The California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to support Proposition 68 (The California Clean Water & Safe Parks Act), a bond measure that will appear on the June 2018 ballot. The measure funds vital investments in the state’s natural resources, with a crucial emphasis on water quality and reliability. CalChamber is proud to be a part of the broad coalition supporting Prop. 68 and urges members to join in issuing support for the bond today by clicking the link at the campaign website: https://yes68ca.com. CalChamber’s endorsement has been echoed by organizations throughout the state, including the League of California Cities, Association of California Water Agencies, the American Heart Association, California State Parks Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and League of Women Voters. Why CalChamber Supports The state Legislature passed SB 5 (de León; D-Los Angeles) to put the bond measure on the ballot. If approved by voters, the measure would authorize the issuance of $4 billion in general obligation bonds. The funds for water quality and supply total $1.27 billion of the $4 billion (30%). The funds for environmental protection and restoration total $2.83 billion of the $4 billion (70%). The CalChamber Board voted to support Prop. 68 because the measure:
Why Join Endorsers Prop. 68 will help tackle some of the most critical issues facing the state, helping to make California’s water supplies more secure, making needed investments in drought preparedness and ensuring every California community has access to safe, quality parks. The measure will fund projects to ensure clean drinking water throughout California, protect communities from floods, safeguard the state’s oceans, rivers, lakes and streams, and build new outdoor spaces in neighborhoods with the greatest need. The CalChamber invites members to join us in pushing for Prop. 68’s passage by lending their names to the broad coalition of organizations already supporting the measure. For further information on Prop. 68, please contact Sarah Melbostad at smelbostad@fionahuttonassoc.com or (818) 760-2121. The March 8 Knowledge & Networking Lunch will feature a candidates’ forum for the May 1 city council recall election. Qualified candidates vying for the positions of mayor and city council are invited to participate. The incumbent mayor and council members have also been invited to deliver messages of why they should not be recalled. Moderating the forum will be Dr. Herbert E. Gooch, Professor of Political Science at California Lutheran University. He formerly Served as Director of the Masters in Public Policy and Administration program and Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies at Cal Lutheran. Herb has written extensively and is a frequent commentator on political affairs locally and statewide. The candidates’ forum will be held at River Ridge Golf Club on March 8 from 11:30 to 1:30. Advance reservations are highly recommended since this will be a well-attended event. The lunch price is discounted for members reserving by March 5. Log on to the Chamber website or call the office at 805-983-6118 to make a reservation. First SoCal private university program starts in fall
California Lutheran University will offer a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and tourism, the only one available from a private institution in Southern California, starting in the fall semester. Cal Lutheran’s School of Management spent two years working with more than 50 industry leaders from organizations including AmaWaterways, Westlake Village Inn, Pleasant Holidays, The Walt Disney Co., Conejo Valley Tourism Improvement District and Urbane Cafe to develop the program. Many of them stepped forward to provide more than $600,000 in seed funding for a professorship and scholarship fund. “Support from industry professionals eager to build a needed pipeline of high-quality talent for their businesses has been amazing,” said School of Management Dean Gerhard Apfelthaler. “They have helped us put together a top-notch program that will prepare students for leadership in this important and growing field.” The hospitality and tourism industry is a driving force behind the California and regional economies and is forecast to grow. Despite the importance of tourism in California, the percentage of colleges in the state offering programs in the field falls below the national average. Locally, Cal Lutheran’s program will provide a way for students in the hospitality, restaurant and tourism management, and culinary arts programs at Oxnard College, Santa Barbara City College and the Ventura County Office of Education to continue their education. Companies have already committed to more than 50 internships, which will be required of students, and study abroad opportunities are also available. Labs will give students hands-on experience with the latest reservation, conference and front desk management systems so they will have broad knowledge of the areas they may oversee as managers. Students will complete a core managerial program to develop skills in operations, finance, human resources and marketing. Company executives will present special courses and guest lectures. The curriculum will also focus on creative and critical thinking, communication and ethical leadership. The final year will cover advanced hospitality management topics and involve students in roundtable meetings with local, regional and global executives. “The hospitality industry needs well-rounded, well-educated professionals,” said Jim Cathcart, director of human resources for Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. “I am very excited about Cal Lutheran’s program, which balances industry-specific courses, experiential learning and the liberal arts.” For more information on the program, go to callutheran.edu/hospitality. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Labor Commissioner Julie Su yesterday issued two documents for California employers dealing with California’s Immigrant Worker Protection Act (AB 450).
