Dunn will join Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates on a panel of experts as they address transportation issues in Orange County on September 14, 2007, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Surf and Sand Resort, 1555 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. Other distinguished panelists include the Honorable Marian Bergeson of the California Transportation Commission, and new Toll Roads CEO, Thomas Margro. For registration and information, contact Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce (949) 363-0136.
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Workforce Housing
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Workforce Housing Scorecard Still Making News
OCBC’s Workforce Housing Scorecard was again the focus of a news item in the Orange County Register on August 29. Following a presentation at the South Orange County Chamber of Commerce, OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn, together with VP of Research Dr. Wallace Walrod, were pictured and quoted in a story titled “Young Workers Leaving County.”
Produced with major sponsorship from Bank of America, OCBC’s Workforce Housing Scorecard does indeed show that Orange County is in real danger of losing its future workforce due to housing prices – up to 20 percent of its 25 to 44 year olds in the next 20 years.
The Workforce Housing Scorecard was also featured this month in the nationally distributed eNewsletter of The Campaign for Affordable Housing.
Get involved, read the report!
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Workforce Development
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High School Inc. Takes Flight
The Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Ana Unified School District opened the first of their innovative High School, Inc. schools on August 30. Business leaders were invited to attend the first day of school and meet with students participating in this pioneering new program.
High School, Inc. Academies feature six specialized programs created to teach students the career skills necessary for hire into some of today’s most progressive high-growth industries.
OCBC actively collaborates with the Santa Ana Chamber to promote this ground-breaking pilot program as part of the Business Council’s commitment to preparing the next generation of workers.
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LEA on the Side of the Angels
Angels Baseball included a full page ad promoting Latino Educational Attainment (LEA), the educational collaborative of OCBC, OC Department of Education and the OC United Way, in the team's stadium programs throughout August. The ad outlined the goals of the LEA program, which are to work directly with parents to help them navigate the school system and become more involved with their child’s education, promoting better learning across Orange County School Districts.
OCBC views LEA as a critical program in developing a skilled, talented workforce – the backbone of a diverse economy. For more information on LEA visit its page on OCBC's website.
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Upcoming Events
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2008 Economic Forecast
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 title sponsor, US Bank, as well as forecast sponsors, Chevron, Southern California Edison and the Client Advocate Network. Click here for sponsorship opportunities.
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Committee Meetings
September 2007
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Friday,
September 14 |
Government Affairs Committee, 7:30a |
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Wednesday,
September 19 |
Workforce Development Committee, 7:30a |
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Wednesday,
September 26 |
Health Care Committee, 11a |
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Friday, October 5 |
Latino Educational Attainment Working Group, 9a |
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Tuesday, October 9 |
Infrastructure Committee Mtg., 7:30a |
Click "DETAILS" below for more information. You may also view OCBC's Master Calendar on the web.
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Community Events
OC’s Fast-Growing Private Companies
Tuesday, September 25 - Program and luncheon with special publication.
The inaugural FGPC awards luncheon honors all companies that qualify for The List of OC’s Fast-Growing Private Companies, with special recognition awarded to companies among The Top Ten. The Special Report will include The List of OC’s Fast-Growing Private Companies, along with profiles of The Top Ten companies. Register online.
BIA Women's Council of Orange County - "Divine Table of Hope"
Thursday, October 11 - Fundraiser Benefiting Women Helping Women
The Building Industry Association Women's Council of Orange County is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Women Helping Women (WHW), an expanding non-profit association advancing women's issues. For more information contact the BIA at 909-396-9993
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