California Legislators Launch Historic Tech Caucus

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymembers Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) and Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) today launched the California Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus.  The Caucus comprises a bi-partisan group of Assemblymembers and Senators who view this as a statewide effort to ensure that California remains the global leader in technology and innovation.

“I am proud to help launch the California Tech Caucus.  As the representative from Silicon Valley, where creativity and innovation are constantly making dreams a reality, this caucus will allow us to continue to create policies that will foster the innovation that makes California the Golden State.” said Caucus Co-Chair Assemblymember Low.

The growth of the technology industry has been a tremendous boon to California’s economic recovery, creating over five million jobs, directly and indirectly annually. A recent report by the Progressive Policy Institute stated, “The Golden State’s economy has ridden the power of the sizzling tech/info revolution.  From mobile to social media, to online video and the Internet of Things, California-based companies are leading the way.”

“I am honored and proud to serve as a founding member and Co-Chair of the Legislative Tech Caucus,” Calderon said. “California is the technology hub of the world. Our state thrives in large part because of our creative economy and the tech sector. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that California continues to lead the way for innovation and make sure our next generation receives the proper training and education to be competitive in this new world economy,” he added.

While most of the media coverage has focused on the tech sector’s dramatic growth in Silicon Valley, it has truly been a driver of the statewide economic engine.  In the San Francisco-San Jose metro areas, over $21 billion worth of investments were made in 2014, according to the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

In the Bakersfield-Delano metropolitan area, 17.9% of jobs are Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) jobs.  In Fresno and Visalia, job growth in the technology sector has more than doubled the pace of overall job growth.  Dubbed “Silicon Beach,” the West Los Angeles area is another major tech hub in the state.  It is home to hundreds of tech companies and startups like Snapchat, Buzzfeed, and Entertainment Arts. More established tech companies like Google and Yahoo have also set up offices in Southern California.

The Technology and Innovation Caucus is committed to learning about, protecting and promoting California’s technology and innovation sector.  The Caucus seeks to foster and promote technology and innovation, support legislation that creates jobs, improve the use of technology to improve the lives of people, promote the technology and innovation climate in California, and engage on emerging policy issues.

The first caucus meeting will occur in January 2016, when the Legislature reconvenes.

CAUCUS MEMBERS INCLUDE:

(Co-Chair) Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley)
(Co-Chair) Assemblymember Ian Calderon (D-Whittier)
Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica)
Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-Inglewood) 
Senator Jim Beall (D-San Jose)
Senator Anthony Cannella  (R-Ceres)
Assemblymember Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar)
Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco)
Assemblymember Matt Dababneh (D-Los Angeles)
Assemblymember Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo)
Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens)
Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco)

CONTACT: Ben Golombek (Low) – (916) 319-2028; Lerna Shirinian (Calderon) – (562) 692-5858