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

The Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce on Thursday endorsed the strong mayor initiative going before primary election voters next summer. Following study by a task force, the business association voiced support for an executive mayor with more power than the current city charter allows. The initiative's passage would change the form of city government that was established in 1921, according to the chamber. "The city of Sacramento deserves a government structure that is effective and accountable," said Matt Mahood, president and chief executive officer of the chamber, in a press conference at chamber headquarters. The press conference was held about a week after several local u