August 10, 2010

Split Roll Tax A Bad Idea
 

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau opposes any changes to Proposition 13 (1978) which imposes a “split roll” property tax under new, complex change-in-ownership rules that create an administrative bureaucracy for taxpayers.

A statewide proposal (AB 2492) creates a “split roll” tax which divides the tax treatment of commercial and residential properties by removing Proposition13 (1978) protections from commercial properties, while leaving those protections intact for residential properties.

Current property tax law allows the transfer of ownership interests in a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity results in a change in ownership of the real property owned by that entity, and generally provides that a change in ownership as so described occurs when a legal entity or other person obtains a controlling or majority ownership interest in the legal entity.

Current law also specifies other circumstances in which certain transfers of ownership interests in legal entities result in a change in ownership of the real property owned by those legal entities.

AB 2492 would instead specify that when ownership interests in a legal entity are transferred, the real property directly or indirectly owned by that legal entity has changed ownership in proportion to that portion of the ownership interests in the entity that were transferred.

AB 2492 would also provide that all of the real property owned by a legal entity in the state has undergone a change in ownership when over 50% of the ownership interests in that entity have been transferred.

A split roll tax would adversely impact small businesses due to increased costs in renting space for business owners because of higher property taxes. This proposal takes 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. Moreover, this approach is based on the faulty assumption that there has been a major statewide shift in tax burden from businesses to homeowners.

It is time for our statewide leaders to leave our local businesses to retaining and creating jobs instead of placing more burdens on the backs of our job creators.

August 10, 2010

Here We Go Again: This Time, Mandating Healthcare In California
 

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is once again opposing a statewide proposal (SB 810) that would establish the California Healthcare System, an entity that would attempt to provide affordable and comprehensive healthcare coverage for all.

The costs associated with this proposal would create an expensive labyrinth of bureaucracy, and that competition among private companies leads to lower costs and better care..

Also, a state-run health care system would eliminate private health plans and insurers, thereby forcing people to rely upon the state to take care of their health needs, and limiting medical advances because of decreased competition. This proposal extends taxpayer obligations too far, and damages the our business community’s competitiveness when retaining and creating jobs.

SB 810 establishes the California Healthcare System (CHS), a single-payer healthcare system that will provide coverage for which all 37 million Californians would be eligible. The proposal combines under one administration existing state-administered healthcare programs with the privately funded insurance industry, and the state's uninsured. The CHS will, on a single-payer basis, negotiate with providers or set fees for healthcare services and will pay claims for those services. SB 810 prohibits the existence of a healthcare service plan contract or health insurance policy, except for the CHS, that will be sold in the state that provided for the same services as the system.

Supporters of this proposal state that as health insurance costs steadily rise, employers are increasingly reducing or dropping coverage for employees, that the increase in high deductible health plans, which require deductibles and co-payments which are generally unaffordable, have failed to stem the rise in health care costs, and that half of all bankruptcies in the United States are now related to medical costs.

The recent healthcare reforms at the federal level have yet to fully be implemented. The Chamber is still concerned about its impact on our local economy and time will tell if the federal reforms will bring the needed change. However, any proposal like SB 810 at the state level here in California that seeks to places even more of a burden on local businesses in too much for our businesses to handle.

August 1, 2010

Redondo Beach Chamber Opposes Proposed Food Packaging Mandate
 

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau opposes a statewide proposal (AB 2138) that seeks to prohibit a food provider from distributing disposable food packaging (including take-out bags) unless the packaging is compostable or recyclable.

The Chamber is committed to supporting ideas that promote a cleaner environment. However, this proposal places Redondo Beach-based businesses at a competitive disadvantage by mandating costly expectations. Specifically, AB 2138 would impose new and costly mandates on Redondo Beach’s food service industry by mandating an unworkable framework aimed at reducing marine debris. Our local economy is currently in the deepest recession in decades, unemployment statewide is at 12.5%, and the Chamber believes that Redondo Beach and our state should focus on implementing policies that will make our economy more competitive rather than imposing costly new regulatory burdens on the companies that do business in our community.

“If AB 2138 passes, it will mean that restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, cafeterias, mobile food trucks, and more would have to create the infrastructure to take back disposable food service packaging and single-use carryout bags, separate the packaging and bags from the trash, and then recycle or compost the recovered materials,” stated Marna Smeltzer, President/CEO of the Chamber. “This is too much to ask from these businesses who are doing everything they can given the current economic climate to retain local jobs,” continued Smeltzer.

