Submit
Your Letter:
Urge Support Of Job Creation & Retention Program
The
Enterprise Zone program has proven to be a valuable tool for
businesses to receive tax credits and other incentives. Funding for
this program is being threatened and we need the state Legislature
to continue this program, which has helped to create new jobs, grow
existing businesses and allowed California to compete with other
states in attracting outside investors.
Submit your letter now
to urge state Legislators to continue funding the Enterprise Zone
program.
The Enterprise Zone program was designed to help revitalize
struggling communities, bolster local economies and help the
vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our communities get a hand
up, not a hand out. The Program provides much needed tax incentives
for businesses to hire more local workers and to help prevent
layoffs.
Action Needed:
Urge Congressmen Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa To Vote Against
Healthcare Legislation
A
key vote on federal healthcare legislation could take place next
week among members of the US House of Representatives and we need to
urge our Congressmen Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa to vote against
this “job killer” bill.
The last time a bill was
before them, they both voted in support. We can’t allow this
legislation to move forward because it will increase health care
costs, create new burdens on businesses, greatly increase the
government’s involvement in the health sector, and raise taxes on
individuals and small businesses.
It’s time for Congress
to look for new ways to reform our healthcare system rather than
saddle businesses with higher costs.
Action Needed: Stop The
Legislature From
Preventing Job Creation
Two state issues
need your attention because they will increase taxes on local
businesses, hurt the overall economy and will prevent businesses
in the Fresno region from creating jobs.
SB 810 Single-Payer Healthcare Coverage is proposed
legislation that would create a government-run healthcare system
in California.
This legislation, similar to a bill introduced last year that
failed to make it out of committee, would drive out competition
among private insurance companies, lead to more tax increases
and burden businesses with additional costs while hurting the
state’s overall economy.
Independent Contractor Withholding is a budget proposal
that would require businesses to withhold 3 percent of payments
to independent contractors such as builders, painters, real
estate agents, attorneys and computer programmers. This
proposal, which is similar to legislation vetoed by the Governor
last year, will affect all companies, agencies and non-profits
that do business with independent contractors by taxing them and
killing jobs at a time when the state should be looking for ways
to create jobs and ease some of regulations placed on
businesses.
2009 Report Cards: Fresno Chamber Holds Elected Officials Accountable
The Chamber works closely with elected officials as
part of our commitment to advocate on behalf of our members,
business and to promote the economic vitality of our community.
We monitor their positions on issues ranging from fee
increases and zoning to revitalization of downtown and public
safety. And, just like we do for our State and Federal elected officials,
we track the vote records of our city council members.
Below are the report cards for the elected officials at the
local, state and federal levels of government who represent Fresno.
Action Needed:
Express Your Disappointment With
Congressmen Costa And Cardoza's Support of Healthcare Legislation
Congressmen Jim
Costa and Dennis Cardoza chose to support H.R. 3962, The
Affordable Health Care for America Act, which does little to
reform the current healthcare system and instead will increase
costs for local business owners and further damage our local
economy.
We need to let our
elected representatives know how disappointed we are that they chose
to support this “job killer legislation”. We need our Congressmen to
vote in support of business not against it. Our representatives
showed more allegiance to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi rather
than their constituents back home.
Action Needed:
Urge Senators Boxer And Feinstein To
Oppose Healthcare Bill
This weekend, the House of
Representatives passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for
America Act, legislation aimed at reforming the healthcare
system. But H.R. 3962 is not the answer we need. This
legislation will increase health care costs, create new burdens
on businesses, greatly increase the government’s involvement in
the health sector, and raise taxes on individuals and small
businesses. The Wall Street Journal recently called it “the
worst bill ever.”
Unfortunately, two of our Valley Congressmen voted to support
this “job killer” legislation that will harm our local economy
and make it even more difficult for local business owners to
survive in these tough economic times.
The Fresno Chamber is
disappointed that Congressmen Jim Costa and Dennis Cardoza voted
in favor of H.R. 3962.
The Fresno Chamber commends Congressmen Devin Nunes and George
Radanovich for doing the right thing and voting against this
legislation.
H.R. 3962 made its way through the House we must
now encourage our Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to
make the right decision and oppose the Senate version of the legislation. We need
true reform of our healthcare system and this legislation is not
the answer.
Submit Your Letter:
Urge The Governor To
Continue Discussions On Water Legislation
The
Legislature was on the verge of crafting important legislation to
ensure a comprehensive solution to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
crisis when the legislative session came to an end. Now the only way
to ensure legislation will be enacted before the end of the year is
for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to call an extraordinary session
of the Legislature to continue their water discussions.
We need the Legislature to approve a final package this year that
will ensure the restoration of the Delta and include a bond to pay
for new water storage projects.
Submit Your Letter:
Two Important Federal
Issues Need Your Action Today!
As Congress begins the fall
session, they are undertaking one of history's largest legislative
agendas.
Consumer Finance
One
issue up for debate is H.R. 3126, the Consumer Financial Protection
Agency (CFPA) Act, legislation that would dramatically reshape
consumer finance.
This bill, said to be a response to the financial crisis, is set to
be another government takeover of American business.
While there were certainly excesses in the financial services
industry that hurt many Americans, the one-size-fits-all approach to
consumer finance required by this bill is the wrong answer.
And it's not just financial companies that will be regulated. Small
business will also suffer under this bill.
In
addition, healthcare reform continues to dominate the legislative
agenda.
However, the Fresno Chamber believes the current healthcare
proposals are not realistic. The current proposals will increase
costs for business by punishing them with even more penalties and
taxes for not providing health insurance coverage and creating a
system that will force out the private sector in favor of a
government-run healthcare plan.
Your voice must be heard! Let our Congressional delegation and our
US Senators know that you want a healthcare solution that is
affordable and provides adequate coverage.
Action Needed:
Two Important Issues Impacting Fresno's Local Economy
1. Urge Our Senators
To Oppose Cap and Trade Bill
When your Senators return from summer vacation next week, health
care isn't the only contentious issue they'll have to address.
They will also consider the so-called "Cap-and-Trade" bill - a
deeply flawed measure that will create a new energy tax on every
household in America.
The House of Representatives has already passed this bill, although
very narrowly, before they recessed for the summer. We must make our
voices heard as the debate now shifts to the United States Senate.
This tax will do little or nothing to actually reduce global
greenhouse gases - but it will raise energy prices, balloon the
EPA's bureaucracy, and threaten American jobs.
Instead of passing this deeply flawed bill, the Senate should start
from scratch and focus on helping - and not destroying - American
jobs and our economy, by promoting new energies and technologies.
This last summer the State Controller began issuing IOUs to pay
California's bills as a result of our on-going budget crisis. Since
July 2, the state has dispensed 101,930 IOUs. These IOUs total an
equivalent of $389 million in vital payments that is effectively
being denied to service providers, non-profit organizations, and
taxpayers!
While state law requires the public to accept these registered
warrants (IOUs) the state is not required to accept such securities
as payment. This is a double standard that harms those hardworking
taxpayers and contracted businesses caught in the middle.
AB 1506 requires the state to accept its own IOUs as payment for
state taxes and fees. This is a fair allowance in order to permit
citizens to make necessary payments to the state, such as DMV
registration, tax payments, and school tuition.
For example, with this bill if you are a business with state
contracts and you receive an IOU for $50,000 from the state, and you
also owe the state $50,000 in payroll taxes, you would be able to
send the IOU to the Franchise Tax Board as payment for your tax
obligation.
Take Action:
Support Senator Chuck Poochigian's Appointment To
The 5th District Court Of Appeal
Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he is appointing former
Fresno-area State Senator Chuck Poochigian to the 5th District Court
of Appeal.
But his appointment is
not a done deal and must still be confirmed by the Commission on
Judicial Appointments.
We need your help in
urging the commission to confirm Senator Chuck Poochigian, who is a
long-time friend to the Fresno Chamber and the Fresno business
community.
Fresno Chamber
Government Affairs Council Chair Ruth Evans
representing the Fresno business community with then State Senator
Chuck Poochigian in the State Capitol.
August 18, 2009
Fresno Chamber Releases Position On
Federal Healthcare Reforms
The United States
has the world’s best health care system, but it is being priced out
of reach for more and more American citizens and companies.
Companies struggle to find health care plans that provide adequate
coverage and are still affordable, and worry about what will come
next year.
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes that most
health care coverage is provided by employers. To make it easier for
employers and their employees to afford the health care coverage
they need, we support legislative action to:
1. Retain viable employer-sponsored health care. Employers
provide voluntary health insurance to over 177 million. ERISA allows
many of them the flexibility to provide uniform benefits to their
employees. ERISA is the backbone of employer-provided coverage and
must be preserved.
2. Reform the
delivery system including payment and reimbursement reform to reduce
costs while increasing quality and outcomes including:
- Implementation of
comprehensive strategies to boost health information technology,
wellness, prevention, disease management, and coordination of care.
- Create a more vibrant
private health insurance market for individuals and small
businesses.
- Hold down soaring
health care costs due to the explosive growth in medical liability
awards and insurance costs through specialized health courts.
- Encourage more
Americans to purchase health insurance by enacting refundable tax
credits for that purpose.
- Encourage more
Americans to save for medical expenses tax-free by expanding Health
Saving Accounts and allowing those with Flexible Spending Accounts
to roll over unused balances to pay for future medical expenses.
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce does not support
legislative action that would:
1. Create a Government-run (Public) plan: A government-run
plan would be an unfair competitor, with the government acting as
both a team owner and the referee. Government programs shift costs
to the private sector. The Lewin Group estimates 130 million people
would move from private to public insurance. This could lead to a
government-controlled single-payer system.
2. Create Employer
Mandates: Punishing employers who cannot afford to provide
health insurance coverage, including requirements to pay or play, is
not the answer. Employer mandates, by their nature limit flexibility
and innovation - the cornerstones of American health care.
3. Create Minimum
Required Coverage Level: Proposing a huge Federal Employee
Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)-like minimum coverage package will
bankrupt employers and workers. Cadillac, gold-plated coverage like
this will not appeal to the young. The minimum level of coverage
should be more akin to a high-deductible health plan with coverage
of preventative services.
4. Impose additional
tax burdens individuals or businesses: The implementation of
new taxes and fees for businesses and/or individuals that cannot
afford health insurance would be dramatically counterproductive.
Further, the taxation of health benefits will lead to a reduction in
benefits offered by employers and will lead to higher taxes for many
individuals and businesses.
