BREAKING NEWS ARCHIVE

March 2007

March 29, 2007
OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, Featured in Real Estate Southern California Magazine's "Market Spotlight: Orange County"
Check it out...

March 27, 2007
OCBC Goes to Washington!
The Orange County Business Council has partnered with the LA Area Chamber to convene nearly 200 business and civic leaders in Washington, D.C. this week to advocate on behalf of Southern California’s 18 million residents and regional businesses.

OCBC’s mighty delegation, led by OCBC Chairman Dan Miller of The Irvine Company and Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, is focused on Orange County’s top business priorities. In addition to asking for increased transportation funding, the OCBC contingency is lobbying for workforce housing solutions, local flexibility on workforce development issues such as the “No Child Left Behind” initiative, business-conscious health care reform, and myriad other business issues.

March 27, 2007
March 27th Edition of the Indicator, OCBC's e-Newsletter, Available Online
Check it out...

March 26, 2007
OCBC Honored at OC's Annual Affordable Housing Awards
The Orange County Business Council was among the honorees at this year's Affordable Housing Awards, held this morning and co-hosted by the Orange County Community Housing Corporation, Affordable Housing Clearinghouse, and Kennedy Commission. OCBC was chosen to receive Wonsee Orange County Award for its leadership role in the passage of Proposition 1C in November. Proposition 1C directed $2.85 billion towards affordable housing programs in California.

OCBC's Director of Communications, Danielle Bates, accepted the award on behalf of the Business Council's President and CEO, Lucy Dunn. "With the median home price in hovering in the $700,000s, Orange County is experiencing the mass exodus of one of its prime work demographics, our 25 to 34-year-olds," said Bates in accepting the award. "From 2000 to 2005, we lost nearly 15%--a startling trend for the business community when you consider these folks aren't merely moving to the Inland Empire. They are moving to places like Las Vegas, Arizona, Colorado, and Texas." She said the Business Council remains committed to increasing housing opportunities for Orange County's workforce as part of its three-tier advocacy agenda.

Also among this morning's honorees was OCBC member, Kristine Thalman, CEO of the Building Industry Association of Orange County, who was honored for BIA/OC's commitment to producing housing for all income levels throughout the county. Congratulations!

March 23, 2007
OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, Named One of North OC Magazine's "25 Most Influential People of North Orange County"
Check it out...

March 22, 2007
OCBC Enjoys Insightful Dialogue with Western Digital's Matthew Massengill
The Orange County Business Council welcomed Western Digital’s Matthew Massengill to the Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast series this morning. OCBC members and guests enjoyed an insightful, 360-degree glimpse into this influential business leader’s 22-year career at Western Digital, where this Purdue engineering alum rose from a product engineer in 1985 to CEO by 2000 and eventually Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2001.

When asked by OCBC's immediate past Chair, Tom Phelps, if he has any worries about Orange County’s economic future, Massengill noted the lack of college graduates with science- and technology-oriented degrees. He recalled his boyhood desire to explore the sciences—a rarity in today’s young people. “It’s a cultural phenomenon,” he said of our students’ reluctance to pursue the STEM disciplines (i.e., science, technology, engineering and mathematics). “The space program was on the front page of the newspaper almost every day when I was growing up,” he recalled. “Now we only read about NASA when there’s a disaster.”

Massengill stated that at least 50 percent of WD’s PhD’s are foreign nationals--a percentage he expects to increase with the growing shortfall of appropriately-educated graduates in the United States. Worse, he predicted that businesses will one day be challenged to fill their voids with foreign-born workers given the high costs associated with the practice and the workers' increasing reluctance to emigrate to the United States in light of booming opportunities in their home countries, particularly China and India.

Massengill’s concerns mirror the same workforce development issues that OCBC raises every day: 1) ensuring our children stay in school and pursue higher education; 2) promoting the pursuit of education in the STEM disciplines; and 3) increasing English language acquisition in our schools. As Massengill noted, “If you can’t speak fluent English, you can’t communicate. If you can’t communicate, you are going to fail.” He heralded the advocacy efforts championed by organizations such as OCBC and OCTANe in addressing these issues and expressed his overwhelming optimism that Orange County’s future will be a bright one.

