ARTICLE
We are excited to announce that on Wednesday, March 20 at the Seascape Golf Club, Congressman Jimmy Panetta will join us for a Report from Washington. This Report is an opportunity to learn about the hot policy issues of the day. Will the federal Government face another shut down? Is there any common ground that the Congress can pass bi-partisan legislation that gets the attention and support of the White House? You don’t want to miss this opportunity to chat with Congressman Panetta. Secure your seat today and register for the luncheon by clicking here now! I know most of today’s news stories from Washington are mired in a debate on politics over policy. Between the on-going Congressional investigations into the Trump Administration, their legal challenges, subpoenas, and court orders, this merry-go-round game of political chess draws a hard line between the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives and the White House. Sometimes it places the U.S. Senate playing mediator if that body can find a consensus. It is no secret that a majority of Californians (and Santa Cruz County residents) do not support the policies from the White House. The latest polls show a 54% disapproval of the White House. But what about Congress? How does the divide between the Trump Administration and Congress play out to actually move policy, programs and funding sources forward to benefit the American people? So far in the first two months of the 116th Congress we have little progress to report. This is not unusual. Seldom does a new Congress have policy traction of any importance this early in a legislative session. That is why it will be good to hear what Congressman Jimmy Panetta has to say about the current political and policy climate. In Congressman Panetta’s second term in the House, he is now beginning to set his own path for public service that follows over three decades in the footsteps of his predecessors, the Honorable Leon Panetta, his father, and the Honorable Sam Farr. Stepping in to represent the central coast of California is no easy task. The region is renowned for our agriculture (the Salinas Valley is often called the salad bowl of the world) and tourist attractions (the Monterey Bay region boasts the beauty of our coastline and the Santa Cruz and Santa Lucia Mountains). California's 20th congressional district includes all of Monterey and San Benito Counties, and parts of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. The constituencies of each county vary so finding commonalities on policy can be challenging. Congressman Panetta’s focus has been on supporting our military veterans, improving the economy of our major industries, immigration reform, the continued protection of our coastline and environment, affordable and accessible health care, and to ensure that our agriculture industry and its farmers and farmworkers are protected. He is on three very important House Committees — House Ways and Means (the Money Committee), the House Committee on the Budget, and the House Committee on Agriculture — these committee assignments can be impactful to our region. There are unknowns and intriguing issues abound in Washington beyond the investigations of the Trump Administration. How about a rising federal deficit? The U.S. federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2019 is $985 billion. The deficit is growing because the U.S. government spending of $4.407 trillion is higher than its revenue of $3.422 trillion. The deficit is 18 percent greater than last year. The FY 2018 budget created an $833 billion deficit. Spending of $4.173 was more than the estimated $3.340 revenue. How does this roll out in establishing many of the policies that the Majority party (Democrats in the House) have made as campaign promises. What is the inside conversation about the “New Green Deal?” Is there growing concern in Congress about our foreign policies related to North Korea, China, and Russia? California is leading the way in addressing Climate Change but it is gearing up for another fight with the Trump Administration’s plan to roll back environmental standards. There is also concern that health and safety standards as well as federal water policy allocations in California may be in jeopardy. There are many policy differences between California and the Trump Administration that will be on-going during this session. Even though the 2020 election cycle is over a year away with the Presidential primaries starting in February 2020, what impact does this election cycle have on Congress making any progress on important short and longer term issues? As of today there are over a dozen announced candidates running for the Democratic nomination to be President and two of the candidate are Californians — Senator Kamala Harris and recently announced Congressman Eric Swalwell from Dublin, CA. On Tuesday, Feb. 26th, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to revoke President Trump National Emergency. The continued impasse between the Congress and the White House will only continue to grow in the few weeks ahead. Stay tuned, the conversation with Congressman Panetta on March 20 will surely be stimulating. Make sure to register early as this luncheon will undoubtedly sell out. Register Now!