October 6, 2010
Fresno
Chamber Recommendations For November Ballot Initiatives
OPPOSE -
Proposition 19
Legalizes marijuana by
allowing adults to possess, cultivate or transport marijuana for
personal use and allows the state to tax it.
SUPPORT - Proposition 20
Allows the 14-member
state redistricting commission to set boundaries for US
Congressional Districts rather than state legislators
OPPOSE - Proposition 21
Establishes an $18
annual vehicle license surcharge to help fund state parks and
wildlife programs.
SUPPORT - Proposition 22
Prohibits the state from
borrowing, taking or restricting the use of tax dollars from local
government
SUPPORT - Proposition 23
Freezes the provisions
of AB 32 until the state’s unemployment rate is 5.5% or below for
four consecutive quarters
OPPOSE - Proposition 24
Stops several corporate
tax breaks that are slated to go into effect in 2010 and 2012.
OPPOSE - Proposition 25
Changes the vote
requirement for passing a state budget from two-thirds to a simple
majority. Also requires state legislators to forfeit their pay when
a budget isn’t passed on time.
SUPPORT - Proposition 26
Closes a loophole in the
law that allows the Legislature to pass taxes with a simple majority
vote by disguising them as “fees”.
OPPOSE - Proposition 27
Repeals the creation of
the state redistricting commission for establishing state
legislative district boundaries.
October 6, 2010
Fresno Chamber
PAC Endorsements
The November election is
just around the corner.
Your Fresno Chamber’s Political Action Committee is your voice and
lobbyist for choosing those candidates who will fight on behalf of
business.
We are already hard at work endorsing those candidates who will
fight for our best interests.
Some of the candidates we’re supporting are in tough, competitive
and costly races this November and need your financial help to win.
Fresno County Supervisor Phil Larson is battling to hold onto
his seat representing District 1. The unions are pouring hundreds of
thousands of dollars into this race, hoping to unseat this sitting
county supervisor who has been a strong supporter of business and
agriculture.
US Senate candidate Carly Fiorina is trying to unseat
incumbent Barbara Boxer. Boxer has never been a friend to the
business community and counts the unions and environmental groups as
some of her strongest supporters.
Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman is spending millions of
dollars of her own money to ensure state government is run more like
a business by reducing employee costs and consolidating services.
Other key endorsements include:
Jeff Denham, 19th Congressional District
Tom Berryhill, state Senate 14th District
Valerie Davis, Fresno Unified School Board
Sal Quintero, Fresno City Council District 5
Assemblyman Mike Villines, California Insurance Commissioner
Linda Halderman, 29th Assembly District
Paul Dictos, Fresno County Assessor-Recorder
David Valadeo, 30th Assembly District
Abel Maldanado, California Lt. Governor
Damon Dunn, California Secretary of State
Tony Strickland, California Controller
Steve Cooley, California Attorney General
Please help the Fresno Chamber’s PAC support these and other
business-friendly candidates with your financial support. Please
make your donation of $100, $500, $1000 or as much as you can give
to help us make a difference.
It’s easy to contribute. Simply
click here or mail in your contribution with your annual dues
statement. The PAC’s FPPC # is 820-784.
As always, the Chamber and Chamber PAC values your membership and
support!
Sincerely,
Debbie Hunsaker, Chair, Chamber PAC
Alert-O-Lite, Inc.
Ray Dunn, Vice-Chair
Chamber PAC
RWD Financial
Mark Rapin
Freedom Ford Truck Center
Barbara Henkel
Heald College
Al Smith
Fresno Chamber
Shannon Koontz-Monis
PG&E
Ruth Evans
Evans HR Group
Victoria Salisch
Lang, Richert & Patch
Al Solis
Sol Development Assoc, LLC
Ryan Jacobsen
J&L Vineyards
Rick Whitsell
Fresno First Bank
Scott Miller
Gazebo Gardens
Susan Ryan
Fresno County Federal Credit Union
Lorraine Salazar
Sal’s Mexican Restaurant
Walt Plachta
BSK & Associates
Stan Oken
Wonder Valley Ranch
Resort
P.S. We are relying on Chamber members like you to ensure we elect
those people who will fight for our local businesses so we can
remain viable in our community and competitive in the global market.
September 27, 2010
Submit
Your Letters
Now:
Help Stop Job-Killing Proposals
The Legislature has passed several job-killing bills that would be
detrimental to business. Please help us urge Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger to veto this legislation before it becomes law.
SB 657 (Steinberg) Requires retail sellers and manufacturers doing
business in the state to develop, maintain and implement policies
eradicating slavery and human trafficking from their supply chain
SB 1304 (DeSaulnier) Eliminates the requirement that all employees
exhaust their sick time before taking a leave of absence with pay to
donate an organ or bone marrow
AB 2666 (Skinner) Requires a taxpayer doing business in California
to submit to the Franchise Tax Board specified information about the
amount of tax credits claimed by the taxpayer and publish it on the
Internet
Submit
Your Letters
Now:
Two Important Tax Issues For
Job Creation
In 2003 several tax
cuts, commonly referred to as the Bush tax cuts, were enacted.
However, these tax cuts that so many businesses have come to rely on
are set to expire by the end of this year unless Congress enacts
legislation to extend these cuts. If Congress fails to act, the
expiration of these tax cuts will represent the largest tax increase
in American history.
The California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau is
proposing to increase workers’ comp rates by nearly 30% effective
Jan. 1, 2011. This is the third increase proposed by the bureau
since the rates were last adjusted in January 2009. The proposed
rate increase is currently under consideration by Insurance
Commissioner Steve Poizner and a public hearing will be held on the
issue on Sept. 28 in San Francisco.
Submit Your Letters
Now:
Help Stop Job-Killing Proposals
The Legislature
has passed several job-killing bills that would be
detrimental to business. Please help us urge Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger to veto this legislation before it becomes
law.
AB 482 (Mendoza) Restricts the ability of employers to use
credit reports when conducting background checks of
prospective hires.
SB 1474 (Steinberg)
Designed to increase union representation of agriculture employees
by undermining the current process that now guarantees, through
secret-ballot elections, a fair vote on the selection of a
collective bargaining representative.
Submit Your Letters
Now:
Help Stop Job-Killing Proposals
AB 482 – Credit Reports
This legislation
prohibits employers from using consumer credit reports for
employment purposes unless the information is “substantially job
related”. In small businesses, many employees perform a wide variety
of duties that may not be part of their normal daily routine and may
include access to cash, other assets, or confidential information.
By restricting access to this important information, AB 482 may
expose the business’ customers and employees to an increased risk.
This legislation
creates a new government run, multi-billion dollar socialized
health care system built from a yet to be specified ‘premium
structure.’ The bill establishes a premium commission to impose
a premium for all employers, which is essentially a tax.
This legislation
provides bid preferences for bidders who commit that 90 percent
of the work will be performed by California employees. This will
reduce competition, resulting in less choice and higher prices.
Another potential result of this protectionism legislation is
retaliation from other states and international trade partners.
This practice creates a patchwork of reciprocity and retaliation
that makes it difficult for businesses to offer their goods and
services in
states other than California.
This legislation
would effectively gut the California Enterprise Zone (EZ)
program hiring tax credit. SB 974 proposes to create a “career
pathways” tax credit in an effort to bolster career technical
education efforts in this state. However, this new tax credit is
“paid for” by eliminating key provisions of California’s
successful Enterprise Zone Program.
Submit Your Letters
Now:
Help Stop Job-Killing Proposals
SB 657 – Human
Trafficking
SB 657 would mandate
that “every retail seller and manufacturer doing business in this
state” develop, maintain, and implement a policy addressing the
eradication of slavery and human trafficking from their supply
chain. This legislation inappropriately makes California employers
responsible for the actions of businesses with which they have no
contractual relationship, are located in other countries, and could
be engaged in activities that may best be handled on a diplomatic
level.
SB 885 requires sellers of gift cards (i.e. retailers, restaurants,
entertainment venues and other service providers) to give cash back
to any customer who submits a gift certificate/gift card with a
balance under $20. This bill will increase costs and place an
additional burden cards when California already has the highest cash
back requirement in the nation
SB 1121 would treat agricultural workers the same as regular workers
when it comes to overtime payment. Currently, agricultural workers
may work 10 hours per day and 6 days a week, before overtime payment
is required. Under this legislation, those limits would be reduced
to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per work for regular pay. Hours
worked beyond that would be on overtime payment.
AB 2340 would mandate that every employer grant every employee up to
three days of unpaid bereavement leave per year upon the death of a
spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or domestic
partner. This legislation could have unintended negative
consequences for reasonable well-intentioned employers. By making a
3-day bereavement leave mandatory in every situation, AB 2340
removes flexibility employers need to balance bereavement leave
requests with pressing leave requests by other employees for other
reasons, such as to care for a family member who is in trouble.
AB 2187 would create a new crime subject to punishment in jail and
monetary fines of a minimum of $1,000 up to $10,000 if an employer
“willfully fails” to pay within 90 days all wages due to an employee
who quits or is discharged. This new crime would be on top of
existing civil penalties. This legislation could make into criminals
employers with legitimate disputes over wage claims.
SB 1304 would mandate that private employers provide, per year, paid
leave time of up to 30 days for employees donating organs and up to
5 days for employees donating bone marrow. This paid leave time
would be in addition to any sick leave, vacation or other types of
paid leaves that employers already provide.
Submit Your Letters
Now:
Help Stop Six Job-Killing Proposals To Be Considered This Week
SB 928 – Product
Notice SB 928 would require a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer of
designated consumer products to provide a notice that lists all
substances contained in those products and post that information on
a website. In essence, SB 928 creates a compliance requirement on
California businesses and create an impediment to success and growth
for many small businesses that are barely surviving already.
AB 2138 – Product Management AB 2138 would impose new and costly mandates on California’s
food service industry by prohibiting a food provider, as defined,
from distributing a disposable food service packaging or a
single-use carryout bag to a consumer unless the packaging or bag is
compostable or recyclable. AB 2138 also requires food providers to
“recover” the disposable food service packaging or single-use
carryout bags for composting or recycling at a rate of 25% or more.
SB 1113 – Tax Administration: Determination SB 1113 allows the Franchise Tax Board to sue corporate
taxpayers who have won an appeal with the Board of Equalization.
This bill imposes the burden of proof on the taxpayer, despite that
the taxpayer would essentially be the respondent in an FTB appeal to
superior court.
