Learn How to Make
an Impact, Download the Fresno Chamber's Public Policy Manual
This Public Policy
Manual was created to inform our members, our elected officials
and the community at large where the Greater Fresno Area Chamber
of Commerce stands on the issues that impact businesses in our
County and the surrounding community.
August 9, 2008
Fresno Chamber Stops Multi-Billion Dollar Paid Sick Leave
Mandate Strong opposition from
the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce and Fresno
businesses stopped a proposed law in a California State Senate
Committee that would have un-reasonably expanded employer’s
costs and liability by mandating a specific paid sick leave
policy.
The proposed sick leave
law would have covered all employees, so that part-time,
seasonal and temporary workers would earn paid sick days.
“Fresno's employers are already struggling with rising energy,
health care and regulatory costs in the midst of a challenging
economy. This bill would cause employers to make tough decisions
that would hurt Fresno workers and cost jobs,” stated Al Smith,
President/CEO of the Fresno Chamber.
The proposed law mandated, without exception, that all employers
provide paid sick leave to an employee after seven days of work
in a calendar year to care for their own illness, or to provide
to a sick child, spouse, domestic partner or other relative.
The ever-increasing burden of costly mandates on employers can
cumulatively result in lower wages, reducing available health
insurance, limiting training programs and - in the worst case
scenario- job loss or reduced work hours. Job loss translates to
lower tax revenues from employers and employees, as well as
increased utilization of Unemployment Insurance. In an already
troubled economy California should be seeking ways to stimulate
job growth and avoid forcing costly mandates on employers.
July 28, 2008
TAKE ACTION NOW! Oppose A
Multi-Billion Dollar Paid Sick Leave Mandate
AB
2716 is a proposed new law that would unreasonably expand
employer's and local government agencies’ costs and liability by
mandating paid sick leave for all employees, including, interns,
seasonal, part-time, temporary, and full-time employees.
All employers in California would be mandated to provide paid
sick leave to an employee after only seven days of work in a
calendar year. The proposed new law impacts all employers, large
and small, regardless of the current level of sick leave already
provided.
This proposal, estimated to cost employers billions of dollars
in increased costs, places a massive burden on our local
businesses at a time when our economy is underperforming and job
cuts are continual.
Chamber’s
Government Affairs Council Weighs in on the Fresno County Fire
Protection Plan
Last
week the Chamber’s GAC heard from both sides of the proposed
Fresno County Fire Protection Plan and voted to not support the
proposed plan. The Fresno County Fire Protection Plan, if
approved by property owners, would create a fire suppression
assessment which is a property-related special assessment
against real property within the Fresno County Fire Protection
District service area to fund fire suppression services. The
assessment would specifically pay for new firefighters and pay
for the new equipment for the new fire stations.
Send a Letter to Your Legislator Urging Them to Find Solutions
The Fresno Chamber is continuing to urge lawmakers to insist on
a comprehensive solution to the meal period litigation crisis.
We believe there is a comprehensive solution that would provide
a remedy across all industries, all job classifications and all
employers — both union and non-union. Current law is confusing
and has led to costly litigation against California businesses.
Historically, state enforcement officials have interpreted the
statute and related regulations narrowly and unreasonably,
wrongly increasing employer liability.
Submit
Your Letters Now! Take Action On Important
Proposals Impacting Fresno's Business Community
AB 368: Mandated
Healthcare for Hearing Aids AB 368 introduces a mandate for health plans to offer
coverage for hearing aids. Currently, this coverage is available
only if agreed between the subscriber and plan, or policyholder
and insurer.
AB 1848: New tax: collection mandate for companies AB 1848 would expand the burden on California companies to
police state tax compliance of other companies with whom they do
business. California industries that could be harmed by AB 1848
include manufacturing, high-tech, aerospace, insurance, banking
and other financial services.
