Envisioning a Climate-Safe California webinar #14: Investing in Climate Despite Budget Uncertainty – 25 April 2024
The Clean Coalition was a partner organization for this webinar, which took place 25 April 2024 at 10am.
The Climate Center believes in thriving, healthy communities. They envision a future where everyone in California enjoys clean air and water, renewable and reliable energy, healthy food, and abundant nature. California has the tools and the know-how to make this vision a reality if our elected leaders summon the political will. It is time we put people back at the heart of policy. In doing so, we can keep our friends and loved ones safe from worsening climate disasters, create millions of family-sustaining jobs, and give everyone the chance to thrive in the clean energy economy.
The climate center’s Envisioning a Climate-Safe California: Stories and Solutions webinar series will combine personal stories, frontline perspectives, scientific expertise, and policy analysis to shed light on how California can lead the world toward a climate-safe future. We’ll hear from the people and communities feeling the impacts of the climate crisis today as well as those advocating for solutions.
See below for more information on the thirteenth webinar of the series.
Webinar #14: Investing in Climate Despite Budget Uncertainty
Thursday, 25 April, 2024 at 10am to 11:30am PST
California’s legislative climate champions are going to be tested as this year’s estimated state budget deficit ranges from $38 to $53 billion according to the California State Senate’s Early Action Budget report. As the fifth-largest economy in the world, California must lead on climate investments, but Governor Newsom’s current climate budget proposal includes a whopping $4.7 billion in cuts and deferrals. In this webinar, experts, legislators, and activists explained the California state budget process and its politics. They also explored why California must preserve climate investments and end tax breaks for the oil and gas industry, as well as discontinue other dead-end infrastructure expenditures like freeway expansion.
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Presenters
Amy Costa is Founder and CEO of Full Moon Strategies. She is a public policy, public affairs, and organizational strategist with over two decades of experience in an array of senior strategic and executive roles. Costa’s experience includes serving as top leadership at the highest levels of California government, leading public affairs strategy for one of California’s largest employers, teaching and coaching organizational decision-making for Fortune 100 companies, overseeing public affairs strategies for one of the world’s largest higher education systems, and running one of California’s largest counties.
Elected in 2022 to represent California’s 12th Assembly District, Assemblymember Damon Connolly brings nearly 20 years of dedicated public service. A former Marin County Supervisor, San Rafael Vice-Mayor, School Board President, and Deputy Attorney General, Connolly has championed renewable energy, affordable housing, and public transit while prioritizing fiscal responsibility and environmental conservation. As a State Assemblymember, he holds key roles in climate change, wildfire prevention, and energy policy committees. A UC Berkeley alum, Connolly lives in San Rafael with his family.
Chris Chavez is the Deputy Policy Director for Coalition for Clean Air. Chris joined Coalition for Clean Air in 2017, and works on the state budget, local advocacy, and issues involving low-income and disadvantaged communities. Previously, Chris served as a Legislative Aide for State Senator Fran Pavley (ret.), staffing her on transportation, local government, and the Senate floor. Additionally, Chris served as a Senate Fellow for then-State Senator Alex Padilla and staffed legislation that improved rail service in Southern California. Prior to his time at the Capitol, Chris was a student advocate for California’s public higher education system. Chris has a BA in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach, and is a member of the City of Long Beach’s Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission.