The Assembly Judiciary Committee today will consider two California Chamber of Commerce-opposed job killers, one dealing with disclosing pay data and the other about the legal standard for filing certain harassment/discrimination claims.
The committee will consider:
SB 1284 CalChamber has identified the bill as a job killer because it could create a false impression of wage discrimination or unequal pay where none exists and, therefore, subject employers to unfair public criticism, enforcement actions, and significant litigation costs to defend against likely meritless claims. CalChamber is leading a large coalition opposing the bill and has raised the following additional concerns:
SB 1300 SB 1300 is a job killer because it creates a new private right of action for failure to prevent harassment or discrimination where no harassment or discrimination actually occurred and limits the use of nondisparagement agreements and general releases. These provisions will significantly increase litigation against California employers and limit their ability to invest in their workforce. CalChamber is also leading a large coalition opposing SB 1300 because the bill:
SB 1284 and SB 1300 will be heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee today. CalChamber asks members to contact their Assembly representatives and members of the committee and urge them to oppose SB 1284 and SB 1300 as job killers. Alex Nguyen will start his new position as Oxnard's city manager on July 9. On July 12 he will be at the Chamber's Knowledge & Networking Lunch. Mr. Nguyen graciously accepted an invitation to meet with business leaders in his first week on the job. We did not request a formal presentation from Mr. Nguyen, rather, a brief talk about his approach to the job and to have interaction with the business community – more of a conversation. Attendees of the Knowledge & Networking Lunch should come prepared to share comments or ask questions. The Knowledge & Networking Lunch will be held at the Residence Inn, 2101 W. Vineyard Avenue. Check in and networking begin at 11:30, followed by lunch and the program. Click here to register. Julie Mino is the President and CEO of the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau, joining the organization in December 2017. Mino has worked in the hospitality and non-profit sectors for 18 years, with a strong focus on social & corporate event planning, donor cultivation, and sales. Her experience also encompasses a strong emphasis on customer service and management. Before joining the Oxnard CVB, Mino served as Operations Manager for The Ojai Foundation, a 40-acre land sanctuary, educational center & intentional community. There, she was responsible for employee relations and human resources while overseeing staff, monitoring and maintaining annual budgets and carrying out the many programs within the organization. Mino’s background also includes serving as Conference Services Manager for the Bacara Resort & Spa, where she was responsible for all aspects of corporate groups and social functions. Other positions included Special Events Officer for the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens where she was involved with a variety of duties from event planning to donor solicitation, overseeing staff and more. In addition, Mino worked with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Santa Barbara Chapter and held the position of Senior Executive Conference Manager at Fess Parkers DoubleTree Resort. Her educational background includes the completion of the Hotel, Restaurant Management Program at Santa Barbara City College and Hilton Sales college courses. She has worked with several professional and philanthropic organizations including Women’s Economic Ventures, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Santa Barbara Young Professionals Club. Julie was appointed to fill a Board vacancy, with a term ending in December 2019. At last Friday's State of the City address, Oxnard Mayor Tim Flynn provided attendees with a list of recent accomplishments. They included improvements in the city's financial reporting, hiring a new city manager, adding a concierge for the planning department, downtown revitalization, crime reduction, and paving more than 100 miles of streets and roads. Mayor Flynn also reminded the audience about Oxnard's competitive advantage when you consider our coastal setting, weather, proximity to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, CSU Channel Islands, deep-water port, recycled water, and fertile soil. Of course, we certainly have our challenges as well. Regarding pension costs, Flynn said, "If you don't get this problem under control, it'll eat you alive." Oxnard's pension liability is expected to grow substantially until PEPRA kicks in. The California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) affects new public employees and establishes a cap on the amount of compensation that can be used to calculate a retirement benefit. Mayor Flynn conceded that economic development efforts by the city have been low on the priority list when they should be near the top. He said he would be exclusively focused on economic development issues for the next two years. Exactly what that translates to is not certain. However, the Oxnard Chamber offered its commitment to partner in those efforts. The State of the City included a project update from Ashley Golden, Development Services Director and Interim Assistant City Manager. Chief Scott Whitney, who has bee serving as Interim City Manager for six months, also rendered comment on effective leadership, creating a positive culture, and focusing on fundamentals. The Chamber sincerely thanks the presenters and all of the city staff who helped with the