AB 1887: Increase Health Care Premiums AB 1887 will increase health care premiums by mandating that
health plans and insurers provide parity coverage for all of the
over 400 mental disorders identified in the latest Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This bill is
substantially similar to AB 423 (Beall) of last year, which was
vetoed by the Governor.
AB 1943: New Regulations for Airline Industries AB 1943 would impose a new set of state regulations on the
airline industry that could have harmful unintended consequences
on passengers, airline employees, and airline trafficking.
AB 2279: Medical Marijuana AB 2279 proposes to undermine employers’ ability to provide
a safe workplace by forcing employers to hire workers who use
medical marijuana, which is illegal under federal law. AB 2279
would preclude an employer from establishing or enforcing a
policy to achieve or maintain a drug-free workplace.
SB 1115: Rollback of Worker’s Compensation Reforms SB 1115 would weaken the apportionment statute and allow
judges to overrule apportionment even when based on findings of
actual previous disability, UNLESS THE BILL IS AMENDED to
prohibit the use of risk factors to defeat apportionment when an
injured worker has a previous disability that affects the degree
of disability arising from the workplace injury or illness.
SB 1338: Workers’ Compensation: Pre-Designation of PTP SB 1338 would delete the sunset date for provisions in
current law that allow injured workers’ to pre-designate their
primary treating physician (PTP) for workers’ compensation
purposes.
SB 1717: Workers’ Compensation: Permanent Disability Benefits SB 1717 would roll back historic workers compensation
reforms and increase costs for employers by doubling permanent
disability benefits by 1/1/2011. While there has been a clear
decline in permanent disability benefits because of the
application of objective medical evaluations through AMA, the
appropriate use of apportionment, the reduction of weeks for low
ratings, and return-to-work adjustments; there is no
statistically valid and objective evidence that this situation
warrants an increase in benefits.
Fresno Chamber
Releases 2007-2008 County Budget Task Force Findings and
Recommendations
One of the goals of the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Council
(GAC) was to review the Fresno County budget. A task force for
this purpose was formed in late February with the goal of
reviewing the budget and preparing a list of recommendations for
the County’s consideration in this budget year as well as next
year. The committee members consisted of a cross section of
representatives from public and private companies that operate
in the Fresno County area and beyond.
Submit
Your Letters Now! Take Action On Important
Proposals Impacting Fresno's Business Community
AB 1887: Increase
Health Care Premiums AB 1887 increase health care premiums by mandating that
health plans and insurers provide parity coverage for all of the
over 400 mental disorders identified in the latest Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This bill is
substantially similar to AB 423 (Beall) of last year, which was
vetoed by the Governor.
AB 1943: New Regulations for the Airline Industry AB 1943 would impose a new set of state regulations on the
airline industry that could have harmful unintended consequences
on passengers, airline employees, and airline trafficking.
AB 2279: Forcing
Employers to Hire Workers Who Use Medical Marijuana AB 2279 proposes to undermine employers’ ability to provide
a safe workplace by forcing employers to hire workers who use
medical marijuana, which is illegal under federal law. AB 2279
would preclude an employer from establishing or enforcing a
policy to achieve or maintain a drug-free workplace.
AB 2558: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Fee AB 2558 would increase the price of doing business in the
Los Angeles region by assessing an unfair tax vehicle fuel.
California’s energy prices are already amongst the highest in
the nation. This bill proposes a gas tax of up to 3% of the
retail sales price. Such taxes in addition to the rising energy
prices due to existing environmental initiatives are making it
more and more difficult for California’s small businesses to
remain in the state.
AB 2716: Mandated Paid Sick Time AB 2716 (Ma) mandates that all employers provide paid sick
leave to an employee after seven days of work in a calendar year
to care for their own illness, or to provide care to a sick
child, spouse, domestic partner, other relative, or some other
person that they designate. The mandate would extend to all
employers and all employees, as specified. There are no
exceptions.
