Sacramento Metro Chamber's Cap-to-Cap Effort

Metro Chamber’s Cap-to-Cap effort concludes flurry of meetings to advance region’s issues with nation’s top leaders

2009-04-30T21:55:01Z

The nearly 300 delegates participating in the Metro Chamber’s annual Cap-to-Cap effort returned home April 29 after 2 ½ days of advocating for the region in Washington, D.C. and meeting with federal elected and government officials.

Metro Chamber President & CEO Matt Mahood summarized the effort this way:

“This trip is the region's best example of a public/private partnership. With nearly 300 attendees—almost 50 elected officials and dozens of staff members from various cities, counties and special districts coming together with business and labor leaders to advance a unified regional agenda.”

He called the effort “Sacramento region’s competitive advantage,” saying “ this year's delegation may be smaller than years past, but without question remains just as mighty—and in some ways more focused than previous efforts.” Still at, nearly 300 participants it remains the largest effort of its kind in the nation. View the issues delegates advocated on at www.metrochamber.org/captocap.

Over the course of Cap-to-Cap, delegates:

• Conducted over 220 individual meetings with 33 separate congressional offices, 63 different federal agencies offices and 20 different congressional committees

• Advocated on behalf of 91 separate policy and appropriations items

• Heard from four of our region's Congressional Representatives Dan Lungren, Doris Matsui, Mike Thompson and our newest member of the delegation, Tom McClintock. “This is the first time in recent memory we have had a clean sweep of the delegation,” Mahood said.

• Briefed by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Director of the National Economic Council & Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, Dr. Lawrence Summers

• Conducted a Health Care Policy Workshop that examined health care both the reform discussion and what the policy decisions here meant to our region. “We learned important information about our region’s single largest private sector employer and what the issue of health care reform means to them and our business community .”

• Met with a chief technology officer and member of the Board of Directors for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy

• Met with the top civilian with the Army Corps of Engineers

• Met with California’s Sen. Barbara Boxer

• Had three separate meetings with the White House Office of Management & Budget

• Met U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Committee Chairman, Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minnesota

• Made sure that the professional lobbyists and association representatives that live and work in Washington, representing our local governments, our state government, critical trade associations were made better aware our regions issues

• Clean Green team interviewed by media seven times

• Health Care/Biosciences team interviewed by media six times

• Conducted 15 interviews with the press on an assortment issues ranging from transportation and water resources to economic development

• Used Twitter and Facebook to provide updates during the trip

Metro Chamber Cap-to-Cap effort more vital, needed than ever

2009-04-02T19:02:14Z

The Sacramento Metro Chamber’s annual Cap-to-Cap effort takes on high stakes this year as the Sacramento region is competing with many other regions from around the country for critical infrastructure and Federal Stimulus funds.

Historically, the Metro Chamber has led the largest delegation of its kind to the nation’s capital—with participation as high as 410 delegates from six-counties. Set for April 25-29, this is the 39th annual Capitol-to-Capitol Trip to Washington, D.C.

“Previous Cap-to-Cap efforts have achieved notable success—helping make the case for funding of many vital infrastructure projects,” said Matt Mahood, president & CEO. “We are successful not only because of the large size of our delegation, but by the region’s collaborative approach that is recognized and well respected by our nation’s leaders.”

One such Cap-to-Cap success is the just-opened $139 million Folsom Lake Crossing Bridge that replaces a heavily commuted roadway across the Folsom Dam that was closed because of security concerns after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“The important ‘Matsui-Doolittle Compromise’—which resolved highly contended issues on flood protection and funding—was heavily influenced by the Metro Chamber and its Cap-to-Cap effort,” Mahood said. “After a decision was reached to build the bridge, we needed to get the required funding—and the Metro Chamber, working with the SACOG and the city of Folsom, spent several years working in Washington, D.C., and at the State Capitol.” Much of the local funding came from renewal of the Measure A half-cent sales tax, also a Metro Chamber-supported initiative.

Mahood called the bridge opening last Saturday a “proud achievement” for the region—made possible by excellent business advocacy and communications in partnership with local, state and federal officials.

“The Folsom Lake Crossing is a prime example of what can happen when the region’s economic needs are put first,” Mahood said. “Right now, there are many similar projects needing public-private cooperation, and with Federal Stimulus funding on the table to pay for all or part of them—the time is ripe for heightened advocacy by our region. Our upcoming Cap-to-Cap effort, historically—as seen by the new bridge—is one of the best ways to set our region apart and to achieve federal funding.”

More than previous years, when the Metro Chamber’s contingent advocates on Capitol Hill, the region will need to demonstrate a high level of regional participation and collaboration.

“There’s a new administration with all new staff and significant turnover on Capitol Hill and a large number of communities showing up in D.C. to make their case,” said Michael Faust, senior vice president for public policy and economic development. “We must make a significant impression this year, that’s why—despite whatever difficulties our economy might pose—jurisdictions and business need to make the investment, get involved and help us bring home the funding and support business-friendly federal policies. The funding secured in D.C. equates to real jobs in our communities.”

Trip Chair Judy D’Amico, a Project Lead the Way director, calls the effort, “one of the region’s most valuable resources.”

“Few other activities bring together so many leaders to work on so many issues for the region’s greater good,” D’Amico said, noting nearly 200 meetings with members of the House, Senate and federal officials are held. “That’s why participation from all sectors is vital. The delegates make things happen.”

Participants can still join this year’s Cap-to-Cap effort. Registration information can be found online at metrochamber.org/captocap or by contacting Chantal LeFevre at 916-319-4260 or clefevre@metrochamber.org.

Annual Cap-to-Cap effort looks to capture more federal stimulus funds: Delegates leave this week for annual Washington, D.C. advocacy work

2009-04-22T16:15:28Z

With billions more in federal stimulus funds waiting to be allocated, nearly 300 participants from the Sacramento region leave for Washington, D.C. this week for the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s annual Cap-to-Cap effort. The group will be in the nation’s capital April 25-29, participating in well over 200 meetings with elected officials and government agencies.

While their main mission will be to secure more American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, the delegates—who represent businesses and jurisdictions in the six-county region—will also advocate on four top priorities: flood protection and water resources, transportation, economic development and health care. These issues have the greatest impact on the region’s businesses and have received ongoing attention by Cap-to-Cap delegates over the years.

“Business and civic leaders attend Cap-to-Cap because the effort has a decades’ long track record of accomplishment,” said Matt Mahood president & CEO. “The advocacy effort truly makes a difference for the region. Cap-to-Cap offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for business and civic leaders to meet their counterparts in the nation’s capital.”

With more than 200 meetings planned with elected officials and government representatives in Washington, D.C., the large turnout of Cap-to-Cap delegates bolsters the region’s advocacy efforts there year-round. In all, the Metro Chamber has 12 policy teams prepped for the Cap-to-Cap effort, each with a series of issue papers that explain our region’s concerns to national leaders. Teams include aviation, small business, clean and green, natural resources and workforce, among others. All of the issues papers can be viewed at metrochamber.org/captocap.

Delegates this year will be reporting on their activities through social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. The Facebook fan page is Cap to Cap, A Sacramento Metro Chamber Event. You’ll find information about the event, photos and delegate chatter. You can also follow “CaptoCap” on Twitter for the latest updates.