State of the City address. A video of the presentation is expected to be posted at www.oxnard.org. Message from our CEO - Nancy Lindholm A couple of issues have surfaced in the last month or so that have left businesses scrambling to comply with new guidelines, regulations and procedures. Unfortunately, these have been presented with some very unreasonable implementation timeframes. The first issue was brought to my attention when I received an email from a member (large Oxnard business) asking me who their city councilmember was. That set off an alarm in my mind, so I immediate called and asked what the problem was. It seems the city needs to comply with some new discharge regulations set forth by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, a state agency. In order for Oxnard to achieve the revised wastewater ocean discharge limits, the water they take in must be less contaminated. Hence, the new local limits on wastewater discharge from industrial users. I sincerely believe our businesses are willing to comply with the new limits. The problem was that the city notified the users in May and had plans to implement in September. For some of our manufacturers or food processors, that is not much time to retrofit or actually install wastewater treatment equipment. The Oxnard Chamber leadership met with representatives from the wastewater division of the Public Works Department of the city and they agree to push the implementation back four to six months. The other issue brought to my attention was the city's Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Project. This, again, involves wastewater and the city's recycled water. What I received was a Notice of Public Hearing, which was set for June 14. The problem here was that the public hearing notice stated that public comments on the project were due no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 21. The Chamber objected to the one week – or five business days – time limit to respond to a very complicated issue. The city responded and changed the deadline for public comments to August 13. Your business may not have a direct impact from modified wastewater discharge limits, and you may not care about the groundwater replenishment project. However, when an issue comes up that could have a negative impact on your particular industry, please know the Oxnard Chamber is ready to stand with you and help with an implementation timeline issue or a dispute resolution. We are a catalyst for business growth, a convener of leaders and influencers, and a champion for a stronger community! The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce’s Business Advocacy Committee voted to recommend support the Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018, which would require the state to sell $8.877 billion in general obligation bonds to fund water projects across the state. Citing a need for safe and reliable water supply for drinking and industrial and agriculture uses that are critical to a healthy local economy, the Committee unanimously voted in support of the proposal. Improvements in water quality, local watersheds, and water supply diversification all allow our economy to group and flourish. The City of Oxnard’s public recreation and tourism industry would benefit from restoration funding including $135 million for the Coastal Conservancy and $10 million specifically for the Santa Clara River for water quality, public recreation, and restoration projects. Business in general would also benefit from Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (“SGMA”) implementation and groundwater desalination funding, as groundwater is a huge source of water for the City. When these projects are not funded through state bond grant funds, new projects critical for water suppliers either don’t occur or the bill is passed onto ratepayers. Oxnard will also benefit from investments in Delta fish habitat and water conservation to increase water supply flowing through the state water project. The Chamber Board of Directors will take up the issue at its June Board meeting to determine whether it will take a position. Message from our Chair - Stacy Miller National Geographic Explorer, Sunset Magazine, Heal The Bay, Sparling’s Best Places to Live all are raving about Oxnard Would you be surprised to learn that in addition to being Ventura County’s largest City, Oxnard was named one of the 20 Happiest Cities in the United States by National Geographic Explorer? “It’s no surprise that California is home to many of the happiest places in America, including Oxnard/Thousand Oaks/Ventura. With its combination of great weather, beaches, and nearby national forests, adventure awaits around every corner” stated the article by National Geographic Explorer and best-selling author Dan Buettne. The rankings were based on National Geographic’s study that established 15 metrics that signal happiness - the metric included eating healthy, learning something new every day, civic engagement, financial security, vacation time, and even dental checkups. Did you also know that we have some of the highest rated beaches in the STATE? Heal the Bay rates Oxnard’s beaches as some of the best in California. The water is tested weekly and our beaches were rated A+ every single week of the year. Oxnard is one of only 37 beaches in California to receive an A+. In addition, Sunset Magazine rated Oxnard 7th in their rating of the Top 20 Game-Changing Places to Live. “This coastal community south of Ventura has easy access to the Santa Monica Mountains and Channel Islands. Its Latino majority infuses the bustling downtown with authentic eateries and annual festivals around strawberries, tamales, and salsa,” they stated. Oxnard also boasts a fabulous