Attorney General Becerra issued an advisory providing an overview of and guidance on the privacy prescriptions under AB 450. Commissioner Su also issued joint guidance on frequently asked questions to help employers and workers understand and comply with the new state law. Under AB 450, all employers, regardless of size, must limit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents’ access to both the worksite and employee records, and must follow new notice obligations. This law applies to all California employers and was effective January 1, 2018. Warrants/Subpoenas Required California employers can no longer consent voluntarily to allow ICE to enter nonpublic work areas or to access company records. Instead, ICE must present legal documentation before employers can allow access.
Employers must follow specific requirements related to Form I-9 inspections. For example, within 72 hours of receiving a Notice of Inspection, California employers must post a notice to all current employees informing them of any federal immigration agency’s inspections of Forms I-9 or other employment records. CalChamber added the new Notice to Employee English and Spanish versions to the HRCalifornia website. These forms are available for free. Employers also have obligations once the inspection is over. Within 72 hours of receiving the inspection results, employers must provide each “affected employee” a copy of the results and a written notice of the employer’s and employee’s obligations arising from the inspection. The written notice must contain specific information and must be hand-delivered in the workplace, if possible. An “affected employee” is one identified by the inspection results as potentially lacking work authorization or having document deficiencies. Unions also have the right to receive notices. An employer that fails to follow any of these notice requirements can be fined between $2,000 to $5,000 for a first violation and $5,000 to $10,000 for each subsequent violation. At the same time, federal penalties for Form I-9 violations can range from a couple hundred dollars to more than $20,000. Preparation Is Essential Because the timeframes are so short, preparation is key to meeting the notice requirements. Employers should have a process in place to respond to Notices of Inspection. Employers should identify who in their organization would likely receive a Notice of Inspection and confirm that person knows how to respond. CalChamber members can learn more about Worksite Immigration Enforcement and Protections in the HR Library. Not a member? Learn about the benefits of membership. The white paper, Worksite Immigration Enforcements: What You Need to Know is available for nonmembers to download. CalChamber members can also access this white paper on HRCalifornia. Help your business save money. Today’s economy is especially challenging for small businesses. Many are aggressively seeking ways to cut expenses and better manage operating costs. The Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) & Southern California Edison (SCE) understands how energy costs can impact your bottom line…that’s why we are promoting the Direct Install program. The Direct Install program is an excellent way for your business to reduce energy costs and save money. This effortless program provides qualifying businesses with FREE energy-efficient products, FREE installation and long-term energy savings. How Direct Install Works SCE has contracted with highly-skilled energy efficiency experts who will come and evaluate your small business, free of charge, to identify energy savings opportunities. With your approval, the contractor will install FREE energy-efficient replacement equipment. By replacing the less efficient equipment with new, energy-efficient technology, your business will reduce its energy use, carbon footprint and electric bill — all at no cost to you. The contractor will take 5–10 minutes to complete the energy assessment and make recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of your business. If you agree with the recommendations, the contractor will ask you to sign an Authorization Form and schedule an appointment for a convenient time to install the equipment. Installation of recommended energy-efficient equipment will take less than two hours and your business can remain open. Take the opportunity to participate this year and let us know you are interested, this program might not be back in the area for another few years. To see approximately when your Direct Install Contractor, CRI Lighting & Electrical, will be in our area, please view the enclosed Direct Install Community Calendar. Learn how other business owners lowered their energy usage with Direct Install by visiting www.sce.com/sbd then click on Direct Install. It’s really that easy. There’s no catch. Simply let us help your business use energy more efficiently, conserve precious resources and improve your bottom line. Feel free to contact us directly with questions you may have about the program. Click