ADVISORY
Monday, March 9 2009
For Immediate Release
PBI Contact – Jacqueline Ruiz, 323.343.3770
Media Contact – Edward Headington, 818.720.7181
Website – http://www.patbrowninstitute.org/
Los Angeles Daily News Editorial Page Writer and Columnist, Mariel Garza, will be moderating
LOS ANGELES, CA — For nearly three decades, the Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles (PBI) has focused on state and community issues and been a standard bearer for the legacy of its namesake. The incoming Obama administration has promised to renew its contract with America through re-envisioned “New Deal” programs. Borrowing from the pages of American and Californian histories, the federal government will embark upon large-scale infrastructure projects to repair and build our physical infrastructure while boosting the economy and strengthening our social foundations. Notably, former Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown followed such a policy with successful results.
WHO – Expert panelists; journalists; chamber of commerce members; political scientists; public policy analysts; elected officials and their staff; students; community leaders and other stakeholders
Moderator – Mariel Garza, Editorial Page Writer and Columnist for the L.A. Daily News
Panelists – Valerie Shaw – City of Los Angeles Public Works Commission; Harvey Smith – National New Deal Preservation; and John Tanner – SEIU Local 721
WHAT – PBI California Agenda discussion on “New Deal in Store for California’s Infrastructure?"
WHEN – Thursday, March 19, 2009; 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
WHERE – California State University, Los Angeles in the University Student Union @ 5154 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032
WHY – During the 2006 election, voters in California agreed that the Golden State needed its own “New Deal” and overwhelmingly voted to authorize the state to spend bond monies on infrastructure projects related to transportation, housing, and education. The state passed legislation distributing the monies, but little action has been taken since. Why is the state not spending funds that voters authorized? What budget issues are preventing the state from moving forward to strengthen our infrastructure? The discussion will examine the state’s financial condition and ability to invest in infrastructure; it will also focus on possible outcomes that may arise, depending on whether we invest in infrastructure, how much we invest, and how soon.
FYI – Parking available on campus at Parking Structure C or Lot 5 located on Paseo Rancho Castilla (only costs $2 for the two hours—cash only). Give yourself about 5 to 8 minutes to walk to the building. This is a free event open to the public and a light breakfast will be provided. Please R.S.V.P. to Edward Moreno at emoreno9@cslanet.calstatela.edu or register online.
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The Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs, a presidentially chartered institute at California State University, Los Angeles, is a non-partisan public policy center dedicated to sustaining vision and legacy of former California Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown through convening public policy forums, engaging multi sector stakeholders and diverse communities, and conducting timely policy research and community driven initiatives. For more information, go to http://www.patbrowninstitute.org/.
The California Agenda is a component of the PBI’s Public Policy Education Program and is hosted this year by Southern California Edison and Wells Fargo. It was created to educate and engage leaders and individuals across the sectors on significant state, regional and local public policy issues.
