The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued its Biological Opinion for the 241 Toll Road last week, confirming that the project complies with the Endangered Species Act.  The opinion concludes the 241 Toll Road will not appreciably jeopardize any endangered or threatened species, contrary to the findings of the California Coastal Commission earlier this year.  

Additionally, The California Department of Fish and Game issued its approval for the project in an agreement released last week.  Now both the state’s environmental experts and federal environmental experts have made findings directly contradictory to the California Coastal Commission’s earlier decision.  The TCA has appealed the Coastal Commission's rejection of the project to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. 

Register now and join OCBC in Sacramento to  meet with state lawmakers, members of the Governor’s administration and other decision makers on critical issues facing the business community.  This year, the program will also include a special series focused on the "Third House," where Sacramento's most prestigious lobbying firms will provide their outlook on major issues.

The trip will include:  

• A welcome reception with award-winning political columnist Dan Walters.
• Luncheon in the Governor's private conference room with key members of the Schwarzenegger Administration.
• Legislative dinner with lawmakers and high-ranking state officials.

OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn moderated a discussion held by the Orange County Public Affairs Association (OCPAA) last week on how local leaders, Eileen Padberg and OCBC Board member Paul Freeman of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons have made an impact in some of the most active spots on the international political stage. 

OCBC and the County of Orange hosted a Business Summit May 8 on the Regional Wireless Internet feasibility project.  Attended by over 60 business and civic leaders, OCBC’s Dr. Wallace Walrod presented research on the feasibility of a countywide wireless broadband internet system.  OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn delivered opening remarks together with Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell. 

OCBC was honored to host California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell at its April 24 Workforce Development committee meeting.  Committee Chairman Chris Harrington of Toshiba (pictured with O’Connell at right) presided over a packed meeting as the Superintendent spoke about key education and workforce issues, including the state budget's impact on education funding.  Read more about the Superintendent's visit here.

by Lucy Dunn
A Daily Pilot story earlier this month raised an important question about the future of this county.  In “Two Ranch Plans Shown” the Pilot illustrated the “competing visions” for Banning Ranch.  One calls for strict preservation of the land, while the other would develop about 30% of the land for housing and retail while preserving the rest. 

The story caught my attention because, the very same day I read the Register's coverage of a grand jury report titled “No Country for Old Boomers” finding that the population of senior citizens will double by the year 2030.  “Orange County may find itself with dramatic affordable housing shortages,” said the report; seniors will likely remain in their homes while young families and the middle class are squeezed out of the county due to lack of affordability.

Over 40 members of the California congressional delegation signed a letter May 1 urging a permanent increase in the loan limits for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).  The entire Orange County delegation supported this effort, which comes as the House Financial Services Committee completes work on a housing stimulus measure.  Read the full letter here.

OCBC contends that allowing loan limits to return to their previous levels would create severe barriers to economic recovery in California.  A temporary increase to the FHA-insurable loan limit is set to expire on December 31 of this year, prompting a return to levels far too low to help California homebuyers.  OCBC supports efforts to permanently raise the limit.

Meanwhile, here in Orange County OCBC applauds the leadership of the City of Anaheim for creating an economic stimulus package for residential developments within the city.  Click here for more information on Anaheim’s innovative plan to rejuvenate the housing industry and create accessible affordable housing in Orange County.
 

OCBC congratulates Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle for receiving the prestigious National Association of Home Builders Award.  The annual honor, held in Washington, D.C. last week, is awarded to a local elected official who demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the housing industry, works against opposition on a beneficial issue, or implements innovative programs to assist or educate builders.

How does a potential statewide water crisis impact Orange County, and what can we do to face this challenge?  On Friday, May 2 Orange County water agencies, local government, business interests, civic leaders, and policy makers gathered to discuss this challenge at a Water Summit co-hosted by OCBC.

Speakers included Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Senator Dick Ackerman, Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach, Monica Florian of the Delta Blue Ribbon Task Force and many others.  OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn (pictured at right) and OCBC Vice President of Research Dr. Wallace Walrod presented the business perspective and why water is so critical to the economy. 

The City of Irvine announces the launch of the i, a new shuttle that connects local residents with the Irvine Business Complex (IBC), Metrolink and John Wayne Airport.  Best of all, the i shuttle is free until September 1.

OCBC is joining the Hospital Association of Orange County to present a Healthcare Summit, including a keynote address delivered by Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Weintraub.  Weintraub joins speakers including OCBC’s Dr. Wallace Walrod in providing a roadmap for understanding how current legislation, regulation, economics and demographics shape public policy affecting hospitals and our healthcare system.

This summit will take place at the Disney Grand Californian Hotel on May 28.  The event is provided at no charge, view full details here. To RSVP, or for more information, contact Trudy Duncan at 213.538.0703.

Also, immediately following the Summit, the Orange County, Anaheim and Santa Ana Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) invite attendees to join a focus group gathering thoughts and ideas on the needs of the healthcare industry.  The focus group will convene for 45 minutes in the same meeting room immediately following the Summit.  If you would like to participate in providing direction to help meet the needs of the healthcare industry, please contact Alicia Berhow at aberhow@ocbc.org

Irvine received a Green California Leadership Award for its grassroots energy conservation project, "A Brighter Future for Irvine," at the 2008 Green California Summit and Exposition held in Sacramento last month.  The project is a result of a collaboration of the City of Irvine with The Energy Coalition, a non-profit energy efficiency organization, Southern California Edison, and The Gas Company. 

Irvine was also named an “Ambassador City” by The National Association of Realtors and the U.S. Conference of Mayors last month for its efforts to promote housing opportunities as part of its “Public Officials 101” program.  The Orange County Association of Realtors worked with the city and other partners to develop a homeownership education program for Orange County mayors, council members and city managers.