In light of the recent Legislative Analyst’s Office report on California’s grim fiscal outlook, I felt it was critical to examine every opportunity to turn around our state’s economy. The diverse panel of experts spoke from different perspectives on what ails California, but one overarching theme is that our state needs to make it easier for businesses to succeed.
The panel was made up of Mike Genest, Former Director, California Department of Finance; Lawrence McQuillan, Ph.D., Director, Business and Economic Studies, Pacific Research Institute; John Kabateck, NFIB/CA Executive Director; Tupper Hull, Vice President, Strategic Communications, Western States Petroleum Association; and Jack Stewart, President, California Manufacturers & Technology Association.
These expert panelists addressed issues including our budget, small business, manufacturing, taxes, energy, and other topics on the economy.
“Small business is the job creating engine of our economy,” said Kabateck. “They need a predictable and rational regulatory, legal, and tax environment if they are going to succeed…an environment that does not break them.”
“California will not a have a strong middle class or growing economy without a strong manufacturing sector. We are among the worst in the country in attracting new manufacturing facilities and expansions because other states have more competitive costs and predictable policies,” said Stewart. “For our workers, economy and state budget, it is crucial that California puts into action game changing polices that open the floodgates of new capital investment.”
In an incredibly weak national economic recovery, California’s recovery is even weaker. Our state must start creating jobs if we are going to solve our budget problems and start to make a dent in our nearly 12-percent unemployment rate. I plan to use what was learned from this discussion to drive potential legislation in 2012.
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