natural resource – a national park and national marine sanctuary right off our shores and very accessible. Many of us that live and work here believe Oxnard is our “little gem.” We enjoy excellent air quality, year-round first-rate climate, diversity, easy access to outdoor activities, a low unemployment rate and comparatively speaking, little traffic. According to Sparling’s Best Places to Live, job growth in Oxnard has been positive. Jobs have increased by 0.36% over the past year. The average salary in Oxnard is $62,349. The median home cost in Oxnard is $429,300. The unemployment rate in Oxnard is 5.90%, with job growth of 0.36%. Future job growth over the next 10 years is predicted to be 34.81%. With all of these “tail winds,” I believe that far and away our best assets continue to be the amazing people who live and work in Oxnard and are committed to improving this amazing place. The Chamber looks forward to our collective efforts at increasing the success of local businesses, the economy and our quality of life here in the ‘Nard. Until next time… Stacy Trial Attorneys Benefit from Agreement Ban The California Chamber of Commerce and a large coalition of employer groups and local chambers of commerce are opposing a job killer bill that bans settlement and arbitration agreements. Today the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider AB 3080 (Gonzalez Fletcher; D-San Diego), which significantly expands employment litigation and increases costs for employers and employees by banning settlement agreements for labor and employment claims as well as arbitration agreements made as a condition of employment, which is likely preempted under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) and will only delay the resolution of claims. Banning such agreements benefits the trial attorneys, not the employer or employee. Bans Arbitration AB 3080 prohibits arbitration agreements made as a condition of employment for any claims arising under the Labor Code or Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and/or including class action waivers. Arbitration is a less formal, less costly and less time-consuming forum in which to resolve a dispute. The cost savings is not in the compensation paid to the employees; it is in the fees paid to attorneys. Although studies demonstrate that employees generally win the same percentage of cases in arbitration, if not more, the trial attorneys may not recover as much in fees. Thus, the ultimate beneficiaries of an arbitration and class action waiver ban are trial attorneys, not employers or employees. Hurts Low-Wage Employees Banning arbitration leaves litigation as the only option for employees to resolve many labor and employment claims. This ultimately results in low-wage employees being denied access to justice. The California Democratic Party’s Platform on Civil Justice states that budget cuts to the judiciary have led to extended waits for civil lawsuits and legal issues that touch everyday lives, with the delays meaning only the wealthy can afford to use the civil justice system. Several studies also support the idea that access to civil courts is not a realistic option for low-wage employees. With the civil justice system being accessible mainly to the wealthy, many low-wage workers are left with no alternative if arbitration is not available. Preempted by Federal Law The scope of the FAA is broad and mandates the enforcement of any written arbitration agreement regarding the resolution of any dispute arising out of a transaction involving commerce. The only exception to the mandate is if the contract is unenforceable due to contractual defenses that exist and are applicable to any contract. The U.S. Supreme Court and recent California decisions point to the strength of the FAA. AB 3080 is not applicable to all contracts and is not a general contractual defense. It unfairly targets and discriminates against arbitration clauses in employment contracts, leaving all other terms of employment conditional and mandatory. Accordingly, it is preempted under the FAA. Bans Settlement Agreements AB 3080 prohibits an employer from requiring an applicant or employee to waive any right, forum or procedure under FEHA or the Labor Code for receipt of any “employment-related benefit.” This language precludes any settlement agreement for any claims arising under FEHA or the Labor Code. In an employment context, the value provided in a settlement agreement generally is compensation in some form of wage replacement, be it back pay, loss of wages, or front pay. This compensation would likely be considered an “employment-related benefit” and therefore prohibited by AB 3080. Benefits Trial Attorneys The issue of preemption will unquestionably be litigated if AB 3080 becomes law. Approximately 5–10 years will pass for a case under the FAA to reach the Supreme Court, meaning the employee who has suffered the alleged harm will wait that long to receive any final decision on his/her case. Extended litigation also will force employers to defend unnecessary litigation and pay significant costs and fees. The uncertainty and litigation will benefit only trial attorneys, not the employer or employee. Action Needed The CalChamber is encouraging members to contact their senators and Senate Judiciary members to urge them to oppose AB 3080. Let legislators know that precluding the informal resolution of civil claims would overwhelm California’s judiciary system by forcing all claims to be tried by a jury or judge, creating significant delays that would harm individuals who have suffered a wrong. California’s merchandise export trade largely shrugged off the current turmoil over trade policies and kept growing in April, according to a Beacon Economics analysis