Latest news with #DorisMatsui
Business Journals
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Journals
Beyond the headlines: How the Big Beautiful Bill threatens Sacramento's workforce and economy
In every corner of Sacramento, from bustling downtown offices to family-run shops in Oak Park, the heartbeat of our economy is the same: working people striving to build a better life. They are parents juggling jobs and childcare, students working their way through school and caregivers holding families together. They are the backbone of our businesses—and when they thrive, we all do. That's why we must speak plainly and urgently about H.R.-1, known in Congress as the 'Big Beautiful Bill.' Behind its polished name lies a set of policies that would do real harm to the people who make Sacramento work. This bill doesn't just threaten social programs—it threatens the very foundation of our local economy. Let's be clear. This isn't about partisanship. It's about people. It's about practical economics. And it's about the kind of leadership our business community is called to show in moments like this. H.R.-1 proposes deep cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) and SNAP (CalFresh). It will sharply limit access to the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and student loan forgiveness. These aren't handouts. They are investments—investments in health, in education and in stability. They are the scaffolding that allows working families to show up, stay healthy and contribute fully to our economy. In the districts of Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Congressman Ami Bera—covering Sacramento County and part of Yolo County—654,344 residents rely on Medi-Cal. And that's just a fraction of the many across the capital region who depend on it for healthcare. That includes many of the workers who keep our restaurants running, care for our children and elders and staff our hospitals and schools. When they lose access to healthcare, it doesn't just hurt them—it hurts the businesses that depend on them. Missed shifts, higher turnover, rising costs: These are not abstract consequences but are the daily realities employers will face if this bill becomes law. It doesn't stop there. By slashing tax credits that help families afford childcare, transportation and school supplies, H.R.-1 makes it harder for parents to stay in the workforce. By capping student loan forgiveness, it narrows the pipeline into critical professions like teaching, nursing and skilled trades—fields already stretched thin. We've seen this story before. When the safety net is pulled away, the burden doesn't disappear. It shifts—to employers, to local governments, to communities already doing more with less. Businesses are left to absorb the costs of instability: more sick days, more training, more churn. And over time, that instability becomes a drag on growth, innovation and competitiveness. But here's the good news: We don't have to accept this. Sacramento's business community has a proud tradition of stepping up—not just for profit, but for people. We've seen what's possible when business leaders use their voices to advocate for opportunity and shared prosperity so our entire community thrives. Now is one of those moments. We urge every employer, every entrepreneur, every chamber of commerce and boardroom in this region to take a stand. Call your representatives. Make it clear that gutting the programs that support our workforce is not just bad policy—it's bad business. Because the truth is, when we invest in people, we all rise. When we protect the health and dignity of workers, we build stronger companies. When we ensure that every child has a shot at success, we secure the future of our economy. This is about who we are—and who we want to be. Let's choose a Sacramento where businesses thrive because families are strong. Let's choose a future where prosperity lifts everyone—not just a few. Let's reject H.R.-1 and stand up for the values that make our community resilient, compassionate, and bold.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Construction Leaders, Elected Officials, and Airport Partners Unite to Highlight Mental Health at Sacramento International Airport
SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 28, leaders from the construction industry, government, and Sacramento International Airport came together for AGC of California's Mental Health Media Day, an event aimed at elevating mental health as a core pillar of jobsite safety and worker well-being. Hosted on the site of the airport's future Terminal B parking garage and pedestrian bridge, nearly 100 construction workers paused their efforts on the jobsite and shifted their attention to mental health. The event featured remarks from local dignitaries, construction leaders, and mental health advocates, who spoke candidly about the mental health challenges facing the construction industry and the benefits of addressing those challenges head-on. "Your mental health is just as important as your physical health," said Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07). "When we care for ourselves and for one another, we build a stronger, safer, more resilient industry, and society." "As a County, we take our behavioral health responsibilities seriously," said Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez. "But it's not just about services and hotlines. It's about bringing mental health into the everyday, into partnerships, jobsite practices, and conversations like this." AGC of California members across the state have held safety stand-downs focused on mental health throughout May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. The stand-downs are an opportunity for employers to have conversations not just about mental health, but also resources available and the value each company has for their employees and workers. "At Balfour Beatty, we often talk about building with purpose," said Kyle Frandsen, Vice President of Balfour Beatty. "And while we're proud of the structures we leave behind, it's the impact on people that truly defines our work. That's why today matters. Because behind