California, the most diverse and entrepreneurial state in America, is poised for a big step onto the national stage this year. Its presidential primary is moving to the front end of the 2008 campaign season. Its native daughter, Nancy Pelosi, is serving her historic first year as Speaker of the House. And the nation is taking notice as a series of major bipartisan policy agreements take place in Sacramento.

Within this context the New America Foundation, with co-hosts Public Policy Institute of California and The James Irvine Foundation held this important event to delve into what makes California unique in the national political landscape. The purpose of the series is to identify important themes for the upcoming year and to provide a platform for high-level discussion by major policy leaders about the most important issues facing our state.

Governor Schwarzenegger keynoted a program that included key elected oficials, along with noted national and California-based journalists. Two influential online news sources covered the event: the California Progress Report and San Francisco-based KQED's Capitol Notes .

To view a webcast or read a transcript of the Governor's remarks, please visit the Governor's website.