of U.S. trade statistics newly released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Foreign shipments by California businesses totaled $14.98 billion for the month, a nominal 6.5% gain over the $14.07 billion recorded one year earlier. The state’s exports of manufactured goods in April were up 5.9% to $9.66 billion from $9.12 billion in April 2017. Exports of nonmanufactured goods (chiefly agricultural products and raw materials) surged 13.6% to $1.92 billion from $1.69 billion. Re-exports, meanwhile, grew by 4.3% to $3.4 billion from $3.26 billion. California accounted for 10.9% of the nation’s overall merchandise export trade in April. California Import Growth Slows The Census Bureau reports that California was the state-of-destination for 18.6% of all U.S. merchandise imports in April, with a value of $35.36 billion, 1.9% higher than the $34.71 billion in imported goods in April 2017. Manufactured imports totaled $31.16 billion, up 0.4% from $31.03 billion. Nonmanufactured imports were valued at $4.2 billion, 14.1% higher than the $3.68 billion recorded one year earlier. Closer Look As always, Beacon Economics cautions against reading too much into month-to-month fluctuations in state export statistics, especially when focusing on specific commodities or destinations. Significant variations can occur as the result of unusual developments or exceptional one-off trades and may not be indicative of underlying trends. For that reason, Beacon Economics compares the latest three months for which data are available (i.e., February–April) with the corresponding period in the preceding year. Leading Export Commodities California’s merchandise exports during the first quarter of the year totaled $45.56 billion, a nominal gain of 7.3% from the $42.46 billion during the same period in the previous year. Of the 13 categories of California exports that normally see shipments valued at more than $1 billion in the latest three-month period, all but one reported increases. On the plus side, shipments of Computer & Electronic Products (computers and peripherals; communication, audio and video equipment; navigational controls; and electro-medical instruments) moved up by 3% to $10.88 billion from $10.56 billion. The state’s exports of Transportation Equipment (automobiles, trucks, trains, boats, airplanes, and their parts) edged up by 0.2% to $5.03 billion from $5.02 billion. Exports of Non-Electrical Machinery (machinery for industrial, agricultural and construction uses as well as ventilation, heating, and air conditioning equipment) improved by 14.8% to $4.87 billion from $4.24 billion. Shipments of Miscellaneous Manufactured Commodities (a catchall category of merchandise ranging from medical equipment to sporting goods) increased by 13% to $3.8 billion from $3.36 billion. Chemical exports (including pesticides and fertilizers; pharmaceutical products; paints and adhesives; soap and cleaning products; and raw plastics, resins, and rubber) gained 2% to $3.38 billion from $3.32 billion. Agricultural exports rose 8.4% to $3.47 billion from $3.2 billion. Shipments abroad of Food & Kindred goods grew 11.9% to $2.37 billion from $2.12 billion. Exports of Electrical Equipment and Appliances increased 11.0% to $1.99 billion from $1.79 billion. Exports of Petroleum and Coal Products leaped 42.3% to $1.56 billion from $1.02 billion. Waste & Scrap exports roared ahead by 42.7% to $1.35 billion from $946 million. Exports of Fabricated Metal Products remained essentially unchanged at $1.07 billion. Shipments of Used or Second-hand Merchandise jumped by 30.5% to $1.04 billion from $798 million. On the minus side, exports of Primary Metal Manufacturing products tumbled 37% to $1.06 million from $1.67 billion Destinations Mexico stayed atop the list of California’s most important export destinations during the year’s first quarter. Shipments south of the border grew by a robust 19.8% to $7.47 billion from $6.23 billion. China took second place among the state’s largest export markets, with shipments increasing 11.8% to $4.52 billion from $4.04 billion. Canada came in third even though California’s exports north of the border grew by 10% to $4.27 billion from $3.88 billion. In fourth place was Japan, which imported $3.39 billion worth of California goods, a decline of 0.6% from $3.41 billion during the same period one year earlier. Exports to South Korea rose 16.4% to $2.87 billion from $2.46 billion. Hong Kong saw its California imports plummet by 29.3% to $2.48 billion from $3.51 billion one year ago. Despite impressive growth in exports to China and South Korea, the state’s overall export trade with the economies of East Asia crawled ahead by just 0.8% to $16.78 billion from $16.64 billion. Meanwhile, California’s exports to the European Union were ahead by only 1.5% to $8.09 billion from $7.97 billion. Underscoring the economic significance of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Mexico and Canada together accounted for 25.8% of California’s merchandise export trade in the latest three-month period, up from 23.7% in the same period one year ago. Exports to the two neighbors soared in value by a remarkable 16.1% in the latest three-month period over the same months last year. Mode of Transport The latest three-month period saw 47% of the state’s $45.56 billion merchandise export trade depart by air, while waterborne transport carried 30.6% of the outbound trade. The balance of the state’s exports moved overland. Outlook The outlook for California in the near term is generally positive as underlying economic conditions remain disposed toward export growth. That said, major forecasting agencies have recently been revising global and national forecasts downward compared to earlier