California's unemployment

California has 2,143,000 unemployed adults and an unemployment rate of 11.4 percent.
As residents of Silicon Valley, with unemployment hovering around 10 percent, we are relatively robust in comparison to 20 of California’s 58 counties still suffering with unemployment above 15 percent. Or the residents in seven California counties with unemployment above 25 percent.
Yes, if you live in Imperial, Sutter, Colusa, Madera or several other counties, chances are one in four that you don’t have a job.
That’s why Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom is criss-crossing the state developing a plan – potentially California’s first “Jobs and Economic Competitiveness Plan” in the history of the golden state. Last week, he met with 60 Silicon Valley CEO’s in three key clusters: renewable energy, bio-tech & high-tech. Next week, he will meet with 60 more.
Building a plan – seeking out CEO’s – working to put Californians back to work. Kudos to Governor Brown and Lieutenant Governor Newsom for making California’s economy – and jobs for Californians - the priority.

Bike-to-Work Month

May is a great time to trade in four wheels for two wheels, as we celebrate bike-to-work month.

Before you write me off as one more spandex wearing crazy bicyclist - which i am - consider the following:

* The typical commute length in the Bay Area is five miles or less - perfect for cycling.
* A gallon of gas is now above $4. Pedal power is free.
* Silicon valley enjoys 300-plus sunny days per year, ideal conditions for riding to work.
* A five-mile commute by bike burns off half the calories of that Starbucks drink you just sipped. Make it a round trip, and all those calories are gone.
* The bike path, trail and lane network in Santa Clara County has grown to hundreds of miles, making cycling to work both fun and safe.

And for me, the best reason to cycle to work, I can eat all the chocolate I want.

Join me. Try riding your bike even one day in May. For route information to and from work, contact the great folks at the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. Tell them I sent you. And you don't even have to wear spandex.

Silicon Valley Caucus

First Dates are fun. Relationships are better.

Two weeks ago, The Silicon Valley Leadership Group launched the "Silicon Valley Caucus," an inaugural meeting between our 13 state senators and assemblymen who represent us in the state capitol, with more than 30 Silicon Valley CEOs.

Such is the concern about the success of California that these 30 CEO’s, competing globally, drove all the way to Sacramento for the two-hour meeting.

Like any "first date" the purpose of the initial conversation was to get acquainted, raise the broad challenges that inhibit economic development and job growth in the Golden State, and set the parameters for future dialogue.

We agreed to three more roundtables in 2011, in which we can dive deep on ways that the world’s innovation capital can best assist our representatives in the state capitol. Stay tuned. Only good can come from such collaboration.

U.S. Corporate Tax Rate

Usually, there is excitement when an individual, a team, a company or a country declares "we're number one." Such a chant is often accompanied by a big foam finger elevated up to the sky.

Not so with the United States. When it comes to the world's highest corporate tax rate, America is now "number one," a dubious distinction that leaves American companies - and therefore American workers - uncompetitive abroad.

The U.S. corporate tax rate, adding in California's additional rate, is 39.4 percent. Competitor nations average in the low 20's.

Adding insult to injury, America is the only country in the world that double-taxes the profits American companies make while competing abroad. We pay the corporate rate in the country in which we do business, and then pay the U.S. rate that is left over if our company's ever try to bring those earnings back to America's shores. This broken system has trapped more than $1 trillion off-shore, unable to make it back home to stimulate the American economy.

Let's get it right. Congress and the President should be fighting to make American employers more competitive globally, not less so. Overhaul America's corporate tax code; incent companies to repatriate dollars earned overseas; grow America's economy. For more details, visit "winamericacampaign.org".

Caltrain Town Halls

Launched during the Civil War, Caltrain commuter rail service has been a key component for commuters for 150 years.

In spite of strong ridership, this well-run rail line risks insolvency as it lacks a dedicated revenue stream, which almost every transit system in America enjoys.

Significant cuts are currently being proposed, with one option slashing service from 86 daily trains to just 48. With some hard work and creativity, we are hoping to minimize those cuts in the short term and add service in the long term.

To keep Caltrain strong, we need your feedback participation. Over the next six weeks, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group will host eight "town hall" meetings up & down the 79-mile Caltrain corridor.

We kick-off in Mountain View on April 11, with future town halls in Morgan Hill San Jose, Santa Clara and Palo Alto. Visit http://svlg.org/campaigns/savecaltrain/ for dates, times and details.

Caltrain serves 41,000 daily trips. We cannot afford to place those commuters back on the already congested 101 corridor. Let's work together to ensure service cuts are minimized, and find creative ways to strengthen the system for the next 150 years.

U.S. Patent Office in Silicon Valley

The U.S. Patent Office is working to reduce the patent approval process from an average of three years to a more competitive 18 months.
Kudos to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Patent Office Director David Kappos - a former IBM Executive - for streamlining a notoriously bureaucratic process.
In Silicon Valley, we know that three years equates to about four product cycles, slowing down innovation and job creation. It’s time for step two - a regional patent office in Silicon Valley. A regional office was recently approved - not for the world’s Capitol of Innovation - but for Detroit, Michigan.
Really.
Legislation is under consideration for three more regional offices. Silicon Valley is a natural. On April 14, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and Joint Venture: Silicon Valley will host Mr. Kappos to rally support for a regional office, right here in Silicon Valley. Let’s break down barriers to innovation, rather than erect them. To join us, visit SVLG.org.

San Jose City Councilman Sam Liccardo

Two public sector labor unions took to the pages of the San Jose Mercury News for a 600-word op/ed personally attacking San Jose City Councilmember Sam Liccardo about recent concerns he raised on budget and pension reforms currently under consideration.

Councilman Liccardo praised the progress of discussions with the firefighters union, but fears it's not enough to adequately address the budget shortfall.

One can agree or disagree with his assessment, but that debate should focus on dollars and cents, not demonizing the messenger with personal attacks and character assaults. In 600 words, the two union leaders didn't deny Liccardo's logic. Instead, they cast aspersions on his motives.

Let's back-up. We're best served when we attack issues - rather than the individuals or institutions who raise them.