On behalf of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, we would like to welcome you to Sacramento for the CHCC Annual Business Public Policy Summit. Since 1995, the CHCC has convened emerging entrepreneurs and small diverse business owners to advocate for our respective communities, but more importantly, to learn and understand the issues and the impact of potential legislative policies and political dynamics on the growth of California’s economy and our perspective communities.
The annual summit serves as an essential platform for businesses and community leaders to understand the legislative, public policy, and political issues impacting the state. The summit will focus on significant concerns and propose solutions to policymakers that promote California's economic development.
Participants will attend legislative briefings, engage in meetings at the State Capitol, and network during social activities. The CBPS brings together leaders to shape the future of business and empower our communities through effective advocacy and collaboration.
As the entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for emerging and small diverse business and community leaders to actively participate in shaping public policy. The CBPS allows diverse business and community leaders to engage with and influence policymakers on issues crucial to the success of California's small business community.
11:45 AM
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to join us in Sacramento today!!
Veronica Corona CHCC Chairman
Julian Cañete CHCC President & CEO
Veronica Corona
SPEAKER BIOS
Elmy Bermejo Director
California Office of the Small Business Advocate
Prior to being appointed by Governor Newsom as Director of CalOSBA, Elmy Bermejo was Regional IX Administrator for the United States Small Business Administration from 2022 to 2025. She was the Northern California Director of External Affairs in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom from 2019 to 2022. Bermejo was a Senior Advisor and Outreach Director for Eleni Kounalakis for Lieutenant Governor from 2017 to 2018. She held several roles in the United States Department of Labor from 2010 to 2017, including Regional Representative and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Bermejo was Deputy Secretary of External Affairs for the California State and Consumer Services Agency from 2007 to 2008. She was a Special Assistant in the California State Senate from 1998 to 2007. Bermejo is a member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, the Women’s Foundation of California Board of Directors, the Foundation for California Community Colleges Board of Directors, and the San Francisco Commission on the Environment. She lives in San Francisco.
SPEAKER BIOS
Brenna Butler Gutierrez
Vice President, Community Relations
A.G. Spanos Companies
Brenna Butler Gutierrez is the Vice President of Community Relations for A.G. Spanos Companies. Based in Stockton, A.G. Spanos Companies is a nationally recognized, family-owned builder of multi-family housing and master-planned communities with a deep-rooted commitment to enhance and support the communities in which they build. In her role, Brenna works with community organizations, elected officials, and engaged stakeholders to enhance community relations and support the philanthropic goals of the company. Brenna is a passionate advocate for California’s Hispanic business community. She is the former Chief Executive Officer of the San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SJCHCC), where she championed small business development, expanded education programs, and led advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. During her tenure, she positioned the Chamber as a key economic voice in the region. Her leadership continues today as an at-large director for the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC). In 2019, she co-chaired the CHCC Annual Statewide Convention in Stockton the first business convention of its kind hosted in the city—which brought more than $1.5 million in direct economic impact to the region Prior to joining A G Spanos Companies, Brenna was the Manager of Association Marketing & External Engagement for the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), where she led coalition-building and strategic partnerships across five western states. In 2015, she was honored with the Young Professional Leadership Award by ATHENA International and the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. She was also named Mujer Del Año by New York Life and included in San Joaquin Lifestyles Magazine’s “40 Under 40” list In 2016, then-Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman recognized Brenna for her dedicated service to California’s business and education communities. Brenna is a recipient of an educational development grant from the James Irvine Foundation, which enabled her to attend the High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. She is a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum (ALF) – Great Valley Chapter, and actively serves as Chair of iHub San Joaquin, the region’s innovation hub. Brenna also represents the company as a board member of Ready to Work and the Reinvent Stockton Foundation.
SPEAKER BIOS
Julian Cañete President & CEO California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Julian Cañete serves as the President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. Through its network of over 130 Hispanic chambers and business associations, the CHCC is a leading voice on issues impacting business in California. The mission of the CHCC is to foster economic growth, creating and sustaining prosperity benefiting California’s economy and communities.
Julian previously served as the Director of Public Policy and Strategic Partnerships for the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and as President and CEO of CHCC from 1999 – 2006 and again from 2009-2012.
He is currently a member of the California Department of General Services Small Business Advisory Board, Californians for Affordable & Reliable Energy (CARE), CalTrans Small Business Council, CA Secretary of State Voters’ Choice Act Task Force, the SBDC Northern CA Network Advisory Board, TMobile California External Diversity Sub-Council, and the CalVet Foundation.
SPEAKER BIOS
Veronica Corona
CHCC Chairman or the Board
Owner Crown Enterprises, Inc
Veronica Corona is an award-winning entrepreneur, business consultant, bilingual public speaker, and community leader, she specializes in empowering small business owners and entrepreneurs to navigate challenges, scale their businesses, and achieve sustainable growth. With a background as the former CEO of a multimillion-dollar janitorial company and extensive experience in leadership coaching, she brings industry insights, strategic guidance, and actionable advice to help businesses thrive
She attributes her drive and dedication to her parents, who immigrated to the U.S. from Jalisco, Mexico and instilled a strong work ethic in her and her three siblings This foundation, combined with her passion for building meaningful relationships, has propelled her to become an award-winning entrepreneur.
With a strong desire to give back, she currently serves as Chairwoman of the Board for the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; one of the largest Hispanic business organizations in the state. Where since 2016, she has been leading initiatives for entrepreneurs. Something she is very passionate about as an entrepreneur herself.
In addition, she is a current Board member for the City of Los Angeles Work Force Development, and Board Member of the American Cancer Society. She is a past president (2012-2014) of The National Latina Businesswomen Association (NLBWA)- Los Angeles Chapter, past advisor for NEW-Women Economics and USC Multicultural Entrepreneur Program. A testament of her unwavering dedication.
