Diving into some of the tough issues facing California sparked spirited and often amusing exchanges at the 2025 CalChamber Public Affairs Conference in Orange County last week.
The sold-out gathering again brought together a diverse crowd, including public affairs and policy specialists, political consultants, legislators, government officials, pollsters, budget experts, and more.
The packed two-day agenda on October 29–30 covered topics such as California voter attitudes, the state budget outlook, insurance, artificial intelligence legislation, building an affordable California and the California Environmental Quality Act.
In addition to hearing from Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, who opened the conference, attendees also had the opportunity to hear from some of the many first-term legislators elected to the California Legislature in 2024.
See select photos from the first day of the conference.
Nathan Barankin, chief of staff to Governor Gavin Newsom, shares an anecdote from his time in the Governor’s office with CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera and the Public Affairs Conference audience in the final session on October 30.
Liz Snow, CalChamber senior vice president, political affairs, gives the conference crowd a preview of the agenda.
Ashley Hoffman, CalChamber vice president and deputy chief of staff for advocacy, moderates an overview of the California budget with Jason Sisney, budget advisor to Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and the Assembly Democratic Caucus, and Christopher Woods, budget director for the Office of the Senate president pro tempore.
Senator Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro)
Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson)
Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Ripon)
Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego)
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood)
Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee
Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach), vice chair of Assembly Judiciary;
Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (D-Sunnyvale)
Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine)
Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City)
Moderating is CalChamber Vice President for Advocacy Ronak Daylami.
co-moderator Luis Quiñonez, president, California Foundation for Commerce and Education,
Assemblymember José Luis Solache (D-Lakewood)
Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced)
(From right) co-moderator Adam Regele, CalChamber vice president of advocacy and strategic partnerships, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Bermuda Dunes). CalChamber has filed an initiative with the Office of the Attorney general for title and summary on a proposal to modernize the 55-year-old law governing environmental review of infrastructure projects vital to the state’s future prosperity.
Presenting results of the People’s Voice 2025, CalChamber 11th annual survey of California voter attitudes, on October 29 are James Fisfis (left), president and founder, Pathfinder Strategic, and Adam Rosenblatt, partner, Bold Decision.
Ramona Prieto, Jim DeBoo, Cassandra Pye, Justin Wesson
