California, the Crisis and the Next Social Contract - Intro

275 views · Published 24 February 2009 · 13:41 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: New America · 2009 · News & Politics

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On February 9, 2009, the New America Foundation hosted a daylong conference at San Franciscos Commonwealth Club to bring together state and national leaders in the areas of healthcare, economic growth and infrastructure, and higher education to discuss how the current crisis is challenging states and threatening the economic opportunity and security that is essential to an attainable American Dream. Sponsored by New Americas Next Social Contract Initiative and the California Program, the conference explored how the states and the federal government can use this moment of crisis to strengthen the social contract for the future.

Leif Haase, Director of the California Program at New America, delivered introductory remarks that linked Californias fiscal crisis to the stimulus debate raging in Washington, and identified the steep and painful budget cuts facing states if they do not receive help.  Haase then outlined the goals of the California Program and the Next Social Contract Initiative and sketched out the rest of the day.

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