every hardhat is a human story." Sharing more about the real-world impacts of mental health on the jobsite was Stephen Dummit, President of Tradewinds Leadership, a professional training and development firm. A former electrical contractor turned coach and facilitator, Dummit reinforced the need to make mental health and resilience as essential as physical safety, highlighting on-the-job tools for those in attendance. "May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but this movement can't stop in June," said Allison Otto, CEO of Otto Construction. "This is a year-round commitment. So, let's use today as a spark to build a future where mental health is treated with the same urgency as physical safety." Mental Health Media Day is part of AGC of California's ongoing initiative to help the construction industry create supportive work environments by providing tools, training, and access to mental health resources. By spotlighting these resources during Mental Health Awareness Month, the association aims to engage its members and their employees in critical conversations that impact safety. "Taking care of our teams goes far beyond hard hats and safety harnesses," said Peter Tateishi, CEO of AGC of California. "It's about ensuring every person feels supported, valued, and equipped to do their best work." AGC of California's Mental Health Initiative continues to engage contractors and jobsite leaders in proactive efforts to build a culture of care. Resources and tools are available at About the Associated General Contractors of California Since 1920, the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California) has worked alongside members to provide advocacy, education, career development, and networking opportunities to experienced and next generation construction and contracting professionals. AGC of California advocates for contractors with state and local governments, while helping members connect with industry leaders through services, innovative programs, and events. Learn more at MEDIA CONTACT | Teresa Kentkentt@ | 916.833.8751 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Associated General Contractors of California Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Officials provide updates on Sacramento's tourism industry
( — Visit Sacramento hosted its annual State of Tourism event this morning. Tourism officials shared the latest updates on our region's travel and hospitality industry and unveiled an exciting new food event launching this year. Visit Sacramento staff, congress members, airport officials from SMF, and city and county leaders gathered today to share the updates inside the Safe Credit Union Convention Center. 'Now is the moment. We can feel it. Things are happening, and we're going to take this moment and run away with it,' said Congresswoman Doris Matsui. Sacramento's tourism industry made a strong comeback after the COVID-19 pandemic. It's now generating $4 billion annually. Sac State PD looking for arson suspect who fled on foot 'We attract more than 15 million visitors a year. They spend millions of dollars into our economy, and it creates tens of thousands of jobs in Sacramento,' said Mike Testa, Visit Sacramento's President and CEO. In 2024, local businesses brought in $148 million from visitor spending, while other tourism markets across California slumped. Testa says the Sacramento region's wide variety of events and attractions is keeping tourism strong. 'When one industry may be down, like conventions, sports picks it up, or music festivals pick it up.' The local industry continues to grow, even after two significant events, X-Games and Golden Sky, were paused this year. Although Testa says both are expected to return, 'Certainly losing Golden Sky this year isn't a great thing.' Fairfield man indicted for failing to pay over $2 million in employment taxes 'The good news is it's a pause. We expect it to be back in 2026,' said Testa. 'X Games is an event that we had hosted before. While we hate that it's postponed a year, it's still coming back.' Filling the gap left by those events, Visit Sacramento announced a brand new addition: Terra Madre Americas. 'It's the largest food conference in Europe,' Testa explained. 'It attracts 300,000 people from 120 different countries in Torino, Italy. We are bringing that event to Sacramento.' Ed Roehr, Co-Director of Slow Food Sacramento, helped bring the event here. He says Terra Madre will showcase our region's food scene to the world. 'Bringing out producers, makers, and farmers from around the states and America here. Offering interesting perspectives on food and food values. I think it's going to be fantastic,' Roehr said. With other West Coast tourism cities struggling, Sacramento is moving forward thanks to new events and plenty of unique experiences. 'I think Sacramento is in a really good place,' Testa said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
California likely to pay for Republican budget cuts
WASHINGTON — Republicans are still negotiating how they plan to trim $880 billion from federal health care and environmental programs, but it appears that it will come at the cost of California's budget. The House Republican bill, approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee Wednesday evening after nearly 27 hours straight of debate, would reduce spending by more than $880 billion over the next decade, $715 billion of which would come from health care, according to the Congressional Budget Office. This legislation 'rips massive holes in states' budgets that are near impossible to fill,' Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, said. California spent about $42.7 trillion on Medicaid in Fiscal Year 2023 and the federal government spent about $81.3 trillion. This bill would substantially reduce federal spending by imposing more checks on enrollees and providers, including eligibility checks twice a year, reducing funding for states that provide insurance to undocumented immigrants and establishing work requirements — leaving states to fill the gaps. The marathon markup included protestors in wheelchairs being dragged out by Capitol Police, the appearance of several Democratic senators and fights over whether lawmakers could address each other by name or say that another member lied. The committee worked straight through, with only a 40-minute recess Wednesday afternoon to allow members to vote on the House floor. Otherwise, members had to be within walking distance of the hearing room or risk missing critical debate or votes on amendments. Lawmakers were able to take short breaks to get food and drinks or use the restroom, but the markup continued while they did so. Lawmakers began debating the health care portion of the legislation at 12:30 a.m. Eastern Time Wednesday and didn't conclude until 16 hours later. 