February 4, 2009

Poizner stresses need for California to restore its reputation

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner addressed over 600 Silicon Valley leaders from the South Bay’s leading business group, the San Jose Silicon Valley (SJSV) Chamber of Commerce, during its annual membership meeting, the Power Report lunch.

District 6 Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio stops to take a photo with Bob Kieve, owner and general manager for KRTY and KLIV stations during the San Jose Silicon Valley Camber of Commerce’s annual Power Report.

A proponent of streamlining government, Poizner has successfully reduced his department’s budget by 10 percent in his first two years in office. He has passed some of those savings on to over 300,000 insurance agents and brokers through a 6 percent reduction of their annual licensing fees. Poizner’s years of experience as a successful Silicon Valley high-tech entrepreneur give him a business perspective that appears to be lacking at the state level.

“California’s edge in the global economy is slipping— and we can’t afford to let that continue,” he told the audience. “We must work to foster a more competitive environment in which innovation can flourish and jobs can be created.”

Poizner explained that one of the solutions could be found in minimum standards for primary education, suggesting that students not be advanced until they have first grade level proficiency in reading and fifth grade level proficiency in computation.

“California has gone from first to worst when it comes to education,” he added. “Our teachers are underappreciated and overworked, and we cannot afford to let our children bear the long-term costs of a system that isn’t working. We must deliver the high level of education that California’s children need and deserve.”

Additionally, Poizner proposed instituting similar strategic planning and operations analyses to all levels of state government that has made his department more efficient and effective. However, letting “When I’m Governor” slip with a swift retraction was the only mention of his possible run for top post in the state. Business leaders in attendance found Poizner’s candor and approach refreshing and hopeful in the environment of uncertain economic times.

The Chamber also installed its new 2009 board of directors. Michael Busselen of McAfee is the board’s new chair succeeding William Klein of Hopkins & Carley, A Law Corporation. Gerry DeYoung of Ruth and Going, Inc. is the board’s chair-elect. Newly inducted board members include: Terry Anderson, Cisco Systems, Inc.; Chris Apostolopoulos, KB Home; Terry Austen, Kaiser Permanente; Tom Carey, Orchard Supply Hardware; Paola Visconti-Chesser, Bank of America; Chief Robert Davis, San Jose Police; David Duong, California Waste Solutions; Doug Graham, Lockheed Martin; Logan Howard, San Jose Executive Center; Kent Russell, Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment and San Jose Sharks; Case Swenson, Swenson Development & Construction; William Wagner, NESCO Accounting & Finance; and, Kyra Whitten, Xilinx.

The Power Report is a longstanding Chamber tradition. Held at the beginning of each year, the event is a strong kickoff that both energizes its membership and reaffirms its commitment to playing a vital role in the local community. The 2008-2009 Annual Chamber Report was released to the membership, summarizing the past year’s accomplishments.