Email from Orange County Business Council

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

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OCBC supports LA counterparts through

outreach, advocacy during fire recovery efforts

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Since last week, OCBC President and CEO Jeff Ball and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Paul Simonds have been engaging in a series of meetings with coalition partners throughout the state to discuss how the business community is assisting with the recovery efforts stemming from the tragic fires that devastated more than 7,000 homes and structures, displacing thousands of residents and causing at least 27 deaths. OCBC is supporting its Los Angeles counterparts through outreach and advocacy efforts. Many of OCBC’s investors are on the front lines of the recovery effort, assisting residents and businesses during this time of need. Southern California Gas Co. has restored natural gas to more than 3,200 of its customers as of publication date. Southern California Edison is restoring power following widespread wind and fire damage. The business community will play a pivotal role in the ongoing recovery effort, which will have an immense impact throughout Southern California, including Orange County. OCBC recommends the Small Business Disaster Recovery Fund, which is managed by our strategic partner, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, to make disaster relief donations.

Image courtesy of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

Investor News

CHOC, Rady complete merger 

OCBC congratulates Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego (Rady Children’s) on the recent completion of the merger between their parent companies, creating a new combined healthcare system called Rady Children’s Health. The new system is comprised of three hospitals—CHOC Hospital in Orange, CHOC at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, and Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego—which will continue to build on their respective affiliations with the UC Irvine and UC San Diego medical schools. Read more.

Image courtesy of CHOC

UCI School of Ecology receives gift from OC philanthropist

Orange County philanthropist and businessman Alec Glasser donated the largest gift ever to the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, which will fully endow the Center for the Power of Music and Social Change. Read more.

Image courtesy of UCI

GO-Biz California Competes Tax Credit applications now open 

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GO-Biz is accepting applications for the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) with $215 million in tax credits available for businesses that are expanding and adding quality, full-time jobs in California. Deadline is January 27. Email CalCompetes@gobiz.ca.gov for questions.

Image courtesy of GO-Biz

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Committee Meetings


OCBC Committee Meetings are an exclusive benefit for OCBC investors. Meetings are hybrid. Registration is required.


Economic Development

February 20 | 8-9 a.m.


Government Affairs

February 21 | 9:30-11 a.m.


Housing

February 11 | 8-9 a.m.


Infrastructure

February 4 | 8-9 a.m.


Workforce

February 12 | 9-10 a.m.

All Committee Meetings

OCBC News & Events

OCBC response to Governor’s executive order lifting environmental regulations after L.A. fires


Mark Twain once said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” California is finally taking steps to address its housing crisis, albeit under the shadow of disaster. Gov. Newsom’s executive order to lift environmental regulations for rebuilding homes destroyed in the Los Angeles fires is a commendable step. However, the necessity of this temporary measure highlights a larger issue: the need for permanent reforms to California’s outdated regulatory framework, not only for housing but also for critical infrastructure. The executive order temporarily suspends California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Coastal Commission requirements, fast-tracks approvals, and streamlines permitting to accelerate recovery. While essential for rebuilding homes, it also underscores the systemic barriers CEQA poses to addressing the broader housing and infrastructure needs of the state. Read OCBC's recent op-ed in The Orange County Register.

AB226 (Calederon/Alvarez): Fair Access to Insurance Requirement


California is facing an insurance crisis as businesses and consumers struggle to secure affordable and available commercial and residential insurance. As a result, rising costs threaten business operations and housing developments. AB 226 (Calderon/Alvarez) is a critical step toward addressing this issue by strengthening the Fair Access to Insurance Requirement (FAIR) Plan, which serves as the "insurer of last resort." OCBC is proud to promote this bill, which enables the FAIR Plan to secure bond funding from the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank), providing a financial buffer to support claim payouts without immediately burdening insurers or taxpayers. AB 226's urgency clause aims to prevent the FAIR Plan’s collapse, stabilize the broader insurance market, and support California's businesses, farms, and housing efforts to ensure long-term resilience against catastrophic events.

Government Affairs Committee recap with Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris

January’s OCBC Government Affairs Committee welcomed Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (AD 73). During the meeting, she shared her district priorities for 2025 and highlighted her continued leadership as Chair of the Utilities and Energy Committee. Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris emphasized her focus on providing immediate financial relief to Californians while promoting long-term sustainability in energy and utility policies. OCBC appreciates her insights and looks forward to working together to support Orange County’s business community. Pictured from left to right are OCBC Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Paul Simonds, OCBC Vice President of Government Affairs Amanda Walsh, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, and OCBC President and CEO Jeff Ball.

Photo courtesy of OCBC


To see some of the bills monitored by OCBC’s Government Affairs team, read more here. For questions, contact OCBC Vice President of Government Affairs Amanda Walsh.


OCBC 2025 Annual Dinner and

Installation of the Board of Directors

February 27, 2025 | 5 - 8 p.m.

Disneyland Hotel

Register today! Join business leaders from throughout Orange County for the OCBC 2025 Annual Dinner and Installation of the Board of Directors as we celebrate our 30th anniversary, install the 2025 Board of Directors, and announce the 14th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Award winners--live for the first time at our annual dinner. Thank you VIP reception sponsor Chevron, gold sponsors Disneyland Resort, Hoag, Kaiser Permanente, MemorialCare, Related California, The Orange County Register, and University of California, Irvine and silver sponsors Bank of America, Charter Communications, Concordia University Irvine, Cox Communications, FivePoint Holdings, LLC, HNTB Corporation, Jamboree Housing and Schneider Electric. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Register Today!


OCBC 2025 Sacramento Advocacy Trip

March 24-25, 2025

The Citizen Hotel

Sacramento, CA

Register today! Join OCBC's Government Affairs team to share your voice and meet with legislative leaders at the annual OCBC Sacramento A