The economic welfare of California is at stake. Al Checchi recently joined Gen Next at Five Crowns restaurant for a stimulating discussion on reform in California. Mr. Checchi argued that no sustainable solutions can be achieved through reliance on either or both of the two major political parties. Rather, potential solutions include judicial restructuring, redrafting the California constitution, holding new elections for state officers and legislature, redrafting of state contracts, and more.

“The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.”
  ~Margaret Thatcher

On Tuesday, August 18th, Gen Next Los Angeles hosted Rep. John Shadegg at the famous Beverly Hilton for a roundtable discussion on health care.  Gen Next Members and special guests nibbled on Trader Vic’s famous short ribs and cool cocktails.  The intimate discussion revealed the shortcomings of the currently proposed  health care reforms.  Health care is a very complex issue.  It touches every single American and drives our economy.  Rep. John Shadegg is a leader in market-based solutions for health care reform.  Shadegg has recently introduced the bill, Improving Health Care for All Americans, which outlines free market solutions aimed at reducing the rising costs of care and reinforces the right of individuals to choose their individual plan.  An article  written by Whole Foods CEO, John Mackey,  was provided by Shadegg, and outlines eight things we can do to improve health care without adding to the deficit:

1.) Remove the legal obstacles that slow the creation of high-deductible health insurance plans and health savings accounts (HSAs)

2.) Equalize the tax laws so that employers-provided health insurance and individually owned insurance have the same tax benefits

3.) Repeal all state laws which prevents insurance companies from competing across state lines.

4.) Repeal government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover.

5.) Enact tort reform to end ruinous lawsuits that force doctors to pay insurance costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

6.) Make costs transparent so that consumers understand what health-care treatments cost.

7.) Enact Medicare reform.

8.) Revise tax forms to make it easier for individuals to make a voluntary, tax-deductible donation to help millions of people who have no insurance and are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

From the Seattle Waterfront overlooking Puget Sound, Gen Next Members and guests spent an evening with Scott Oki discussing the current crisis in our public education system.  With refreshing openness, Mr. Oki, a well-known philanthropist, entrepreneur and new author, thanks to the recent release of his first book entitled: Outrageous Learning: An Educational Manifesto, highlighted the troubles facing our nation’s schools and gave his unique thoughts on how to solve them.

Having a room full of highly regarded community and business leaders in attendance, Mr. Oki and Gen Next had the rare opportunity to engage in an extremely candid and high level dialogue. He presented what he refers to as the “eleven planks,” foundational ideas which offer a straight forward vision on how we can positively change public education.  Some of these “planks” include longer school years, increased volunteer participation, local budgetary control, the elimination of standardized curriculum, early intervention and specialized instruction. 

Prior to founding Oki Developments, Inc., Mr. Oki retired after 10 years with Microsoft Corporation where he served as Sr. Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Service.  His personal mission statement is “to marry my passion for things entrepreneurial with things philanthropic in a way that encourages others to do the same.”

Even in a relatively safe county such as the County of Orange, crime and its prevention are one of the larger priorities to constituents and local government. Newly appointed Sherriff Sandra Hutchens spoke with Members at Makar Properties on August 6th to discuss her strategy to keep criminal activity to a minimum and keep the sheriff’s department running efficiently.

Sheriff Hutchens earned her title with 30 years in the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department and was among the first group of women allowed to work on the field wearing pants.  

Sheriff Hutchens also reminded us that money, its distribution and politics are in fact major aspects of her job.  With the $20 million dollars she faces in cuts, Hutchens chose to focus on the well being of the average citizen rather than the hierarchy of the Sheriff Department. Instead of cutting recourses from the bottom, she chose to reduce funds at the top of the department, in order to give the smallest amount of change to the public, keeping the amount of field officers the same. Her honest, upfront, and good willed approach to the position is an asset to the force. Much of the conversation also focused on diverging opinion on private gun ownerships and its role in public safety.