With a prestigious Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) accolade from Toastmasters International and long-standing member of the "Speaking Your Business" Toastmasters Club, she is an experienced keynote speaker, facilitator and presenter on a variety of subjects. She specializes in leadership development and training, helping leaders enhance their public speaking skills to communicate with confidence, inspire others, and create lasting impact.
Dan Dunmoyer President & CEO
California Building Industry Association
Dan Dunmoyer serves as the President and CEO of the California Building Industry Association (CBIA). A proven and dedicated leader, Dunmoyer brings a wealth of experience in both the public and private sector.
As the President and CEO of CBIA, Dan oversees and manages all aspects of the association. CBIA represents all aspects of the homebuilding industry and CBIA members build almost 90% of all housing units in California, including charity housing, legally defined Affordable Homes, market rate apartments, condominiums, and singlefamily homes. Dan is a respected and recognized leader who is consistently ranked by independent news sources as one of California’s most influential leaders. He is strongly committed to ensuring that CBIA continues to be the leading voice of housing in California and to ensure the American Dream of homeownership is attainable for all Californians.
The son of a small home builder from Southern California and a veteran of California public policy issues, Dunmoyer has been closely involved in California's unique political culture for years, starting as a Fellow in the Jesse Unruh Fellowship program. Dan’s background includes legislative caucus staff leadership roles, and finance and insurance policy committee leadership roles in the California State Assembly. He served as President and CEO of the Personal Insurance Federation of California from 1996-2005. From 2006-2008, Dunmoyer served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, overseeing all state agencies for the Governor, and managing a budget of over $200 billion and 245,000 staff members.
Prior to leading CBIA, he served as Senior Vice President and Head of Government Affairs for Zurich and Farmers Insurance companies. In this role he oversaw the external relations program for North and South America, all 50 states and U.S. Federal Affairs. Dunmoyer serves on the Board of Overseers of the RAND Institute for Civil Justice, Chair of the Advisory Committee of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, Member of the PPIC Advisory Board on Water Policy and a former Board Member for CalPERS. He is an honors graduate of USC with a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration.
Armand Feliciano
Partner PPA
Armand Feliciano is a partner and General Counsel at Public Policy Advocates (PPA). He is a government relations professional with deep and broad public and private sector experience. His keen understanding of California government and extensive political relationships were formed by working for the executive and legislative branches of California government. Armand served as Deputy Legislative Secretary for Governor Gray Davis, Deputy Attorney General for Attorney General Bill Lockyer, and Legislative Budget Consultant for the Assembly Budget Committee. At PPA, Armand represents business clients in the insurance, health, hotel, technology, and transportation sectors, as well as national trade organizations at the legislature. Prior to joining PPA, Armand was Counsel for Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips where he represented fortune 500 hundred companies. Armand is a board member of the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Institute where he participates in mentoring and leadership programs. He is also a board director for Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company, a leading professional liability carrier in California. He obtained his BA from the University of California, Riverside, selected to participate in the California State Senate Fellows Program, and earned his JD from the University of California College of the Law.
Marcus Gomez Vice Chairman of the Board
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Marcus Gomez, a Sacramento native, is proud to be a small business owner. Since 1997, California Clothing Recyclers has not only provided for his family, but also has created a key fundraising tool for numerous schools and non-profits in the region. Each year, CCR recycles more than 3.5 million pounds of clothing with collection routes in northern California. Marcus brokers and ships clothes to Central America, South America, and the Middle East.
He learned the export business while working with his father, also a small business owner, and naturally inherited the entrepreneurial spirit. With his wife and co-owner, Crystal, they recently celebrated their 25th Anniversary in business. When he is not at work, Marcus enjoys shooting sporting clays, golfing and an occasional Raider football game with one of his two adult children.
In 2013, California Clothing Recyclers received the “Small Business of the Year” from the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and in 2014, they were recognized as the “Small Business of the Year” by the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Due to his active engagement with the Chamber and the local business community, he was asked to serve on the Sacramento Mayor’s Task Force for Inequality under Mayor Kevin Johnson. As one of only two small business owners on the task force, his involvement was critical in ensuring that the concerns of small businesses were heard and addressed. He currently serves as a board member on the California Hispanic Chamber and Board President of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California, a local charitable organization.
The Honorable Brian Jones
Senate Minority Leader
California State Senate - District 40
Brian Jones, 57, is the minority leader of California’s Republicans in the Senate, a position he’s held since 2022. He’s a former member of the Santee City Council and served in the Assembly. He has a bachelor’s from Cal State San Diego. After college, he started a carpet cleaning business and sold cars and motorcycles. He was an associate a pastor, general manager for a national ministry headquartered in Santee and was in commercial real estate, where he worked with churches. He’s married with three adult children.
Mike Madrid Principal GrassrootsLab
Mike Madrid is a nationally recognized political consultant with expertise in Latino voting trends and voter behavior. Madrid has been a pioneer in Latino communications and outreach strategies in state, local, and national political campaigns. A graduate of Georgetown University, he served as the press secretary for the California Assembly Republican leader, as the political director for the California Republican Party, and as senior adviser to both Democrats and Republicans.
In 2020, Madrid co-founded the Lincoln Project, a Republican anti-Trump organization that became one of the most successful Political Action Committees in US history. Madrid was a co-director of the Los Angeles / USC Times Poll and, in 2013, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC). Mike was an adjunct lecturer on Race, Class, and Partisanship at the University of Southern California and was awarded the Unidos US Capital Award in 2023 by the oldest Latino Civil Rights organization in the country. He continues his work against the rise of global authoritarianism through his political work domestically and internationally.
Madrid is the author of “The Latino Century”, published by Simon and Schuster and released in Spring 2024. He is also co-host of the Latino Vote Podcast.