AB 2138 defines "Compostable packaging" as a material that meets the compostability standard established by the American Society for Testing Materials; is accepted back for composting by the food provider, is accepted for composting in a residential collection program available to at least 75% of the households; and is recovered for composting at a rate of 25% or more. Furthermore, it defines “Recyclable packaging" as a material that is accepted for recycling in residential curbside collection programs available to at least 75% of the households in the state; is accepted back for recycling by the food provider; or is recovered for recycling at a rate of 25% or more.

The proposal, if passed by the State Legislature, will prohibit, on an after July 1, 2011 until July 1, 2013, a food provider from distributing these disposable food service packaging, including bags, to a consumer unless it is either compostable or recyclable, as defined above.

AB 2138 would then on and after July 1, 2013, prohibit a food provider from distributing disposable food service packaging, including bags, to a consumer, unless the Department of Resources Recycling and Recover determines the disposable food service packaging is recovered for composting or recycling at a rate of 25% or more.

The Chamber is concerned that if the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (DR3) is unable to determine that a food provider has met this 25% recovery rate, that food provider would be prohibited from distributing such packaging or bags until DR3 can determine that the 25% recovery rate has been achieved.

July 15, 2010

Chamber Opposes Attempt To Increase Frivolous Claims Against Business Owners

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau opposes a statewide proposal that will increase frivolous wage claims against business owners. AB 2187 increases criminal penalties for an employer who willfully fails to pay wages due to an employee who has been discharged or who has quit within 90 days of the date wages are due. The Redondo Beach Chamber does not support intentionally refusing to pay any employee wages that are due. However, AB 2187 goes too far by charging an employer with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $10,000, and/or imprisonment for not more than six months.

The Redondo Beach Chamber is concerned that our local business community will suffer in the wake of AB 2187. In cases where an employer and an employee are in the process of finalizing a wage claim, the proposed law might unfairly turn an employer into a criminal over legitimate disputes.

Specially, AB 2187 provides a very loose definition of “willfully fails" so that it could be construed to apply to wage disputes that often cannot be resolved within 90 days. For example, an employer and employee who disagree over the amount of wages due. In such a case, a Labor Commissioner determination could take longer than 90 days.

The threat of criminal prosecution under this bill could unfairly force an employer to drop an otherwise reasonable defense against a civil action. Moreover, opponents express concern that jail time and fines could be imposed against individual employees who were following the directions of the employer since the employer's "agents" and "employees" are subject to liability under this bill. This might include all the employees in the payroll department and all the way up the supervisorial chain.

June 20, 2010

Chamber Proposal To Boost Local Economy Wins Council Approval

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau recently proposed that the Redondo Beach City Council consider a local preference ordinance to help keep Redondo Beach taxpayer money from being spent in other cities.

The local preference ordinance passed by the City Council will allow Redondo Beach-based businesses who bid on City contracts for furnishing materials, supplies, and non-professional services to offer bids as much as 5% higher than competing bidders based in other cities, and still win the job. Other cities that currently offer a preference to their businesses include the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, Pasadena, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Long Beach.

“We are very happy that the City Council approved this important policy to help boost our local economy,” said Marna Smeltzer, President and CEO of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. “Specifically, I want to thank the Mayor, City Council and City Staff for helping craft a policy that will work for our local community,” continued Smeltzer.

“The 5% preference keeps jobs and business within city limits, and encourages partnership between the city and business community,” stated Mike Morales Chairman of the Redondo Beach Chamber Board of Directors. “This preference is significant because it shows that the City and the Chamber, working together, can improve the economic vitality of the Redondo Beach business community and also signal a positive sign to Redondo Beach-based businesses that we can help jump-start the local economy,” continued Morales.

May 26, 2010

Redondo Beach Chamber Takes Action On June 8th Statewide Ballot Measures

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau urges the local Redondo Beach business community to understand the impact of the June 8, 2010 statewide ballot measures on the local economy. Specifically, the five measures on the June ballot will have direct impacts on Redondo Beach’s recovering economy and the Chamber is working hard to educate local businesses on why each of them are important.

“It is the responsibility of the Redondo Beach Chamber to represent the interests of our businesses at all levels of government,” stated Marna Smeltzer, President/CEO of the Chamber. “We are most effective when our businesses understand the issues facing all of us and they help play an active role in each issue,” Smeltzer continued.

The following five measures will appear on the June 2010 ballot.