OCBC shares Matt Massengill’s optimism about Orange County’s future and invites you to take your seat at the table in safeguarding that future. The Orange County Business Council is the place where your business—and all of Orange County—will succeed. Contact OCBC today to learn how you can lend your voice to Orange County’s leading voice of business.

March 19, 2007
OCBC Hosts Governor's Senior Health Policy Advisor for Candid Discussion on Healthcare Reform
On March 14, members of the Orange County Business Council and guests hosted Herb Schultz, Governor Schwarzenegger’s Senior Health Policy Advisor, for a high-level, roundtable discussion on the administration’s comprehensive health care proposal. The meeting provided an opportunity to learn about the terms of the plan, ask specific questions, and compare and contrast the Governor’s plan with at least five other health care proposals pending in the legislature.

Attendees discussed the myriad areas of principle interest, including employer mandates versus individual mandates, tax and regulatory incentives, rate caps, Medi-Cal/Healthy Families expansion, defining access, system capacity, information transparency, and provider accountability. While the discussion was lively and candid, many questions remain unanswered at this time; the Governor does not intend to present specific legislation for public review now but will work within existing proposals to try to reach an appropriate consensus among core principles.

OCBC has not taken a position on any of the proposals, including the Governor’s. We continue to be concerned about additional mandates on business, overload of an already burdened system, and a transparent process for review and comment of any proposal affecting California businesses and consumers.

OCBC will continue to monitor and update its members on all developments.  For questions or comments, contact Michelle Hart, Director of External Affairs, at 949.794.7219.

March 16, 2007
OCBC Honored with Children & Families Commission's Peter A. Hartman Award
The Children and Families Commission (CFC) of Orange County held its annual community awards ceremony last night, honoring the Orange County Business Council with its Peter A. Hartman Award. The Hartman Award--named after Dr. Peter A. Hartman, a champion of children's issues and a founding member of the CFC--is awarded to the individual or community program best demonstrating and implementing the Children and Families Commission's goal of preparing children to be healthy and ready to succeed when they enter school. CFC chose to honor the Business Council for its workforce development and research initiatives. OCBC's President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, was on-hand to accept the award.

In conjunction with the award, OCBC was granted $2,500, which it awarded to Info Link or 211 Orange County, an telephone information and referral service for families in need of health and human services. In operation since 1988, Info Link's services are offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be easily accessed by dialing 2-1-1.

Ms. Dunn also presented a very special award on behalf of the CFC to the Discovery Science Center for creating one of Orange County's premier math and science learning environments for children.

March 15, 2007
OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, Named One of OC Metro's "20 Women to Watch"
Check it out!

March 14, 2007
OCBC Welcomes New Vice President of Government and Community Affairs
Read the press release...

March 13, 2007
March 13th Edition of the Indicator, OCBC's e-Newsletter, Available Online
Check it out...

March 13, 2007
OCBC Participates in Governor's Career Technical Education Summit
OCBC members, Randal Hernandez of Bank of America, Kristine Thalman of BIA Orange County Chapter, and OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, participated in the roundtable discussion led by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on March 13. The Governor sought business, labor and education leaders' input in crafting policy solutions for life-long learning skills that meet the needs of California’s employers.

Panelists specifically mentioned the need for enhanced soft skills development (i.e., problem solving, team playing and job commitment) as well as academically rigorous career technical education courses. In addition, they made special mention of the need for more career counselors skilled to advise students in existing opportunities and avert the sometimes 25% to 50% high school drop out rates that plague the state’s education system.

OCBC’s Director of Workforce Development, Jordan Brandman, actively engages in these issues for OCBC and can be reached at 949.794.7215.

March 5, 2007
OCBC Welcomes New Director of External Affairs
Read the press release...

February 28, 2007
OCBC Fights for (and Wins!) More Road Funds from California Transportation Commission
Orange County Business Council's CEO and President, Lucy Dunn, testified before the California Transportation Commission (CTC) this morning at Irvine City Hall, lobbying for a larger slice the Proposition 1B pie. Last week, t he Commission recommended that Orange County receive $361.5 million of $4.5 billion in transportation bond funds allocated to Southern California counties to help fund freeway improvements. Still, the Orange County delegation hoped to secure more funding for much-needed improvements on the 91 freeway.