here for more info. Regards, VCREA Staff County of Ventura 800 S Victoria Ave #L 1940 Ventura, CA 93009 (805) 654-3874 Direct: (805) 654-3887 vcrea.admin@ventura.org www.vcenergy.org In 2016-17 the Oxnard Chamber was fortunate to participate in a statewide grant for the development of youth employment and to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs. We added a part-time staff member and developed some exciting programs. Working with the Oxnard Union High School District (OUHSD) and the Ventura County Civic Alliance, we partnered to hold Intern Boot Camps, a Girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer, and Math) day, and an “Entre to Employment” dinner to highlight careers in the hospitality industry. Unfortunately, that grant ended June 30, 2017. However, we are continuing our efforts in 2018 with an intern-ready certification program. Working with the OUHSD, we are developing criteria for students to qualify to earn a certificate acknowledging they have completed coursework, workplace tours, job shadowing, and career exploration. Once a student has obtained the intern-ready certification, employers can be certain they will benefit from providing internships. We are looking for businesses who will embrace this program and guarantee interviews for certified students. Not only is this a great way to look for prospective workers, but it is a great way to invest in our future workforce. If you are interested in this new program, please give me a call (805-983-6118 x 4) or email me. Thanks!! You are reading an award-winning newsletter!! The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce was given the top honor at the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) annual conference in Henderson, Nevada last week. The anonymous panel of judges found the Oxnard publication easy to read and contained thought-provoking headlines. They particularly like the “5 Things we did…” section, which is a regular feature. An ad hoc committee of Chamber staff and volunteers redesigned the Business Voice last year. We hope you agree with the W.A.C.E. judges! The Oxnard Chamber also received an Honorable Mention award for its website California’s Immigrant Worker Protection Act (AB 450) provides California workers with protection from immigration enforcement while on the job. This law applies to all California employers and was effective January 1, 2018. One of the requirements of this new law is that employers must provide notice to all current employees when a federal immigration agency intends to inspect the employer’s Forms I-9 or other employment records. Required Notice to Employees If an employer receives a Notice of Inspection from a federal immigration agency, the employer must post a required notice to employees in the workplace within 72 hours of receiving the Notice of Inspection. The Labor Commissioner released an official notice for employers to use. The Notice to Employee (Labor Code section 90.2) is available in English and Spanish. The notice must be posted in the language normally used to communicate with employees. A copy of the Notice of Inspection and any accompanying documents must be posted along with the required notice. In addition to posting the notice in the workplace, employers must give the notice to the employees’ collective bargaining representative(s), if any. Additional Notice Requirements Employers also have notice obligations once the inspection is over. Within 72 hours of receiving the inspection results, employers must give each “affected employee” a copy of the results and a written notice of the employer’s and employee’s obligations arising from the inspection. An “affected employee” is one identified by the inspection results as potentially lacking work authorization or having document deficiencies. There is not a template for this notice; it must be specific to the affected employee. Preparation Is Essential Employers only have 72 hours from the time they receive a Notice of Inspection to generate and post the required notice to employees, and only 72 hours from receipt of the inspection results to notify affected employees. Employers who violate the notice requirements can face penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, depending on whether it’s a first or subsequent offense. Because the timeframes are so short, preparation is key to meeting the notice requirements. Employers should have a process in place to respond to Notices of Inspection. Employers should identify who in their organization would likely receive a Notice of Inspection and confirm that person knows how to respond. CalChamber added the new Notice to Employee English and Spanish versions to the HRCalifornia website. These forms are available for free. CalChamber members can learn more about Worksite Immigration Enforcement and Protectionsin the HR Library. Not a member? Learn about the benefits of membership. Do you know the best in Oxnard? Tell us! Nominations open for 2018 Community & Business Awards2/6/2018
