Silicon Valley Innovators Meet Sacramento Legislators

SAN JOSE, CA -- The tech world will descend on state politics over the next two days in Sacramento.

About 40 members of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group are touring Sacramento on Tuesday and Wednesday to share perspectives and build relationships.

The tour called "Fresh Ideas" is something conducted every other year by the Leadership Group, which is an advocacy club for businesses connected to high technology.

The idea is to get to know one another in each other's respective industry. Twenty-three sessions are scheduled. For example, Leadership Group delegates want to know what the lawmakers learned on the campaign trail leading to them taking office. In turn, eight freshman legislators will have a chance to share their top priorities, glean knowledge about Silicon Valley’s challenges and discuss possible solutions. The delegation will also meet with key members of Governor Gavin Newsom’s staff to discuss among other things the governor’s housing plan and transportation objectives.

Legislators in attendance will be:

• Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (District 16)
• Assemblymember Tyler Diep (District 72)
• Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (District 46)
• Assemblymember Connie Petrie-Norris (District 74)
• Assemblymember Christy Smith (District 38)
• Assemblymember Robert Rivas (District 30)
• Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (District 15)

• Senator Bob Archuleta (District 32)

• Senator Maria Elena Durazo (District 24)
• Senator Susan Rubio (District 22)

"It's an opportunity for them to get to know us and for us to get to know them. One key thing we like to do when we go to Sacramento is to have a better idea of knowing where the legislature is coming from," said Peter Leroe Munoz, SVLG vice president of technology and innovation.

The delegates represent a wide variety of businesses with different needs and desires in what they'd like to see come out of the state Capitol.

--Image courtesy of Silicon Valley Leadership Group