According to UC Berkeley’s Institute of Government Studies and the Los Angeles Times’ April 2022 poll, fifty-six percent (56%) of registered voters “support the state continuing to build the high-speed rail project.” This week the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Board of Directors has the opportunity to listen to voters – invest in affordable housing, make a significant dent in greenhouse gas emissions, and continue California’s legacy as an innovation hub for the world. Approval of the San Jose to Merced environmental documents brings the state closer than ever to giving Californians what they want: electrified high-speed rail that alleviates congestion, avoids high gas prices, and addresses the climate crisis.
California’s housing affordability crunch ranks at the top of all serious public policy and business competitiveness agendas. The state’s median home price set a new record in March 2022 at $849,080, which is out of reach for most—only 25% of Californians can afford a median priced home, compared to 50% nationally. Here in Silicon Valley, the median home price in Santa Clara County was a whopping $1.6 million in March 2022, up nearly 20% from the previous year, according to Redfin.
SAN JOSE, CA (13, April 2022) — A new study released by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation finds that the impact of automated trucking in California would increase the state’s economy by upwards of $6.5 billion or more, as well as grow wages and employment for workers without prompting mass driver layoffs. In fact, the report finds that the automated trucking industry could generate up to 2,400 new jobs in California.
In an Executive Roundtable moderated by Jason Baker, SVP of Health, Housing and Transportation Policy on April 4, special guest Congressman Ro Khanna spoke to SVLG members about his key concerns and initiatives, including Biden’s Build Back Better framework, well-crafted antitrust legislation, and U.S.-based manufacturing.
In a roundtable discussion on climate leadership in the Golden State on March 22, Lauren Sanchez, Senior Climate Advisor for Governor Newsom, shared the latest insights from Sacramento on topics including natural gas resources, EV charging, environmental justice, and carbon capture.
With basic needs still unmet for many native communities, access to clean water and electricity are top of mind for Bidtah Becker, CalEPA Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice, Tribal Affairs and Border Relations.
Recently nominated for the position, Becker sat down with SVLG’s Vice President of Environmental Policy, Mary Holing, sharing insights about the CalEPA’s environmental justice goals on energy and climate policy. In one of her first appearances since stepping into the role, she candidly discussed key issues that impact Native American tribes in California including safe drinking water, access to the power grid, land management, language preservation, education and air quality.
Becker fielded questions from SVLG members representing educational institutions, the solar industry, and more, elucidating native communities’ needs and highlighting opportunities for collaboration. As she tackled each issue, Becker emphasized the uniqueness of each tribe.
Smart, savvy policy experts gathered together at SVLG’s roundtable titled Politics Inside the Lines: Redistricting 2022 on February 24 to offer meaningful insights about how an independent redistricting commission has shaken up California politics, in their opinion for the better.
Looking to buy a home in the Bay Area? You’ll need a household income of about $235,000 to afford the median home price of $1.2 million — and that’s if you can find a seller who will take your money. Whether it’s the climate, the innovative atmosphere, or the world-class tech ecosystem, people want to be here, and Bay Area housing prices continue to skyrocket.
With many left out of the market or enduring long commutes to less expensive areas as a result, local leaders are working together to increase the housing supply and make the Bay Area more affordable for all.
The League of California Cities Peninsula Division, city officials, and business leaders from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group came together to discuss the future of housing in the Bay Area at Housing in Your City, an online SVLG event on January 26.
SAN JOSE, CA (January 20, 2022) — A new coalition of more than 25 business associations throughout California have collectively engaged with federal legislators to reveal how a slate of proposed antitrust bills in Congress would harm consumers, small businesses and entrepreneurs.
SAN JOSÉ, CA (January 10, 2022) —Ahmad Thomas, CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, issued the following statement today in response to the release of Governor Newsom’s proposed budget for FY 2022-23:“As California enters the third year of an unprecedented global pandemic, we thank Governor Newsom for proposing a budget designed to tackle existing challenges and provide a strong framework for growth and renewal.Silicon Valley remains the best place on Earth for innovation, yet our region’s value proposition is vulnerable to the challenges of the pandemic, shifting dynamics tied to a remote or hybrid workforce, climate impacts, and the ever-rising cost of living.Our record-breaking budget surplus makes this an ideal time to fuel growth by investing in our state and enacting policies that safeguard our innovation infrastructure, providing an opportunity to create shared value for all Californians.It remains vital that we focus on ensuring our state remains a competitive place to do business. We strongly support the Governor’s proposal to restore the critical business tax credits and net operating loss deductions that were previously suspended and capped under AB 85 (2020).Much work remains to be done as the problems that face our state are complex and solutions must be ambitious. SVLG’s outstanding budget and policy priorities go to the heart of improving the economic and quality of life of not just our region, but all of California. To this end, SVLG and its world-leading member companies are poised to work with the Governor in order to lay a strong foundation for the future, one that increases equity and earnestly addresses the challenges that face our state.”
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