Proposition 13: Seismic Retrofitting
Redondo Beach Chamber Position: SUPPORT

Proposition 13, a constitutional amendment, would prohibit tax assessors from re-evaluating new construction for property tax purposes when the point of the new construction is to seismically retrofit an existing building. Earthquake safety improvements made to unreinforced masonry (such as brick) buildings would not result in higher property taxes until the building is sold. The Redondo Beach Chamber believes it is reasonable to allow for seismic upgrades to not be considered as improvements to commercial or residential property for the purposes of reassessing the value of property.

Proposition 14: Elections: Open Primaries
Redondo Beach Chamber Position: SUPPORT

Proposition 14, a state constitutional amendment, would require that candidates run in a single primary open to all registered voters, with the top two vote-getters meeting in a runoff. The new system would take effect in the 2012 elections. This proposition will open the primary to allow for all candidates to face voters in the June primary election regardless of partisanship. This will allow for more choices earlier in the election process and provide voters with the opportunity to vote for any candidate.

Proposition 15: California Fair Election Act
Redondo Beach Chamber Position: OPPOSE

Proposition 15 would lift the state ban on public funding for political campaigns and asses fees on registered lobbyists in California in order to fund candidates for the Office of the Secretary of State of California in 2014 and 2018. The Redondo Beach Chamber does not support the idea of taxing lobbyists to pay for a new election process. Also, the Chamber is concerned that the process for qualifying for the public financing for the campaign to run for Secretary of State will be cumbersome and an administrative burden to the process.

Proposition 16: Taxpayers Right To Vote Act
Redondo Beach Chamber Position: OPPOSE

Proposition 16 is a state constitutional amendment, if passed, would require a two-thirds voter approval before local governments can provide electricity service to customers or implement a community choice electricity program using public funds or bonds. The Redondo Beach Chamber supports the idea of allowing municipal governments to engage in providing electricity coverage to their citizens. However, expanding the approval process for doing so from a vote of a city council to a super majority of their constituents is too constrictive and will limit any local government from even attempting the process in the first place.

Proposition 17: Continuous Coverage Auto Insurance Discount Act
Redondo Beach Chamber Position: SUPPORT
 

Proposition 17 amends Proposition 103 (1988) that authorizes the use of an additional discount on premiums for automobile insurance policies. Proposition 17 would allow an insurer to offer a “continuous coverage” discount to new customers who have maintained their coverage while they previously were customers of another insurer. The Redondo Beach Chamber understands that many states already mandates this ability for consumers to maintain their discount if they switch insurance carriers. Also, most insurance companies in California already afford this ability to consumers. The Chamber feels it is reasonable to place this ability in state law to protect businesses and consumers from ever losing this ability.

May 20, 2010

Chamber-Supported Legislative Proposal Seeks More Transparency

Sometimes the simplest legislative ideas are the most divisive proposals. One such example is a ACA 31, a legislative proposal by Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries that would require all State Legislative meetings and votes to take place between the hours of 9:00am and 9:00pm. Assemblymember Jeffries believes that by limited the time frame in which the Legislature can take action it will allow for the public to be more engaged and can fully participate in the legislative process. Seems simple, right?

So far ACA 31 has not been given any attention in the Legislature and is predicted to remain out of the running for debate and consideration. The Redondo Beach Chamber, however, actively supports ACA 31 and will work hard to ensure its passage. The Chamber supports ACA 31 because it will add a greater amount of transparency and allows for organizations, members of the public and other interested parties to provide input on legislation that may have impact in some form or another.

Requiring the State Legislature to hold public meetings during a reasonable timeframe is important because it will prevent last minute, backroom deals that take place in the late evening hours or even in the middle of the night. Furthermore, as new technologies and processes are in place for more people to become engaged in the legislative process, it is becoming more important for the Legislature to commit to reasonable timeframes when they debate and decide on issues before them. We hope ACA 31 will send a message that the people actually want to be a part of the discussion. Just as long as it happens when most people are awake.

May 20, 2010

Chamber Opposes Healthcare Job Killing Proposal

The President recently signed one of the most sweeping healthcare policy reforms in half a century. That effort has not stopped our State Legislature from coming forward with more proposals, one of which will have a drastic impact on the Redondo Beach business community. SB 810 would establish the California Healthcare System, an entity that would attempt to provide healthcare coverage for all Californians. SB 810 establishes a single-payer healthcare system that will provide coverage for which all 37 million Californians would be eligible. The proposal combines under one administration existing state-administered healthcare programs with the privately funded insurance industry, and the state's uninsured. It will allows the State of California to negotiated, on a single-payer basis, with providers or set fees for healthcare services and will pay claims for those services.

