Pacific Council Releases San Francisco Bay Area Economic Report -- California Capitol Hill Bulletin - Volume 10, Bulletin 10 - April 11, 2003

The Pacific Council on International Policy recently released a report entitled, "Globalization in the San Francisco Bay Area: Trying to Stay at the Head of the Class." The report, authored by Sarah Bachman, argues that the region's recent technology-led success has overburdened its infrastructure and threatened its famed quality of life. It concludes that regional action to address these problems is essential if the region is to retain its global economic competitiveness.

Among its findings is that the Bay Area's trade infrastructure, such as airports and seaports need major upgrades, if they are not to continue to lose business to their competitors in Southern California. The report also argues that the area "must be vigilant against policies that could endanger its ability to attract the immigrants who have played such an important role in globalization by linking the innovation and money of Silicon Valley back to their homelands." The report goes on to state that: "Despite legitimate concerns about homeland security after September 11, it is important that Bay Area universities and businesses continue to attract the well-educated, entrepreneurial foreigners who account for much of the region's success."

A copy of the full report can be obtained at the PCIP website at: http://www.pacificcouncil.org .

To expand communications between Washington and California, the California Institute provides periodic faxed bulletins regarding current activity on Capitol Hill which directly impacts our state. Bulletins are published weekly during sessions of Congress, and occasionally during other periods. The e-mail edition is made possible in part by in kind donations from IBM Corp.

The California Institute for Federal Policy Research
A Source of Information on California and Federal Policy
419 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
voice: 202-546-3700   fax: 202-546-2390  ransdell@calinst.org    http://www.calinst.org