Webinar: Can We Restore the California Dream?
There was a time when people were California dreamin’ and flocking to the Golden State with flowers in their hair. Not so much these days. California remains an economic powerhouse and global leader on many issues. But the state’s population declined in 2020 for the first time in history. More people are leaving than coming. Intractable homelessness is ravaging lives and communities. Housing is scarce and hardly affordable. Our poverty and unemployment rates lead the country. And our business climate is abysmal, driving away jobs, investment and talent. Can we turn this around and what will it take to get the attention of state political leaders?
To answer that question, Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman hosted a webinar yesterday (Feb. 24) with renowned urban studies and economics experts Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky from Chapman University on new research analyzing California’s profound challenges and what it will take to refocus state policy makers on fixing them. They were joined by Raley’s CEO Keith Knopf and legendary land use attorney Jennifer Hernandez from Holland and Knight, who both provided sobering commentary on how California policies are hurting business and residents, particularly the most vulnerable.