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Bureau opposes SB 810 and will increase its efforts to prevent its passage. The Chamber strongly believes that the costs associated with SB 810 would create an expensive labyrinth of bureaucracy, and that competition among private companies leads to lower costs and better care. Also, a state-run health care system would eliminate private health plans and insurers, thereby forcing people to rely upon the state to take care of their health needs, and limiting medical advances because of decreased competition. The Chamber has opposed similar SB 810 efforts because the Chamber does not support extending taxpayer obligations as far as SB 810 proposes ultimately damaging the state's competitiveness for creating and retaining jobs.

SB 810 is the wrong proposal at the wrong time. Redondo Beach businesses are doing everything they can to survive just to maintain jobs. SB 810 will increase business costs and prevent job growth and that is something this Chamber and our local community can’t support.

May 15, 2010

City Council Agrees With Chamber On Proposal To Create Jobs

The Chamber thanks Mayor Mike Gin and the Redondo Beach City Council for considering and now including the Chamber’s Local Economic Preference Plan in the City’s Strategic Plan. The Chamber asked the Mayor and the Council to consider a local preference ordinance in order to boost the local economy. A local preference ordinance would allow for a 5% bid preference for Redondo Beach-based businesses who bid on City contracts for furnishing materials, supplies, and non-professional services.

The Chamber looks forward to the August 2010 City Council meeting when they will formally consider the local preference. We will continue our efforts to work with the Mayor, City Council and staff to formalize the local bidding preference. It is our intention to secure a 5% preference on non-professional service contracts less than $100,000 for businesses that bid and compete for city contracts. Other cities in the region have enacted similar polities to attract, retain and expand to support local business industries.

This policy change is a positive step in the right direction for the Redondo Beach business community.

May 10, 2010

Rocky Point Area is Vital for the Local Economy

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau launched a letter writing campaign in support of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process to preserve and improve our vital aquatic ecosystem. The overall Redondo Beach community and those fishing the Rocky Point area have been exceptional environmental stewards and the MLPA process has served to confirm this fact and the need for developing cooperative cross-interest solutions.

The Rocky Point area of Palos Verdes is an integral part of the local economy, particularly for Redondo Beach-based businesses. The Chamber previously supported the Regional Stakeholder Group Proposal 2 and continues its support to keep Rocky Point open in order to minimize the negative economic impacts to our local economy while also improving the health of our aquatic ecosystem. Other stakeholders have also come out in support of this proposal especially the citizens and businesses most likely to be hardest hit by the closure of Rocky Point.

Many businesses in the area depend on the fishing industry (both recreational and commercial) and the fishing industry depends on Rocky Point remaining open. If Rocky Point closes, a domino effect would ripple through the local economy from the small boat owner to the retail business that provides goods and services to those who depend on the fishing area.

The purpose of the letter writing campaign is to urge elected officials to continue to protect our local economy, save jobs, and maintaining both commercial and recreational opportunities for our area by keeping the Rocky Point area open.

April 25, 2010

Chamber Opposes Poor Regulations On Business

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau opposes SB 657, a proposed piece of legislation that requires retailers and manufacturers to develop, maintain and implement policies related to their compliance with federal and state law regarding the eradication of slavery and human trafficking from their supply chain.

The Chamber completely agrees with the intent of this bill; however it is very obscure in detailing how businesses would go about implementing the policy requirements and how business could effectively comply without creating the need for litigation in some instances.

Some of the infeasibility of the legislation’s provisions that businesses are required to implement are outlined below:

• Under the bill “doing business” in California not only includes those companies manufacturing products but all companies that sell any product in California. This definition casts such a large net as to capture virtually all business activity in the state;

• The bill requires businesses to “develop, maintain and implement” policies that illustrate how they will eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chain but, SB 657 does not outline how this is appropriately achieved;

• The bill requires the policy to address all suppliers including suppliers of the raw material incorporated in the product. It is not a realistic expectation that a business can impose its policies on all of the suppliers in its supply chain down to the raw materials. Often businesses have no legal relationship with raw material suppliers who likely do business in another country;

• The bill requires a subjective “good faith effort” to eradicate slavery and human trafficking in its supply chain. This is not a term of art and would require litigation to decide if a business has met the “good faith” standard.

April 15, 2010

Chamber Promotes Local Preference To Boost Local Economy

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau continues to find ways for the city to become more business-friendly.