AB 2230 – List Publicly Traded Companies AB 2230 requires the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) to compile a
report and post on the Internet, private information regarding
certain corporate taxpayers, such as the taxpayer’s taxable income,
tax expenditures, and effective tax rate, along with the taxpayer’s
name and address.
AB 2171 – Tax Benefit Cost AB 2171 requires that the cost of tax benefits be accounted for
annually within the state budget. This would place limitations on
tax benefits that would create uncertainty regarding long-term tax
planning, erecting a barrier for businesses to locate their
businesses here in California and further aggravating the employment
challenges we currently face.
AB 2666 – Reporting Transparency AB 2666 requires the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) to compile a
report and post on the internet, the name and address of any
taxpayer receiving a business credit, along with other private
taxpayer information. The measure also requires that the report be
made available to the public in a searchable database. This will
make the names of the companies that receive business credits and
the amount of those benefits public.
Submit Your
Letters: Oppose Four Anti-Job Creating Proposals
SB 920 – Telephone Directories
SB 920 would mandate an already offered opt-out program for
customers who do not wish to receive a telephone directory. State
law requires phones companies to make this information available.
Currently these printed alphabetical directories are the primary
source of telephone number information for consumers, especially for
those over 45 years of age and those with income under $25,000
annually. This legislation could harm local telephone companies and
threaten the future of membership directories published by any
business.
AB 2187 – Payment of Wages AB 2187 would create a new crime subject to punishment in jail
and monetary fines of a minimum of $1,000 up to $10,000 if an
employer “willfully fails” to pay within 90 days all wages due to an
employee who quits or is discharged. This new crime would be on top
of existing civil penalties. AB 2187 could hold employers criminally
responsible even if they have legitimate wage claim disputes.
AB 2727 Applicant
Information – Criminal History AB 2727 imposes a number of confusing and subjective new
standards and criteria that employers must meet and consider when
making employment decisions on the basis of an applicant’s prior
criminal convictions. This bill also unreasonably expands employer
liability by creating a new private
right of action and criminal penalties for violating these new
requirements. Current law already provides significant protections
to applicants with criminal conviction records.
AB 2340 – Bereavement Leave Mandate AB 2340 mandates that every employer grant every employee up to
three days of unpaid bereavement leave per year upon the death of a
spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or domestic
partner. The bill further prohibits any adverse action against
employees for requesting and taking such leave and creates a private
right of action for violations of the bill’s provisions.
Submit
Your Letters:
Take Action On Three Job-Creating Proposals
AB 2561 –
Consolidation of California Department of Energy
AB 2561 willl consolidate the state’s authority for energy policy
under a New California Department of Energy (CDOE), creating greater
accountability, with clear lines of leadership, responsibility and
authority for the development, implementation, and coordination of
the state’s energy policy. An overhaul of our state’s energy policy
will allow California to implement strategic policies that will
create new sources of green energy, maximize energy efficiency, and
keep energy costs down for California consumers and businesses
alike.
AB 1771 will create jobs by opening up new opportunities for small
businesses to do business with the state, and would help promote
fairness in state purchasing. This will allow small businesses to
bid on state contracts that are currently awarded to a state inmate
work program.
AB 1804 protects and maximizes the amount of training dollars that
stay in the Employment Training Fund (ETF). AB 1804 specifically
eliminates the provision that allows for the diversion of ETF
dollars to the Department of Social Services (DSS). As one of the
State’s only discretionary economic development resources, the
Employment Training Panel (ETP) has been an essential tool in
addressing the staggering 12.5% unemployment rate, to create new job
opportunities and most importantly to help with the retention of
jobs.
Submit
Your Letter:
Urge
Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer To Oppose The New
Federal Agency Charged With Imposing More Regulations On Businesses
The U.S. Senate is
debating Senate bill S. 3217 which aims to reform the nation’s
financial system. However, included in this legislation is the
creation of a new federal agency the proposed Bureau of Consumer
Financial Protection that would place new burdens on businesses that
have nothing to do with the financial crisis.
This bureau would have
the authority to regulate most financial services and products. In
its current form, S. 3217 fails to achieve the meaningful financial
regulatory reform necessary for vibrant capital markets that is
needed to fuel long-term economic growth and job creation.
Submit
Your Letters:
Take Action On Four Job-Killing Proposals
AB 1604 – Oil Tax
AB 1604 will create an oil severance tax in California. This
proposal will burden Californians with higher fuel costs, increase
dependence on imported oil and destroy thousands of California jobs.
California consumers are facing tough times, with the worst economic
recession since the 1930’s. Hundreds of thousands of people have
lost their jobs and their homes. This is not the time to create
further burdens on families by increasing energy costs through AB
1604.
AB 2492 would remove Proposition 13 protections from business
property owners by imposing a “split roll” property tax that targets
our state’s employers for a significant increase in property taxes
and onerous new tax burdens. This is a "guilty until proven
innocent" approach, requiring taxpayers to prove every three years
that they did NOT undergo a change-in-ownership that would trigger
reassessment. AB 2492 would also result in a tremendous paperwork
and tracking burden for both companies and assessors.
SB 1474 – Labor Representation for Agriculture Workers
SB 1474 would undermine the present legal guarantee for
secret-ballot elections for union representation in agriculture.
SB 1474 would strip California farm workers of their right to
decide whether they want union representation in a secret-ballot
election exclusively. It would replace private ballots with an
unprotected process that will not ensure workers privacy or
safeguard them from coercion. This process is nothing more than
a “card check” scheme where union representatives provide
employees with a card for their signature stating they want the
union to be their representative.
SB 1304 would mandate that private employers provide, per year, paid
leave time of up to 30 days for employees donating organs and up to
5 days for employees donating bone marrow. This paid leave time
would be in addition to any sick leave, vacation or other types of
paid leaves that employers already provide.
Creating a new paid leave mandate removes flexibility employers need
to balance overlapping leave requests by different employees for a
variety of important reasons and can be especially challenging for
small businesses with limited staff.
Action Needed:
Submit Your Letters To Oppose Three Job Killing Proposals
SB 967 – Public
Contracts
SB 967 proposes to award
companies a preference if 90 percent of the employees that “perform
work on the contract” are California residents. What is considered
“work on the contract”? Is an employee that performs an internal
audit on the contract an employee that is working on the contract?
Such ambiguity is open to interpretation and therefore subject to
litigation that may negate the economic benefits to the contractor.
SB 967 (Correa) will
limit choice and drive up prices for consumers and for the
state. It will create a net loss of jobs in related industries,
retaliation by our trading partners, and violates provisions of
the World Trade Organization, as well as, bilateral free trade
agreements.
SB 1121 would treat
agricultural workers the same as regular workers when it comes
to overtime payment. Currently, agricultural workers may work 10
hours per day and 6 days a week, before overtime payment is
required. Under this legislation, those limits would be reduced
to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per work for regular pay. Hours
worked beyond that would be on overtime payment.
SB 1231 would
require entities that contract with the state to certify that
slave labor was not utilized in “all raw materials in the supply
chain used to produce or manufacture the goods procured.”
Additionally, the bill requires similar certification for
building materials costing more than $20,000 for public works
projects. Although the goals of the sponsors are well-intended,
this legislation places on California employers some
expectations that may be infeasible to comply with.
Action Needed:
Urge U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer To Exempt Auto
Dealers From Regulations Imposed By New Federal Agency
Your local car dealers need your help
to protect them from undue regulation they could be subjected to
under a Senate bill to create a Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection, which would have the authority to regulate most
financial services and products.
Auto dealers are already
subjected to regulations by the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal
Trade Commission and state consumer protection agencies. An
amendment being offered by Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan) would
exempt this industry from these additional regulations. Sign the
attached letter urging your support for this amendment.
Don't Get Caught
Unprepared...Now Is The Time To Learn About New Employment Laws
For 2009!
-
Learn more about anticipated litigation under the new
administration.
-
What does the Employee Free Choice Act have in store for you?
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Also, learn how to handle layoffs in troubled economic times.
February 19, 2009
8:00am to 10:00am
Fresno
Chamber Office
2331 Fresno Street
FREE to Chamber members
$25 for non-members
The Fresno Chamber's
Governmental Affairs Council has been dedicated to helping promote a
positive business climate while protecting business from bad
legislation that makes it difficult to operate in the state of
California . We're happy to report that only a few of the more than
500 proposed laws were approved in 2008. However, there are laws
that are currently in place that will affect your business, and NOW
is the time to be in compliance.
Please join the
Fresno Chamber’s Board of Directors and Government Affairs
Council in honoring the 2009 Newly Elected Officials:
Assemblymember Danny Gilmore (D-30)
City of Fresno, Mayor Ashley Swearengin
Fresno County Supervisor Debbie Poochigian (D5)
Fresno City Councilmember Andreas Borgeas (D2)
Fresno City Councilmember Lee Brand (D6)
Friday, January 30,
2009
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Robert Smittcamp Residence
5811 N. Forkner
Fresno, CA 93711
Thank you to AT&T
for sponsoring the reception.
January 14, 2009
Event Cancelled: Governor
Schwarzenegger State of the State Event in Fresno
Governor
Schwarzenegger's State of the State event in Fresno tomorrow,
January 15, 2009 is canceled. The Governor had planned to
discuss the year ahead and how his administration plans to deal
with issues such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, the
environment, and most importantly how the economy will play a
role in meeting the Governor’s vision for California.
January 3, 3009
New Laws in 2009
As an advocate for businesses it is our responsibility to inform
our membership about new laws that will go into affect in 2009
and to make sure our members are in compliance as many of these
laws will inevitably impact how you run your business in 2009.
Submit a Letter of
Support on Important Employee Reforms
The
Fresno Chamber urges you to contact Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger and ask him to support flexible work schedules
and clarification to the state’s meal period requirements.
Flexible work schedules
are important because it allows employees to deal with family
matters and save on commute costs; it allows for employees to
accommodate their personal needs outside of work; it reduces traffic
and greenhouse gas emissions that are harmful the environment due to
less workers traveling to and from work; and, it allows employers to
be competitive when retaining jobs.
Also, help keep jobs in the state and by supporting efforts to
clarify meal period laws. These important clarifications will save
California businesses on litigation costs. California needs a
solution to fix the complex, misinterpreted meal and rest period
requirements.
