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AROUND TOWN•
Chamber of Commerce Goes to Sacramento
The morning after the arrival of Daylight Saving Time, a group of about 30 people was up bright and early March 9 for the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative capitol bus tour. The daylong trip gave the chamber group an opportunity to tour the Capitol building, learn about the building’s history and view portraits of the state’s governors. The visitors got to meet and ask questions of their representatives, including State Senator Jerry Hill and As-
semblymen Marc Berman, Kevin Mullin and Phil Ting. The elected officials spoke about several hot-button concerns, including homelessness, education funding, ways to increase the housing supply and the unfolding Coronavirus response. After a “photo opportunity” on the floor of the Assembly chamber, the Chamber group had lunch at The Sutter Club. Rich Gordon, a former San Mateo County Supervisor and State Assemblyman who is now President and CEO of the California
Forestry Association, moderated a panel on lobbying. Speakers included Cliff Costa, director of government affairs for the California New Car Dealers Association; Emily Pappas, a partner in her own firm; and Craig Swaim, deputy director of state relations for Bayer Corp. All three said legislators and their staffs look to lobbyists for honest, reliable input on proposed legislation. Recalling his years in the legislature, Gordon agreed: “If someone came and gave me bad information, they were gone.”
Top right: The group gets a view from the gallery of the Assembly chamber. Right: Assemblymen Marc Berman, Phil Ting and Kevin Mullin take questions.
Left: The group poses for a photo on the Assembly floor with Senator Jerry Hill, Assemblymen Kevin Mullin and Marc Berman.
Right: Luncheon speakers were lobbyists Craig Swaim, Emily Pappas and Cliff Costa.
April 2020 ·
CLIMATE · 21