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The Leading Voice of Business in Orange County |
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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BITTER SWEET: OCBC SAYS FAREWELL TO KRIS MURRAY
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 Sadly, the Business Council must say farewell to one of its own. Yesterday marked the last day for OCBC's VP of Government Affairs, Kris Murray as she will be joining the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) as Executive Director of Government Relations.
The Business
Council was privileged to work with Ms. Murray for the past two years. Her
leadership on transportation and government affairs fronts truly molded OCBC's
advocacy program to one of the best in the state. In particular, she
successfully created and implemented the innovative OCMoves program partnering
business and transportation to enhance advocacy for local, state and federal
funding. On the good
news side-and those who have worked with Lucy
Dunn know that one can never actually "leave"
Lucy!--Kris will
continue to work with OCBC on transportation and will serve on OCTA's
representative on OCBC's Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee. A
hearty OCBC cheer for one of the County's best and brightest rising stars! Leave a comment for Kris on OCBC's Dunn and Done Blog.
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GOVERNOR KEEPS LEGISLATURE WORKING ON STATE BUDGET CRISIS
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 Following the
legislature's inability to pass a comprehensive solution to solve California's
entire $26 billion deficit, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a fiscal
emergency and called a Proposition 58 legislative special session to address
this emergency. The legislature has 45 days to pass and send a bill or
bills to the Governor's desk addressing the state's budget crisis. If the 45
days pass and the legislature has not passed a bill or bills to address the
problem, they cannot adjourn or act on other bills until the state's fiscal
emergency is addressed.
Click here to learn more by visiting the Governor's website. For more information, contact Alicia Berhow.
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OCBC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE SEES "RED"
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The Business Council partners with member Southern California Edison's Regional Economic Development (RED) Team to develop strategic
plans to retain, expand and attract businesses in Orange County. OCBC staff recently testified before the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) Steering Committee on behalf of the Red Team to consider regulatory relief to help retain a major high-tech manufacturer currently employing over 600 employees.
This effort comes in the light of a recent Milken
Institute report supporting the importance of retaining manufacturing jobs in California released June 23. The report highlights
the State of California
has lost nearly 26 percent of its total manufacturing employment from 1990 to 2007,
and 35 percent of its high-tech jobs. Click here to read a Los Angeles Times article referencing the report or click here to view the report in its entirety. For more information, contact OCBC's Wallace Walrod.
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COURT RULING DECLARES TRANSPORTATION FUND RAID ILLEGAL
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 A court ruling last week declared the state's attempt to divert $1 billion of voter-mandated transit funding into the state's general fund illegal. The ruling addresses the $409 million of Public Transportation Account (PTA) dollars allocated to reimburse the General Fund for past debt service payments in addition to $779 million transferred from PTA to cover home-to-school busing--both of which did not meet the definition of "mass transportation" to support public transportation services.
"While we agree that these
are all worthy programs, they simply don't fit the public's definition of mass
transportation," said Joshua Shaw, Executive Director of the California Transit Association. "We feel the voters intended 'mass transportation'
to mean 'public transportation' or 'public transit,' and the Court
agreed." The ruling
could restore up to 25% of OCTA's budget for transit, however, it is likely to
be appealed to the California Supreme Court. For more information, visit www.caltransit.org/lawsuit.
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NEW HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT GETS CREDIT BUT FRANCHISE TAX BOARD HALTS PROGRAM
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In response to the
overwhelmingly successful state tax credit for new-home purchasers, the
California Building Industry Association introduced bills to provide an
additional $200 million to continue the tax credit through its scheduled
expiration date next year.
AB 765, by Assembly Members Anna Caballero of Salinas and Jose Solario of Santa Ana,
and SBX3 38 by Senator Ron Calderon of Montebello,
both passed out of the house of origin. While
in Sacramento,
OCBC heard supportive words by leadership from both parties regarding the
likelihood of the bills making it to the Governor's desk. However, on
July 2, the Franchise Tax Board announced that it will no longer accept
applications as the $100 million cap had been exceeded. OCBC will continue to
monitor this as the program successfully incentivized new home construction.