December 29, 2008
Fresno Chamber and Governor Meet to Discuss State Budget
Solutions
Last Friday, the Chamber stood with Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger at a press conference at Fresno State to explain
how our local economy is in jeopardy because the state
legislature has not been able to agree upon sensible budget
reform. The Chamber is concerned that the state has suspended
further financing of thousands of new public works projects
because California has been unable to sell state bonds to cover
the cost of the projects.
"Not only does this
affect our construction industry, which is already suffering in
the economic downturn, but the ripple effect is hurting
contractors, equipment suppliers, and more importantly, it is
keeping local people out of jobs," stated Al Smith, President
and CEO of the Fresno Chamber.
In the Governor's
remarks he did state that he this is devastating to our state
and the Governor will be calling the legislature back into
special session.
December 8, 2008
Fresno Chamber
Releases 2008
City Council and
State Legislator Vote Records
Each month, the
Fresno Chamber's Government Affairs Council reviews and
discusses the status of local and state issues impacting the
Fresno business community. At the end of each year, the Fresno
Chamber releases its vote record on each Fresno area state
legislator and Fresno City Council member. The vote records are
a score card on the Fresno Chamber's efforts to lobby local and
state elected officials on the most important issues impacting
our business community.
Make A Call! Fresno City Council is
Trying to Eliminate Competition
On Tuesday, December
9, the Fresno City Council is introducing an item at their
council meeting that would repeal the current ban on project
labor agreements. The current ordinance has been in place since
2000 and has allowed for local businesses to compete for jobs
paid for by our tax dollars.
We urge you to call your city council member and request a "no"
vote on this proposed action!
While the repeal of this ordinance does not put a priority on
PLA’s for any city projects, we believe this will only open the
floodgates to forcing union labor on publicly funded projects;
shutting out all competition to locally owned business.
Enter your information below to find your city councilmember's
contact information:
November 21, 2008
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Seeks Fresno Chamber's Solutions
To Current Budget Crisis
At the November
Chamber Government Affairs Council meeting the Fresno Chamber
was honored to hear directly from the Governor about the current
state budget. This was the only public meeting the Governor
attended while in the Valley.
The Governor talked
candidly about the specifics of his stimulus package and the
possibility of proposing a statewide tax increase. Most
importantly, the Governor took questions from the audience,
giving our members the opportunity to share their concerns about
our current business climate. The Chamber urged the Governor to
keep meal and rest periods as well as a four day work week as a
top priority for business.
Also in attendance
included Assemblymember Michael Villines, Mayor Alan Autry, and
Mayor-elect, Ashley Swearengin.
Fresno Chamber Releases 2008 Local and Statewide Election Guides
The Fresno Chamber
is providing its members with a voting guide for local and
statewide elections on November 4, 2008. To view the guides,
click on the links below:
Mayor Alan Autry joined forces with the Greater Fresno Area
Chamber of Commerce, Fresno County Farm Bureau, Central
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and others today at
Sal’s Mexican Restaurant to ask Fresno residents to join them in
vote yes on Prop. 11.
“We are all here today to urge our friends and neighbors to vote
yea on Prop. 11 because it will remove the fundamental conflict
of interest that exists when legislators draw their won lines
and will help restore accountability in Sacramento,” said Fresno
Mayor Alan Autry. “As a Mayor I know firsthand how much local
governments suffer when Sacramento faces a budget crisis or
fails to address a crucial issue for our community. Prop. 11
will give us a tool to hold Legislator’s feet to the fire when
they do not produce results on the issues we sent them to the
State Capitol to address.”
Prop. 11 will take away legislator’s power to draw their own
district lines and guarantee their own reelection – whether they
do their jobs or not. Instead, this power will be put into the
hands of voters in an open and transparent process.
“I am here as a business owner, employer and member of the
National Federation of Independent Business/California to show
my strong support for Proposition 11 because we need
representatives in Sacramento that listen to our needs as a
community,” local business owner Lorraine Salazar said.
“Legislators are not effectively addressing the state’s problems
that directly impact me and my employees; important issues like
education and health care.”
“The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce supports Prop. 11
because it will help get California get back on the right
track,” said Amy Huerta with the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of
Commerce. “Prop. 11 is a first good step, supported by nearly
2,000 groups and individuals, which will help us address the
dysfunction in Sacramento.”
Prop. 11 was carefully crafted by the League of Women Voters of
California, AARP and Common Cause and has gained the support of
a broad based group of nearly 2000 good government
organizations, civil rights advocates, elected leaders across
California, businesses, cities, community associations and
individuals.
“The Fresno County Farm Bureau supports Prop. 11 because we need
change in Sacramento that will result in water and agricultural
policy that will ensure the Central Valley continues to serve as
the bread basket of the world. As the current system stands-
nothing happens and no solutions are found,” said Teresa
Plascencia of the Fresno County Farm Bureau. “Prop. 11 will help
us hold legislators accountable so that they will finally have
some incentive to work together to deal with the big issues.”
Eligio Nava, of the Central California Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce said, “Prop. 11 will ensure that voters’ needs are put
ahead of special interests and incumbent protection. In the last
election, 99 percent of state legislators were reelected- at the
expense of our communities. Prop. 11 will change this and I ask
Californians to take a positive step toward taking control of
our government back by voting yes on Prop. 11.”
“It’s time that we look at reforms that will fundamentally make
government better in California,” David Schecter, Professor at
Cal State Fresno said. “Prop. 11 will remove the inherent
conflict of interest and will help to make politicians more
accountable to the people that elected them- creating a more
responsive legislature and a more engaged public.”
Prop. 11 will create a 14-person independent citizens commission
to draw fair legislative districts – keeping communities, cities
and counties intact. The commission will be comprised of five
Democrats, five Republicans and four individuals from neither
major party.
“Communities across California have been carved up into
unexplainable districts to protect legislators in office-
Stockton, just north of Fresno, has four assembly
representatives, which divides the voices of constituents and
business owners,” Dora Westerlund of the Fresno Area Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce said. “It’s time that we restore voter
confidence in Sacramento and vote yes on Prop. 11.”
Fresno Chamber
Releases Statement on Financial Crisis
Al
Smith, CEO of the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce
released the following statement on the financial crisis:
The Fresno Chamber urges Congress to immediately pass the
bipartisan financial rescue package to stem the financial panic.
Congress must not adjourn without taking action to stabilize the
financial markets. Failure to approve legislation addressing the
financial crisis has resulted in uncertainty and turmoil that
have dramatically affected the markets, and lowered equity
prices, eroding individual savings and destroying billions of
dollars of household wealth.
Make no mistake: when the aftermath of Congressional inaction
becomes clear, Americans will not tolerate those who stood by
and let the calamity happen. If, on the other hand, Congress
supports a plan to successfully restore the financial system and
preserve the flow of credit to the economy, the American people
will recognize that act of courage.
The Chamber urges Congress to immediately pass financial rescue
legislation.
September 30, 2008
Fresno Chamber
Political Action Committee (ChamberPAC) Announces Endorsement
for Danny Gilmore for California State Assembly, District 30
The Greater
Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee
(ChamberPAC) today announced its endorsement for Danny Gilmore
for the California State Assembly, District 30.
Gilmore, a
graduate of Palomar Community College as well as the Advanced,
Supervisory and Management courses of the Police Officers
Standard Training program, recently retired with an exemplary 31
year career with the California Highway Patrol. Gilmore’s
lifelong dedication to public service, leadership in this
community, and his pro-business agenda demonstrate that he is
ready to lead in Sacramento.
“We have a
responsibility and a commitment to our members and the entire
business community to endorse effective, pro-business candidates
at the local and State level.” said ChamberPAC Chair Victoria
Salisch. “The candidates we endorse today will support the
issues that create a strong business climate and lead to
economic growth, improving the quality of life for all in
Fresno,” said Salisch.
September 29, 2008
Fresno Chamber
Positions On November 2008 Ballot
The Fresno
Chamber releases its positions on issues that impact the Fresno
business community appearing on the November 4, 2008 ballot.
Take Action On
Important Proposals Impacting Fresno's Business Community
SB
1608 (Corbett)
Reducing Frivolous Litigation
SB 1608 is a bipartisan bill that addresses the important goals of
increased disability access compliance and reduced unwarranted
litigation. Businesses have both a vested interest and
responsibility to comply with disability access laws. At the same
time, California’s laws should facilitate and acknowledge the
efforts of businesses who desire to comply and take steps
accordingly.
Limits Employers
Rights of Access Criminal History
AB 3063 adds a new prohibition on asking or using information
concerning an arrest or detention that resulted in a conviction that
was expunged. Further, AB 3063 limits employers rights to fully
evaluate an applicant’s history when deciding to hire them because
it does not allow employers to ask or use information concerning an
arrest or detention that resulted in a conviction if it was
expunged.
This bill creates the California Climate Change Research and
Workforce Development Institute (Institute) funded by a redirection
of existing funding from the Public Interest Energy Research Program
and an additional fee on electric service provided by investor-owned
utilities and publicly owned utilities. (Let’s see how PG&E and
consumers feel about this) The prime goal of the Institute reduce or
mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
AB 2447 mandates that a county deny, with limited exception, any
development project requiring a tentative tract or parcel map if the
proposed project is located within a State Responsibility Area (SRA)
or a high fire severity zone.
ChamberPAC Announces Candidate
Endorsements for the Fresno Unified School Board
The Greater Fresno
Area Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (ChamberPAC)
today announced its endorsements of three candidates for the
Fresno Unified School Board for the 2008 November election:
Manuel Nunez, Trustee #2, Natalie Clark, Trustee #5 and Janet
Ryan, Trustee #6.
Submit
Your Letters Now! Take Action On Important Proposals
Impacting Fresno's Business Community
SB 1115 (Migden)
Rollback of Worker’s
Compensation Reforms
SB 1115 would undermine the workers’ compensation reforms that
you signed into law in 2004. One of the fundamental reforms
contained in SB 899 (Poochigian – 2004) was a reaffirmation of
the concept of apportionment, which holds that an employer
should only be liable for the amount of permanent disability
that was caused by an industrial injury or illness that occurred
in the course and scope of employment. SB 1115 will undermine a
vital component of SB 899 that was intended to promote balance
and equity in the workers’ compensation system.
Significant New
Employer Liability and Damages Exposure
AB 437 would codify in the California Code of Civil Procedure a
sweeping statement that the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme
Court in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (2007) 127 S.
