Episode Details

Rosanne Foust, President and CEO of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA), joins Mark Simon and Bob Marks for a wide-ranging conversation about the economy, housing, taxes, transportation, AI and politics across San Mateo County and the Peninsula.

Foust discusses the diversity of the county's economy, the continued growth of life sciences and biotech, and the workforce challenges facing employers. She also talks about the region's housing shortage, workforce housing, affordability and the debate over building more high-density housing.

The conversation turns to several ballot measures, including Menlo Park's Measure P, Redwood City's rent-control measure, regional transportation funding and Proposition 45 and its implications for CEQA and development.

Foust also discusses rising taxes and their effect on small businesses, the future of public transit, the potential for a new Redwood City ferry terminal, and how the rapid development of artificial intelligence is changing the economic landscape.

The interview concludes with a discussion about the political environment in San Mateo County and the importance of compromise and finding practical solutions.

Mark and Bob then continue the conversation with a look at local tax measures, Proposition 43 and the national political landscape heading into the November election.

Chapters

• (00:00) - Welcome & Introducing Rosanne Foust
• (00:56) - The State of San Mateo County's Economy
• (02:16) - Life Sciences, Biotech & Economic Diversification
• (04:50) - The Workforce Challenge: Finding Skilled Employees
• (07:03) - Housing Affordability & Workforce Housing
• (09:18) - Employer-Supported Housing & Farm Worker Housing
• (10:22) - Building More Housing on the Peninsula
• (12:00) - Menlo Park Measure P & Downtown Development
• (14:58) - Redwood City Rent Control & Measure E
• (17:53) - Finding Relief for Renters & Small Businesses
• (19:41) - Local Taxes, Bonds & the $2 Billion Question
• (21:05) - The Potential Benefits of Transportation & Education Spending
• (22:18) - Public Transit, Traffic & Regional Transportation Funding
• (23:13) - California's Tax Structure & High-Income Earners
• (24:20) - Sales Taxes & the Impact on Small Businesses
• (27:03) - Is There a Sales Tax Breaking Point?
• (28:07) - Changing Attitudes Toward Taxes
• (30:00) - Proposition 45 & CEQA Reform
• (32:29) - Data Centers & the Proposition 45 Debate
• (34:46) - AI: Opportunity, Risks & the Need for Guardrails
• (36:20) - The Future of Ferry Service on the Peninsula
• (37:09) - Plans for a Redwood City Ferry Terminal
• (39:32) - Regional Transportation Measure & Public Transit
• (42:39) - The Political Environment in San Mateo County
• (45:23) - Mark & Bob Discuss Local Taxes and the November Election
• (48:16) - National Politics & the Midterm Election
• (50:01) - Congressional Races & the National Political Climate
• (52:14) - Wrapping Up The Game

The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. Watch or listen to every episode at TheGamePeninsula.com.