Public Policy Education Program
Jacqueline Ruiz, Director
The Public Policy Education Program (PPEP) serves as a vehicle to convene, educate, and involve a diverse group of California decision makers from across multiple sectors including government, education, nonprofit, labor, business, and media on timely and significant public policy issues impacting the Golden State. PPEP serves as an umbrella for the California Agenda Public Policy Forum Series, the annual California Policy Issues conference, and the Los Angeles State of the City Report.
The California Agenda Public Policy Forum series is a signature element of PPEP. The series provides a platform for experts from various fields to come together in order to address and debate pertinent public policy issues before an engaged audience. Forums are held throughout the year and focus on significant statewide issues that impact Californians’ quality of life.
The California Policy Issues Conference is the cornerstone of PPEP which engages Californians in spirited discussion, debate, and dialogue on the most relevant public policy issues impacting our state. It provides an opportune setting for experts and audience members alike to explore the relationship between Californians’ quality of life and governance. The conference reaches a live audience of up to 300 people and a wider audience through cable broadcast and other media coverage. The 2006, 2007, and 2009 keynote addresses were delivered by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass respectively. Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel delivered the 2010 keynote address.
The State of the City Report published annually by PBI and California State University, Los Angeles. The 2010 edition was generously supported by the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation. PBI commissions eight Los Angeles experts to offer opinions on the economy, immigration, housing, politics, sustainability, transportation, water, and health. The report attempts to initiate a dialogue around important challenges and opportunities that face the city of Los Angeles and its residents.