Ct. 2162 should be rejected for purposes of any statutes of
limitation under existing California law, including but not
limited to the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). By doing
so, AB 437 does far more than merely “construe and clarify”
existing law. It effectively instructs courts to adopt the
alternative, a statute of limitations rule that is broad and
limitless, potentially allowing for decades-old lawsuits and
indefinite damages amounts.
SB 1583 establishes joint and several liability for individuals
who advise another person to treat an individual as an
independent contractor, and then the independent contractor is
later found to be an employee. In essence, SB 1583 proposes to
hold an “advisor,” along with the decision-maker, jointly and
severally liable for misclassifying an individual as an
independent contractor, if it is later determined that the
individual was misclassified.
AB 844 requires junk dealers and recyclers to comply with specified
recordkeeping and identification procedures, restricts cash
transactions and increases penalties for violating these provisions.
The recent rise in scrap metal values has made the theft and sale of
these materials increasingly profitable. California’s farmers and
businesses want a solution to metal theft this year.
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."
Do You Want a
Flexible Schedule in the Workplace Without Having to Pay
Overtime?
Send
a letter to support AB 2127, the Small Business Family
Scheduling Option of 2008, which would allow employees and
employers flexibility in work schedules to help accommodate
employees' diverse family obligations, personal pursuits,
commuting issues and environmental concerns by allowing a small
business to agree to provide scheduling options requested by an
employee.
The Fresno Chamber
Government Affairs Council recommends the following positions on
the February 5, 2008 statewide ballot propositions: No on
Proposition 92
Funding Community Colleges
Summary
Proposition 92 would
lock in a specific funding requirement for the Community College
Districts in the state of California by replacing the single
education funding requirement, enforced by Proposition 98, with
two requirements: funding for K-12 education and funding for
community colleges.
Proposition 92 would
not negatively impact the funding of K-12. The measure would not
change the existing requirements that roughly 40 percent of
General Fund revenues be spent on K-14 education. This measure
would reduce student fees to $15 per unit beginning in fall
2008.
Why Vote NO?
- Proposition 92
would amend California’s constitution to lock in a huge new
state funding mandate for community colleges. This could lead to
politicians to raise income or sales tax or cut funding to other
government funded entities.
- It is estimated
the increased spending created by Proposition 92 will reach
nearly a billion dollars in the first three years.
- The governing
board for Proposition 92 does not provide direct oversight to
determine how Proposition 92 funds will be spent.
Under Proposition 93
an individual could serve a total of 12 years in the
Legislature. Unlike the current system, these years could be
served without regard to whether they were in the Assembly or
Senate. In other words, an individual could serve six two-year
terms in the Assembly, three four-year terms in the Senate, or
some combination of terms in both houses.
Under this measure,
existing Members of the Legislature could serve up to a total of
12 years in their current legislative house (regardless of how
many years were already served in the other house). This could
result in some current Members serving longer than 14 years in
the Legislature.
Why Vote NO?
- Term limits reform
without redistricting reform is not the comprehensive political
reform California needs.
- This measure has
the ability to keep the current leadership in office for another
14 years. And, if redistricting does not pass, that will likely
be the case.
- By passing this
measure, the voters would only give the leadership exactly what
they want without demanding accountability at any level.
The compact amendment allows the specific tribes to operate
up to 7,500 Nevada-style slot machines at its casinos, up from
2,000 under the 1999 compact. In turn, annual payment to the
General Fund would total at least $42.5 million under the
compact amendment. In addition to this minimum payment, the
tribe would pay to the General Fund an annual amount equal to 15
percent of the net revenues of the next 3,000 slot machines it
adds to its casinos after the compact amendment takes effect.
The agreements also
must provide for local governments to receive “reasonable
compensation” for increased public service costs due to the
casino, such as costs of public safety and gambling addiction
programs. Under these agreements significant environmental
impacts outside of the reservation must be reduced or avoided
where feasible.
Why Vote YES?
- For the first time
the tribe would make payments to the General Fund the state’s
main operating account. The estimated revenues will add up to
25% in additional funding in to the state General Fund.
- The new compact
agreements require the tribes to coordinate with local police
and fire agencies to compensate local governments for any local
services that are needed. The new compact agreements preserve
the right of Indian casino employees to be represented by unions
through secret ballot.
Fresno Chamber Keeps Employers
Informed on New Laws for 2008
In 2007, the California Legislature passed a number of laws that
will affect the way we do business in California. The Fresno
Chamber is urging employers to be aware of these new laws that
are now in effect or will take effect in 2008. Click here for more.
November 27, 2007
2007 Vote
Record: Fresno Chamber Continues to Hold State Officials
Accountable to Business Community
The
2007 Vote Record: Over 50 Potential Laws Tracked by the Fresno
Chamber and How Senators Dave Cogdill and Dean Florez and
Assembly Members Tom Berryhill, Michael Villines, Nicole Parra
and Juan Arambula Voted
The Fresno Chamber's Government Affairs Committee (GAC) voted in
early 2007 to track over 50 potential laws (bills) that might
impact Fresno businesses.
Each month, the GAC members reviewed and discussed the status of
all 50 plus bills. The local Fresno legislators, which consisted
of Senators Dave Cogdill and Dean Florez and Assembly Members
Tom Berryhill, Michael Villines, Nicole Parra and Juan Arambula,
received letters communicating the Chamber's positions on all
bills.
The Fresno Chamber lobbied during the 2007 legislative session
for our legislators to OPPOSE 15 final bills and SUPPORT 3 final
bills. The Chamber is only holding the local legislators
accountable for bills that made it to the Governor's desk. 2007
saw 18 of the over 50 potential laws make it to the Governor's
desk. Click here for more.
November 27, 2007
2007 Vote Record: Fresno Chamber Holds City Council Accountable
The Chamber works closely with local elected officials as
part of our commitment to advocate on behalf of our members,
business and to promote the economic vitality of our community.
We monitor their positions on issues ranging from fee
increases and zoning to revitalization of downtown and public
safety. And, just like we do for our State elected
officials, we track the vote records of our local leaders. Click here for
more.
October
11, 2007
TAKE ACTION NOW!
MORE...Top Issues Ready For Governor's Consideration
AB 1707 (Swanson)- New Employer Liability - VETO AB 1707 would unreasonably expand employee
access to personnel records and establish new
employer liability.
SB 180 (Migden) – Damaging to Ag Business - VETO SB 180 would hurt competitiveness of California
agriculture producers, driving businesses out of
state, killing jobs and increasing loss of farmland,
by increasing labor costs for California producers
who must compete in a global market with lower
average operating costs.
SB 549 (Corbett) – New Bereavement Leave for
Employees - VETO SB 549 would unreasonably expand employer’s
liability for a new protected bereavement leave for
employees.
SB
622 (Padilla) - New Penalties for Independent
Contractors- VETO SB 622 creates a new excuse to sue employers and
exposes them to excessive new penalties for "willful
misclassification" of independent contractors
without providing clear roadmap for employers to
comply. Instead of new violation provisions,
penalties and civil lawsuits, contractors, the
business community, employees and employers alike
would be better served by creating clear and
consistent application of factors that define
independent contractor.
SB 788 (Cogdill) – Audits - SIGN SB 788 would permit the Franchise Tax Board
(FTB) to conduct audits of taxpayers with
water’s-edge elections on a discretionary rather
than mandatory basis.
AB 435 (Brownley)- Extends the Statute of
Limitations to File Wage Discrimination- VETO AB 435 unreasonably extends the statute of
limitations to file wage discrimination claims and
requirements for maintaining paperwork, increasing
employer exposure to untimely lawsuits.
AB 338 (Coto) – Temporary Disability Benefits-
SIGN AB 338 would resolve a problem in current law
relating to the 104 week cap on temporary disability
benefits by amending the “window” in which injured
workers are eligible for benefits. AB 338 (Coto)
represents a balanced approach to resolving a real
and tangible problem in the workers’ compensation
system.
AB 812 (Hernandez)- Combat Fraud in Worker’s
Compensation- SIGN AB 812 would help combat premium fraud in
workers’ compensation insurance by giving insurance
companies statutory authority to impose a financial
penalty on employers who do not submit to required
payroll audits for the purposes of verifying
premium.
AB 1636 (Mendoza)- Supplemental Job Displacement
Vouchers -VETO AB 1636 would require employers to provide some
injured workers with supplemental job displacement
vouchers (SJDV) prior to verification that the
injured worker is actually eligible for that benefit
under the law.
TAKE ACTION NOW! Top Issues Ready For Governor's
Consideration
AB 537 (Swanson) -
Expanding Protected Leave - VETO AB 537
proposes to expand protected leave for employees that employers
must grant regardless of business necessity. Under current
requirements of the California Family Rights Act (CFRA),
employers with 50-plus employees must grant to their employees
up to 12 workweeks leave in a 12-month period, to care for their
seriously ill child, spouse, or parent. Expanding protected
leave makes doing business in California more costly.
Click here to take action.
AB 8 (Nuñez) –
Healthcare Tax - VETO AB 8 imposes a tax on small employers who can’t afford to
provide health care coverage, to fund health care coverage for
those who don’t currently purchase it.
Click here to take action.
AB 377- Labor
Contractors - VETO AB 377 requires farm labor contractors to print the name and
address of the person who contracts for services on the farm
labor contractor’s employee pay stubs. We are concerned that
this requirement is an attempt to impose new joint liability on
farmers for the actions of farm labor contractors.
Click here to take action.
AB 448 - (Arambula) – Expansion of Liquidated Damages - VETO AB 448 would substantially increase penalties that can be
awarded against employers in administrative minimum wage claims
filed with the Labor Commissioner. Specifically, AB 448 would
allow liquidated damages to be awarded against employers in not
just court actions but also administrative actions.
Click here to take action.
AB 504 (Swanson)-
New Employer Liability - VETO AB 504 would inappropriately imposes new employer liability
that
could increase the
cost of doing business in California by providing a new
definition of lockout that requires an employer to pay
restitution to employees.
Click here to take action.
AB 779 (Jones) – New Data Security Requirements - VETO AB 779 places financial liability on businesses for the cost
of replacing credit or debit cards even if they comply with the
data security requirements of the bill.
Click here to take action.
September 4, 2007
Find Out Which City Council
Members Are Really Business Friendly
Last
week the Fresno City Council voted on whether or not to repeal
the Fresno Municipal Code Section 5-302b, which states that the
retail and wholesale license fees shall escalate automatically,
without further action by the Council. The increase shall be
based on the Consumer Price Index.