Madrid served as the public affairs director of the League of California Cities. In that role, he was instrumental in the passage of Proposition 1A (The Local Taxpayer Protection Act), a historic achievement that constitutionally protected local government revenues from state raids The measure received 84% of the vote—one of the highest percentages in California history
In 2011, Madrid helped develop the Leadership California Institute, an organization dedicated to educating and training future legislators before they get in office. He is regularly sought out by statewide campaigns seeking key messaging and support.
Eddie Marquez
Southern Region Chair
Mr. Marquez serves as President and Chief Executive Officer for a Trade Association in the Construction Industry. Mr. Marquez’ duties include executive management, trust administration, and government, community, and regulatory affairs. Mr. Marquez is responsible for key relationships including partnerships with policy makers, regulators, business, trade, and community-based organizations.
Mr. Marquez has more than 30 years of experience in corporate affairs, business development, government relations, and community affairs. Mr. Marquez is past Chairman and board member of national, state, regional, and local advisory bodies and has served as an appointed official in various capacities. He has served as Chairman and member of the Board of Directors for business organizations and chambers, nonprofit and CBO boards, and continues to be actively involved in chambers and other community-based organizations.
Mr. Marquez received a bachelor’s degree in American Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Monterey College of Law.
Eugene "Mitch" Mitchell is senior vice president, chief legislative officer of the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). He oversees state legislative activities and helps advance the California utilities' strategic policy objectives. Mitchell has held various senior executive roles, including Sempra's senior vice president, diversity, and community partnerships where he advanced the company's high-performance culture by leading a collective effort to enhance diversity and inclusion within Sempra, its operating companies and in the communities it serves. He also served as vice president of state governmental and external affairs for SoCalGas and SDG&E.
Paul Mitchell Vice President Political Data, Inc.
Paul is Vice President of Political Data Inc, a bipartisan voter data firm based in California, and owner of Redistricting Partners.
Mitchell has conducted the redistricting for more than 100 cities, school boards and community college districts, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, and most recently, the Cities of Santa Ana, Davis and Napa. The firm’s work on racially polarized voting analysis and demographics has aided dozens of agencies as they navigate the California and Federal Voting Rights Acts.
Mitchell also works with nonprofit organizations, such as the Irvine Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Advancement Project, and others in building community engagement and working throughout California on elections and voting issues.
Mitchell has been regularly cited in the media as an expert on elections and redistricting, including as the subject of a CNN Presents special on the decennial redistricting process, being interviewed on the PBS News Hour election coverage in 2020, participating in the 538 Podcast series on redistricting reform, and as a regular analyst on California-based network TV election coverage.
For the past 10 years, Mitchell has also served as Vice President of the bi-partisan Political Data Inc where he works with both political parties, campaigns, nonprofits and universities, with a specialty in polling and survey data. Mitchell earned his Associates Degree from Orange Coast College, an Undergraduate from American University and Masters in Public Policy from USC.
Jodie Muller President/CEO
Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA)
Jodie Muller is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), since September 1, 2025. She oversees the trade organization’s operations and advocacy in five Western states – California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington and Oregon.
Over her 26-year career at WSPA, Ms. Muller has held various leadership roles, including a 2019 appointment to Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, where she was responsible for state and regional government relations throughout the organization’s territory, following previous roles as Vice President of External Affairs & California Refining and Vice President of Government & External Affairs. In recent years, Ms. Muller worked closely with WSPA’s senior leadership to implement the strategic vision of the Association and represented the Association in key political, regulatory and media venues.
Prior to joining WSPA, Ms. Muller was employed as a Legislative Analyst to the Long Beach City Council for five years, worked for several trade associations in Washington D.C., and served in the White House Communications Office under President George H.W. Bush.
Ms. Muller holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management (IOM) and earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, Master of Public Administration degree and her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. She currently serves on the Association Leadership Academy Faculty for the California Society of Association Executives, was a founding Board Member of the Women’s Energy Network California Chapter, and volunteers with the Los Alamitos Education Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of LA Harbor. She is married with two college-aged children.
Mona Pasquil Rogers
Director of CA Public Policy
META
Mona Pasquil Rogers serves as Director of California Public Policy for Meta, where she is responsible for managing relationships with policymakers throughout the state.
Prior to that, Pasquil Rogers served as Appointments Secretary in the Office of Governors Gavin Newsom and Edmund G. Brown Jr. where she was responsible for helping the Governor build his administration by recruiting top candidates to serve the state.
In 2009, Pasquil Rogers served as Chief of Staff to California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi and Acting Lieutenant Governor, after Garamendi was elected to Congress. This marked the first time a woman, Asian Pacific Islander or FilipinoAmerican served in this role.
Pasquil Rogers is a veteran political advisor and strategist having directed presidential, gubernatorial and local campaigns across the nation. Her work includes serving as political director for twice-elected California Governor Gray Davis.
She served as deputy CEO for the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, California political director for the Gore-Lieberman campaign, and western political director for the White House Office of Political Affairs under President Bill Clinton. Mona was a member of the Democratic National Committee from 2003-2009 and worked as a strategic consultant for IBM's national, state and local government sales team. Mona has served on the California American Water Board since May 2020. Her awards include a Presidential Citation to commemorate her service as the first Filipino-American lieutenant governor of California from former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Mona is most proud of her work mentoring California's youth to become more active in their communities. This work includes founding the Asian Pacific Youth Leadership Project of California, an organization dedicated to boosting Asian and Pacific Islander youth involvement in California policy. Mona continues her commitment to mentorship and serves as the immediate past president of California Women Lead and the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Institute.
Javier Romero Deputy Director EDD Workforce Services
Branch
Javier Romero has over 25 years of experience in higher education and workforce development, which includes a tenure of 14 years with the California Workforce Development Board. Prior to becoming the Deputy Director of the EDD Workforce Services Branch, his most recent experience was as a dean in the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office Workforce and Economic Development Division for over 7 years. As a dean, he oversaw California's Adult Education Program, California Apprenticeship Initiative, as well as other programs.
