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FEATURED STORIES
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OCBC Annual Dinner a Rousing Success!
Over 700 business and community leaders, elected officials and members of the media attended OCBC’s 2008 Annual Dinner, “The Road Ahead” on January 29 at the Irvine Hyatt Regency Hotel. The evening saw nationally syndicated columnist George F. Will deliver a lively presentation of his views on American government, as well as a tribute to longtime publisher and CEO of the Orange County Register, Chris Anderson, given by Los Angeles Times’ publisher and CEO David D. Hiller. The event also saw OCBC swear in its 2008 board of directors and incoming chairman, Steve Lenzi of the Automobile Club of Southern California. View OCBC's Image Gallery of the event and also read Frank Mickadeit's glowing review of the evening in the Orange County Register.
The evening's keynote address saw George Will, whose columns are featured in over 500 newspapers across the county, combine his love of baseball with his immense knowledge of the political landscape to deliver a fascinating discussion on a variety of issues including healthcare, the economy and the nature of American politics.
[FULL STORY]
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OCBC Hosts Leading Global Market Strategist
for Bank of America
OCBC was honored to host Joe Quinlan, Managing Director and Chief Market Strategist for Bank of America, at an exclusive breakfast event January 31 at the Island Hotel. Quinlan is in charge of developing, communicating and executing the firm’s domestic and global investment strategy. Pictured at right with OCBC's Lucy Dunn, he addressed a group of OCBC members and Bank of America executives.
Acknowledging the high volatility of the market and that certain sectors of the economy may already be in a recession, Quinlan made it a point to stress “this is not terminal.” Citing the strength of Orange County’s economy, particularly in the areas of global research and travel, he forecasted a quick recovery beginning perhaps as soon as the middle of this year. Transitioning to global economics, Quinlan urged the business leaders in attendance to support the emerging economies in the Far East, stating “Orange County needs strong ties to Asia, and we want them to succeed.”
Quinlan further called attention to what he characterizes as a “healthcare crisis” in the United States, with the country spending as much as 15% of its GDP for health services. He also stressed the need for the U.S. to reduce its dependency on foreign oil and promote alternative energy resources.
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OCBC Attends Costal Commission Hearing --
Continues Support of the 241
OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn and Vice President of Government Affairs Kris Murray attended the California Coastal Commission hearing on the 241 Foothill-South Toll Road last Wednesday. Before a record attendance of 3,500 supporters and opponents of the toll road, and after 12 hours of public testimony and debate, commissioners regrettably voted 8-2 against the Foothill South project.
Media coverage of the event rightly described the atmosphere at this hearing as “circus like” with 2,000 surfers and other bussed-in opponents on one side, and elected officials with representatives of labor, homeowners, public safety and the business community on the other.
Among those standing with OCBC in support of the Foothill-South were Transportation Corridor Agencies CEO Thomas Margro, Governor Schwarzenegger’s Secretary of Resources, Mike Chrisman and CalTrans Director Will Kempton.
Transportation Corridor Agencies officials have filed an appeal to the U.S. Department of Commerce to overrule the commission's vote, citing the exhaustive environmental reviews and ongoing collaboration and support of the project by local, state and federal agencies . It’s not too late to show your support of the Foothill-South! Visit www.relievetraffic.org.
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How Did OCBC Supported Initiatives Fare Last Tuesday?
In one of the largest voter turnouts in state history, the California electorate echoed many of the Business Council’s positions on statewide initiatives in last week's "Super Tuesday" election. A full rundown of where OCBC stood, and how both Orange County and Statewide voters responded is below. For a full analysis on OCBC's board-approved positions, please click here.
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OCBC
Position |
Orange County
Voters |
Statewide
Voters |
Proposition 91
(Transportation funding) |
No Position |
No |
No |
Proposition 92
(Community College funding) |
Oppose |
No |
No |
Proposition 93
(Legislative Term Limits) |
Oppose |
No |
No |
Propositions 94 - 97
(Tribal Gaming Referenda) |
Support |
Yes |
Yes |
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Congress Responds to OCBC's Call to Boost Housing
Market as Part of Economic Stimulus Package
As part of the economic stimulus package expected to be signed by President Bush this week, Congress has given a boost to the slumping housing market by temporarily raising the maximum size of mortgages that government-sponsored mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase and market as securities in California and other high value markets across the county.
OCBC co-authored a letter on January 31 to the Orange County congressional delegation and Senators Boxer and Feinstein urging support of the provision to lift the “conforming loan limit” to reduce stress on California home buyers and reduce the number of “Jumbo loans.” The proposal ultimately approved by Congress would raise the limit from its current level of $417,000 to as high as $729,750 in California.
The OCBC letter is available here and was signed by OCBC, Pacific West Association of Realtors, Orange County Housing Providers, Orange County Association of Realtors, Building Industry Association of Orange County and the Orange County Taxpayers Association.
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One Voice, Two Capitols --
OCBC Travels to Washington, D.C. and Sacramento
OCBC's annual advocacy trips have been scheduled for 2008, and your participation is needed to advocate on behalf of Orange County! OCBC will lead delegations of business leaders to Washington D.C. April 16 - 18 and to Sacramento June 10 - 12 to meet with key legislative leaders on issues including healthcare, infrastructure and other key business priorities. Save the Date and contact OCBC's Vice President of Government Affairs Kris Murray for more information.
