Region Business, led by CEO Joshua Wood, has emerged as a significant pro-business force in Sacramento politics, advocating for major projects and balancing labor union influence while promising to be the largest local campaign funder. Wood’s aggressive tactics, including a strident email challenging a “poison pill” in a $3.6 billion transportation sales tax plan, sparked tension with county leaders, though softened wording secured support for the April 28 approval. His group pushes for the Capital SouthEast Connector and a 1-million-square-foot Sacramento Convention Center expansion, outpacing City Hall’s plans, while negotiating from a strong position without clashing with the Sacramento Metro Chamber, whose CEO Peter Tateishi remains unthreatened. Wood’s past includes supporting a minimum wage increase to $12.50 in 2020 with health insurance credits, earning praise from Councilman Jay Schenirer for his smart, evolving approach. His 2013 success unmasking Chris Hansen in the Kings arena campaign, earning him the “smiling assassin” nickname, contrasts with controversies like opposing Sacramento Area Council of Governments on Cordova Hills and clashing with West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, who critiques the adversarial style’s long-term impact. Region Business’s 501(c)(6) status keeps funders undisclosed, though a member roster is slated for release, fueling suspicion as it backs Darrell Steinberg’s mayoral run and Michael Kozlowski’s supervisor campaign with significant funding, testing its electoral influence on June 7.
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