www.calodging.com May/June 2022 11 California’s 5,500+ hotels and 292,000 employees represent a significant segment of the state’s economy: • $24 billion in federal, state, and local taxes • $83 billion in state GDP contributions • $70 billion of guest spend at hotels and hospitality Before meeting with dozens of state senators and assembly members, attendees heard from a variety of speakers, including: • Attorney General Rob Bonta, who focused on public safety and crime reduction. “We’re stopping organized retail crime because it hurts business, hurts tourism, hurts employees, and the public. The smash and grab videos we’ve all seen are unacceptable and we’re making progress in preventing these types of crime and holding perpetrators accountable.” He also praised hotels for the work they’ve done in helping reduce crime: “Our success isn’t possible without hotels, owners, and the hospitality industry. I recognize the important role you play in our communities.” • Assembly Member Tasha Boerner Horvath, who addressed hotels’ economic recovery. “It’s gonna be a long haul as international and convention travel is a long ways away. That said, we’re California, the diversity of our geology is huge—no one else has that. We’ll come back.” • Julee Malinowski-Ball, Public Policy Advocates, focused on the legislative process: “State senators and assembly members want to hear from you. Your voice is powerful, particularly, if your hotel is in their district.” Julee Malinowski-Ball, PPA “Our success isn’t there without hotels, owners, and the hospitality industry.” – Rob Bonta, CA Attorney General “...we’re California, the diversity of our geology is huge—no one else has that. We’ll come back.” – TashaBoernerHorvath, CA Assembly Member Dean Heyl, AAHOA Assembly Member Tasha Boerner Horvath “State senators and members of the assembly want to hear from you. Your voice is powerful.” – Julee Malinowski-Ball, CA Public Policy Advocates Attorney General Rob Bonta continues
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