For more information, contact Wallace Walrod. |
OCBC's CLB WELCOMES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AUTO CLUB CEO TOM MCKERNAN
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 Automobile Club of Southern California President and CEO Tom McKernan joined host Tom Phelps of Manatt Phelps and Phillips for an in-depth interview for the latest Chairman's Leadership Breakfast presented by AT&T. The candid interview gave 80 business leaders an opportunity to hear from one of California's dynamic powerhouses as he shared his insight on leadership, moving California forward and what businesses should do next in this volatile economy.
As CEO of the largest AAA-affiliated motor club in the country, McKernan currently oversees more than 9,000 employees and over 8 million members. Mr. McKernan also chairs the Orange County Chapter of the New Majority, an organization promoting fiscally responsible government and which supports inclusive, mainstream political approaches. [Read more] Don't Miss the next CLB with Ingram Micro CEO, Greg Spierkel, on September 10, 2009.
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SEGERSTROM COMPANY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE
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 Congratulations to OCBC member C.J. Segerstrom & Sons whose Offices of South Coast Plaza are the first buildings in the state to receive LEED-EB Gold Certification by the US Green Building Council for Operations and Maintenance. The Plaza Tower, Center Tower and Park Tower are the first multi-tenant building in California, and three of the first four buildings in the United States to receive the coveted certification and realizing almost $300,000 in water and energy savings annually.
"It is always exciting to have an accomplishment that is a first of a kind, especially when it is for something as important as protecting the environment," said Henry Segerstrom, Managing Partner, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons. "It was an honor to travel back to Washington, D.C. and receive this special recognition by the United States Green Building Council." Click here to read more in the OC Register online article. For more information on OCBC's promotion of green building technology, please contact Wallace Walrod. |
OC SUPER FAIR HONORS THE BUSINESS COUNCIL WITH "OCBC NIGHT AT THE FAIR"
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 With the start of the OC Super Fair just days away, OCBC is offering discounted tickets for Wednesday, July 29 -- also known as "OCBC Night at the Fair!" Join the Business Council for a family night at the fair and enjoy the magnificent sound of the Pacific Symphony as they bring you all time favorite Disney music and memories at the Magical Music of Disney Concert.
Click here to purchase your $20 ticket which includes a seat for the Magical Music of Disney Concert at the Pacific Amphitheater, fair park access and one free ride on the La Grande Wheel--the largest portable ferris wheel in the Western Hemisphere. Just type in the password OCBC and enjoy family fun at "OCBC Night at the Fair!" For more information, please contact Genny Hornak.
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TEE OFF FORE SUCCESS! EXECUTIVE INVITATION GOLF TOURNAMENT FAST APPROACHING
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 OCBC and UCI's Paul Merage School of Business team up for the 2009 Executive Invitational Golf Tournament presented by Kaiser Permanente.
Join us for this high level invitational that supports workforce education programs impacting every stage of learning, from kindergarten to higher education, so your business will have the skilled workers it needs for tomorrow. Tournament proceeds benefit OCBC's Latino Educational Attainment initiative and UCI's Paul Merage School Scholarship Fund.
Register today! This event will sell out -- great cause, great location, great fun!
 Date: Wednesday, August 5,
2009
Time: 10:30 a.m. brunch/contests | Noon - shotgun start | 5:30 p.m. reception
Place: The Monarch Beach Golf Links, Dana Point
Info? Michelle
Hart at 949.794.7219
Online Registration | Event Flyer | Sponsorship Opportunities
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OCBC MEMBER "LIVES UNITED" DURING CHALLENGING ECONOMIC CLIMATE
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 Orange County United Way introduces Help for Hard Times Resource Guide, a quick-link guide focused on improving
lives in Orange County by moving individuals and families up the economic ladder
to build self-sufficiency. The comprehensive resource guide answers the "now
what" questions to help residents in need take control of their current
situation and reduce the impact on themselves and their families. The guide is
intended for corporations and service providers to use as a resource for their
clients, employees and volunteers. The ultimate goal of the guide is to promote
a "go-to" resource for questions pertaining to bankruptcy, job searches, rental
assistance and other issues related to the economic downturn. Click here to read more in OCBJ's last week cover story. |
CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED TRAIN ON THE RIGHT TRACK
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 Recent Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) high-speed and passenger rail funding guidelines appear to favor California's proposed statewide high-speed rail project thanks to the already approved $9 billion voter approved bond. This comes as California looks to receive $8 billion in stimulus funding for high-speed trains.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was quoted in the New York Times recently as saying Californian's "are obviously way, way ahead of everyone else" in developing a true high-speed train system. The proposed 800 mile statewide rail system that would carry trains traveling up to 220 mph connecting San Francisco, Sacramento, the Central Valley,
Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
Special congratulation to Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, who takes over as Chair of the California High Speed Rail Authority, and OCBC board member, Tom Umberg, of Manatt Phelps and Phillips, who will become Vice Chair.