Opportunity knocks only once a year to honor the people and businesses that make Oxnard an outstanding community. Nominations for the 2018 Business & Community Awards are now open. The deadline is March 23, so get those nominations together now. We all know people who have contributed to the Oxnard community, so why not honor them? The 2018 award categories are: Distinguished Citizen of the Year Man of the Year Woman of the Year Small Business of the Year Large Business of the Year Downtown Business of the Year Innovative Business of the Year Service Organization of the Year Being nominated for one of these prestigious awards is quite an honor. To nominate an individual, business or organization, complete and submit the nomination form by March 23. Sponsorship opportunities are available! Click here for details. Allow your organization to gain visibility and recognition by supporting the honoring of Oxnard’s worthiest businesses and citizens. One of the fantastic perks of sponsoring this event is inclusion on the award selection committee. The 68th Annual Community & Business Awards will be held Friday, April 27, 2018 at 11:30am at Levity Live at the Collection. Reservations are required in advance and are $50 per person. Visit www.oxnardchamber.com or call the Chamber to register or become an event sponsor. As we all know, the President signed the sweeping tax reform bill ushering in a broad range of changes including new rules for income tax rates and deductions, college for savings incentives, estate planning and corporate taxes. These new rules are leaving folks scratching their heads and scrambling to find out what the most sweeping tax reform package in decades means and what actions to consider. In my last article I wrote about the importance of passing on some of the benefits to increase employees’ salaries and 401K’s so I’ll continue in this article by saying that retirement savings incentives apparently will be unaffected. To get a clear understanding, everyone should consult with tax professionals to evaluate their personal circumstances and money management but financial advisers say the new rules do not call for changes to existing retirement savings incentives, preserving the favorable tax treatment and contribution limits to 401 (k)s and other retirement savings accounts. Below are some key takeaways from tax reform bill: Temporary increase in federal estate tax exemption The law will roughly double the federal estate tax exemption to $11 million per person ($22 million per couple). That limit will be indexed to inflation, but would expire and revert back to current law after 2025. Beneficiaries will still get a step up in basis, meaning there would be no capital gains tax due on inherited assets at the time of the transfer, and the cost basis - the value used to compute tax liability - would be reset to the price at that date. It is important to note that state level estate tax exemptions are often much lower than the federal level and are unaffected by this law. In addition, the temporary nature of the higher limit means that if you have an estate plan, you should proceed carefully before making any changes. While a further increase in the estate tax exemption will help some families avoid this tax at the federal level, it remains important for all households to have a current estate plan that helps ensure their wishes are carried out and reduces the cost of transferring assets as part of an estate. New corporate tax rate and pass-through tax rate Corporate tax rates will be cut to 21% beginning in this year. That tax cut is not scheduled to expire. Pass-through businesses, businesses structured as sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S-corporations, will be taxed at individual tax rates, but will be able to deduct 20% of income. To prevent high-income individuals from taking advantage of this deduction, it would only be available to couples filing jointly with incomes below $315,000. For income above that level, the rules are complex but it appears that certain kinds of businesses might still be eligible for a partial deduction. The plan would let businesses fully expense new equipment right away, but the provision would eventually expire. The bottom line There are a few things you may want to consider in light of the new legislation, and may want to consult with a tax professional about, so you can be prepared. • Rethink your mortgages and deductions: If you have traditionally made charitable gifts or benefited from the mortgage interest or state and local tax deduction, you want to look at how the new standard deduction will impact you. If it no longer makes sense to deduct these expenses, you may want to rethink your mortgage or giving strategy. The imposition of a cap on state and local tax deductions may also impact where some people choose to live in retirement. • Estate tax: Even in the absence of tax reform, it makes sense to periodically review your estate plan. If the estate tax limit changes are relevant to your plan, it may make