Josh Becker leads new effort to foster greater economic development and technological innovation

The California State Senate Rules Committee announced the formation of the Senate Select Committee on Economic Development and Technological Innovation, a new legislative body dedicated to strengthening California’s global leadership in innovation, advanced manufacturing, and public sector modernization, chaired by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park).

“For California to stay at the forefront of innovation and economic opportunity, we must ensure we’re creating the right environment for businesses to grow and thrive,” said Senator Becker. “This select committee will allow us to take a deeper look at what’s working — and what’s not — when it comes to retaining cutting-edge companies, attracting high-quality jobs, and building a more responsive, tech-enabled government.”

The Select Committee will convene experts, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, local leaders, and university researchers to develop strategies for business retention and innovation support. Through hearings, regional field visits, and collaborative roundtables, the committee will examine critical issues like tax policy, regulatory barriers, infrastructure needs, and workforce development. The committee will also explore how modern technology can improve public service delivery across state and local government agencies. Key objectives include:

· Identifying factors that help companies choose to stay and expand in California
· Studying case examples of businesses that have left the state
· Promoting successful partnerships between industry and higher education
· Exploring innovative approaches to streamline regulation and permitting
· Investigating how government can leverage technology to better serve the public

“The future of our economy depends on the decisions we make today,” said Becker. “This committee gives us a platform to listen, learn, and act on what it will take to keep California the home of innovation.”

The Senate Select Committee on Economic Development and Technological Innovation will begin hearings this spring and will issue interim findings and policy recommendations later this year.

InMenlo file photo by Irene Searles (c) 2022