This is a compilation of quick updates from the Sonoma State University Economic Outlook conference today posted on the Business Journal's Twitter feed. Listen to recordings of the presentations and see the slides.
Regional economic analysis and forecast
Rob Eyler, Professor and Chair, Economics Department, Sonoma State University, and Director, SSU Center for Regional Economic Analysis; North Bay economic outlook and overview of SSU's role in the creation of a regional economic development corporation
Political overview
Brian Sobel, Principal consultant for Sobel Communications of Petaluma; overview of the local, state and national political climate coming into the year.
Panel Presentations
Joe Nation, Ph.D., Professor of the Practice of Public Policy and Director, Graduate Public Policy Practicum, Stanford University
Matthew Hymel, County Administrator, County of Marin
Nancy Watt, County Executive Officer, Napa County mega-region
Veronica Ferguson, County Administrator, Sonoma CountyUpdates from the conference
11:19 a.m.: The best impact is when you you infuse money into infrastructure. You need infrastructure to draw businesses to the area --Ferguson
11:09 a.m.: Counties continue bracing for state cuts in addition to dealing with their own internal deficits
10:57 a.m.: All speaker PowerPoints and an audio recording of today's conference will be available at www.northbaybusinessjournal.com
10:55 a.m.: Can the state give us a hybrid plan option? --Hymel
10:53 a.m.: Marin is 2yr into a 5yr long term restructuring plan
10:46 a.m.: Matthew Hymel of Marin, Nancy Watt of Napa and Veronica Ferguson of Sonoma discuss county issues
10:43 a.m.: As far as pensions if someone is retired, give it to them If they are 15yr into a 30yr career you need to put it on the table --Nation
10:27 a.m.: This is a problem across the country, not just CalPERS, Marin, Sonoma county --Nation
10:24 a.m.: CalPERS, as of today, is roughly $102 billion in the red --Nation
10:12 a.m.: Joe Nation talks on pension and pension reform
9:32 a.m.: 50% of all healthcare dollars are spent in the last 30 days of peoples lives --Sobel
9:24 a.m.: Because of term limits, and 3rd party people in Sacramento, much legislation is being written by people not employed by us --Sobel
9:14 a.m.: Brian Sobel, principal consultant of Sobel Communications, speaks on the political climate
9:06 a.m.: Deadline for entries for the 2011 Seed Round Business Competition March 11. www.northbayihub.org
9:03 a.m.: The state, while challenged, is showing signs of recovery and we need to take advantage of that --Eyler
8:44 a.m.: Dr. Robert Eyler: How will we keep our local entrepreneurs local and not heading south for funding?
8:26 a.m.: 16 percent of the local employment is engaged in the public sector
7:26 a.m.: Annual Sonoma State University conference, The Public Sector: Opportunities and Realities about to kick off at the Sheraton in Petaluma