SB 1420: Mandates on Restaurants SB 1420 would require chain restaurants to print on their
menus specified nutritional information for each standard menu
item served. For chain restaurants using only menu boards, the
bill would require that the total number of calories for each
standard menu item be indicated on the menu board. These
provisions are both impractical and expensive.
Fresno Chamber’s
Government Affairs Program Recognized as the Best In California
for the Second Year in a Row
Fresno Chamber
Government Affairs Committee Chair Ruth Evans Wins
CalChamber Small Business Award
Last week, at the
annual Business Legislative Summit hosted by the California
Chamber of Commerce the Fresno Chamber was awarded the Advocacy
Partner of the Year for its outstanding leadership efforts in
being an avid advocate for the business community for the second
year in a row.
Every year a local Chamber is recognized by the California
Chamber for its ability to lead an effective advocacy program by
serving as the voice of business within their local community;
and this year the Fresno Chamber rose to the top.
Under the leadership of Ruth Evans, the Chamber’s Government
Affairs Program has been consistently advocating in Fresno,
Sacramento and Washington on behalf of small businesses. The
Chamber utilizes this web site; policy platforms and legislative
issues are listed, along with legislative report cards, and
sample letters that can be used to communicate with our elected
officials. In addition, Chamber leaders regularly meet with city
and state government officials, while also participating in the
“One Voice” delegation to Washington, D.C.
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce continues to look
for new ways to advocate on behalf of business. This year the
Chamber co-sponsored its first piece of legislation in the State
Assembly, hosted a forum on Propositions 98 & 99, endorsed a
very competitive slate of local, pro-business candidates for
City and County Offices, lead a review of the City of Fresno’s
Master Fee’s Schedule and is preparing to lead a task force to
review the County of Fresno’s annual budget as well.
Ruth Evans Wins
CalChamber Small Business Award
The
California Chamber of Commerce also honored four small business
executives with its “2008 Small Business Advocate of the Year”
award, recognizing recipients for their advocacy efforts on
behalf of small businesses.
The CalChamber
presented the awards at a luncheon before more than 600
attendees at the CalChamber Business Legislative Summit in
Sacramento.
The awards presentation is sponsored by the CalChamber. Honorees
are nominated by local chambers and selected by a task force
comprised of members of the CalChamber Small Business Committee.
Those selected have taken on leadership roles with federal,
state or local ballot measures, have testified before the state
Legislature or represented a chamber of commerce before local
government.
Al Smith, president and CEO of the Greater Fresno Area Chamber
of Commerce and Amy Huerta, Government Affairs Manager for the
chamber, co-nominated Ruth saying, “Ruth has an established
record of operating and advocating on behalf of small
businesses. Furthermore, her personal character, ambition,
passion and persistence embody the best of small business in
California. She does not rest until the day’s work is done and
will not let an issue facing her business or any businesses go
unaddressed.”
Evans has served as the chair for the governmental affairs
committee with the Greater Fresno Area Chamber since 2005. Under
Evans’ direction, the chamber completely revamped their
government affairs program making the chamber a more effective
voice for the local business community both in the Fresno region
and throughout the state. In 2007, Evans was instrumental in
creating the city and county budget task forces. Each task force
is responsible for meeting with department heads, labor
negotiators and top city and county administrators to analyze
how local tax dollars are being spent. The task forces are also
responsible for crafting recommendations to the city and county
of Fresno. In addition, Ruth has represented small business in
Sacramento, testifying before the Assembly Labor and Employment
Committee on the CalChamber-sponsored flexible workweek bills in
2007 and 2008.
May 19, 2008
Did You Know the City of Fresno
Could Save $100 Million of Taxpayer Dollars By Eliminating the
Prevailing Wage?
Tomorrow,
Councilmember Jerry Duncan will be requesting the Fresno City
Council to repeal Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-403, which
requires that prevailing wages be paid on City funded projects.