The motion failed
5-2.
City Council’s position: If the City would like to raise the
business license fees in the future, it would be too difficult
given the regulations if this ordinance were to be repealed.
The Chamber’s position: Raising any fees on a specific sector in
the community should not have the ability to escalate
automatically. All fees should be publicly discussed. More.
See How They Voted:
Councilmembers who voted YES to repeal the automatic business
tax.
Jerry Duncan
Henry Perea
Councilmembers who
voted NO to repeal the automatic business tax.
Blong Xiong
Cynthia Sterling
Mike Dages
Larry Westerlund
Brian Calhoun
September 4, 2007
Special Thanks to Congressman Radanovich, Congressman Costa and
Congressman Nunes
Last week the
Chamber was pleased to host Congressman Radanovich, Costa and
Nunes at the Copper River Country Club to present to them the
Spirit of Enterprise Award. The Spirit of Enterprise Award is
awarded to those members of Congress who vote at least 70% in
line with the U.S. Chamber’s priority. More
August 28, 2007
Help Save Competitiveness of
Fresno and California Agriculture Producers
SB 180
would hurt competitiveness of California agriculture producers.
This bill takes away a workers right to a private ballot when
deciding whether or not to join a union by replacing the private
ballot with a scheme called card check which allows a union to
organize if a majority of workers simply sign a card. Click here to TAKE ACTION!
August 24, 2007
Stop Automatic Increases in City Business Taxes
Did you know the
City of Fresno is currently allowed to raise the business tax
automatically, without further action or oversight by the
Council?
In 1990 the City Council passed a resolution that states that
the retail and wholesale license fees shall escalate on November
1, 1990 and shall escalate annually on July 1 of each year
thereafter automatically, without further action or oversight by
the Council. Although the City has never acted on this
resolution, it is still on their books, and the City still has
the overriding authority to use this policy.
On August 28th the City Council will vote whether or not this
resolution should be appealed. In an effort to get this
resolution appealed, the Fresno Chamber urges you to send a
letter to your City Council members.
August 13, 2007
Force Legislators To
Act On Redistricting Reform
The stall on
redistricting reform has gone on too long in this state; the
current gerrymandered system has failed to create substantial
change in our state. It’s time we start giving the voice back to
the voters and allow them to choose the candidates, not the
district lines. The Fresno Chamber is leading the effort through
a letter writing campaign to get redistricting reform on the
ballot in 2008.
Since
the beginning of March a task force made up of
Chamber members has been carefully analyzing the
Fresno Counties budget. Over this four month period
the Chamber has met with the CAO, the Sheriff, the
Board of Supervisors and the Personnel Department in
order to better understand how our tax dollars are
spent and determine what the County can do to make
government services more cost effective. More
June 21, 2007
Fresno Chamber
Issues Statement Regarding the City Budget
Over the past few
weeks the Fresno Chamber’s City Budget Task Force has been
working with city staff to analyze and make recommendations for
the 2007-2008 budget. Although the Chamber does not have a few
pending issues with the current budget, the Chamber is pleased
to see the financial management of the overall budget. More
June 21, 2007
Fresno Chamber
Issues Statement Regarding the City Budget
Over the past few
weeks the Fresno Chamber’s City Budget Task Force has been
working with city staff to analyze and make recommendations for
the 2007-2008 budget. Although the Chamber does not have a few
pending issues with the current budget, the Chamber is pleased
to see the financial management of the overall budget. More
June 21, 2007
Fresno Chamber
Urges Council to Consider Economic Impacts on Housing
On Wednesday, June
13, 2007 the Fresno Chamber reviewed the temporary encampment
housing issue at the request of member businesses located next
to or near the proposed site. The Chamber reviewed the logistics
of the issue and heard the concerns from both the surrounding
business owners and Councilmember Jerry Duncan. More
June 1, 2007
Fresno
Chamber’s Government Affairs Program Recognized as
‘Advocacy Partner of the Year’
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.
More
May 11, 2007
Fresno Chamber
Gives a Different Meaning to, “We Mean Business”
On April 18, 2007
the Chamber’s Government Affairs delegation, including Ruth
Evans, owner of the Evans HR Group, and Oran Cogdill, owner of
Best Western Garden Court Inn testified in front of the Assembly
Labor and Employment Committee in support of AB 510 (Benoit;
R-Palm Desert)the Flexible Workweek Bill. More
August 16, 2007
TAKE ACTION NOW!
The Top Issues Impacting Fresno's Business Community
AB
8: Healthcare Tax for All Employers: Oppose AB 8 imposes a tax on small employers who can’t
afford to provide health care coverage, to fund
health care coverage for those who don’t currently
purchase it.
AB 338: Increasing Cap on Temporary Disability
Benefits: Oppose AB 338 the cap on temporary disability to 156
weeks. Evidence suggests that a prompt return to
employment after an injury reduces an injured
worker’s long-term wage loss. The Division of
Workers’ Compensation recently released data showing
that there was a 5% increase in the numbers of
injured workers who are returning to work within 20
months of their injury.
AB 377: Extra Liabilities for Farm Labor
Contractors: Oppose AB 377 would require an FLC to disclose the name
and address of the entity or entities that secured
that contractor’s services on the pay stub of the
FLC’s employees. This bill is similar to AB 2327
which we opposed and was vetoed by Governor
Schwarzenegger.
AB 435: Increasing Time Frame to Maintain
Employee Records: Oppose AB 435 imposes unwarranted and unreasonable
requirements for maintaining paperwork, and
increases employer exposure to untimely lawsuits.
This bill increases the statue of limitations two
and a half times the timeframe currently allowed. We
are concerned that this more than doubling of the
timeframe exposes employers to increased liability
in penalties and results in an extended timeframe of
unpredictability for businesses’ forecasting.
AB 512: Foreign Language Translation of Mortgage
Contracts: Oppose AB 512 attempts to require supervised financial
organizations to provide a summary sheet of loan
terms in the language the loan was negotiated if
that loan was negotiated in one of five statutorily
identified foreign languages. This measure will be
PREEMPTED by federal law and will not be applicable
to federally chartered banks and credit unions.
AB 537: Expanding Employees Protected Leave:
Oppose This bill would increase the circumstances under
which an employee is entitled to protected leave to
include: eliminating the age and dependency elements
to the definition of “child,” expanding the
definition of “parent” to include parent-in-law, and
including in the definition grandparent, sibling,
grandchild, or domestic partner.
AB 1212: Revised Schedule for Permanent
Disability: Oppose This bill would require the administrative
director, on or before January 1, 2009, to revise
the schedule for the determination of permanent
disability to increase the ratings contained in the
schedule based on empirical studies of ratings and
wage losses, including, but not limited to, studies
produced by the Commission on Health and Safety and
Workers' Compensation.
AB
1403: San Joaquin Valley School District Improvement
Pilot Program: Support AB 1403 allows County Superintendents to opt to
assume additional responsibility for ensuring the
academic success of those struggling school
districts within their jurisdiction that are both
identified for program improvement or corrective
action under the federal NCLB and have 50 percent of
more of their schools ranked in deciles 1 and 2 of
the state Academic Performance Index.
AB 1636: Supplemental Job Displacement Vouchers:
Oppose AB 1636 would require employers to provide some
injured workers with supplemental job displacement
vouchers (SJDV) prior to verification that the
injured worker is actually eligible for that benefit
under the law.
AB 1707: Maintain Employment Records for a
Specified Time: Oppose This bill would require employers to maintain
employment records for a specified time and to
provide inspection and copies within a specified
time to current and former employees.
SB 140: New Standards for Diesel Fuel: Oppose SB 140 would require at least 2% of all diesel
fuel sold in the state to contain renewable diesel
fuel by a date specified by the state board and five
percent two years after the implementation of the 2%
standard.
SB 549: Expand Employer’s Liability for a New
Protected Bereavement Leave: Oppose SB 549 proposes to establish new sanctions and
rights of action against employers related to this
new protected leave. Under this bill, employers
would be subjected to civil action in court or
enforcement action through the Department of Labor
Standards Enforcement.
SB 622: New Restrictions for Willful
Misclassification of Independent Contractors: Oppose
SB 622 creates a new excuse to sue employers and
exposes them to excessive new penalties for "willful
misclassification" of independent contractors
without providing clear compliance guidelines.
Instead of additional penalties, employees and
employers alike would be better served by creating
clear and consistent application of factors that
define independent contractor.
SB 788: Audits with Water’s Edge Election on
Discretionary Basis: Support SB 788 would permit the Franchise Tax Board
(FTB) to conduct audits of taxpayers with
water’s-edge elections on a discretionary rather
than mandatory basis. The “water’s-edge” election is
an election by taxpayers with worldwide income to be
taxed, with specific exceptions, only upon income
from affiliates within the water’s edge of the
United States.
SB 840: Government Run Healthcare: Oppose SB 840 creates a new government run,
multi-billion dollar socialized health care system
built from a yet to be specified tax increase, and
on false premises and failed attempts in other
countries.
AB 8: Healthcare Tax for All Employers: Oppose AB 8 imposes a tax on small employers who can’t
afford to provide health care coverage, to fund
health care coverage for those who don’t currently
purchase it.
AB 1636: Supplemental Job Displacement Vouchers:
Oppose AB 1636 would require employers to provide some
injured workers with supplemental job displacement
vouchers (SJDV) prior to verification that the
injured worker is actually eligible for that benefit
under the law.
AB 1707: Maintain Employment Records for a
Specified Time: Oppose This bill would require employers to maintain
employment records for a specified time and to
provide inspection and copies within a specified
time to current and former employees.
SB 140: New Standards for Diesel Fuel: Oppose SB 140 would require at least 2% of all diesel
fuel sold in the state to contain renewable diesel
fuel by a date specified by the state board and five
percent two years after the implementation of the 2%
standard.
SB 549: Expand Employer’s Liability for a New
Protected Bereavement Leave: Oppose SB 549 proposes to establish new sanctions and
rights of action against employers related to this
new protected leave. Under this bill, employers
would be subjected to civil action in court or
enforcement action through the Department of Labor
Standards Enforcement.
SB 622: New Restrictions for Willful
Misclassification of Independent Contractors: Oppose
SB 622 creates a new excuse to sue employers and
exposes them to excessive new penalties for "willful
misclassification" of independent contractors
without providing clear compliance guidelines.
Instead of additional penalties, employees and
employers alike would be better served by creating
clear and consistent application of factors that
define independent contractor.