Dunn, the hearing's only representative from the business community, cited the CTC's own top criteria--connectivity and congestion relief coupled local contribution and a solid record of delivery--as reasons for the Commission to reconsider its recommendations and award Orange County additional funds. "Importantly, Orange County can match dollar-for-dollar any contribution made by the State," said Dunn referring to Measure M, the county’s recently renewed 30-year, half-cent sales tax dedicated to countywide transportation improvements. "This cannot be said of many other projects before you."

OCTA Chairwoman, Carolyn Cavecche, and Assemblymen Jose Solorio and Todd Spitzer added their voices to that of the Business Council, asking the CTC allocate additional bond money to Orange County for the enhancement of the 91 freeway, a transportation corridor that affects three Southern California counties and carries a large portion of the quarter-million commuters daily who cross the county line to jobs-rich Orange County.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the CTC awarded Orange County an additional $22 million of the Prop 1B funds, bringing Orange County's share to nearly $384 million of the total $2.8 billion being allocated throughout Southern California by the CTC this year.

The CTC will convene again next year to allocate an additional $1.7 billion for Southern California road and highway improvement projects not approved this year. You can bet that OCBC will be there fighting for Orange County's fair share!

February 2007

February 28, 2007
OCBC Fights for (and Wins!) More Road Funds from California Transportation Commission
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February 28, 2007
2007 Community Indicators Report Available for Download Online Now!
Check it out...

February 27, 2007
February 27th Edition of the Indicator, OCBC's e-Newsletter, Available Online
Check it out...

February 26, 2007
OC Register Features Article Highlighting OC's Workforce Development Initiatives, including OCBC's Latino Educational Attainment
Read it...

February 26, 2007
OCBC Welcomes Western Digital's Board Chairman to the Chairman's Leadership Breakfast Series March 22
More info...

February 22, 2007
Orange County Register Features OCBC Op-Ed on the 2007 State of the County
Read it now...

February 21, 2007
OC Register Prints Interview with OCBC's Vice Chair of Workforce Development, Chris Harrington
Read it now...

February 20, 2007
Sell-out Crowd of More Than 300 Attends Third Annual Business/Education Forum
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February 14, 2007
Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle Appointed to High Speed Rail Authority
OCBC congratulates OCBC member Curt Pringle, Mayor of Anaheim, who was recently appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to serve on the High Speed Rail Authority. Here is an excerpt taken from the Governor's press release:

Curt Pringle, 47, of Anaheim, has been appointed to the High Speed Rail Authority. He currently serves as Mayor of the City of Anaheim and president of Curt Pringle & Associates. Pringle has also served as an adjunct faculty member in the political science department at the University of California, Irvine since 2000, where he teaches California government. Previously, he served in the California State Assembly from 1988 to 1990 and 1992 to 1998. While in the Assembly, Pringle served as Speaker in 1996. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Pringle is a Republican.

February 8, 2007
Third Annual Business/Education Forum SOLD OUT!
OCBC has reached full room capacity at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, where we will co-host the third annual Business/Education Forum with the Orange County Department of Education on Tuesday, February 20. Didn't reserve your spot? Don't fret! Inevitably we receive cancellations and experience "no-shows" the day of the event. Please contact Sandy Davis at 949.794.7220 to put your name on the wait list today. For more information about the event, please click HERE.

February 6, 2007
OCBC Members Appointed to Regional Water Quality Control Boards
OCBC congratulates members Fred Ameri and Elizabeth Pearson Schneider, both of whom recently received appointments from Governor Schwarzenegger to serve on Southern California Regional Water Quality Control Boards. Here are blurbs taken from the Governor's press releases:

Fred Ameri, 66, of Newport Beach, has been appointed to the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board. He was first appointed to the Board in 1999 and has served as senior vice president for the planning and civil engineering consulting firm RBF Consulting since 1968. Ameri serves on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross Orange County Chapter and Board of Governors for the California Wetlands Recovery Project. He is also a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee for the Building Industry Association and Orange County Transportation Authority Advisory Committee, and is past chair and member of the World Affairs Council of Orange County. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ameri is a Republican.

Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider, 55, of Laguna Beach, has been appointed to the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. She has served on the Laguna Beach City Council since she was first elected in 2002 and has owned the marketing and outreach consulting firm, ADworx, since 1994. Pearson-Schneider previously served as the Mayor of Laguna Beach in 2005 and 2006. She is a former member of the Laguna Arts Council. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Pearson-Schneider is a Republican.

February 5, 2007
Lucy Dunn to Present Keynote at NAWBO-OC Event Tomorrow Evening
The National Association of Women Business Owners, Orange County (NAWBO-OC), the premier educational and networking resource for local women business owners and professionals, will welcome OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, at its February 6 dinner meeting. Ms. Dunn will present a “State of the County” address exploring:

• Demographics: Can Orange County keep its young people?
• Housing: Will the bubble burst?
• Infrastructure: Will traffic always be like this?
• Workforce: What’s happening to Orange County’s jobs clusters?
• Variables: How can YOUR business succeed?

WHEN: Tuesday, February 6, 2007, networking 5:30-6:30 p.m., dinner/program 6:30-9 p.m.
WHERE: Hyatt Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, CA 92614
COST: $52 NAWBO members, $62 nonmembers
INFO/REGISTRATION: Please visit NAWBO-OC's website.

February 2, 2007
February 1st Edition of the Indicator, OCBC's e-Newsletter, Available Online
Check it out...

February 1, 2007
State of the County: 2007 Community Indicator's Report Coming Soon
What are the major challenges and opportunities facing Orange County in 2007? How does our county compare to its economic competitors? The Orange County Forum is answering the call to once again help us analyze the 2007 Orange County Community Indicators Report, the publication renowned as Orange County's annual report card.

This luncheon event will feature a panel of experts, including the Honorable Chris Norby, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Steve PonTell, President of the La Jolla Institute, Former State Assemblyman Phil Isenberg, and OCBC's very own Lucy Dunn, all of whom will offer insights about the true State of the County. As an added bonus, attendees will receive their own copies of the 2007 Orange County Community Indicators Report.

When: Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 11:30 a.m. reception, lunch/program 12 p.m.
Where: Hilton Irvine (across from the airport), 18000 Mac Arthur Boulevard, Irvine, CA
Cost: $45 Members (paid in advance by noon on Feb. 26), $55 Non-Members/Guests, $55 At-Door (if space available) 
Info: Download registration/information form HERE.

January 2007

January 31, 2007
President and CEO Lucy Dunn Featured in CSUF's Titan Magazine

Check it out...

January 30, 2007
Dr. Wallace Walrod to Present Address for the Association for Strategic Planning Tonight

OCBC's own Dr. Wallace Walrod will present "Developing our Business Strategy in the Orange County Economy" to the Orange County Chapter of the Association for Strategic Planning this evening. Please contact ASP OC for more information.

WHEN: 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2007
COST: $40 ASP members, $55 nonmembers
MORE INFO: 877.816.2080

January 29, 2007
OCBC Annual Dinner in the News

Read Post-Event Coverage from the Orange County Business Journal...

January 26, 2007
Join OCBC's Workforce Development Director at SAM for "Orange County's Changing Workforce...And What We Should Do About It"

Join OCBC's Workforce Development Director, Jordan Brandman, at the Society for Advancement of Management's (SAM) program on February 8. Mr. Brandman will present "Orange County's Changing Workforce...and What We Should Do About It," an address exploring recent workforce development trends and proposing solutions that will ensure Orange County maintains a skilled workforce ready for global competitiveness.

WHEN: 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2007
WHERE: Wyndham Garden Hotel, 3350 Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, CA 92626
COST: $40 SAM members, $45 nonmembers, $35 students
REGISTRATION: Contact Cliff Doubek at 714.637.3236

January 26, 2007
Orange County Business Council: Governor's Executive Order to Ensure Appropriate and Effective Spending of Bond Funds

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January 25, 2007

Orange County Business Council Praises Governor's Statewide Goods Movement Action Plan as an Economic and Environmental Boon

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January 25, 2007
OCBC's January 23 Annual Dinner in the News
Read Post-Event Coverage from The Orange County Register and Irvine World News...

January 24, 2007
To Our Partners in Prosperity: Expect Success! OCBC's January 23 Annual Dinner a Hit

More than 700 people attended the Orange County Business Council's 2007 Annual Dinner yesterday evening. The event featured an installation ceremony for the Business Council's 2007 Board of Directors as well as a keynote address by polar politicos James Carville and Mary Matalin.