This is a great opportunity for the City of Fresno to join other
charter cities in California (e.g. Merced, Modesto, Long Beach,
Palo Alto) who have taken this action. By repealing this
ordinance, the City will be able to move forward on critical
public safety building projects while saving taxpayer dollars.
In fact, there is a
potential savings of $100 million on much needed projects.
National Federation of Independent Business President & CEO Todd
Stottlemyer in Fresno to Discuss Healthcare Impacts to Small
Business
Tuesday,
May 20, 2008
Lyons Magnus
3158 East
Hamilton Avenue, Fresno
7:45 am - 8:00 am
Registration & Networking
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Program
(Breakfast will be provided courtesy of Lyons Magnus)
NFIB
President & CEO Todd Stottlemyer, Senior Health Care Advisor Dr.
Bob Graboyes (invited), and NFIB/California Executive Director
John Kabateck will participate in the forum's panel and discuss
the need for realistic healthcare reform that assures no one’s
quality of care suffers as we work to provide coverage for all
Americans.
Attendees
are encouraged to engage in the conversation to share specific
healthcare stories and concerns to help educate America’s
legislators and policy influencers about the real issues facing
the small business community.
Please RSVP to Lauren Palmer at (916) 448-9904 x 16 or via email
at lauren.palmer@nfib.org
by tomorrow,
May 14.
May 7, 2008
Learn How to Make
an Impact, Download the Fresno Chamber's Public Policy Manual
With almost 2,000
member/investors, The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce is
an organization that represents the business community in the
Central Valley. Our goal is to develop the action necessary to
ensure that Fresno remains a thriving economic region.
This Public Policy Manual was created to inform our members, our
elected officials and the community at large where the Greater
Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce stands on the issues that impact
businesses in our County and the surrounding community.
The manual includes contact information for your elected
officials at the local, state and federal levels. It also
includes effective ways to communicate with your
representatives.
In order to communicate better with our membership the Fresno
Chamber developed this advocacy website. This site is designed
to present detailed information about important issues and to
provide action steps to assist our members in sharing those
opinions with city, county, state and federal officials.
You are encouraged to use this manual as well as the website as
resources to stay on top of the issues. I think you will find
the information comprehensive and useful as you formulate your
views.
Remember the saying, “If you are not at the table, you are
probably on someone’s menu.”
May 2, 2008
Video Presentations: Fresno Chamber
Opposes Propositions 98 and 99 on the June 2008 Ballot
The Greater Fresno
Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Council voted to
oppose Proposition 98 and Proposition 99, two controversial
ballot propositions regarding eminent domain that will appear on
the June ballot.
The Chamber heard testimony from both supporters and opponents
of Propositions 98 and 99, and realizes that these are complex
issues that are critically important to the Central Valley and
to California as a whole. We support clear and constructive
solutions and will continue to oppose ambiguous language and
divisive tactics that do not move us any closer to sound policy.
Proposition 98
Proposition 98 takes a solid approach at limiting the
government’s ability to invoke the use of eminent domain, but
the Chamber believes this measure goes too far. While
Proposition 98 has the potential to be great reform, ambiguous
language written into the ballot proposition threatens the
future building of needed infrastructure of water storage in the
state of California. Proposition 98 would increase the likelihood of
eminent domain battles ending up in long, drawn out legal
battles, which help no one. For these reasons and others the
Fresno Chamber opposes Proposition 98.
Kiran Black, Manager, Political
Affairs, Farm PAC
Proposition 99
The Fresno Chamber also opposes Proposition 99 because it does not
protect the rights of business owners. Proposition 99 only protects the
rights of homeowners, falling shy of the real eminent domain
reform that is needed in California. The Chamber would urge all
players to put forth positive solutions to the eminent domain
debate and to come to the table to get important reforms
accomplished.
Hilary Baird, Public Affairs Manager, League of California
Cities
April
22, 2008
Submit
Your Letters Now!
