Carol Whiteside, President of The Great Valley Center, presented on the challenges that families in California face in building savings and assets for education, retirement, homeownership, entrepreneurship, and security against economic crisis. While this is an issue throughout California, it is particularly so in the San Joaquin Valley. Capitol staff were briefed on the Valley's economy as it relates to family incomes and asset accumulation and how those factors relate to Valley residents' ability to pay for college education and/or job training, start small businesses, and sustain a decent standard of living in retirement.

This event was co-hosted by the New America Foundation, the Asset Policy Initiative of California, and the California Research Bureau, in association with Assemblymembers Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) and Ted Gaines (R-Roseville).