We are excited to announce that on Wednesday, March 20 at the Seascape Golf Club, Congressman Jimmy Panetta will join us for a Report from Washington. This Report is an opportunity to learn about the hot policy issues of the day. Will the federal Government face another shut down? Is there any common ground that the Congress can pass bi-partisan legislation that gets the attention and support of the White House?
You don’t want to miss this opportunity to chat with Congressman Panetta. Secure your seat today and register for the luncheon by clicking here now!
I know most of today’s news stories from Washington are mired in a debate on politics over policy. Between the on-going Congressional investigations into the Trump Administration, their legal challenges, subpoenas, and court orders, this merry-go-round game of political chess draws a hard line between the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives and the White House. Sometimes it places the U.S. Senate playing mediator if that body can find a consensus. It is no secret that a majority of Californians (and Santa Cruz County residents) do not support the policies from the White House. The latest polls show a 54% disapproval of the White House. But what about Congress? How does the divide between the Trump Administration and Congress play out to actually move policy, programs and funding sources forward to benefit the American people?
So far in the first two months of the 116th Congress we have little progress to report. This is not unusual. Seldom does a new Congress have policy traction of any importance this early in a legislative session.
That is why it will be good to hear what Congressman Jimmy Panetta has to say about the current political and policy climate. In Congressman Panetta’s second term in the House, he is now beginning to set his own path for public service that follows over three decades in the footsteps of his predecessors, the Honorable Leon Panetta, his father, and the Honorable Sam Farr.
Stepping in to represent the central coast of California is no easy task. The region is renowned for our agriculture (the Salinas Valley is often called the salad bowl of the world) and tourist attractions (the Monterey Bay region boasts the beauty of our coastline and the Santa Cruz and Santa Lucia Mountains). California's 20th congressional district includes all of Monterey and San Benito Counties, and parts of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. The constituencies of each county vary so finding commonalities on policy can be challenging.
Congressman Panetta’s focus has been on supporting our military veterans, improving the economy of our major industries, immigration reform, the continued protection of our coastline and environment, affordable and accessible health care, and to ensure that our agriculture industry and its farmers and farmworkers are protected. He is on three very important House Committees — House Ways and Means (the Money Committee), the House Committee on the Budget, and the House Committee on Agriculture — these committee assignments can be impactful to our region.
There are unknowns and intriguing issues abound in Washington beyond the investigations of the Trump Administration. How about a rising federal deficit? The U.S. federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2019 is $985 billion. The deficit is growing because the U.S. government spending of $4.407 trillion is higher than its revenue of $3.422 trillion. The deficit is 18 percent greater than last year. The FY 2018 budget created an $833 billion deficit. Spending of $4.173 was more than the estimated $3.340 revenue. How does this roll out in establishing many of the policies that the Majority party (Democrats in the House) have made as campaign promises.
What is the inside conversation about the “New Green Deal?” Is there growing concern in Congress about our foreign policies related to North Korea, China, and Russia? California is leading the way in addressing Climate Change but it is gearing up for another fight with the Trump Administration’s plan to roll back environmental standards. There is also concern that health and safety standards as well as federal water policy allocations in California may be in jeopardy. There are many policy differences between California and the Trump Administration that will be on-going during this session.
Even though the 2020 election cycle is over a year away with the Presidential primaries starting in February 2020, what impact does this election cycle have on Congress making any progress on important short and longer term issues? As of today there are over a dozen announced candidates running for the Democratic nomination to be President and two of the candidate are Californians — Senator Kamala Harris and recently announced Congressman Eric Swalwell from Dublin, CA.
On Tuesday, Feb. 26th, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to revoke President Trump National Emergency. The continued impasse between the Congress and the White House will only continue to grow in the few weeks ahead. Stay tuned, the conversation with Congressman Panetta on March 20 will surely be stimulating. Make sure to register early as this luncheon will undoubtedly sell out.
Register Now!