Spectators witnessed the swearing in of OCBC's 2007 Chairman of the Board, Dan Miller of the Irvine Company. Mr. Miller offered a glimpse of OCBC's 2007 agenda in his Chairman's remarks, focusing on the Business Council's three top initiatives: infrastructure, workforce development and workforce housing. He also recognized the Business Council's advocacy opportunities in the realm of health care reform in the coming year.

Mr. Miller's remarks emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in OCBC's efforts and culminated in the unveiling his Chairman's theme for 2007: Partners in Prosperity: Expect Success! 2007 promises to be another benchmark year.

At the conclusion of the installation ceremony, James Carville and Mary Matalin took to the stage, tantalizing audiences with keen insights from both sides of the political fences. With at least eight bigger-than-life candidates seizing the nation's political stage in recent weeks and more to come, Carville and Matalin promised that the campaign leading up to the 2008 Presidential election will be unlike anything we have ever seen.

To those of you who attended the event, we thank you for sharing a spectacular night with the Business Council! Special thanks once again to our gold sponsors -- Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, LLP; Morrison & Foerster; South Coast Plaza; and The Disneyland Resort -- and silver sponsors -- Automobile Club of Southern California; California Bank & Trust; Citizens Business Bank; Cox Communications; Fluor; New Century Financial; Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union; The Irvine Company; and Washington Mutual.

Please enjoy the event photo gallery.

January 18, 2007
OCBC to Participate in RBN's Major Business Expo on January 30

The Orange County Business Council is a proud participant in the Relationship Building Network's (RBN) Major Business Expo scheduled for January 30. The event will feature 160+ exhibitors and is expected to draw more than 1,200 attendees, creating a perfect venue for networking. Complimentary food . . . Free valet parking . . . Door prizes and more . . . Won't you join us?

WHERE: Joe's Garage Automotive Museum, 35 Auto Center Drive, Tustin, CA
COST: Only $15 at the door, no reservations required
MORE INFO: Driving direction, exhibitor opportunities and other information available online at www.RBNexpo.com. Call 949.830.5776 and/or download the flyer HERE.

January 17, 2007
CEO Lucy Dunn Weighs in on 2007 Legislation on Cox Forum

Most of the 910 new laws Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed last year will take effect in January 2007. Which of these laws are significant to the business community? What will their impacts be? Tune into the next Cox Forum as OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn discusses the regulations that will affect Orange County business in the New Year. Catch this episode on Cox Channel 3, January 18 through January 24.

January 16, 2007
ONE WEEK LEFT TO REGISTER -- OCBC's 2007 Annual Dinner and Installation of Directors and Officers, Jan. 23

There is just one full week left to register for OCBC's Annual Dinner and Board Installation featuring a must-see keynote address, "All's Fair: Love, War and Politics," by the celebrated Washington D.C. power couple James Carville and Mary Matalin. Reserve your spot today by registering online.

OCBC thanks our title sponsor, The Orange County Register. Special thanks, as well, goes to our gold sponsors -- Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, LLP; Morrison & Foerster; South Coast Plaza; and The Disneyland Resort -- and silver sponsors -- Automobile Club of Southern California; California Bank & Trust; Citizens Business Bank; Cox Communications; Fluor; New Century Financial; Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union; The Irvine Company; and Washington Mutual.

January 8, 2007

Governor Unveils Healthcare Reform Initiative

Today Governor Schwarzenegger unveiled his initiative to bring accessible, efficient and
affordable healthcare to every Californian. His plan addresses California's broken healthcare system, putting equal responsibility on individuals, government, doctors and hospitals, insurers and employers for the necessary reforms. Click here to download the Governor's proposal.

OCBC applauds Governor Schwarzenegger for tackling one of the most important issues that California must face in order to improve its business and economic competitiveness. OCBC will partner with the business community, elected and agency officials and other stakeholders to forge creative, consensus-based solutions to address healthcare reform. OCBC's inaugural Healthcare Collaborative Committee meeting will convene on February 21.

December 2006

December 11, 2006
First-ever Orange County Cultural Indicators Report available for download on OCBC's Research page

Check it out...