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OCBC's BIZPAC Reception for Tom Harman
Set for this Friday
OCBC's BIZPAC is sponsoring a breakfast for the Honorable Tom Harman, California State Senator for the 35th District this Friday, February 15. Please view the full invitation here.
OCBC and BIZPAC are honored to support Senator Harman. For more information or to RSVP for the event, please contact OCBC Vice President of Government Affairs, Kris Murray.
Breakfast Reception for the Honorable Tom Harman
Friday, February 15, 2008
7:30am – 9:00am
Orange County Business Council
2 Park Plaza, Suite 100
Irvine, California 92614
Ticket Costs:
Individual - $250
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Join OCBC Today on the Road Ahead
The Orange County Business Council welcomes its newest members!
AspenMedia
ATS Communications
Exit and Retirement Strategies, Inc.
U.S. Metro Group, Inc.
These firms join an elite group of industry leaders working with OCBC to enhance Orange County’s economic prosperity and high quality of life. Not yet an OCBC member? Contact Vicki Blaser, OCBC Director of Investor Relations.
Are You Maximizing Your OCBC Membership?
Join an OCBC committee today and help shape the dialogue on key issues facing the business community. View the complete list of committees, or contact Matt Prince for more information.
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OCBC Highlighted in Anaheim State of the City Address
Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle delivered his city's State of the City address on January 29, and made several mentions of OCBC and the contributions it is making across Orange County on key issues. Referencing OCBC's Workforce Housing Scorecard and the high marks it renders Anaheim for its efforts to increase the supply of housing, Mayor Pringle noted "the evidence is clear that Anaheim is doing more than any other city in Orange County to provide a large range of housing availability and options."
Mayor Pringle also recognized OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn's participation in Anaheim's "Next Generation of Emerging Business Sectors" conference held last November. This event dealt with economic development and key workforce development issues in Orange County and the nation at large, including the challenges faced by companies seeking the talent necessary to grow and sustain their business.
The full text of Mayor Pringle's speech may be found here.
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Workforce Housing
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State Housing Director Discusses Affordable Housing
with OC Business Leaders
Over 60 housing representatives, elected officials, city and county staff, and business leaders attended an OCBC sponsored meeting with California Department of Housing and Community Development Director Lynn Jacobs on February 1. The meeting was the first in a series of regional dialogues held to address possible sources of permanent funding for affordable housing in California. With participation from OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn and Vice President of Research Dr. Wallace Walrod, Director Jacobs led a discussion that produced a range of suggestions, some that would require new legislation but many that can make use of existing programs and resources.
A full listing of the issues and ideas discussed can be found on the HCD website. Further meetings are scheduled for Director Jacobs to discuss this issue across the state in the coming months, contact Panorea Avdis, Director of External Affairs at the California Department of Housing and Community Development for more information.
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Workforce Development
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Dr. Juan Carlos Araque Tabbed to Lead
Latino Educational Attainment Working Group in 2008
Dr. Juan Carlos Araque is the newly appointed chair of the Latino Educational Attainment Working Group. Dr. Araque, of the Orange County United Way, has worked over ten years in the fields of education, community development, diversity, violence prevention, and positive youth development. He will lead the Working Group forward into 2008 with plans to build on the number of active coalition members, expand LEA’s “10 Educational Commandments for Parents” publication and increase marketing efforts for the LEA initiative.
The primary focus of the Latino Educational Attainment Initiative is to improve the involvement of Latino parents in their children's education. The project’s long-term goal is to create neighborhood-based groups that will provide navigational skills to parents in all of the areas around the 100 low-performing schools in the county.
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Upcoming Events
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Committee Meetings
February -- March 2008
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Tuesday,
February 19 |
Health Care Committee, 10:00 a.m. |
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Wednesday,
February 20 |
Workforce Development Committee, 7:30 a.m. |
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Thursday,
February 28 |
Community College Working Group, 3:00 p.m. |
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Friday, March 7 |
Latino Educational Attainment, 9:00 a.m. |
All meetings are at OCBC's main offices unless otherwise indicated. Please also view OCBC's Master Calendar.
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Community Events
Health Politics and Policies in an Election Year
February 21 -- 22
UC Irvine's Paul Merage School of Business presents its 2008 Health Care Forecast. Distinguished speakers include Dr. Norman J. Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute, Dr. Michael Drake, Chancellor, University of California, Irvine, Dr. James E. Glassman, Senior Economist and Managing Director, JP Morgan Chase and many others. Visit the event website for details.
New Dance at Saint Joseph Ballet
February 22 -- 23
For the first time ever, Saint Joseph Ballet will host four modern dance companies to participate in its annual New Dance production on February 22 and 23 at 8:00 p.m. New Dance aims to support and produce new work by local artists in Southern California. Visit the St. Joseph ballet website for more details.
The State of Education in Orange County
Thursday, February 28
The Orange County Education Summit 2008 presents a forum on "Education: The Key to Global Competitiveness." Speakers include Dr. David Long, State Secretary of Education, Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Paul Folino, Executive Chairman, Emulex Corporation. Visit www.ocde.us for event information or contact 714-966-4377.
Innovation, Education and Changing World of Work
Wednesday, March 19
The Orange County Department of Education and Arts Orange County sponsor a community conversation with Daniel Pink, author of the best selling work "A Whole New Mind, Why Right-Brainers will Rule the Future." Event is at the Irvine Marriott Hotel, register online.
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