The Chamber is currently promoting and asking the city to consider a local preference ordinance in order to boost the local economy in Redondo Beach. A local preference ordinance would allow Redondo Beach-based businesses who bid on City contracts for furnishing materials, supplies, and non-professional services to offer bids as much as 5% higher than competing bidders based in other cities, and still win the job. Other cities that currently offer a preference to their businesses include the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, Pasadena, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Long Beach.

“This would be a win-win for both the business community and the City of Redondo Beach,” said Marna Smeltzer, President and CEO of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. “A local economic preference ordinance creates more opportunities for Redondo Beach businesses to secure City contracts and ultimately those businesses continue to give back to the city through hiring Redondo Beach residents and taxes,” continued Smeltzer.

Specifically, the Chamber is asking the city for a 5% incentive that is offered to Redondo Beach-based businesses who bid on city contracts. This current 5% incentive or preference keeps jobs and business within city limits, and encourages partnership between the city and business community. This preference can be significant because it shows that the City is willing to improve the economic vitality of the Redondo Beach business community and signal a positive sign to Redondo Beach-based businesses that the city is willing to help jump-start the local economy.

Some may say that paying more in these tough times does not make sense. The Chamber believes that any investment to keep jobs local is an investment that will pay higher dividends and that is exactly what the local economy needs. A Redondo Beach local economic preference plan is a step in the right direction for the community, for our residents, and for the future of the city.

March 30, 2010

Submit Your Letter: Rocky Point Area is Vital for the Local Economy

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau has continued to be involved in the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process to preserve and improve our vital aquatic ecosystem with the importance of the economic vitality of the Redondo Beach business community. The overall Redondo Beach community and those fishing the Rocky Point area have been exceptional environmental stewards and the MLPA process has served to confirm this fact and the need for developing cooperative cross-interest solutions.

The Rocky Point area of Palos Verdes is an integral part of the local economy, particularly for Redondo Beach-based businesses. The Chamber previously supported the Regional Stakeholder Group Proposal 2 and continues its support to keep Rocky Point open in order to minimize the negative economic impacts to our local economy while also improving the health of our aquatic ecosystem. Other stakeholders have also come out in support of this proposal especially the citizens and businesses most likely to be hardest hit by the closure of Rocky Point.

Many businesses in the area depend on the fishing industry (both recreational and commercial) and the fishing industry depends on Rocky Point remaining open. If Rocky Point closes, a domino effect would ripple through the local economy from the small boat owner to the retail business that provides goods and services to those who depend on the fishing area. Please continue to protect our local economy, save jobs, and maintaining both commercial and recreational opportunities for our area by keeping the Rocky Point area open.

Click here to submit your letter of support!

March 1, 2010

Negative Water Legislation Aims To Undue Historic Water Package

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau opposes legislation that would block the channeling of water from the Sacramento River to Southern California, part of the historic water legislative and bond package signed late last year.

If AB 1594 was to be enacted into law, it would undermine water supply reliability throughout California and threaten jobs and the economic health of three quarters of the state’s population residing south of the Delta. In this case, it would be major mistake to benefit the particular at the expense of the genera. The Redondo Beach business community would ultimately feel this impact as well.

This proposed legislation would revise a law that was passed just last year that addressed the prevention of water flow to other regions throughout the state. The Chamber believes that law appropriately addressed the matter and should not be revisited. The historic package is the first “real” compromise to fixing California’s broken water system in decades.

Now is not the time to overturn what is a true compromise between the legislature, the agriculture, environmental, and business communities.

February 15, 2010

Economic Competitiveness For America’s Ports

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau has decided to support H.R. 3447, due to its ability to positively impact the future competitiveness and environmental soundness of the Long Beach and Los Angeles Ports that so many of our businesses use.

Introduced by Representative Laura Richardson (D-CA), H.R. 3447 would alter the funding system for the Trust Fund by taking the spending power out of the hands of Congress. H.R. 3447 will allow the funding to be used entirely and without delay by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dredging of America’s harbors.

The Chamber believes that H.R 3447 will allow the communities in which the Ports are based to more directly impact the nature and timing of the appropriation of funding used to keep our harbors and ports maintained. In lieu of the challenging economic climate, this is exactly the right time to put authority into the hands of those who best understand market forces and therefore know what is needed to strengthen the competitiveness of these important drivers of economic activity.

H.R. 3447 will revise current protocol in which funding is subject to Congressional approval, a protocol that has resulted in funding delays as well as the reallocation of funds otherwise earmarked for the dredging and maintaining of harbors and ports to unrelated budget measures.

In other words, this measure will help keep our port competitive and an important source of economic growth in our region.

