POLICY WATCH – July 2026
In This Issue
AI Can’t Fix Your AC
A Turning Point for CEQA Reform in Prop 45?
PBS Newshour Story- Highlighting “No Country for Mothers” Documentary
Upcoming Events
Save the Date - Business Edge Briefing, September 22, 8:00am-9:30am, Dominican University
Save the Date - State of the North Bay Economic Conference, October 14, 8:30am-10:00am via zoom
Members in the News
I hope you're enjoying summer and finding a little time to slow down, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. While many of us are taking some well-deserved time away from the office, the work of shaping our future hasn't taken a vacation.
In Sacramento and here in the North Bay, legislation continues to move, campaigns are ramping up, and the November election is quickly coming into focus. Voters will be asked to weigh in on dozens of state and local ballot measures, alongside important races that will have lasting impacts on our economy and communities.
As we head into the fall, NBLC will be carefully evaluating the issues that matter most to the North Bay business community and sharing our recommendations and positions in the weeks ahead.
Until then, I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer—and this month's newsletter.
Best regards,
Joanne
AI Can’t Fix Your AC:
Last month, we highlighted California's new effort to track the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce. As AI adoption accelerates, it's natural to focus on the jobs that may be transformed or displaced.
I recently passed a billboard from a local HVAC company that made me smile: "AI can't fix your AC." It's a clever reminder that while artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, many jobs will always require skilled people with hands-on expertise. And even in professions where AI is becoming commonplace, it is more likely to augment human talent than replace it entirely.
A recent Sacramento Bee opinion piece by columnist Lebron Antonio Hill forces this point. Throughout history, technological innovation has changed the nature of work, eliminating some tasks while creating entirely new industries, occupations, and opportunities. The question isn't whether AI will reshape the workforce, it already is. The real question is whether California will equip workers, employers, and educators to adapt successfully.
For the North Bay, this reinforces the importance of investing in workforce development, lifelong learning, and partnerships between business and education. Employers have an opportunity to help shape how AI is used, not simply to replace workers, but to improve productivity, enhance innovation, and allow employees to focus on higher-value work.
After all, while AI may help write code, analyze data, and streamline operations, and hopefully help us cure cancer someone still has to build homes, repair infrastructure, care for patients, and yes—fix the air conditioner.
A Turning Point for CEQA Reform?
North Bay Leadership Council has long championed California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reforms to protect our environment without allowing unnecessary bureaucracy to stand in the way of the projects our communities need most. Our position has been simple: we can protect California's environment while also making it easier to build the housing, transportation, clean energy, and infrastructure projects our communities desperately need.
Now, it appears California voters may be reaching the same conclusion.
A recent statewide poll found that 73% of likely voters support Proposition 45 a November ballot measure that would modernize CEQA by establishing clearer timelines for environmental review while preserving the law's core environmental protections.
When CEQA was enacted more than 50 years ago, it became a national model for environmental stewardship. But over time, the law has also become a tool for costly delays, uncertainty, and litigation that can stall housing developments, transportation improvements, wildfire resilience projects, water infrastructure, and even clean energy investments.
California has begun taking steps to streamline CEQA for specific projects through recent legislative reforms, recognizing that the status quo is making it harder to address many of the state's most pressing challenges. Proposition 45 asks voters whether that modernization should continue more broadly.
For the North Bay, this conversation is especially important. Our region needs more housing for workers, investments in transportation corridors like Highway 37, wildfire resilience projects, and climate adaptation infrastructure. These projects should receive rigorous environmental review, but they should also move forward in a timely and predictable manner.
The North Bay Leadership Council has long believed that environmental stewardship and economic prosperity go hand in hand. Modernizing CEQA is not about lowering environmental standards; it's about creating a process that delivers better outcomes for our communities, our economy, and our environment.
Child Care Is an Economic Imperative:
If you haven't already, I encourage you to watch PBS NewsHour's recent story on the documentary “No Country for Mothers”. The film highlights a reality that far too many families experience every day: finding affordable, quality child care has become one of the biggest barriers to participating in the workforce.
For the North Bay Leadership Council, this issue has never been solely about child care. It is about economic competitiveness, workforce participation, and the long-term prosperity of our communities.
That's why I have been proud to help lead the Our Kids Our Future initiative in Marin County. The initiative is built on a simple but powerful premise: investing in quality early childhood education and child care is an investment in our economy. When parents can find and afford reliable child care, employers gain a more stable workforce, children enter school better prepared to succeed, and families are better able to live and work in the communities they call home.
This isn't about choosing between work and family. It's about ensuring families no longer have to make impossible choices between earning a paycheck and caring for their children.
Most importantly, investing in early childhood is about investing in our future. The children who benefit from quality early learning today will become tomorrow's innovators, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, skilled tradespeople, educators, and civic leaders. By giving every child a strong start and a fair shot, we are building the workforce, leadership, and economic vitality that will sustain Marin County for generations to come.
To learn more about Our Kids Our Future initiative and how we're working to strengthen Marin's economy by investing in our youngest learners, visit ourkidsmarin.org.
Upcoming Events:
Save the Date: Tuesday, September 22, 8:00am-9:30:00am, Dominican University of CA: Business Edge Briefing
Save the Date: Thursday, October 16th, 8:30am-10:00am, via zoom: State of the North Bay Economic Conference
Members in the News:
Redwood Credit Union Promotes Gladys Milligan, Azalia Basurto to Elevate Member Experience, Community Partnerships
Redwood Credit Union (RCU), which offers full-service personal and business banking throughout the North Bay and San Francisco, has announced the promotions of Gladys Milligan and Azalia Basurto to advance its purpose of elevating the financial well-being of its members and deepening its commitment to the communities it serves.
Sonoma State University to Restore Most Sports
Sonoma State University will bring back intercollegiate sports in 2027 following a two-year absence driven by administrators’ decision to eliminate all athletics to help close a major budget deficit.
Basin Street Properties Welcomes Stemple Creek Ranch’s New Petaluma Storefront
Stemple Creek Market’s grand opening at 2086 Marina Avenue in South Petaluma, providing a new way for customers to shop Stemple Creek Ranch’s locally raised meats, specialty products, and local goods.
North Bay Children’s Center Takes Over Beloved Santa Rosa Preschool Location and Services
North Bay Children’s Center, established 38 years ago, is headquartered in Novato but the majority of its locations are in Sonoma County. There are school-based sites in Sonoma, Petaluma, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park and two in Santa Rosa. All target working families. The Presbyterian Church location, now dubbed their Pacific campus, replaces rooms NBCC had previously used within Bellevue Union School District.
PEP Housing Named one of North Bay Business Journal’s Best Places to Work
Congratulations PEP Housing for this well-deserved recognition!
Hanson Bridgett Celebrates Landmark Supreme Court Victory for Birthright Citizenship
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in Trump v. Barbara, striking down Executive Order 14160 and reaffirming the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship for children born in the United States — regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Hanson Bridgett is proud to have played a role in this historic outcome, filing an amicus brief on behalf of LatinoJustice PRLDEF and 22 other organizations in support of this fundamental right.
Sonoma County Winegrowers and Sonoma County Vintners Announce Historic Merger
The Sonoma County Winegrowers and Sonoma County Vintners announced Wednesday that they will merge into a single organization in January 2027, uniting the region’s two largest wine trade groups.
Who We Are
North Bay Leadership Council is the strong voice of employers who advocate for sound public policy affecting the North Bay, demonstrate and grow leadership within the region, and collectively work for a more resilient, prosperous and equitable future. For more information: Call 707.283.0028 / E-mail info@northbayleadership.org
www.northbayleadership.org