During his career, Javier has focused on issues related to organizing education and workforce development programs around regional economies, sector strategies, career pathways, expanding access to traditionally disadvantaged communities, and nontraditional educational pathways.
Javier has extensive knowledge of the complex interactions between publicly funded systems, programs, and services. His leadership experience and knowledge of organization development concepts provide him with a solid foundation to assess and manage complex organizational issues such as strategic planning, team development, and empowering staff.
Tim Rosales
President & CEO
The Rosales Agency
Tim Rosales is a Los Angeles native and the President and CEO of Rosales Johnson Agency, a nationally recognized full-service campaign, public affairs, advocacy, opinion research and media firm based on the West Coast.
Rosales has led some of the most high-profile & successful ballot measure, public affairs/issue advocacy, and gubernatorial and congressional campaigns. He’s worked to move public opinion and develop winning strategies for major corporations, organizations and trade associations. Over his career he has a earned a reputation for team-building, disciplined campaign management, leading-edge targeting and digital strategies, and several remarkable come-from-behind ballot measure wins across the country from California to Massachusetts.
Prior to moving full-time in the consulting sphere in 2005, he served as senior staff to former Congressman James E. Rogan and Chief of Staff to several members of the California State Assembly.
Rosales holds a Master of Business Administration from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Azusa Pacific University He serves on the national Board of Directors for the American Association of Political Consultants since 2013 and is a frequent political commentator for Fox40 News in Sacramento and has appeared on Bloomberg TV, CNN, and Fox News. In his spare time Rosales is a dedicated Dodgers and Chelsea FC fan, plays on several adult recreational soccer clubs and coaches youth sports
Bill Wong Principal Bill Wong, LLC
Bill Wong has over 35 years of public policy expertise and political experience. He is a seasoned expert on candidate and ballot initiative strategy, political action committee management, political and nonprofit fundraising, strategic alliance development, media relations, crisis management, grassroots advocacy, Asian Pacific Islander American community relations.
He has been recognized on Capitol Weekly's Top 100 political power list in multiple consecutive years and has served as political director for the California Assembly Democrats for election cycles in 2018 and 2020 where he led successful efforts to elect and hold the largest (60 member) Democratic super majority in the state Assembly in over 130 years.
He also served as senior political advisor to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, chief of staff to California State Assemblymember Judy Chu, chief of staff to California State Senator Hilda Solis, and legislative director to California State Assemblymember Mike Honda.
Bill has advised non-profits, labor organizations, and Fortune 100 companies.
GUBERNATORIAL FORUM CANDIDATES
Xavier Becerra
Former Secretary of U.S. Health & Human Services
Former CA Attorney General
Xavier Becerra was born on January 26, 1958, in Sacramento, California. His mother was born in Mexico and emigrated to the United States, while his father was born in Sacramento, but raised in Tijuana, Mexico. Becerra became the first member of his family to graduate from college when he graduated from Stanford University in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He then attended Stanford law school, graduating in 1984.
After law school, he worked as an attorney in legal assistance with clients who had mental health needs in Boston, Massachusetts, while his wife attended medical school. When they returned to California, Becerra worked for a California state senator before becoming a deputy attorney general in the civil rights division of the California Justice Department. In 1989, he ran for a seat in the California State Assembly, winning the election and serving one term from 1990 to 1992. That year, Becerra won a seat in the US House of Representatives.
Becerra served twelve terms in the US House from 1993 to 2017, representing the Los Angeles area. In the House, he was an advocate for the Latino community and became the first Latino to sit on the Ways and Means Committee. He focused much of his efforts supporting immigration and preserving social safety net for the poor and elderly. He was one of the original cosponsors of the Affordable Care Act.
After Kamala Harris was elected to the US Senate, Governor Jerry Brown of California appointed Becerra to replace her as Attorney General. In that position, Becerra spent much of his time resisting the administration of President Donald Trump. He sued the Trump administration more than 100 times as California’s Attorney General, with many of those cases being related to environmental policy and reproductive rights.
When Joe Biden won the presidency in 2020, he announced that he would appoint Becerra as secretary of Health and Human Services. However, Becerra’s record against Trump made his confirmation very close. The US Senate confirmed him as secretary of the HHS by a vote of 50 to 49, with only one Republican senator supporting his nomination. He was sworn in on March 18, 2021, becoming the first Latino to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
GUBERNATORIAL FORUM CANDIDATES
Steve Hilton
Fox News Contributor
Former Adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron
The Rebel Base and The Daily California are projects of author, broadcaster and entrepreneur Steve Hilton. Best known for his FOX News Channel Show, “The Next Revolution,” Steve started this podcast to serve as a non-partisan home for everyone who wants to see change from the worsening consequences of one-party rule in his home state, California.
Steve was born in the U.K. to Hungarian parents who were refugees from Communism. After attending Christ’s Hospital school and Oxford University, Steve worked in politics for two years before joining advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi, after which he started his own business as co-founder of the Good Business consulting firm and the award-winning London Restaurant, The Good Cook. Steve returned to politics in 2005, assisting former Prime Minister David Cameron as his Head of Strategy. “Once credited as designing the modernized British Conservative image,” the New York Times writes, Steve worked in 10 Downing Street as senior advisor, focusing in particular on the design and implementation of domestic policy. Steve moved to the U.S. with his family in 2012, settling in Silicon Valley. After teaching at Stanford University – including at its world-renowned Institute of Design (‘d.school’), Steve resumed his entrepreneurial career, co-founding Crowdpac, a political crowdfunding platform that aimed to make it easier for independent and independent-minded candidates to raise money to run for office without relying on big donors and party machines. Originally established as non-partisan, Crowdpac overwhelmingly attracted candidates from the left – so in 2018 Steve decided to follow the market and make it a progressive platform, stepping down as CEO. He is now working on a tech platform that will provide easy-to-access advice and support for parents.
Steve is the author of “Good Business – Your World Needs You”, a defense of free enterprise capitalism that also called for large corporations to be more accountable for their impact on society. His U.K. Sunday Times bestseller, “More Human – Designing a World Where People Come First” (also published in the U.S.) laid out a radical manifesto for change, arguing that government and business have become too big, bureaucratic and centralized – too distant from the human scale. This was followed up in 2018 with “Positive Populism – Revolutionary Ideas to Rebuild Economic Security, Family and Community in America”, which proposed 27 specific ways to return power to people.
GUBERNATORIAL FORUM CANDIDATES
Matt Mahan
Mayor of San Jose
Matt Mahan is the 66th Mayor of San José. He formerly served as a teacher through Teach for America, before entering the business world where he founded and grew companies dedicated to empowering neighborhoods and holding our government accountable. These core tenets remain key to his policy priorities as he pledges to focus our city government on the basic quality of life issues that impact us every single day.He currently resides in San José with his wife, Silvia, and their two children.
GUBERNATORIAL FORUM CANDIDATES
Tom Steyer
Co Founder
Beneficial State Bank
In 1986, Tom founded Farallon Capital Management, a San Francisco-based hedge fund that pioneered the multi-strategy approach to investing. At the time of its founding as a risk arbitrage firm, Farallon had less than $10M in assets. Under Tom’s leadership, the firm expanded into multiple new strategies and geographies and grew to $36B in assets. During this time, Tom also served as a partner and member of the Executive Committee at Hellman & Friedman, a San Francisco–based private equity firm. In 2012, Tom left both roles in order to give his time, money, and energy to fight for climate issues.
Before California firmly established itself as a leader in climate policy, Tom worked to help make it the largest jurisdiction in the world with a 100% clean energy law and prevented the oil and gas industry’s effort to roll back the state’s climate protections. Around that time, he also cofounded Beneficial State Bank, a triple bottom line community development bank dedicated to economic justice and environmental sustainability.
In 2013, he founded NextGen America, the largest youth voter engagement organization in American history, which has registered over 1.5 million young voters over the last 10 years. NextGen is credited with not only helping to drive record numbers of young voters to the polls in the 2020 US presidential election, but also for its influence in making climate a significant issue on ballots.
Tom is also the founder of NextGen Policy, a California-based policy organization focused on climate, environmental, social, and economic legislative advocacy and civic engagement.
In 2022, the organization helped navigate 26 bills through the legislative process that were signed into law. Over the last two years, the organization has helped to secure nearly $60 billion in the state budget to support organizational priorities. In 2020, he ran for president to talk about climate change and other issues he thought were being overlooked, and went on to serve as California Governor Gavin Newsom’s top economic advisor on the Business and Jobs Recovery Task Force.
Tom is currently running for governor of California to tackle the affordability crisis, take on corporate interests, and deliver for Californians.
GUBERNATORIAL FORUM CANDIDATES
Antonia Villaraigosa
Former
Mayor
of Los Angeles
Former Speaker CA Assembly
Mayor Villaraigosa served as the 41st Mayor of Los Angeles. In his mid-twenties, he was elected President of the American Federation of Government Employees, a local union representing employees who enforced civil rights laws in five states. Over the next fifteen years, he continued to work as a union organizer for the Service Employees International Union, United Teachers Los Angeles and then served as President of the Southern California chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
In 1994, Villaraigosa was elected to the California State Assembly and three years later, was elected Assembly Speaker. While serving, he brought together environmental and business groups for a $2 billion park bond, the largest in California’s history, authored the Healthy Families program for nearly three quarters of a million uninsured children and passed a $9 billion school bond measure, the largest to that date.
In 2005, he was sworn in as the 41st Mayor of Los Angeles. As Mayor of Los Angeles, Villaraigosa led an effort to make Los Angeles one of the safest big cities in America, while building a 21st century transportation system, achieving fundamental and farreaching education reform, spurring economic development by eliminating government red tape, streamlining the city bureaucracy and making Los Angeles a national model of sustainability and green growth. He served until 2013.
GUBERNATORIAL FORUM CANDIDATES
Betty Yee
Former California State Controller
Betty Yee is the former California State Controller. She was elected in November 2014, following two terms of service on the California Board of Equalization, the nation's only elected tax commission.Re-elected in 2018 for a second term as Controllerearning the highest number of votes of any candidate nationwide that year ---over 8 million votes Betty was the 10th woman elected to statewide office in California's history.
As Chief Fiscal Officer of the world’s then-fifth largest economy, Betty, among other responsibilities, served as a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) boards, whose combined portfolio reached $800 billion.She led the work at both pension funds that culminated in the funds' net zero pledges.
Betty served on dozens of boards, commissions, and financing authorities affecting policies ranging from land management, affordable housing, and alternative transportation to crime victim compensation and health and educational facilities.
As Chair of the State Lands Commission, she provided stewardship of public-trust lands, waterways, and marine resources through economic development, protection, preservation, and restoration consistent with the state’s environmental needs. In this capacity, she spearheaded, among other things, the shuttering of the last state oil platform on the Santa Barbara channel. As a member of several housing financing entities, Betty sponsored legislation to streamline the state's housing finance programs and called for stricter accountability over state funds directed towards addressing homelessness.Over her eight years as Controller, she and her audit team uncovered $7.5 billion in unallowed spending.
With close to four decades of experience in public service specializing in state and local finance and tax policy,Betty earned a BA in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a MPA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Ceres, a national sustainability organization, and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies. After her service as State Controller, Betty served as a Fellow with the University of Southern California Dornsife Center for the Political Future where she led a discussion and study group on the relationship of good governance and the health of our democracy.
Betty is a declared candidate for Governor.