even more sense to revisit your strategy. You may want to meet with your estate planning attorney. • Small-business income: If you own a small business, you may want to reconsider how you structure your income and the form of your enterprise. Depending on the size and particulars of your business, you may want to consider the benefits of incorporation or the restructuring of pass-through organizations. Consult with an expert in small-business taxation. • Timing corporate expenses: With new rules in place temporarily for expensing capital equipment purchases, business owners may want to review their capital expenditure plans. I trust the Oxnard business community will find this information useful. Gabriel’s House is a non-profit emergency shelter and transitional living home located in Oxnard dedicated to serving the formerly homeless women and their children of Ventura County. Since opening in 2011, Gabriel's House has provided emergency shelter and case management services to over 400 residents with over 300 (75%) of these residents moving into stable or long-term housing programs. With 20 emergency service beds and six private family rooms, Gabriel’s House can serve up to 40 women, children, and babies at one time. The City of Oxnard has recently chosen Gabriel’s House to be the site of Ventura County’s newest, expanded emergency shelter. This new multi-story unit, located immediately next to Gabriel’s House in Oxnard, will double or triple Gabriel’s House’s existing emergency shelter capacity. The cry and vision of Gabriel’s House is that no woman or child in our community should have to sleep outside. Gabriel’s House is more than a comfortably furnished home on two green acres in a quiet neighborhood with security. It is an entire community of caregivers committed to serving each individual as a person, not as a case. It is a place to call home and truly be part of a family. You can learn more about Gabriel’s House at gabriel's-house.org. Requests to learn more or to get involved with Gabriel’s House can be sent to info@tkcoxnard.org or by calling (805) 487-3445. State agencies must take seriously the requirement to conduct a timely, accurate economic analysis of major regulations, according to a just-released opinion by the 5th District Court of Appeal. In a unanimous opinion upholding the trial court, the appellate justices found that the final economic impact analysis used in rulemaking must be based on evidence, as must the responses to public comments regarding nonspeculative economic impacts which introduce new evidence into the rulemaking file. The California Chamber of Commerce filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case. The court also ruled that a state agency must address both intrastate and interstate economic competitiveness impacts and concerns. In deciding this case, the appellate court rejected the application of a deferential standard of review to the state agency’s interpretation of its obligations under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). In effect, the court held that the agency doesn’t get to decide for itself what the Legislature meant by holding the agency accountable. Core Dispute The APA ruling in this dispute, John R. Lawson Rock & Oil, Inc. and California Trucking Association v. State Air Resources Board et al., Case No. F074003, centered around the adequacy of the economic analysis conducted by the Air Resources Board (ARB) when it adopted an amendment to a rule regulating diesel truck engines. The California Trucking Association successfully argued that the analysis was a “rosy scenario without merit,” and that the economic analysis “merely evaluated the Amendments’ ‘benefits,’ and did not include any analysis of the Amendments’ potential ‘adverse economic impact[s]’ on affected businesses.” The appellate court found that behavior unacceptable. The court also rejected the agency’s willful ignorance of evidence of additional economic impacts, developed through the APA’s iterative regulatory analysis and review process. That is, once an agency is made aware of relevant economic information—especially potentially adverse economic impacts—then it must address those impacts in good faith as it completes its final economic analysis. Legislative Authorization The requirement that agencies conduct rigorous economic impact analyses was enacted by the Legislature in 2011 (SB 617; R. Calderon; D-Montebello). The CalChamber was a key supporter of the legislation and has worked closely with the Department of Finance to develop the rules by which agencies must comply with these requirements. Joining the CalChamber in filing the amicus curiae brief in this case were the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, California Business Properties Association, California Retailers Association, Consumer Specialty Products Association, California Independent Oil Marketers Association, Automotive Specialty Products Alliance, National Elevator Industry and Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. |