SAMCEDA is sharing Capitol Weekly's thought-provoking Guest Opinion regarding the tech industry in California.  

After reading the author’s perspective, we are reminded that this industry and companies like Google, YouTube and Meta play an important role in the strength and stability of San Mateo County’s economy.  

People working in tech are our neighbors, community leaders, volunteers, PTA parents, youth sports coaches, and the list goes on.

These companies also contribute vast funding to local government budgets, affordable housing and transportation projects, nonprofit organizations, and other programs through tax revenue, employee wages and benefits, charitable contributions, and in-kind services.  

Yes, with success comes impacts—but the overall quality of life we enjoy in San Mateo County is tied directly to the health of our local economy and major tech employers specifically.

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"California’s rich history as an innovator dates back to the late 1800s when the port of San Francisco helped make the state a hub of the early telegraph and radio industries.

A century later, Hewlett-Packard, Google, and Apple were founded in Bay Area garages. Today, California is the global leader in technology innovation and entrepreneurship with a GDP of $3.6 trillion fueled by the tech industry giants such as Apple, Google, and Meta.

Now, the industry faces a well-publicized down cycle. Tech stocks have seen a significant decline in valuation. Tech firms have announced employee layoffs. Monetary policies aimed at reducing stubbornly high inflation are resulting in less investment in startups. The cost of living in California is making it increasingly difficult to support a large, local workforce.

In the face of these challenges, it is important to consider who will be hurt and who can help."

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To read more of Charla Griffy-Brown, PhD's
Capitol Weekly op-ed feature, please click here.