IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 5, 2011) - Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom met with Orange County Business Council today to discuss his recently unveiled Economic Growth and Competitiveness Agenda for California. Following the meeting with business leaders, Newsom shared his economic vision for California with guests of the OC Forum Luncheon at the Hilton Irvine. Newsom's plans were well received by attendees, who gave Newsom a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks.
Newsom outlined the numerous challenges facing California and his strategies for sustainable job creation and economic development to restore California's dominance and prosperity.
"The last thirty years we have flat-lined at 1.1% annual job production," said Newsom. "We've become average."
Among the challenges Newsom shared was the lack of focus on job creation in Sacramento, noting that the perpetual budget crisis clouds the legislature's ability to take meaningful action on jobs. Newsom's attention to the state's economic development needs was well received by the business community whose voice has long been ignored by the state's leadership.
"You cannot be pro-jobs and anti-business," Newsom said.
California lacks a strategy for attracting new business to the state and no incentives exist for retaining businesses. Since 2007 more than 2,500 businesses with three or more employees have left California for more business-friendly states, taking 109,000 jobs with them.
"We support the Lt. Governor's plan and feel strongly that it has the specifics needed to change the economic outlook in California," said OCBC Chairman Eddie Northen, Vice President of Finance, UPS West Region.
Newsom echoed the business community's call for the elimination of redundant state agencies and the modernization and streamlining of regulations. He credited the business community for advocating for a statewide economic development strategy, saying, "The state needs to get out of the way and support your plans."
"We were honored to be at the unveiling of the Lt. Governor's economic plan in Silicon Valley on July 29, and his insights are as powerful now as they were then," said OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn. "We are prepared to assist him, Governor Jerry Brown and the Legislature in implementing the strategies needed to restore California's competitiveness in a global economy."
To read the Lt. Governor's full plan, visit http://www.ltg.ca.gov/docs/LGN_Econ_Agenda.pdf.
About OCBC:
Orange County Business Council is the leading voice of business in Orange County, California. OCBC represents and promotes the business community, working with government and academia, to enhance Orange County's economic development and prosperity in order to preserve a high quality of life. OCBC serves member and investor businesses with nearly 250,000 employees and 2,000,000 worldwide. In providing a proactive forum for business and supporting organizations, OCBC helps assure the financial growth of America's sixth largest county. For more information, visit www.ocbc.org
About OC Forum:
Orange County Forum is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Its mission is to provide a premier educational public affairs forum for today's thought leaders and headline makers to discuss current local, state, national, and international issues of importance to the Orange County Community, bringing together people from different backgrounds and persuasions for enlightened discussion.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Katherine Reedy
Director of Communications
949.794.7221