in the year. One impediment is a dollar that has rallied since mid-April, gaining less than 5% against a basket of currencies of major trading partners. The most recent indications for growth in the Eurozone are dimming, in part because of slowing output and in part because Italy’s new government includes avowed euro-skeptics. Debt issues also are re-emerging as a constraint on economic expansion across a range of developing nations. For Beacon experts, what clouds the picture most is the unprecedented unpredictability of trade policy in the United States and abroad. President Donald Trump has opted to use tariffs on imported goods as a cudgel to compel the nation’s trading partners to abandon policies he regards as unfairly restrictive on U.S. exports. As a result, the United States is now engaged in increasingly nasty disputes with not only just about every important trading partner, but also with its most vital military allies. In one of the latest developments, Mexico last week imposed new tariffs on U.S. products ranging from steel to pork and bourbon, retaliating against import duties on metals imposed by the Trump administration. Mexico’s retaliatory list also included 20% to 25% duties on types of cheeses and bourbon. Last year, California accounted for 27% of U.S. cheese exports to Mexico. Staff Contact: Susanne T. Stirling I ran the following article in the June 2014 issue of the Business Voice. After attending many meetings and gatherings where Old Glory was the focus of pomp and circumstance, I thought I would share it again. When the occasion calls for a color guard, I am amazed at the wide variety of reactions by my fellow attendees. There seem to be very few civilians who know what to do when a flag is paraded past them. Since Flag Day is Thursday and the Fourth of July is right around the corner, I thought this to be an appropriate time to answer all of those protocol questions you may have been afraid to ask! Displaying the Flag Outdoors When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union (stars) should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff. When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that a church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services, or for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea. When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building. When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right. The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger. No other flag ever should be placed above it. The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered. When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation. Raising and Lowering the Flag The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night. The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest. Displaying the Flag Indoors When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right (as in stage-right or to the audience's left) of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display. When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag. When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left. Parading and Saluting the Flag When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute. The Salute To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge. There is actually a Section in the US Flag Code addressing this issue, which states: During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes. NOTE: This is what you are supposed to be doing when the color guard is doing their job!! The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting. When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music. The Flag in Mourning To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset. (I did not know this!) The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order. When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave. What about that Gold Fringe on some flags? The quote below concerning gold fringe on the flag is from the book So Proudly We Hail, The History of the United States Flag by William R. Furlong and Byron McCandless: "The placing of a fringe on Our Flag is optional with the person of organization, and no Act of Congress or Executive Order either prohibits the practice, according to the Institute of Hearaldry. Fringe is used on indoor flags only, as fringe on flags on outdoor flags would deteriorate rapidly. The fringe on a Flag is considered and 'honorable enrichment only', and its official use by the US Army dates from 1895. A 1925 Attorney General's Opinion states: 'the fringe does not appear to be regarded as an integral part of the Flag, and its presence cannot be said to constitute an unauthorized addition to the design prescribed by statute. An external fringe is to be distinguished from letters, words, or emblematic designs printed or superimposed upon the body of the flag itself. Under law, such additions might be open to objection as unauthorized; but the same is not necessarily true of the fringe.'" The gold trim is generally used on ceremonial indoor flags that are used for special services and is believed to have been first used in a military setting. It apparently has no specific significance and its (gold trim) use is in compliance with applicable flag codes and laws. Now go out there are salute the symbol of our great country!!! There is certainly a lot going on in Oxnard! In fact, there is so much happening we have invited three people to speak at the State of the City Address on June 22. In addition to Mayor Tim Flynn, Interim City Manager Scott Whitney will update us on what he has been covering and Development Services Director Ashley Golden will provide a report on current and future development projects in the city.