2026 Policy Perspectives
California stands at a critical economic crossroads, facing complex challenges that can only be resolved through unified, cross-sector leadership. The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) remains the preeminent advocate for the over 1.8 million emerging small businesses that serve as the fundamental engine of our state’s economy We believe that sustainable progress is not found in partisan silos, but through a commitment to bipartisan cooperation that balances social equity with a pro-growth business environment.
As a new legislative session commences, the CHCC is prepared to lead high-level dialogues with policymakers and regulators to ensure that "comprehensive action" translates into tangible results. Our focus is on modernizing the regulatory framework to reduce the cost of doing business while expanding access to capital and digital infrastructure By bridging the gap between the legislative aisle and the entrepreneur’s front door, we aim to secure a resilient, inclusive economy that preserves California’s status as a global leader in innovation and opportunity.
Access to Capital
It is fundamental for businesses of all sizes to have access to capital when they need it. California’s small businesses do not want to rely solely on government programs; therefore, a healthy private-sector loan market is vital. This market must serve the full credit spectrum, providing viable options for both those with prime credit and those with scores below prime.
The CHCC advocates for a robust, multi-channel capital ecosystem that serves the diverse needs of emerging small businesses. We support credit products that provide full disclosure of terms, operate under clear regulatory oversight, and offer borrowers the opportunity to build or repair credit through rates and fees that fairly reflect risk without being predatory.
The CHCC also supports the integration of ethical, AI-driven underwriting models to eliminate historical bias and expand access for thin-file borrowers. The expansion of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to better serve the "less than prime" market, and the encouragement of State and private initiatives that provide in-language technical assistance, ensuring that every entrepreneur—from solo proprietors to large corporations—has the financial infrastructure required to secure growth capital.
The CHCC opposes any regulation that creates a "one-size-fits-all" barrier to entry or restricts privatesector loan options.
Affordable Housing
The CHCC recognizes that affordable, quality housing is the bedrock of California’s economic future. Emerging businesses require a housing market that allows their workforce to live near their workplaces and enables their families to build generational wealth through homeownership. We advocate for a "Supply-First" approach that removes regulatory barriers, lowers construction costs, and aligns land-use policies with the economic realities of our emerging businesses.
Artificial Intelligence
The CHCC acknowledges artificial intelligence's (AI) transformative potential in driving business innovation, efficiency, and growth. We support policies that encourage responsible development and deployment of AI, especially in ways that help small businesses remain competitive. The CHCC promotes open innovation while ensuring safeguards are in place to prevent misuse and discrimination. We advocate for balanced regulations that encourage the ethical use of AI without stifling entrepreneurship or innovation, and that discourage excessive compliance and regulatory burdens on small businesses.
Broadband
Access to reliable and affordable high-speed broadband is a fundamental pillar of economic growth, workforce development, and the sustained success of small businesses throughout California. The CHCC champions policies that aggressively expand broadband infrastructure, with a critical focus on bridging the digital divide in underserved and rural communities to ensure equitable participation in the modern economy.
The CHCC advocates for robust public-private partnerships and strategic, targeted investments designed to accelerate deployment while streamlining regulatory frameworks. By minimizing unnecessary barriers, we empower small and emerging businesses—who rely on consistent digital connectivity—to remain competitive, innovate, and scale in an increasingly global marketplace.
Climate Change
The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) asserts that California’s path to carbon neutrality must run through California's small business community, of which Hispanic-owned businesses are the state's fastest-growing economic engine. As the primary implementers of climate policy on the ground, our members are committed to environmental stewardship; however, sustainability goals cannot be achieved in a vacuum.
The CHCC advocates for a "Diverse Energy Portfolio" that leverages the expertise of our industry partners to ensure the state’s transition is fueled by reliable, affordable, and locally produced energy. By prioritizing technological neutrality and domestic production, we protect the high-paying jobs and economic sovereignty that are vital to closing the Hispanic wealth gap
To ensure California remains competitive, environmental progress must not be synonymous with higher business costs. The CHCC champions a "Pragmatic Green" framework that favors market-based incentives over punitive mandates, which often act as a regressive tax on small businesses. We call for sensible regulatory guardrails, including "Small Business Safe Harbors" and rigorous economic impact analyses, to prevent bureaucratic burdens from stifling entrepreneurship. Our goal is an equitable transition that fosters innovation and protects the "California Dream," ensuring that a cleaner future is built on a foundation of operational affordability and energy reliability for every Hispanic-owned enterprise.
Economic Development
The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) is dedicated to an economic development strategy that prioritizes the growth and resilience of California’s 1.8 million emerging small businesses by fostering inclusive capital ecosystems and statewide synergy. In collaboration with key strategic partners, the CHCC supports initiatives that emphasize the transition to a "New Era" of economic development—a framework that integrates technology transfer, responsible AI deployment, and infrastructure investment to stabilize local markets. By aligning our advocacy with statewide economic development networks, we ensure that our emerging business community is protected and positioned as a primary driver of California's innovation and job creation.
To bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and essential technical resources, the CHCC supports expanding the California Small Business Loan Match and IBank’s Loan Guarantee Program. These tools provide the concrete financial framework businesses need to scale and maintain continuity despite shifting market conditions. Furthermore, we are committed to a unified approach that prioritizes workforce stability through equitable career pathways, including apprenticeships and digital literacy, ensuring that California’s "Main Street" economy can thrive in a globalized landscape while remaining shielded from excessive regulatory burdens and economic uncertainty.
HealthCare
The CHCC supports efforts to reduce the cost of health insurance and increase the number of workers who have health insurance. Health care reform must provide adequate grants, tax benefits, and other measures to improve the affordability and access to health care for emerging small business owners. Any reform must also address the disparities in coverage often seen in our emerging communities.
Immigration
The CHCC champions comprehensive federal immigration reform that reflects the modern needs of our economy. We recognize that while policy rests with the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch, the impact is felt locally.
The CHCC supports advocacy at all levels of government to advance reforms that secure the workforce, empower our small business community, and provide a clear path to stability for immigrant families. By fostering an environment where all entrepreneurs can thrive, we ensure the continued vitality of the American Dream and California’s global competitiveness.
