Steinberg: Economic Climate Not To Blame For Companies Leaving Region

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Lawmakers reacted to the shut down of the Campbell's plant Thursday.

At the capital, Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg says despite this latest shutdown of the Cambell's factory, the private sector in Sacramento is actually improving.

"Facts are stubborn things, and the facts are the facts," said Steinberg.

Within the past week, Sacramento has lost 1,000 jobs, but Steinberg says the state shouldn't be taking the blame.

"It's not California's or Sacramento's business climate, in fact, evidence is to the contrary," said Steinberg.

Steinberg points to the 16,100 jobs created in the Sacramento region over the past year.

But another fact remains; businesses are leaving California besides Comcast and Campbell's. Waste Connections is leaving the area for Texas due to what their CEO called an unfriendly business climate in California, and Rancho Cordova based Vision Service Plan is threatening to follow.

"It's really disappointing because we are seeing an emerging recovery," said Roger Niello.

Niello, president of the Sacramento Metro Chamber and a former republican assembly member, says the state needs to address its business problems.

"There's no doubt that there are policies at the state level as well as our level's of taxation that aren't encouraging to a lot of businesses," said Niello.

But Steinberg says that's not the case, pointing to his efforts to keep VSP, and other companies in Sacramento.

"Come on in, talk to me, talk to the governor's office, if there's things we can do, things that can keep you in California and we'll be glad to act," said Steinberg.

CBS13 also reached out to the mayor's office, but Mayor Kevin Johnson wasn't available for comment. However, a spokesperson said the mayor continues to ask the state to cut back on red tape.