SB 788: Audits with Water’s Edge Election on
Discretionary Basis: Support SB 788 would permit the Franchise Tax Board
(FTB) to conduct audits of taxpayers with
water’s-edge elections on a discretionary rather
than mandatory basis. The “water’s-edge” election is
an election by taxpayers with worldwide income to be
taxed, with specific exceptions, only upon income
from affiliates within the water’s edge of the
United States.
SB 840: Government Run Healthcare: Oppose SB 840 creates a new government run,
multi-billion dollar socialized health care system
built from a yet to be specified tax increase, and
on false premises and failed attempts in other
countries.
The Top Issues Impacting Fresno's Business Community
AB 338: Increasing Cap on Disability
Benefits: Oppose
AB 338 the cap on temporary disability to 156 weeks. Evidence
suggests that a prompt return to employment after an injury
reduces an injured worker’s long-term wage loss. The Division of
Workers’ Compensation recently released data showing that there
was a 5% increase in the numbers of injured workers who are
returning to work within 20 months of their injury.
AB 377: Extra Liabilities for Farm
Labor Contractors: Oppose
AB 377 would require an FLC to disclose the name and address of
the entity or entities that secured that contractor’s services
on the pay stub of the FLC’s employees. This bill is similar to
AB 2327 which we opposed and was vetoed by Governor
Schwarzenegger.
AB 435: Increasing Time Frame to
Maintain Records: Oppose AB 435
imposes unwarranted and unreasonable requirements for
maintaining paperwork, and increases employer exposure to
untimely lawsuits. This bill increases the statue of limitations
two and a half times the timeframe currently allowed. We are
concerned that this more than doubling of the timeframe exposes
employers to increased liability in penalties and results in an
extended timeframe of unpredictability for businesses’
forecasting.
AB 512: Translation of Mortgage
Contracts: Oppose
AB 512 attempts to require supervised financial organizations to
provide a summary sheet of loan terms in the language the loan
was negotiated if that loan was negotiated in one of five
statutorily identified foreign languages. This measure will be
PREEMPTED by federal law and will not be applicable to federally
chartered banks and credit unions.
AB 537: Expanding Employees Protected
Leave: Oppose
This bill would increase the circumstances under which an
employee is entitled to protected leave to include: eliminating
the age and dependency elements to the definition of “child,”
expanding the definition of “parent” to include parent-in-law,
and including in the definition grandparent, sibling,
grandchild, or domestic partner.
AB 1212: Revised Schedule for
Permanent Disability: Oppose
This bill would require the administrative director, on or
before January 1, 2009, to revise the schedule for the
determination of permanent disability to increase the ratings
contained in the schedule based on empirical studies of ratings
and wage losses, including, but not limited to, studies produced
by the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers'
Compensation.
AB 1403: SJVUSD Improvement Pilot
Program: Support
AB 1403 allows County Superintendents to opt to assume
additional responsibility for ensuring the academic success of
those struggling school districts within their jurisdiction that
are both identified for program improvement or corrective action
under the federal NCLB and have 50 percent of more of their
schools ranked in deciles 1 and 2 of the state Academic
Performance Index.
July 9,
2007
TAKE ACTION NOW! Democratic Health Care Proposal
Allows Government Agency to Raise Payroll Taxes
AB 8, originally
proposed by the Speaker Fabian Nunez, is now merging with
proposal by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata. The bill sets
up a government-run health care system for employees who do not
receive health care from their employers, financed almost
exclusively by a payroll tax on all employers who do not spend a
certain level of funding on employee health care. The tax
increase could exceed $6.5 billion.
SB 719: San Joaquin Air Pollution
Board: Oppose
SB 719 would change
the composition of the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution
Control District Governing Board. This bill would increase the
membership of the District’s Governing Board from 11 to 15
members and would modify the Board appointment process.
AB
1403: Educational Program for Fresno & Tulare: Support
This bill would allow the County Superintendents of Fresno and
Tulare Counties to opt to assume additional responsibility for
ensuring the academic success of struggling school district
within their jurisdiction that are both identified for program
improvement or corrective action under NCLB and have 50 percent
or more of their schools ranked in deciles 1 and 2 of the state
Academic Performance Index.
June 27, 2007
TAKE ACTION Now on Legislation Impacting the Fresno Region
AB 8 will be heard
in the Senate Health Committee on July 11, 2007, which imposes a
tax on small employers who can’t afford to provide health care
coverage, to fund health care coverage for those who don’t
currently purchase it.
SB 840
creates a new government run,
multi-billion dollar socialized health care system built from a
yet to be specified tax increase, and on false premises and
failed attempts in other countries.
SB 719 would change
the composition of the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution
Control District Governing Board. This bill would increase the
membership of the District’s Governing Board from 11 to 15
members and would modify the Board appointment process.
SB 240 would
authorize the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control
District (SJVAPCD) to impose a new $300 annual fee on all
stationary and area wide sources of air pollution. It
allows the SJVAPCD to increase vehicle licensing fees up to $30
per vehicle. SB 240 would impose new state mandates on a
district that is successfully dealing with addressing the
Valley’s most pressing issue—improving air quality.
AB 1620 establishes the
California Clean Technology Services Unit (CCTSU) within the
Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency (BT&H) designed
to promote the development of
environmentally-friendly technologies, facilitate businesses in
bringing clean technology to California, and coordinate efforts
between state agencies that encourage clean technology
development that meets the state's environmental goals and
standards.
June 18, 2007
Take Action Now on Legislation Impacting Fresno
SB 622 (Padilla)
OPPOSE
Take
Action SB 622 creates a subjective and undefined labor law
violation - the “willful” misclassification of an employee as an
independent contractor.
AB
537 (Swanson) OPPOSE
Take Action
This bill
would increase the cost of doing business by expanding protected
leave for employees that employers must grant regardless of
business necessity.
AB
377 (Arambula) OPPOSE
Take Action
This bill
would create joint liability for any farmer that enters into a
legal contract for services with a Farm Labor Contractor (FLC).
SB
549 (Corbett) OPPOSE
Take Action
This new leave requirement applies regardless of business
necessity of the employer – if the employee qualifies for the
leave, it must be granted.
AB 1212 (Nunez) OPPOSE
Take Action This bill would require the Administrative Director (AD) of
the Division of Workers’ Compensation to revise the Permanent
Disability Rating Schedule (PDRS), with the effect of increasing
permanent disability ratings, prior to 1/1/2009.
March 27, 2007
Fresno Chamber
Urges Council to Postpone Consideration of Impact Fees
In August of 2006
the City Planning Department and the stakeholders began
negotiating what street impact fees should look like in the
coming year; fees that have not been actively updated in almost
20 years.
With the current and
expected growth in the City, it is vital we continue to support
and maintain infrastructure needs in our City. This is
especially important for the business community in order to
continue to ensure the success of the businesses already located
here, and to encourage more businesses to locate in our City.
More
March 9, 2007
Fresno Chamber
Questions Educational Purpose of Campus Pointe Center
For the past three
months, the Fresno Chamber’s Government Affairs Council (GAC)
has taken an in-depth look at the Campus Pointe Center proposed
just east of the Fresno State Campus.
More
March 6, 2007
Fresno Chamber
Leads Effort to Increase Business Opportunities with the City
The Fresno Chamber
is in support of the local preference ordinance that has been
put forth by Councilmember Mike Dages. This ordinance will give
local businesses, located within a 25 mile radius from City
Hall, a 5% preference in the bidding process...More
February 20, 2007
Fresno Chamber
Fights for Business
Announces its 2007 Legislative Priorities for Fresno Businesses
Each year, the Greater Fresno Area
Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Council develops its
legislative priorities. Each of the legislative priorities serve
as the foundation for the Fresno Chamber's continuing effort to
improve the regional business climate...More
February 20, 2007
Fresno Business Community to Meet with Congressman Nunes on
Regional Issues
Businesses
and the Fresno community are invited to attend the Fresno
Chamber's Eggs & Issues Breakfast with Congressman Devin
Nunes. Congressman Nunes will discuss federal issues
impacting our region.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
7:15am to 9:00am
The Downtown Club
2120 Kern Street
Cost $20.00 per person
Please RSVP to Amy Huerta at (559) 495-4818
ahuerta@fresnochamber.com
January 29, 2006
Join the Fresno
Chamber in Honoring the New 2007 Elected Officials
Join the Fresno
Chamber in honoring newly elected Sheriff Mims and
Councilmember Xiong. Senator Dave Cogdill, Assemblymember
Michael Villines, Cal Johnson, FUSD Trustree D-1, and
Michelle Arax Asadoorian, FUSD Trustree 7 will also attend.
The event is
Thursday, February 8, 2007 at the Downtown Club, 2120 Kern
Street from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. Please RSVP to Amy Huerta at
(559) 495-4818
ahuerta@fresnochamber.com
January 9, 2007
Fresno Chamber Keeps Employers
Informed on New Laws for 2007
Last year the California Legislature passed a number of laws
that will affect the way we do business in California. The
Fresno Chamber is urging employers to be aware of these new laws
that are now in effect or will take effect in 2007.
Fresno Chamber Fights for
Business
Approves Positions on November Ballot Propositions
The Fresno Chamber calls upon the local business community to
understand the impacts of the November statewide propositions.
“The Fresno Chamber continues to examine the stream of
propositions that are turning out for the November ballot,”
stated Ruth Evans, Chair of the Fresno Chamber's Government
Affairs Committee. “We will continue to do our job in taking
positions on these initiatives—there is much at stake for our
members, ” Evans continued.
SB 1414
(Migden), would require companies with over 10,000
employees in California to spend the equivalent of
eight percent of their total payroll on health
insurance or pay the equivalent amount to Medi-Cal.
Employer mandates do not solve problems but rather
threaten jobs and slow economic growth, sending a
message that our state is unfriendly to business.
This bill does nothing to provide access to
healthcare while raising the cost of doing business
in California
AB 32 is
NOT the right solution. It is a lose-lose
proposition for California. AB 32 would hurt our
economy by putting arbitrary mandates on all
employers, making them less competitive and
encouraging business to leave the state - taking
their jobs with them.
We need to find a GLOBAL solution to this GLOBAL
problem.
SB 1368 would establish a greenhouse gas emission
performance standard, limiting the available power
sources to meet California’s energy demands while
substantially increasing the price of electricity to
consumers and businesses. Specifically, SB 1368:
discriminates against coal as a low cost fuel,
limits Utility Purchases to short-term contracts,
and increases costs to businesses and retail-end
customers.