'My Democratic colleagues want to paint the picture that Republicans are cutting Medicaid to pay for tax increases for billionaires, when in reality, we, under the leadership of President Trump, are protecting benefits for vulnerable beneficiaries for decades to come. We are stabilizing, we are saving, we are sustaining Medicaid for those it was intended for,' Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Georgia, said. As Republicans put together the framework of the bill in February and March, they repeatedly said that they would cut $880 billion from environmental and health programs without making cuts to Medicaid. Democrats called the notion laughable. To compensate for a cut to federal Medicaid funding, states will need to raise taxes, shift funds from other programs or cut benefits, Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio (Riverside County), said. The CBO estimated that at least 8.6 million people would lose health insurance over the next decade as a result of the bill. More than a quarter of Californians are on the state's Medicaid program, including 41% of all children, 49% of adults with disabilities and 41% of people living in nursing homes. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he would not allow Medicaid to be cut. It's a politically unpopular move that risks the swing district moderate Republicans who gave his party the House majority. Trump has, on several occasions, appeared to sympathize with swing-district moderates on issues that could risk their seats, rather than supporting the position of the majority of his party. Rep. David Valadao, R-Bakersfield, represents the congressional district with the highest Medicaid enrollment in the country and has been one of the most prominent Republicans opposing Medicaid cuts in the legislation. Valadao, who lost his seat in 2018 due to Republican efforts to cut back health care spending, has spearheaded several letters to congressional leadership and publicly spoken out against the proposals as Democrats hammer him on the issue on the airwaves. Valadao and Rep. Young Kim, R-Anaheim (Orange County), were among House Republicans from blue states who wrote to Republican leadership April 14 saying that they could not vote for cuts to Medicaid for vulnerable populations. Valadao also joined other House Republicans who are Hispanic or represent majority-Hispanic districts in opposing cuts to Medicaid in a February 19 letter. 'We support targeted reforms to improve program integrity, reduce improper payments, and modernize delivery systems to fix flaws in the program that divert resources away from children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and pregnant women — those who the program was intended to help. However, we cannot and will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations.' Valadao and Kim's districts are key targets for Democrats to win in 2026 and both have been under enormous pressure from their constituents and advocacy groups to oppose the legislation. Democrats claimed the legislation would result in 13.7 million people losing their insurance, however that number includes five million people already expected to lose coverage due to an expiring tax credit. House Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, on Monday called the CBO's projected insurance losses 'incorrect' and said Democrats 'claimed an artificially high number in alleged coverage loss just so they can fearmonger and score political points.' The legislation also hamstrings states from one way they could raise funds to keep benefits: provider taxes. The bill that would ban states from imposing new or increased taxes on health care providers, which states use to pay for their share of Medicaid costs. 'This provision is a direct attack on the way states fund health care. This is a move that would devastate state Medicaid programs,' Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, said. 'If states can't use provider taxes to finance Medicaid, they will have to find money elsewhere. That means raising taxes on everyday citizens — sales taxes, income taxes, property taxes.' California voters have been supportive of provider taxes, approving a proposition in 2024 to enact a permanent tax on Medicaid managed care organizations by 68%. Provider taxes are a 'legitimate and vital funding stream that states desperately need,' Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-San Mateo, said. 'The provider tax freeze and redistribution requirements included in the bill would be catastrophic. It would effectively overturn the will of voters in my state, and dozens of others.' But Republicans say the tax has been abused and pointed to California as the worst offender. The provider tax has become 'an unlimited drawdown of federal dollars. Some states, like California, have figured out that they can tax Medicaid managed care plans and get around the provider tax,' Guthrie said. The Republican bill would cut the federal funding match for the Medicaid expansion population by 10% for states that use their own tax revenue to pay for undocumented immigrants to receive Medicaid — one of which is California. 'I have opposed cutting benefits for eligible beneficiaries. But now, thanks to Governor Newsom and the Legislature's reckless actions, we could lose billions in federal funding, harming the very vulnerable populations I have fought to protect,' Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin (Placer County), said in a statement Tuesday. 