Take Action On Six
Important Proposals Impacting Fresno's Business Community
SB 1057
Increased
Regulation on Rental Car Companies
SB 1057 would
require rental car companies to advertise the entire rental rate
that includes the taxes, customer facility charge, airport
concession fee and the mileage charge, this bill would prevent
rental car companies from charging consumers the current tourism
commission assessment used to fund and promote California as a
tourist destination across the country and around the world.
SB 1539 would
provide clarity and guidance for the compliance and enforcement
of meal period laws. This bill is a comprehensive solution that
serves employers and employees across all industries regardless
of size or union status, providing clarification so employees
have the opportunity to take meal breaks, enter into on-duty
meal period agreements in appropriate situations, and
collectively bargain for meal periods.
SB 1338 would delete
the sunset date for provisions in current law that allow injured
workers’ to pre-designate their primary treating physician (PTP)
for workers’ compensation purposes.
A new set of state
regulations on the airline industry
AB 1943 would impose
a new set of state regulations on the airline industry that
could have harmful unintended consequences on passengers,
airline employees, and airline trafficking. AB 1943 sets forth
standards for passenger safety and service in lengthy
delayed-departure situations, should be addressed only at the
federal level. Although the bill is well-intentioned, it
regulates airline operations and services, an area of regulation
preempted by federal law, and thus subject to legal challenge.
Entertainment
Industry Collective Bargaining Agreements
SB 1765 poses a
serious threat for all industries who contract and enter into
collective bargaining agreements and could be the next to be
singled out similarly. SB 1765 attempts to rewrite a
recently-reached collective bargaining agreement. The bill
dictates contract terms that were discussed and rejected in
negotiations leading to the collective bargaining agreement that
brought an end to the recent and highly-publicized writer’s
strike. In these negotiations, each side was represented by
sophisticated and knowledgeable lawyers.
SB 1717 would roll
back historic workers compensation reforms and increase costs
for employers by doubling permanent disability benefits by
1/1/2011. While there has been a clear decline in permanent
disability benefits because of the application of objective
medical evaluations through AMA, the appropriate use of
apportionment, the reduction of weeks for low ratings, and
return-to-work adjustments; there is no statistically valid and
objective evidence that this situation warrants an increase in
benefits.
Chamber Leaders
Advocate for Small Business in State Assembly Labor and
Employment Committee
Al
Smith, Fresno Chamber President and CEO, along with Government
Affairs Manager, Amy Huerta and Chair of the Governmental
Affairs Committee, Ruth Evans (pictured right) testified before
the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, Wednesday, April 9,
2008 at 1:30 on AB 2127 the Small Business Family Scheduling
Option of 2008.
This bill would have
allowed small business to offer creative, flexible schedules in
order to attract and retain top level talent.
This is the first bill the Fresno Chamber has co-sponsored. In
that role, Chamber leaders have played an important role in
crafting the language of the law as well as gaining support for
the bill in Fresno and in the Capitol. Smith, Huerta and Evans
also participated in a press conference with CalChamber at 10:30
a.m. on Wednesday morning before they testify.
After the bill failed to pass out of the stacked Labor and
Employment Committee, with 6 Democrats and 2 Republicans, Ruth
Evans did not leave without a fight. After the hearing she fired
off a letter to the chair of the committee, and sent an Op-Ed to
the Fresno Bee and Fresno Business Journal encouraging local
businesses to understand the unfriendly business environment in
our state capitol.
Chamber Urges City Council to Oppose Anti-Jobs Legislation
Council Votes to Oppose AB 2716 by a margin of 6-1, Council Member
Sterling Votes ‘No’
Council Member
Cynthia Sterling
The Chamber has taken a strong stance opposition to AB 2716 (Ma)
which mandates that all employers provide paid sick leave to an
employee after seven days of work in a calendar year to care for
their own illness, or to provide care to a sick child, spouse,
domestic partner, other relative, or some other person that they
designate. The mandate would extend to all employers and all
employees, as specified. There are no exceptions, and today
Fresno City Council voted 6-1 to oppose the bill as well.
