SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, the California Budget & Policy Center announced an exciting lineup of plenary sessions and workshops for its annual conference, Policy Insights, taking place on Thursday, April 10, at the Sacramento Convention Center. This event will bring together California’s top policymakers, advocates, and thought leaders to discuss the state’s most urgent policy challenges.
The conference will feature policymakers such as Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, as well as experts from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, Families USA, Georgetown University, and the University of Southern California. These thought leaders will offer critical insights into navigating key issues like healthcare, housing, the state budget, and the intersection of state and federal policy.
The event starts at 8:30 a.m. with a networking breakfast, followed by a full day of plenaries and workshops designed to provide attendees with actionable takeaways. An evening reception will celebrate the California Budget & Policy Center’s 30th anniversary, offering an opportunity to connect with peers and reflect on California’s policy evolution.
Plenary Sessions:
The conference will feature three plenary sessions throughout the day — morning, luncheon, and afternoon — addressing some of California’s most pressing policy issues. These high-level discussions will provide invaluable perspectives on how state leaders and advocates can navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the face of shifting federal policies and fiscal pressures.
The plenary sessions are as follows:
Federal Crossroads: Navigating State and Local Policy Amid National Shifts
Federal decisions often create significant challenges and opportunities for state and local governments. This plenary will examine how shifting federal policies impact California’s priorities — ranging from healthcare to housing — and how leaders, including Julian Castro from the Latino Community Foundation, Peggy Bailey from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Anthony Wright from Families USA, can leverage local solutions to counter national setbacks. Learn strategies to protect vital programs and champion California’s values amidst uncertainty.
State Leaders, New Challenges, and Making Progress for Californians
California’s budgetary challenges are real, but its leaders are ready to meet them head-on. Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel will discuss how they’re navigating tough fiscal decisions, fighting federal disinvestment, and working to protect California’s most vital programs and values.
30 Years of Change: Lessons from California for the Road Ahead
In celebration of the California Budget & Policy Center’s 30th anniversary, this plenary will look at the policy shifts that have shaped California — and what lessons we can apply to future challenges. Manuel Pastor from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, and Sabrina Smith from California Calls will offer a deep dive into California’s leadership in policy reform and justice movements, and outline the road to a more equitable future.
Workshops:
In addition to the plenary sessions, the conference will feature a series of workshops, topics include:
- Closing the Safety Net Gap: Integrating Housing to Boost Prosperity
- Demystifying Tax Policy and Making the Case for Ongoing State Revenues to Combat Inequality
- Protecting Health Care Access: Strengthening Reproductive Care and Advancing Equity in California
- Communicating for Impact: Making Policy Change Possible Through Strategic Communications
- Protecting California Values: Navigating Federal Processes to Combat a Harmful National Policy Agenda
- Future of Child Care in California: Advancing Fair and Just Wages for Providers
- Protecting Immigrant Rights: Priorities to Empower Communities and Strengthen California
To see the full schedule, learn about the speakers, purchase tickets, and more, please visit CalBudgetCenter.org/policy-insights-conference/.
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About the California Budget & Policy Center:
The California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center) is a nonpartisan research and analysis nonprofit advancing public policies that expand opportunities and promote well-being for all Californians.
