CAMS at the CAP: Main Street Leaders Travel To Sacramento
From left to right: Gabe Newman (Redding Cultural District), Amanda Kruschke (Eureka Main Street), Amanda Elliott (California Main Street), Leslie Silver (Downtown Vacaville), Brooke Fox (California Main Street), and Blake Fisher (Viva Downtown Redding).
By: Brooke Fox, Marketing and Communications Consultant
On March 7, CAMS Board members, CAMS and Main Street America staff, and a group of executive leaders from communities across the state traveled to Sacramento to meet with state lawmakers for the inaugural CAMS at the CAP advocacy day.
It was a chance to connect lawmakers and members of their legislative teams to the mission of Main Street in California, share the good work being done in CAMS communities, and discuss ways to help Main Street districts thrive.
The group met with lawmakers from both the Assembly and the Senate representing 21 of 33 CAMS communities. Amanda Elliott, Senior Program Officer and Director of California Programs at Main Street America led the conversation at the statewide level with national data provided by Kelly Humrichouser, Director of Government Relations for Main Street America.
Conversations included an introduction to the Main Street Approach, highlights from constituent districts, and a push for increased funding for community development, historic preservation, and economic development programs. A meeting with Assemblymember Matt Haney’s office focused on the newly formed Select Committee on Downtown Recovery, of which Haney was recently appointed as chair.
Three Main Street leaders were able to attend and advocate on behalf of their communities. CAMS Board Members Amanda Kruschke, Executive Director at Eureka Main Street met with Assemblyperson Jim Wood and Senator Mike McGuire’s office. Blake Fisher, Program Coordinator at Viva Downtown Redding met with the offices of Assemblyperson Megan Dahle and Senator Brian Dahle. Leslie Silver, Executive Director at Downtown Vacaville, voiced common concerns from her community.
Thank you to all who participated and to the offices of Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Senator Brian Dahle, Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, Assemblymember Timothy Grayson, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Assemblymember Megan Dahle, Assemblymember Jim Wood, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Assemblymember Lori Wilson, and Assemblymember Matt Haney for their time and consideration.
Learn more about California Main Street’s advocacy priorities and discover how Main Street communities and their supporters can take action.