February 10, 2010

Chamber Opposes Parking Regulations
 

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau has voiced its opposition to SB 518. The legislative proposal would reduce the availability of free parking that helps to attract customers to local shops and businesses in certain communities.

“SB 518 would stall economic recovery and push potential foot traffic out of downtown communities that desperately need consumers,” said Marna Smeltzer, President and CEO of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. “This regulation would directly impact small businesses and would hurt Main Street. This is a terrible time to deter behavior of the customers that small businesses rely on to grow.”

The proposal, sponsored by State Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), would through a series of credits and points, incentivize city and county governments to stop providing free parking on the street and at government offices. Furthermore, the proposal would reduce the amount of parking businesses and property owners are required to provide under certain ordinances.

“We need our elected officials to focus on policies that will help the economy,” continued Smeltzer.

Workers Compensation Campaign To “Bring ‘em Back To Work”

The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has launched a campaign to help small employers bring their employees back to work or keep them working following workplace injuries.

The “Bring ’em Back” campaign offers a user-friendly website to provide specific information small employers need to apply for reimbursement for purchases they make to help employees stay working while they recover.

Click here for more information.

September 15, 2009

The Agenda For Economic Recovery

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau joined forces with the California Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations to draft a plan to help the economic recovery in California.

Click here for more information.

The State of California issued thousands of IOU over the summer and many businesses experienced the inconvenience of having to deal with this process. A Redondo Beach Chamber-supported legislative proposal to be considered in 2010 will help fix this inconvenience in future years. The proposal would allow any state agency to accept an IOU from any business or individual for the payment of an outstanding state financial obligation.

Click here for more information.

September 9, 2009

Chamber Opposes Federal Healthcare Mandates

It is a priority of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau to support responsible healthcare infrastructure and insurance policy reforms that result in increased availability of affordable coverage for employers and their employees.

Click here for more information.

The Redondo Beach Chamber opposes a legislative proposal that would revise the statute of limitations law for any workplace claim or lawsuit relating to compensation so that the statute of limitations is renewed each time an employee’s compensation is “affected,” including each time it is paid.

Click here for more information.

September 1, 2009

Chamber Takes Action on Water Savings Proposal

California has now entered its third year of a drought and because of where we are situated geographically, and because of how we obtain our water, the drought is impacting Southern California businesses immensely. That is why Redondo Beach businesses are being asked to reduce water usage as much as possible. There are a number of methods available to businesses to aid efforts to conserve water.

Click here for more information.

AB 1000 marks the return of a proposed law that would mandate that businesses would have to provide paid sick leave and would unreasonably expand employers and local government agencies’ costs and liability by mandating a specific paid sick leave policy. This is a policy that all businesses should take seriously once again. I urge you to take action on this important issue.

AB 1000 would require businesses to provide paid sick leave to an employee after seven days of work in a calendar year. The new law would define sick leave not only for the employee’s own illness, but to care for a sick child, spouse, domestic partner or other relative. We do not oppose flexibility for employees to take care of themselves or loved ones. We do oppose unrealistic mandates such as automatic sick leave. This automatic sick leave would apply to all types of employees; interns, seasonal, part-time, temporary employees and provisional hires.

Furthermore, the employee is also not obligated to show proof to the employer for the required sick day. Finally, this mandate would impact all employers, large and small, regardless of the current level of sick leave the employer may already provide.

AB 1000 will implement the following:

• Require employers to include on the itemized wage statement the paid sick leave accrued and used. This change will require retooling of all software currently running payroll programs.

• Accrue paid sick leave at a rate of one hour per thirty hours worked, forcing employers to adapt current record-keeping and accrual to this new standard.

• Require the Department of Industrial Relations to administer and enforce the proposed law’s provisions, including the promulgation of regulations, investigation of complaints, mitigation, and relief of violations of these requirements.

• Establish new sanctions and rights of action against employers related to this new paid protected leave. Under the proposed law, employers could be subjected to civil action in court and/or fines through the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.

• Prohibit employers from denying the use of paid sick leave, regardless of business necessity of the employer – if the employee has accrued leave and qualifies for the leave, it can be taken, and no documentation or verification of illness is required.

• Expand recordkeeping and payroll reporting requirements that will be burdensome to administer, especially for small businesses that may lack adequate resources and expertise.

Last year, the Chamber stopped a very similar proposal by testify on behalf of the business community in a California State Senate Committee in Sacramento. We also hand-delivered over 50 letters of opposition to the mandate from Redondo Beach businesses and we need your help again this year!