Oxnard is a diverse, dynamic and evolving community. We look forward to what Mayor Flynn will enlighten us about regarding governance of the city as well as the everyday operations of the county's largest incorporated city. The State of the City Address will be held at the Embassy Suites on June 22 from 11:30 to 1:30. Online registration has closed, please call 805-893-6118 for any questions. The Chamber sincerely thanks Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort for being the Title Sponsor for the event. Major Sponsors are Clear Channel Outdoor, Port of Hueneme, Procter & Gamble, and Southern California Edison. Supporting Sponsors include The Collection at RiverPark, DCH Auto Group, Kaiser Permanente, Performance Therapy Center, St. John's Regional Medical Center / Dignity Health, UCLA Health, Ventura County Credit Union, and Western States Petroleum Association. Message from the Chair As a proud California State University graduate, I am dismayed to learn that Governor Brown’s January budget proposal for the CSU system falls $171 million short of the amount requested. Graduating nearly 100,000 diverse undergraduate students into hundreds of fields each year, the California State University system’s (CSU) 3.4 million alumni help sustain the state’s economy and ensure employers have the skills-ready graduates they need. Without additional funds from the Legislature, CSU campuses will have to make difficult decisions to cover financial obligations -- diminishing student access, success, limiting degree attainment and depriving California’s industries of skilled professionals. This will greatly impact the CSU’s ability to provide a much-needed quality education to those who need it the most. Time and again, we hear from our 500 chamber members regarding the need for more skilled workers and a better-educated workforce. There are jobs available, but without the right education, they will continue to go unfilled, drastically impacting our local economy and that of the state. While it is a good thing that thousands more students are meeting minimum CSU eligibility requirements, we need to ensure that they have a seat in the CSU. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, the state needs one million additional college graduates by 2030. The CSU is answering this call and is on track to graduate an additional half million students in the next decade! But without adequate funding, this simply will not happen. As Ventura County’s largest City and with an estimated 21.8% of Oxnard’s population living in poverty, we know all to well that obtaining an education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and providing our community members with a better quality of life. We appreciate the support of our local State Senator Jackson and Assemblymember’s Irwin and Limon for the support of fully funding the CSU system and urgently request Governor Brown fully fund the CSU system. Ensuring that higher education is a top legislative budget priority, will continue to aid CSU’s in educating California’s next generation of workers. Friday was the deadline for bills to pass the house in which they were introduced. Only five job killer bills subject to the first house deadline have passed to the second house. A bill dealing with wage statement penalties was stopped on the Assembly Floor.
Job Killers in Second HouseMoving on to the second house are the following CalChamber-opposed job killer bills:
Held on Assembly Floor AB 2613 (Reyes; D-Grand Terrace), which would have imposed another layer of Labor Code penalties for wage and hour violations in addition to the penalties already available under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and imposed personal liability onto employees who have no control over the actual payment of wages, was not brought up for a vote by the bill’s author. CalChamber opposed this bill as a job killer because the provisions would have significantly increased litigation against California employers and limited their ability to invest in their workforce. Policy committee hearings may resume on Monday, June 4. |