Insurance
Access to affordable and comprehensive insurance coverage is crucial for business stability and growth. The CHCC advocates for legislation that ensures equitable access to various forms of insurance for small businesses, including business, property, health, and liability insurance. We promote the development of competitive insurance markets that offer flexible options designed to address the unique risks encountered by small and emerging enterprises. Furthermore, we oppose regulations raising insurance costs without enhancing coverage or improving risk management practices.
International Trade
The CHCC supports the expansion of international trade and investment, fair and equitable market access for California products, and the elimination of disincentives that impede the global competitiveness of California's emerging small businesses.
Private Attorney’s General Act (PAGA)
The CHCC remains steadfast in its mission to protect California’s small business community from the predatory litigation environment historically fostered by the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). While we fully support the fair treatment of all employees and the robust enforcement of California’s Labor Code, we maintain that state enforcement mechanisms must prioritize compliance over litigation and remediation over the enrichment of trial attorneys.
The CHCC applauds the 2024 PAGA reforms as a critical first step toward restoring equity. However, our work is not finished. We remain vigilant in ensuring these reforms are implemented to effectively shield small employers from "shakedown" lawsuits triggered by technical, non-willful errors. The CHCC firmly opposes any policies that enable litigation abuse or impose disproportionate penalties that stifle small business growth and threaten California’s economic stability.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
As digital transformation accelerates, protecting sensitive business and customer data has become more critical than ever before. The CHCC advocates for policies that shield small businesses from cyber threats while ensuring compliance requirements are clear, reasonable, and not overly burdensome.
The CHCC supports scalable cybersecurity solutions tailored for small enterprises and promotes educational initiatives to help businesses understand best practices for data protection. Additionally, privacy regulations must balance consumer rights and business operations, ensuring compliance costs do not disproportionately burden small businesses.
Procurement and Contracting
The CHCC supports policies that encourage small business participation and competition for government contracts. Doing business with the government can be complex and daunting. Government contracting provides opportunities for Hispanic businesses to expand into new markets.
The CHCC supports policies that encourage small business participation and competition for government contracts, and programs that provide technical assistance for small businesses to compete for state contracts and opportunities.
Regulations
The CHCC supports proposals and actions aimed at regulatory fairness, reform, and relief for all businesses. The CHCC supports policies that create opportunities for new technologies and innovation, helping prepare our businesses for success in today’s economy. Regulations are necessary; however, they must be fair, efficient, predictable, and accountable, with common-sense rules that are applied consistently.
Tobacco Products
The CHCC recognizes the historical and economic significance of tobacco sales within our emerging small business communities. For countless small-business owners, particularly those operating neighborhood convenience stores and markets, tobacco products represent a vital revenue stream that sustains their livelihoods and supports local jobs. While we acknowledge the health risks associated with tobacco use, we maintain that adult consumption is a matter of personal choice and support a regulatory framework that emphasizes Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR). By advocating for policies that encourage the transition to lower-risk alternatives, we believe public health goals can be achieved without jeopardizing the financial stability of Hispanic entrepreneurs.
The CHCC strongly opposes regressive taxation and overly restrictive bans that disproportionately impact licensed retailers and their customers. Such measures often yield unintended consequences, most notably the creation of a robust "black market" underground economy. These illicit markets are not only difficult for law enforcement to manage but also lack the strict age-verification safeguards that our law-abiding business owners maintain, ultimately increasing youth access to unregulated products. We advocate for balanced, common-sense solutions that protect both the economic integrity of our communities and the safety of our youth.
Taxes
California’s current tax structure is increasingly incompatible with the survival of small businesses and the upward mobility of emerging entrepreneurs By relying heavily on a volatile personal income tax system, the state subjects its most vulnerable economic engines to unpredictable budgetary cycles The CHCC advocates for a stable, predictable tax environment that encourages long-term investment We firmly oppose "Split Roll" property tax schemes that seek to strip away Proposition 13 protections for commercial properties; such increases would be devastating for California's 1.8 million emerging small businesses operating under "triple-net" leases, where tax hikes are passed directly from the landlord to the small business tenant.
By focusing on affordability and protecting emerging small business owners from hidden costs, we can ensure that California's tax policy fosters growth and equity rather than creating barriers to the American Dream.
Transportation
The CHCC believes that a modern, resilient transportation network is the bedrock of a thriving state. For California’s 1.8 million emerging small businesses to compete globally, we must move beyond simple maintenance to a "High-Road" infrastructure strategy—one that balances the seamless movement of goods, employees, and customers with intentional investments in skilled labor and community-wide mobility.
We don't just advocate for better roads; we advocate for the prosperity those roads carry. By aligning business needs with skilled labor and forward-thinking mobility, we ensure the engine of California’s economy—our emerging entrepreneurs—is built on a foundation of strength and equity.
Unemployment Insurance
The CHCC supports and advocates for an economically sustainable and operationally efficient Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. We call on the State of California to prioritize repaying the multibillion-dollar federal UI debt with General Fund resources, thereby halting the automatic federal tax increases (FUTA credit reductions) that unfairly penalize small business owners.
CHCC champions the aggressive modernization of the Employment Development Department through initiatives to eliminate fraud and administrative waste. The CHCC remains committed to a UI framework that balances essential protections for the workforce with the fiscal reality of Hispanic-owned SMEs. By securing the UI Fund's solvency without imposing disproportionate employer burdens, we ensure a resilient economy for all Californians.
Water
The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) recognizes that climate change is a permanent fixture of our economic landscape. While conservation remains a vital tool, it is not a solution for a growing state with an aging delivery system.
For the 1.8 million emerging small businesses that drive California’s economy, water reliability is not just an environmental issue—it is a matter of business continuity and cost stability. The CHCC supports a modernized infrastructure that captures water in times of abundance to protect our economy during times of scarcity.