This represents a strong statement on behalf of the business
community in Fresno. Most California employers participate in
the California State Disability Insurance program (SDI), which
is paid for through payroll deductions and provides temporary
disability benefits for employees who are disabled by a
non-work-related illness or injury. The employer is not required
by law to offer paid sick leave to employees in addition to
mandated SDI benefits. In fact, payment of sick leave may reduce
the SDI benefits to which an individual is entitled.
April 1, 2008
City Council will Review Fees Charged to Fresno Residents and
Businesses After Chamber’s Recommendations
Councilmember
Duncan Votes Against the Tabled Recommendation
Council members tabled the vote on increasing fees for two more
weeks. The Chamber strongly encourages the council members to
carefully examine all fee increases and weigh them against
increasing the cost of doing business in our community. Chamber
leaders have met with city staff to voice their concern over the
number and rate of fee hike and will continue to advocate for
smaller and fewer fee increases.
“Many of the fees
are being by double digit increases, and that is a hard hit on
small businesses. It is not fair to those paying taxes for city
services,” stated Ruth Evans, Chair, Government Affairs Council.
Though many fees have not been increased in some cases for more
than a decade, the Chamber recommends phased fee increases to
meet the needs of small businesses and individuals alike.
Chamber Pushes
for City Council to Give Preference to Local Businesses
Council Members
Duncan and Westerlund Vote Against Amendment
Council Member Jerry Duncan
Council Member Larry Westerlund
Tuesday February 26, 2008 the Fresno City Council passed an
amendment of the Fresno Municipal Code by a 5-2, majority
decision.
The amendment extends a 5% local preference in City purchases of
materials, supplies and/or equipment for bids up to $500,000,
removing the current $250,00 ceiling. The amount of preference
will be up to $25,000 compared to the current cap of $12,500.
“Local business” was initially defined as businesses with a
fixed primary or branch office within a twenty-five mile radius
of City Hall.
Upon the Chamber’s recommendation the City Council amended the
resolution to include all of Fresno County. Because the Fresno
Chamber membership extends to the entire County, it was
important to the Chamber that the local preference includes all
of the Chamber membership.
This will help businesses in our community, keeping important
money from leaving Fresno County. Local preference is good
policy for business in our community; we commend the City
Council for passing the amendment with a firm majority.
March 3, 2008
Did You Know Meal Period Disputes Account for 50% of All
Employment-Related Lawsuits Filed in California EACH YEAR?
Support SB 1539.
A Comprehensive Solution to Meal Period Laws.
SB
1539 (Calderon) will provide clarity and guidance for the
compliance and enforcement of meal period laws. This bill is a
comprehensive solution that serves employers and employees
across all industries regardless of size or union status,
providing clarification so employees have the opportunity to
take meal breaks, enter into on-duty meal period agreements in
appropriate situations, and collectively bargain for meal
periods."
Last
week the Chamber’s GAC heard from both sides of the proposed
Fresno County Fire Protection Plan and voted to not support the
proposed plan. The Fresno County Fire Protection Plan, if
approved by property owners, would create a fire suppression
assessment which is a property-related special assessment
against real property within the Fresno County Fire Protection
District service area to fund fire suppression services. The
assessment would specifically pay for new firefighters and pay
for the new equipment for the new fire stations.
The
California Chamber of Commerce also honored four small business
executives with its “2008 Small Business Advocate of the Year”
award, recognizing recipients for their advocacy efforts on
behalf of small businesses. 
Al
Smith, Fresno Chamber President and CEO, along with Government
Affairs Manager, Amy Huerta and Chair of the Governmental
Affairs Committee, Ruth Evans (pictured right) testified before
the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, Wednesday, April 9,
2008 at 1:30 on AB 2127 the Small Business Family Scheduling
Option of 2008. 
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