March 3, 2017

With a delegation of over 80 business, community, and elected officials, the 2017 Leadership Delegation to Sacramento was the largest to date. As the nation adjusts to President Trump’s administration and our state leadership navigates the new political landscape, it is important to provide input on how their policy decisions will affect local communities. This trip did just that by bringing the voice of San Diego’s business community to Sacramento to ensure state priorities reflect the needs of our region.

Over the course of the two-day trip, delegates took part in high-level meetings with our state’s leaders to discuss issues ranging from climate change and the Affordable Care Act, to international trade and commerce and legalized marijuana regulations. The delegation also enjoyed a special event with Dan Walters, political columnist at the Sacramento Bee, who shared his unfiltered take on the state’s political landscape.

Highlights from this year’s trip include:

• Updates on a variety of hot topics including the drought and water storage infrastructure, ACA, housing, and infrastructure in high-level meetings with state leaders including Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, Assembly Minority Leader Chad Mayes, and Secretary of Transportation Brian Kelly.
• Transportation and infrastructure were reoccurring themes throughout the trip as the state’s backlog of maintenance needs for our roads and highways is huge, and growing. The meeting with Secretary Kelly allowed us to discuss our region’s needs directly with the head of the department.
• We were also pleased to hear the Governor reaffirm his commitment to fund infrastructure critical to trade with a budget allocation of $300m per year to the trade corridors improvement fund and prioritization of the new port of entry, East Otay.

• It was made clear that housing affordability is a priority across the board. While in Sacramento, Chamber Public Policy Manager, Stefanie Benvenuto spoke in favor of Senator Toni Atkins’ bill, SB 2, in the Senate committee on housing and urban development. SB 2 would help establish a funding source for affordable housing projects by imposing a fee on real estate recording documents. The bill has widespread from real estate to housing advocates and the business community. We will continue to monitor progress and offer support as this bill moves through the legislature.
• State Treasurer, and gubernatorial candidate, John Chiang stressed the important role San Diego has in telling the story of the many benefits that come from the CA-MX relationship.

It was shared with our delegation several times throughout the trip how important it is to have a presence in Sacramento and provide San Diego’s perspective to help shape policy as its being created. So, THANK YOU to all who joined us and helped bring that voice to the capital!