Workforce Development
The CHCC advocates for a robust workforce development ecosystem that bridges the gap between California’s evolving industrial needs and the economic potential of our emerging communities. We support legislative efforts and public-private partnerships that expand access to skill development, career pathway programs, and workforce initiatives. By championing "earn-and-learn" models— including paid apprenticeships and high-growth sector training in fields like AI literacy and renewable energy—we ensure that emerging small business employees and the next generation of workers are equipped to thrive in a technologically advanced economy.
CHCC remains committed to removing systemic barriers to education and career advancement. We urge the state to expand financial aid and tuition assistance for low-income students and to implement specialized support for English Language Learners. CHCC aims to build a competitive, equitable, and future-ready workforce that serves as the backbone of California’s prosperity.
California Senate and Assembly members want to hear from their constituents you the voters in their districts. At times, your association may call on you to do some grassroots lobbying Often, the contact from a district constituent can sway a legislator’s vote
Here are some guidelines for you to follow in contacting your legislators in person, by phone or by letter
• Be thoughtful. Commend the right things which your legislator does That’s the way you’d like to be treated
• Be reasonable. Recognize that there are legitimate differences of opinion Never indulge in threats or recriminations.
• Be realistic. Remember that most controversial legislation is the result of compromise. Don’t expect that everything will go your way, and don’t be too critical when it doesn’t.
• Be accurate and factual. The mere fact that you want or do not want a piece of legislation isn’t enough. If an issue goes against you, don’t rush to blame the legislator for “failing to do what you wanted.” Make certain you have the necessary information and do a good job of presenting your case.
• Be understanding. Put yourself in a legislator’s place. Try to understand his/ her problems, outlook and aims. Then you are more likely to help him/her understand your business and problems.
• Be friendly. Don’t contact your legislator only when you want his/her vote. Invite him/her to your place of business or your group meetings Take pains to keep in touch with him/her throughout the year
• Give credit where it is due. If an issue goes the way you wanted, remember that your legislator deserves first credit He/she has the vote, not you. And, remember also that many organizations and individuals participated on your side.
• Learn to evaluate issues. The introduction of a legislative bill doesn’t mean that it will become law. Whether you’re for it or against it, don’t get excited about it until you learn the who, what and why of it.
• Support your legislator. If he/she is running for re-election and if you believe he/she deserves it, give him/her your support He/she needs workers and financial supporters. Don’t become aloof at the time when your legislator needs your help
• Don’t, don’t, don’t even hint that you think certain bills, campaigns or politics in general are not worthwhile or may be dishonest.
• Don’t demand anything. And don’t be rude or threatening. There is always “the future,” and in many cases a legislator may disagree with you on one issue and be supportive on another
• Don’t be vague or deceptive, righteous or long-winded, and please don’t remind the legislator that you are a taxpayer and voter in his/her district. (He/she knows it!)
• Don’t be an extremist. Remember, your legislator represents all his/her constituents those you consider liberal and those you consider conservative. Don’t condemn a legislator just because he/she supports a piece of legislation that you think is too liberal or too conser vative
• Don’t be a busybody. Legislators don’t like to be pestered, scolded or preached to Neither do you
• Be cooperative. If your legislator makes a reasonable request, try to comply with it You can help him/her by giving him/ her the information he/she needs. Don’t back away for fear you are “getting into politics.”
LetterWriting
Following are guidelines for an effective letter:
• Be brief
• Refer to bill numbers whenever possible.
• Make sure the legislator knows this communication is from a constituent who lives and/or does business in the legislator’s district
• Explain how the proposed legislation affects your business, and why you support/oppose it.
• Don’t attempt to give “expert” opinions Tell how the legislation would affect your business, based on your experience and knowledge
• Ask for the legislator’s support or opposition
• Write the letter without copying any association-provided background information verbatim
• Request that your legislator take a specific action by telling him/her what you desire State the facts as you see them. Avoid emotional arguments. If you use dollar figures, be realistic
• Ask the legislator what his/her position is.
• Keep all communications friendly and respectful. Be sure to thank your legislator for considering your views
• Write on your personal or business letterhead if possible, and sign your name over your typed signature at the end of your message.
• Be sure your exact return address is on the letter, not just the envelope Envelopes sometimes get thrown away before the letter is answered
• Be reasonable. Don’t ask for the impossible Don’t threaten Don’t say, “I’ll never vote for you unless you do such and such.” That will not help your cause; it may even harm it
• Be constructive. If a bill deals with a problem you admit exists, but you believe the bill is the wrong approach, tell what the right approach is.
HowtoWriteanEffectiveLobbyingLetter
Address lobbying correspondence to theauthorofthebill with copies to members of the committee hearing the bill and to your locallegislator
Be sure to send a copyofyourletterto the Governor Also please send a copy to the CHCCʼs staff members assigned to the bill so they can include information on your support or opposition in their committee testimony
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLYAPRIL 30, 2024 california legislature 2023–24 regular session
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 2927
Introduced by Assembly Member McCarty
(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Petrie-Norris, Schiavo, Soria, and Ting)
(Coauthors:Assembly Members Alanis,Alvarez, Chen, Gipson, Low, Joe Patterson,Wallis, and Wilson)
(Coauthors: SenatorsAlvarado-Gil, Min, and Niello)
February 15, 2024
An act to amend Section 51225 3 Sections 44257, 51225.3, and 51284.5 of, and to add Section 51225.32 to, the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction instruction, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.
legislative counsels digest ’
AB 2927, as amended, McCarty Pupil instruction: high school graduation requirements: personal finance.
(1) Existing law requires a pupil to complete designated coursework while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school These graduation requirements include, among others, the completion of 3 courses in social studies, including a one-semester course in economics Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission to consider including age-appropriate information on financial literacy when the history-social science curriculum framework is next revised after January 1, 2017.
