Metro Chamber Organizes Lobbying Trip to Washington, D.C.

2010-04-14T05:12:02Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson and regional leaders held a press conference at City Hall Tuesday afternoon to discuss a lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., to request more federal funding for Sacramento.

The trip is scheduled April 17-21 and is part of an annual event sponsored by the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (Metro Chamber). It brings the regional priorities of California's capital to the attention of the nation's capital, called "Cap-to-Cap." Johnson was joined at the conference by West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, Metro Chamber CEO Matt Mahood and Mike McKeever, executive director of Sacramento Area Council of Governments.

"Cap-to-Cap is one time you can lobby people in Washington, D.C., but the lobbying has to continue," Johnson said.

He said his administration received $200 million last year in stimulus funding for Sacramento.

"We saved and created 95,000 jobs in our region last year," he said. "Cap-to-Cap is a start, but we have to be cultivating relationships year-round."

This year's top priorities are jobs, business growth, flood protection, water resources, transportation and energy-efficient building systems. They will be presented to the elected leaders, the Obama administration and other agency officials.

"This is the 40th Cap-to-Cap trip, but it could be the most important one," Cabaldon said.

Mahood agreed, adding that the trip "is one of our region's competitive advantages."

The release stated that delegates will hear from Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty, CIA Director Leon Panetta and Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu. Johnson added that delegates also plan to meet with Shaun Donovan, secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Delegates will present 91 policy papers during more than 243 meetings with members of Congress, the Obama administration and other federal officials, according to the Metro Chamber's Tuesday press release.

When asked if he predicted any challenges to the lobbying in lieu of a rough economy, Johnson said, "What we're doing here is a national model. Our region, and on behalf of our state, we don't think we're getting as much as we should."

Photos:
1) (L to R) Mahood, Cabaldon, Johnson, McKeever
2) (L to R) Mahood, Johnson, Cabaldon, McKeever
3) Johnson (L) , Mahood (R)
4) (L to R) Mahood, Cabaldon, McKeever, Johnson

Photographs by staff reporter Kathleen Haley. Agnus-Dei Farrant is an intern for The Sacramento Press.

What's happening at the Capitol: Tuesday, April 28th

2009-04-28T06:04:22Z

What's going on at the Capitol?

Tuesday, April 28th:

7 a.m.-5 p.m. The American Lung Association will be holding an education and training day near the Capitol's fish pond for an expected crowd of about 150. This event plans to give "information to legislators about the success and challenges of tobacco control programs locally and statewide," according to the Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing's website.

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Consumer Attorneys of California will also be holding their "Lobby Day" on the north steps of the Capitol with an estimated 60 participants.

10:45-11:30 a.m. Governor Schwarzenegger's office plans to display a hybrid vehicle to an audience of 15 on the east steps of the Capitol.

12-1 p.m. Golden State Donor Services will be unveiling their new "donor sticker program" near the firefighter's memorial. 50 people and three small fire vehicles are expected.

12-1:30 p.m. The California Catholic Conference will be holding a "Lobby Day" event on the west steps of the Capitol with an estimated crowd of nearly 600.

1:30-2:30 p.m. Senator Alex Padilla plans to have a press conference on the west steps of the Capitol addressing a crowd of 70.

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Metro Chamber Organizes Lobbying Trip to Washington, D.C.

What's happening at the Capitol: Tuesday, April 28th