November 2006

November 27, 2006

Press Release -- OCBC's 2007 Annual Dinner and Installation of Directors and Officers, Jan. 23

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November 22, 2006

SAVE THE DATE! Carville and Matalin to headline OCBC's Annual Dinner on Jan. 23

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November 20, 2006

OCBC welcomes Danielle (Ball) Bates as Director of Communications

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November 8, 2006

The votes are in, Measure M has been renewed!

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November 7, 2006

GET OUT AND VOTE! See OCBC's Positions on the Ballot

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October 2006

October 23, 2006
Governor’s Statement Regarding September's Employment Numbers

"Simply put, this is fantastic news for California. Since I was elected Governor, the unemployment rate has plummeted from 6.9 percent to 4.8 percent and more than 650,000 jobs have been created. Working with both Democrats and Republicans, we have created a positive business environment so businesses can expand in our state and create more jobs. I fought to  reform our broken workers compensation system,  I cut taxes by more than $4 billion within my first hour of taking office and I vetoed bills that would have put billions of dollars of government mandates on job creators. We must continue to stay vigilant so California can continue to be a job creating machine and the economic engine that drives our whole nation."

The unemployment rate fell from 4.9 percent in August to 4.8 percent in September. Since November 2003, California has added 653,500 jobs.

October 23, 2006

Lucy Dunn Testifies Before Senate and Assembly Housing and Transportatin Committees at Request of Senator Alan Lowenthal

Ms. Dunn testified that while job growth and business are good in Orange County, 250,000 employees are required to cross county lines each day to get to work because of the severe shortage of workforce housing within the county.  One-quarter of the staff at Mission Hospital lives outside the county.  CSU Fullerton cannot attract the 500 new professors they need because of the cost of housing.  The Boeing Corporation cannot successfully recruit talent from out-of-state and instead must focus on young adults still living at home locally.  At the same time, Orange County’s population of young adults has dropped 15% in the last five years, creating a troubling future trend that will have the county heavily dominated by seniors and children in 20 years, with a declined middle class.  Employers are wondering where their workers will come from.  Housing is the number one factor to assure economic prosperity and quality of life, yet a number of cities within the county continue to resist and fight new development to meet their own population and jobs growth. 

Ms. Dunn argued that continued funding for Proposition 46 programs is critical to housing the needy.  It’s a little known fact that Orange County is second to Detroit in the rate of homeless per capita.  In addition, in order to meet workforce housing needs, the state must incentivize infill housing, publicize and educate on the need for housing and share success stories, and exorcise the regulatory barriers that prevent housing from being built.  Housing is the lynchpin of the economy, and failure to meet our housing needs will have significant economic consequences.

October 20, 2006

O.C. Transit Officials Give Their Loyalty to Measure M

LA Times reports on Measure M, facts and benefits that Orange County will see with the Measure renewal this November. "The beauty of the measure, is that every dollar raised stays here in Orange County." as quoted by Lucy Dunn. Click here to read this article.

October 6 , 2006

OCBC Joins Secretary McPherson in Voter Education and Participation Month

OCBC is proud to join Secretary McPherson, in his outreach project to inform the residents of Orange County importance and simplicity of voting, and encourage participation in the upcoming November election. Click here for more information.

October 4 , 2006

OCBC Takes Positions on Measures V and X

OCBC announced the support of Measure V and the opposition of Measure X. Voters in Newport Beach will be asked to approve a new General Plan update (Measure V) on the November ballot.  OCBC believes this new plan provides for reasonable growth in Newport and has earned the Business Council's support. On the other hand, Measure X would place harsh restrictions on businesses, property owners and homeowners, requiring them to obtain voter approval (very costly) on land-use decisions, currently it is the responsibility of the City Council and Planning Commission. In addition, OCBC also lent its support to Measure O, a facilities bond for the Rancho Santiago Community College. For more information on these measures, please contact OCBC Vice President of Government and Community Affairs, Todd Priest.

September 2006

September 6 , 2006
OCBC Endorses Governor Schwarzenegger

The Orange County Business Council voted to endorse Governor Schwarzenegger’s re-election in November. On balance, the Governor’s pro-business agenda and investment in California’s future best aligns with the Business Council’s mission of enhancing Orange County’s quality of life through economic growth and prosperity. Click here to view full press release.

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