California’s outdated revenue system contributes to a feast-or-famine budget cycle year after year.   In response, the Governor and Legislative Leaders have recently created a bipartisan Commission on the 21st Century Economy to address many of the structural reforms needed to pull the state out of financial peril.  With an ever-evolving economy, the Commission will be tasked with creating a revenue system that is suited to our innovative economy.  Please plan to join for this insightful conversation with those who will be recommending constructive ways to restructure and modernize our tax system.

Business leaders, educators, and community leaders will have the opportunity to hear the Commission's challenges and goals as well as ask questions of the Commissioners.

Biographies for the event's guests
Fred Keeley is treasurer of Santa Cruz County, a position he has held since January 2005.  He currently serves on CA Forward’s Leadership Council, which is focused on governmental reforms in the following areas: redistricting, term limits, campaign finance, budget and initiative process, in addition to his new duties on the 21st Century Commission.  Previously, he served in the California State Assembly from 1996 to 2002 and served four years as the Speaker pro Tempore of the Assembly.  Mr. Keeley is a member of the board of directors of the California League of Conservation Voters and serves on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood Advocates for Northern California and Nevada.

Ruben Barrales is president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. He was elected to Public Policy Institute of California’s Board of Directors in 2007.  Barrales also served for five years as deputy assistant to President George W. Bush, acting as the president’s liaison to state and local elected officials. Prior to joining the president’s staff, Barrales was president and CEO of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network.  Barrales has held several key appointments, including service on the California Speaker’s Commission on State and Local Government Finance, on the California Commission of Local Governance for the 21st Century, and at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.

*If you are not able to attend, please consider offering your ticket to a friend or coworker. Please call the Leadership Group to make arrangements. Cacnellations/refunds are not accepted. 408-501-7864