Click here to learn more about the California High Speed Rail Authority. For more information, contact Lucy Dunn.
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OCBC AFFINITY PROGRAM: SPECIAL OFFER FROM THE
EXCLUSIVE CENTER CLUB
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 In support of the Orange County
Business Council, the Center Club is offering all OCBC investors 50% off the
$5,000 initiation fee to join the Center Club. In addition, the Center Club will
donate $1,000 back to the Business Council for each membership received.
Experience privileges such as:
- Social, gold and tennis privileges at over 200 of the finest clubs in the
world
- Access to the Center Club's Social Calendar
- Two complimentary tickets to attend the 2010 Board of Governors Gala
- and much more... (click here to see all
benefits)
For additional
information regarding the OCBC Membership at the Center Club, please contact
Director of Membership, Annie Luther at 714.662.3414 or annie.luther@ourclub.com. Click here for club guide.
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UPCOMING OCBC EVENTS
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Executive Invitational Golf
Tournament:
In Partnership with UC
Irvine
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 |
Shotgun start at noon | Monarch Beach Golf Links
Chairman's Leadership
Breakfast:
Greg Spierkel, CEO,
Ingram Micro
Thursday, September
10, 2009 | 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. | Center Club, Costa Mesa
Workforce Development
Conference:
Sherry Lansing, former
CEO, Paramount Pictures
Thursday,
October 15, 2009 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Hyatt Regency
Irvine
Economic Forecast Conference:
Richard Davis, CEO, US
Bank
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 |
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. | Hyatt Regency Irvine
Click here fore event details and
registration! |
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
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July
2009
Infrastructure
Tuesday,
July 14, 2009 from 7:30 - 9 a.m.
Workforce Development
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 from 7:30 - 9 a.m.
Economic Development
Friday, July 31, 2009 from 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Committee meetings are open to
OCBC members and invited guests only. All committee meetings are held
at the OCBC offices unless otherwise specified. For more information on
upcoming committee meetings for 2009 check out OCBC's Committees.
Looking to get more involved?
Click below to receive specific committee notices.
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| COMMUNITY EVENTS |
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Dead Banks Walking? A Panel Discussion on the Future of the Global Financial System
The World Affairs Council of Orange County presents an informative panel discussion of the current state of
the global financial crisis and the challenges and options we face as we move
forward. This informative panel will take place Wednesday, July 29 at the Hilton Costa Mesa - 6 p.m. Reception, 7 p.m. Dinner. 7:45 Program. OCBC members receive discount ticket offers! Visit www.worldsaffairscouncil.org or call 949.253.5751 for more information.
Filipino
American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County - Business Opportunity
DayThe Orange County Chapter of the Filipino American Chamber of
Commerce is proud to present A Twenty First Century Business Opportunity Day.
Save the date: Thursday, September 17, 2009. Highlights will include updates on
the Obama health reform, panel discussion on preserving the eco-systems, tax
incentives for starting green businesses and more. For event information
and registration, please visit www.faccoc.org.
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SPREAD THE WORD! IMPACT THE WORLD! FORWARD YOUR COPY TO ASSOCIATES!
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Forward OCBC's E-Indicator to friends and colleagues by clicking on the "Forward Email" link at the bottom of the email and encourage them to sign up for one of Orange County's premier business publications!
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BUSINESS MEETS SOCIAL MEDIA
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 Do you tweet? Have a Facebook page or surf YouTube? Then follow the latest news
and information from OCBC online! The leading voice of business is connecting
you to business in Orange County like never before.
If you
have questions on how to get connected with the Business Council online, please
contact Director of Communications, Matt Prince at 949.794.7221. | |
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2 Park Plaza, Suite 100, Irvine CA 92614 | www.ocbc.org | PH: 949.476.2242 | FAX: 949.476.9240 | |
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