Hispanic Lifestyle Episode #169 Challenges and Opportunities
Notes and Links for Hispanic Lifestyle Episode #169. The program is theme is Challenges and Opportunities.
We talk public policy and issues, and of course take time out for food. We discuss challenges and opportunities, in this edition of Hispanic Lifestyle.
Tequila Museo Mayahuel
Before we get into our annual coverage of the legislative issues affecting Latinos, we had a chance to profile a restaurant that caught our attention for two reasons. First they had only been open for a month and second they are just a couple of blocks away from California’s state capitol.
Our guide during this visit was Luis Navarro who describe the new restaurant’s recipe for success.
Inspired by the various regions of Mexico, Chef Alacon prepared the restaurant’s signature Sample Platter for us to taste.
The items ranged from Panucho’s representing the region of Yucatan to Roasted Pablano pepper strips from Mexico City.
[slickr-flickr tag=”tequilamuseoweb” type=”gallery” delay=”3″]
2011 California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Legislative Conference
Hispanic Lifestyle made our way over to the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce annual Legislative conference. We began our visit by speaking their chairman Ken Macias about why the organization holds this forum for their members.
Jeffrey M. Barker
Deputy Executive Director
for Communication, Policy and Public Outreach
http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/home.aspx
Next we spoke with Jeffrey Barker, Deputy Executive Director with the California High-Speed Rail Authority about the background and status of the project.
(The Objective)
Given the state’s financial challenges, Mr. Barker spoke about the projects forecasted economic impact.
Redistricting Partners
http://redistrictingpartners.com
A key topic of discussion at the conference was the redistricting of California’s boundaries. Speaking to the issue was Paul Mitchell who’s company works with local governments on their redistricting plans.
(The Process)
Mr. Mitchell went on to describe how politics and political parties enter into the redistricting process.
The Redistricting Commissions
* * *
Priscilla Lopez
Orange County/Inland Empire Regional SBDC Network
Priscilla Lopez, Regional Director for the Orange County/Inland Empire Regional SBDC Network spoke about why she was attending the legislative conference.
(Issues)
I asked Ms. Lopez if the SBDC’s are working with the California High-Speed Rail Authority to identify procurement opportunities for Small Businesses.
Segment
State Senator Dutton
California State Senator Bob Dutton http://cssrc.us/web/31
California State Senator Bob Dutton spoke to conference attendees about regulations that are challenging the business community.
We had a chance to speak rank and file members of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce about the issues that are most important to them.
Rosa M. Escutia – Community Relations Manager, PG&E
Larissa Ordaz, LBA – Latin Business Association http://www.lbausa.com/
Able I. Sierra, CEO – Antelope Valley Chamber Of Commerce
Rosa Hernandez –
Special Assistant to the Director, CAL FIRE
Final Segment
Paul Gladfelty
We closed out the day by speaking the Mr. Paul Gladfelty of the Apex group who took us through process of getting the voices of Latino businesses heard at state Capitol.