'He and the Legislature can protect our funding today by reversing the reckless policy … of spending our taxpayers on comprehensive coverage for illegal immigrants.' Those cuts, according to the CBO, would save $11 billion across the seven states that currently do so. Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed cancelling a planned expansion of benefits to undocumented immigrants of all ages on Wednesday. The state allows undocumented children and teens to be on Medi-Cal. New adult enrollee would not be allowed under his proposal, and adults who have already registered would have to pay a $100 monthly premium beginning in 2027. The Republican bill would also require that able-bodied adults aged 19 to 64 work, volunteer or participate in an education program for 80 hours each month. 92% of current Medicaid recipients are already working or caregiving, disabled or attending school, according to KFF News. Many vulnerable populations would be exempt from the mandate, including pregnant women, foster youth, members of Native American tribes, parents or the recently incarcerated. But Democrats argued that work requirements would result in fewer Medicaid enrollees, not because people wouldn't be able to meet that standard or be eligible for an exemption, but that the burden of proving either would be insurmountable. 'If you fill out the paperwork incorrectly, you lose your health insurance. That means if the state hasn't figured out how to determine when you got pregnant, when you stopped or began work, you're kicked off. That means that under this bill — cause they do multiple checks — if you've been laid off and you haven't gotten a new job yet, you're kicked off,' said Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Virginia. Several Republican states have attempted to institute work requirements for Medicaid. 18,000 people in Arkansas lost coverage in a nine-month period while work requirements were in place. In Georgia, where only new enrollees were subject to the requirement, 4,231 people enrolled, when the state had expected 100,000. The Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that more than 6 million people could lose Medicaid coverage if work requirements became federal law. The bill would also require states to impose copays of up to $35 for Medicaid recipients who enrolled as a result of higher income limits from the Affordable Care Act, funds that aren't guaranteed to go back into the program. With fewer people eligible for Medicaid, uncompensated emergency room use will also increase, which will cause hospitals to increase costs for private insurers, who will then raise costs on private insurance plans, said Ruiz. 'The other thing they'll do is they'll reduce physician payments, which will lead to less access to physicians who take Medicaid patients, and in some cases with physician practices that see a high caseload of Medicaid patients, they may have to close their clinic,' he said. Lawmakers considered 246 amendments to the health care section of the bill. Democrats proposed the amendments to push Republicans to debate each individual issue and to force them to vote against proposals that could appear positive to voters, like one that would have prevented health cuts from taking effect if any provision 'would result in an increase in mortality rates due to reduced access to health care services.' Guthrie said he wouldn't vote for a bill if it would result in an increase in mortality rates, and that the amendment was unnecessary. The Republicans on the committee voted against that amendment and every other, including one that would reinvest any savings from the bill back into Medicaid and another that would crack down on Medicare Advantage plans reporting that patients are more unhealthy than they actually are to get more money from the federal government — a proposal from a Republican senator. Several Senate Republicans, including some who aren't concerned about their reelection chances, have also expressed concern about cutting Medicaid. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley wrote in the New York Times Monday that 'slashing health insurance for the working poor' would be 'morally wrong and politically suicidal.' 'If Republicans want to be a working-class party — if we want to be a majority party — we must ignore calls to cut Medicaid and start delivering on America's promise for America's working people,' said Hawley, who easily won reelection in November in a red state that expanded Medicaid. Hawley told CNN on Wednesday that Trump wouldn't sign the bill if the cuts to Medicaid remained in the final version. Several ultra conservative members of Congress have said they plan to oppose the legislation because they feel the cuts on Medicaid and other safety net programs are too weak. The House has several weeks to finalize the legislation, if they are going to meet the Memorial Day deadline set by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, but, no matter what, Republicans can only lose three votes in each chamber.
E&E News
14-05-2025
- Business
- E&E News
House lawmakers clash over climate spending cuts
Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee spent hours Tuesday evening torching Republicans' efforts to use their sweeping party-line bill to roll back billions of dollars for clean energy and environment programs while boosting fossil fuels. The markup of the committee's portion of the GOP megabill — which was still going Wednesday morning — saw Democrats push a barrage of amendments aimed at provisions that would repeal funding for climate initiatives and allow natural gas producers to pay to expedite project approvals. Democrats also sought to put Republicans on the record opposing climate, clean energy and manufacturing subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act that many of them have supported or benefited from, even if they did not vote for the underlying legislation. Advertisement 'Republicans are stealing money from their own communities,' said Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), who is a co-chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.