August 22,
2006
Fresno Chamber
Opposes Minimum Wage Increases’ Negative Impact on
Business
"The Fresno Chamber has learned that the Governor
and the legislature have reached an agreement on
raising the minimum wage to $8.00 per hour. The
Fresno Chamber remains opposed to any minimum wage
increases that:
- Allow automatic escalation of minimum salary for
exempt employees.
- Do not
allow for a flexible 40-hour work week before
overtime
- Do not consider tips in calculating minimum wage...more
August 16, 2006
Public Safety
Integration drives forward with Chamber at the Wheel
Headway made on integration of public safety services
On July 20,
the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, in
conjunction with the Fresno County Board of Supervisors
and Fresno City Council, held a rare joint meeting to
discuss crucial items that could be merged to improve
safety...more
August 16, 2006
Fresno Chamber
Secures Favorable Local and Statewide Business Climate in 2006
Increases in advocacy efforts provides return on business
community investment in the Fresno Chamber.
In
January 2006, the Fresno Chamber increased its effort to
represent the interests of business with government. The
Chamber launched a new committee of local business
representatives, the Government Affairs Council, which
meets monthly to fight issues impacting the vitality of
the Fresno business community...more
July 27, 2006
Fresno Chamber
Opposes Proposed Parcel Tax
The Fresno Chamber
OPPOSES the Classroom Learning Accountability Act (CLAA) because
the Fresno Chamber opposes policies that execute
government-imposed wage mandates that do not consider regional
economic conditions and/or the impacts to local employers. This
act clearly does not take into consideration income or property
values. more
July 27, 2006
Fresno Chamber
Joins Coalition to Promote a Sustainable Environment and Economy
The Fresno Chamber
SUPPORTS and becomes a member of Sustainable Environment and
Economy for California (SEECalifornia) because the Chamber
supports measures that promote a voluntary market-based air
quality programs and support giving businesses reasonable
choices that are fuel neutral. more
June 20, 2006
TAKE
ACTION NOW!
SUPPORT
Water Storage and River Restoration Legislation
There is no better
time than now for the Valley to join together to ensure that SB
902, the Upper San Joaquin River Storage and San Joaquin River
Restoration Bond Act of 2006. This bill must pass out of the
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee on June 27, 2006.
TAKE ACTION
June 7, 2006
Fresno Chamber-OPPOSED Proposition 82, The
Two
Billon Dollar Tax Increase FAILS
On June 6, 2006,
voters sent a strong
message when they overwhelmingly rejected the Fresno
Chamber-OPPOSED Proposition 82 by a 20 point margin
(60.9% of the voters opposed while only 39.1% were in
support). Voters clearly support the benefits of
preschool, but believe Proposition 82 was the wrong
approach for expanding preschool opportunities to our
children, and it is not good policy to raise $2.4
billion in new taxes to create a massive new state
bureaucracy. more
June 5, 2006
TAKE
ACTION NOW!
Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Gutted
In spite of being one of the fastest growing regions in the
State, the hopes of the Central Valley getting its needs
addressed by Sacramento got dashed last week as a legislative
conference committee at the State Capitol gutted the 5 million
dollars Governor Schwarzenegger proposed for the Partnership for
the San Joaquin Valley...TAKE
ACTION!
June 4, 2006
Business
Community Stands AGAINST Tuesday, June 6th Ballot
Initiative:
OPPOSE Proposition 82,
Two
Billon Dollar Tax Increase
Proposition 82 (the
Preschool for All Act) is being promoted heavily months
before the election in June. At the core is the intent
to create a constitutional entitlement by circumventing
the lawmaking process. Proposed funding will come from a
1.7% income tax increase for those making over $400,000
($800,000 for couples). Consider the facts...<click
here for more
June
2, 2006
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Ask Fresno State
Senator Dean Florez to Oppose SB 1162 Minimum Wage Increase
Proposal
SB 1162 increases
the cost of doing business by raising the state minimum wage to
$7.25 after 60 days of enactment and to $7.75 as of July 1,
2007, and indexing the wage rate thereafter, giving California
the highest minimum wage rate in the nation. SB 1162 would
increase both public and private employer wage costs by at least
$2.08 billion annually, raising costs to consumers and driving
employers who cannot afford to pay for the increases to other
states.
Fresno Chamber
Calls on Congress to Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform
The Greater Fresno
Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes that our immigration system
is broken. To fix it, a comprehensive approach is needed...
more
May 24, 2006
Fresno Chamber Opposes Living Wage Proposals
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce opposes the
consideration of a living wage ordinance in the city of Fresno
based on the fact the Chamber opposes mandated wages by the
government, and the estimated impact it will have on the greater
business community.
more
May 24, 2006
Fresno Chamber Supports Effort to Clean Up Graffiti
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce conceptually
SUPPORTS the City’s ordinance to take the authority to clean
up graffiti on businesses because it has been identified as a
very important issue to our business members, and it promotes
business attraction and retention by forcing our city to take
care of how it looks. more
May
19, 2006
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Support
Securing Homeland Security By Upgrading 144th Fighter Wing
Aircraft
The 144th Fighter
Wing provides support for counter drug enforcement, natural
disasters, civil unrest and community assistance in the state of
California. Following September 11, 2001, the Wing provided
forces for Operation Aerosafe, guarding our local airports.
TAKE ACTION!
May 3, 2006
TAKE
ACTION NOW!
Lower Health Care
Costs, Submit A Letter of Support On Federal Small Business
Health Plans
Small business
health plans (SBHPs) would give small businesses the market
leverage and economies of scale that major corporations have
when buying health insurance by letting them purchase health
insurance through existing business and trade associations. <click here to TAKE ACTION
April 18,
2006
TAKE
ACTION NOW!
Support Two Fresno Chamber Supported Pro-Jobs Legislative
Proposals:
AB 2217
gives employers and employees flexibility with work
schedules and AB 2277 requires workplace posting to
be written in plain language.
<click here to
TAKE ACTION
March 23,
2006
Fresno Can Not
Afford Higher Fuel Prices!
Fresno Chamber Opposes Effort to Secure Gas Tax Proposition
for November 2006 Ballot
The Fresno Chamber is opposing the effort to secure the Oil
Severance Tax Initiative for the November 2006 ballot. This
proposed initiative establishes a program intended to reduce
oil and gasoline use, with research and production
incentives for alternative energy, alternative fuel
vehicles, energy efficient technologies, and for education
and training. <click here for more
March 10,
2006
United States
Chamber Announces California Issue Advocacy Program
The United States Chamber of
Commerce today began an independent issue advocacy program to
inform Californians of recent improvements in the state's
business climate and the steps that must follow to create a more
competitive economy.<Click here
for more
March 2006
Fresno Chamber Takes The Lead:
Announces its 2006 Legislative Priorities for the Fresno
Business Community
Each year, the Fresno Chamber's
public policy committee develops its legislative priorities.
Each of the legislative priorities serve as the foundation
for the Fresno Chamber's continuing effort...<click
here for more
February 2006
Business Community Stands AGAINST Billon Dollar Tax
Increase
The
Preschool for All Act changes the state Constitution by
creating a new $2.7 billion program. It imposes a 1.7%
increase on taxpayers who earn more than $400,000
($800,000 for couples)<click here for more
February 2006
Fresno Chamber
Reviews Economic Impact of Mayor's Proposed Municipal
Restoration Zone Plan
Fresno
Mayor Autry has announced the creation of a “Municipal
Restoration Zone” (MRZ). The MRZ will overlay the already
highly successful Federal Empowerment Zone and the State
administered Enterprise Zone with additional financial and
job creation opportunities for new and existing businesses
within the Urban Core...<click
here for more
March 10, 2006
Fresno
Chamber's Proactive Approach to Representing Business With
Government
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce (Fresno Chamber)
continues its “call to action” by representing the interests
of businesses with the addition of an ambitious government
affairs program. The Fresno Chamber is developing and
implementing a government affairs program complete with
mission and vision statements, goals, and long term
strategies...
Fresno Chamber
Evaluates Economic Impact of Campus Pointe Center Project
Fresno State University is looking to build a Campus Pointe
Center on the Clovis-Fresno border, going in next to the
Save Mart Center at Highway 168, which has arrived as a
partnership between Fresno State and private investors.
Campus Pointe will include a 240-room hotel, 180 units of
senior housing and 342 apartment units...
The Fresno
Chamber and the Workers' Compensation Reform Network (a
statewide coalition) are working to ensure that the 2004
legislative gains in workers’ compensation are protected
Fresno Chamber Evaluates Long Term Economic Impacts of
Governor’s 2006 Strategic Growth Plan
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered his annual State of
the State address on January 5, 2006 proposing a
comprehensive Strategic Growth Plan to invest in
California's transportation, education, water, public safety
and public service infrastructure. <click here for more
The
Enterprise Zone program has proven to be a valuable tool for
businesses to receive tax credits and other incentives. Funding for
this program is being threatened and we need the state Legislature
to continue this program, which has helped to create new jobs, grow
existing businesses and allowed California to compete with other
states in attracting outside investors. 
One
issue up for debate is H.R. 3126, the Consumer Financial Protection
Agency (CFPA) Act, legislation that would dramatically reshape
consumer finance. 
Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he is appointing former
Fresno-area State Senator Chuck Poochigian to the 5th District Court
of Appeal. 
The
Fresno Chamber urges you to contact Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger and ask him to support flexible work schedules
and clarification to the state’s meal period requirements.
Al
Smith, CEO of the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce
released the following statement on the financial crisis:
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. 
.jpg)
The
2007 Vote Record: Over 50 Potential Laws Tracked by the Fresno
Chamber and How Senators Dave Cogdill and Dean Florez and
Assembly Members Tom Berryhill, Michael Villines, Nicole Parra
and Juan Arambula Voted
Last
week the Fresno City Council voted on whether or not to repeal
the Fresno Municipal Code Section 5-302b, which states that the
retail and wholesale license fees shall escalate automatically,
without further action by the Council. The increase shall be
based on the Consumer Price Index. 
Businesses
and the Fresno community are invited to attend the Fresno
Chamber's Eggs & Issues Breakfast with Congressman Devin
Nunes. Congressman Nunes will discuss federal issues
impacting our region.
Business
Community Stands AGAINST Tuesday, June 6th Ballot
Initiative:
February
2006