OCBC heard from speakers such as State Controller John Chiang, Assemblyman Jim Silva and Michael Kelly of Boeing in recent weeks about the state’s dire need to modernize its education system, particularly in the areas of science and mathematics.  Echoing these presentations, a committee commissioned by Governor Schwarzenegger reported this month that California 8th graders are ranked 45th in the nation in math proficiency, 42nd in science. 

These skills are essential to sustain the high tech economy in Orange County.  They also train the engineers needed to design and build the infrastructure California so desperately needs -- $500 billion worth over the next 20 years according to the State Department of Finance.  OCBC is actively working with the Governor’s office to promote innovative solutions to this challenge.  Among the priorities the Business Council is advocating is increased public-private partnerships to help the state deliver its needed roads, waterways and other infrastructure on time and in a cost effective manner.

Please take a few minutes to review the newsletter and visit www.ocbc.org for more on how the Business Council is leading on these and other critical issues facing Orange County.
 

OCBC and the Orange County Division, League of California Cities hosted a packed house of city officials and business leaders March 13 to discuss “The State is in the Red, How Can Cities Stay in the Black?”  Leading off the evening discussions was State Controller John Chiang, who urged state and local governments to seek better returns from their money by investment in education and infrastructure. 

Citing projections that by 2025 China will produce up to 600,000 scientists each year, the Controller stressed the need for science and math programs to help the California and US workforce keep pace.  Chiang also advocated for long term capital projects to build needed infrastructure throughout the state. 

Controller Chiang’s remarks were followed by a panel (pictured above) moderated by OCBC's Lucy Dunn, with special guests Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman, Assemblyman Jose Solorio, Chris McKenzie, Executive Director of the League of California Cities and Robert Spencer, Principal Consultant for the Willdan Company and an expert on municipal finance.

Governor Schwarzenegger’s Committee on Education Excellence released its initial report and recommendations on reforming K-12 education in California earlier this month.  The report, focused on financing, administration and governance systems for public education, includes a range of recommended reforms.  Among them are increased flexibility for schools to meet the varying needs of students around the state and improved evaluation methods and incentives for teachers. 

OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn was quoted together with business leaders and top educators from throughout the state praising the report’s efforts to chart a new course for education in California.  “California’s education system must be reformed if the state is to remain economically competitive in the future,” said Dunn, adding that “OCBC looks forward to working with the administration to develop and implement solutions to these challenges.”

Dr. Richard Afable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hoag Memorial Hospital, addressed OCBC’s Board of Directors at a meeting held at Hoag’s Conference Center March 13.  From his position as the leader of its largest hospital, Afable stated that “Orange County has a tremendous opportunity to provide more access to, and increased value for, health care.”

Dr. Afable expressed his desire to engage the business community in conversations he is helping to convene with physicians, insurers, political leaders and other stakeholders as part of a developing coalition focused on Orange County-based solutions.  This plan is "achievable and do-able," concluded Afable, who pledged to return to OCBC with fuller details as they emerge. 
 

OCBC’s Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee was honored to host Assemblyman Jim Silva and Monica Florian, a member of the Governor’s Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, at its March 14 meeting for a discussion on water issues.

Assemblyman Silva briefed the committee on the mechanics of the budget negotiations taking shape in Sacramento and began the morning’s discussions on water infrastructure.  “California has passed $18 billion worth of water bonds,” said Silva, “but Southern California has yet to see one drop.”  Monica Florian would address that issue in her presentation on the future of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the primary source of water for over 20 million Californians.

Dr. Juan Carlos Araque of the Orange County United Way chaired OCBC’s Workforce Development Committee meeting last week, which featured a presentation by Michael Kelly, California Government Relations Manager for the Boeing Company.  Posing the question “What Will Boeing look like in 10 years?”, Kelly reviewed the corporation’s current demographics and highlighted the great demand it will see for skilled engineers and technical workers in the coming years.  “The Average Boeing engineer is 54 years old,” said Kelly, who added that 2 million science and engineering workers have retired across the country in the last 10 years.  He would further reveal data that shows California employs nearly 20% of US technology workers, but as the most populous state produces only 9% of graduates in that field.  

The event will focus on successful programs, opportunities, and case studies of projects that increase and preserve affordable housing in Orange County and throughout Southern California.  The keynote speakers will be Henry Cisneros, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Parker Kennedy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The First American Corporation.

The City of Irvine Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach Program is offering free tax preparation services for taxpayers who earned less than $50,000 in 2007.  Qualifying taxpayers who live or work in Irvine can receive help filing their taxes at the Orange County One-Stop Center located at 125 Technology Drive, Suite 200, through April 15. IRS-trained volunteers will help complete and electronically file returns at no cost. The Center is open Monday through Thursday from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. and on Saturday April 12 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Remember, only those who file a 2007 tax return will receive checks as part of the Federal government’s 2008 Economic Stimulus Package.