Spotlight on Rural California

Rural California is vast—and varied. It faces unique challenges, from high poverty to sparse social services to a lingering digital divide. What are the most immediate challenges and how are leaders and stakeholders addressing them? Tani Cantil-Sakauye, president and CEO of PPIC, talks with Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher, and moderates a panel discussion with three state and local leaders: state senator Shannon Grove; Chris Lopez, who chairs the Rural County Representatives of California; and Ashley Swearengin, president and CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation.

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PPIC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. PPIC does not take or support positions on any ballot measure or on any local, state, or federal legislation, nor does it support, endorse, or oppose any political parties or candidates for public office. Any opinions expressed by event participants are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect any position of the Public Policy Institute of California.

PPIC’s Speaker Series on California’s Future invites thought leaders and changemakers with diverse perspectives to participate critically, constructively, and collaboratively in public conversations. The purpose is to give Californians a better understanding of how our leaders are addressing the challenges facing our state.