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January 15,
2010
Chamber Continues Efforts
on Federal Healthcare Proposal
In a letter to Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer
the Redondo Beach Chamber urged them to jettison the
healthcare bill.
“The Redondo Beach Chamber is deeply troubled that the
Senate version of the bill that worsens what was already an
inequitable situation for California and we will continue to
be an advocate on behalf of Californians to ensure we are
treated fairly by this critical piece of legislation,”
stated Marna Smeltzer, President and CEO of the Redondo
Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. “Under nearly
every scenario predicted, the federal health care reform
legislation being debated would cost California’s General
Fund at least an additional $3 billion to $4 billion
annually.”
Click here for more
information. |
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January 10, 2010
Relief:
California’s Water System To Get Some Help with November
Measure
The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce is supporting the
early efforts of a November water bond measure that would
improve statewide water management. The Chamber supported
the concept late last year as part of the overall water bill
package in order to fix California’s broken water system.
Click here for more
information. |
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December 5,
2009
New Laws In
2010 Will Impact Your Bottom Line
As part of our continued effort to keep our members close to
legislative and regulatory developments that may impact their
operations, I’d like to report briefly on a number of changes
that will take effect in 2010.
Please find below background information on a number of issues
that we believe could fundamentally change the environment
businesses face.
Click here for more
information. |
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December 1, 2009
Chamber Prepares for 2010 Ballot Measures
In the coming months the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce &
Visitors Bureau will begin reviewing and taking positions on the
many initiatives expected in 2010. Many of the measures aim to
impact business in one form or another. The Chamber, through its
hard working and dedicated members of the Government Relations
Committee, will spend time on each issue that may impact the
Redondo Beach business community and release a formal position.
Click here for more
information. |
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December 1, 2009
Help Protect Vital Local Services!
The State continues to borrow money from city, county,
transportation, redevelopment and special districts funds in
order to balance the budget. With a reported shortfall of
$20 billion and more, the State is poised to borrow once
again these much needed funds for local operations such as
police and fire, transportation projects that are already in
the works and other vital services in our city.
Click here for more
information.
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November 25,
2009
Redondo Beach
Chamber Issues 6th Vote Record: Continues To Hold Elected
Officials Accountable
2009 Vote Record Report Shows Local State
Representatives Siding With Business Some Of The Time;
Governor Continues Strong Support For Business Related
Issues.
In issuing its sixth vote record since 2004, the Redondo
Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau recognizes
Assembly Member Ted Lieu’s increased support for business
related legislation by moving from last year’s 33% rate to
67% rate of voting with the Chamber. State Senator Jenny
Oropeza maintained her 40% rate over last year.
Click here for more
information.
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November 10, 2009
Citizens Redistricting
Commission: Help Make An Impact
The Chamber supported the voter approved Proposition 11, a
ballot measure that creates a citizens redistricting commission,
and we are urging interested individuals in Redondo Beach to
apply and serve on the Commission.
Click here for more
information.
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November 10, 2009
Chamber Secures Passage of
Pro-Business Legislation
Over the past few months, the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce
& Visitors Bureau undertook an intensive lobbying effort to
secure the passage of two legislative proposals: AB 474 and SB
24.
AB 474 is a proposal which diminishes the initial outlay for any
business willing to increase its conservation efforts and help
mitigate the impact of the on-going drought in Southern
California. By allowing property owners to borrow and repay over
time the initial cost of implementing water efficiency
improvements, the law both helps to protect these owners’
competitive advantage and makes it possible for them, as well
as, surrounding local jurisdictions to benefit from the water
savings.
SB 24 is intended to curtail the theft of cargo and goods from
ports. As Redondo Beach businesses utilize both the Los Angeles
and Long Beach Ports, this law is critical to saving local
businesses millions of dollars in stolen cargo. Authored by a
local state legislator, the law is aimed at reducing the
estimated $15-30 billion a year cost to the U.S. businesses and
shippers. It is also believed that the true number may be even
higher since some businesses are reluctant to report cargo
thefts out of concern for their reputations or for their
insurance premiums.
The Chamber supported both pieces of legislation earlier this
year and the Governor signed both pieces into law in October.
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November 10, 2009
On Going Dispute Ends With
Measure UU Defeat
Measure UU was rejected by voters on November 4. The measure,
placed on the ballot by the Redondo Beach City Council, if
passed would have raised revenue to pay for general governmental
services in the City of Redondo Beach by taxing the AES power
plant.
Click here for more
information.
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November 1, 2009
Chamber
Urges Legislative Leaders To Pass A Water Bond
The Chamber
urges California's legislative leaders to pass a
comprehensive water bond as part of a historic package of
reforms to address the crisis in the Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta and to improve statewide water management.
Click here for more
information.
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October 21, 2009
Remember To Vote On November 3!
The following is
the Official Ballot Language and NOT the opinion of the Redondo
Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau:
The Redondo Beach City Council
placed Measure UU on the November 3, 2009 ballot to seek voter
approval for an amendment to the existing Telephone, Gas,
Electricity, Water, and Video Users’ Tax (“UUT”).
Click here for more
information. |
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October 19,
2009
Chamber Stops
Anti-Job Creating Proposals
AB 793 and AB 943, two harmful legislative proposals that would
have put businesses in Redondo Beach, were defeated in October
when the Governor vetoed both pieces of legislation.
Click here for more
information.
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October 17, 2009
Chamber
Protects Hospitality Jobs
There is a strong
belief that federal, state and local proposals to impose
additional alcohol taxes and fees are on the horizon. The
California Alliance for Hospitality Jobs (CAHJ) is working to
dissuade these proposals by educating the public and
policymakers about how higher alcohol taxes will cost even more
jobs in California and hinder the state’s economic recovery. The
Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau has joined
with CAHJ in their efforts.
Click here for more
information.
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October 15,
2009
Chamber
Supports New Technology for Gas Meters
The Redondo Beach
Chamber is supporting The Gas Company’s proposal to automate
meter reading that will reduce costs to the customer and the
utility.
Click here for more
information.
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September 20,
2009
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. |
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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. |
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September 1, 2009
Chamber Supported IOU Fix
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. |
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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. |
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September 1, 2009
More Litigation Equals
Departure of Redondo Beach Businesses
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. |
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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. |
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August 18, 2009
Attend Tonight:
Urge The City Council To Support Portable Signs
 Tonight,
August 18, 2009 the Redondo Beach City Council will consider
a City Staff and Planning Commission recommendation to NOT
relax the portable sign prohibition in Redondo Beach.
Click here to read the agenda item.
Portable signs, commonly referred to as "A-Frame" type
signage" are considered an effective way of providing
businesses a way of increasing their expose, thus increasing
their number of customers and protecting needed jobs in
Redondo Beach.
Redondo Beach Chamber Position
The Chamber will attend the City Council meeting tonight to
urge city staff to reconsider their recommendation and move
forward with developing reasonable guidelines for businesses
who are located within areas zoned as commercial to be
allowed to display portable signage for the next six months.
Attend the
Redondo Beach City Council meeting tonight and urge the Council
to help improve our local economy at 6:00pm located at
415 Diamond Street. |
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August 10, 2009
TAKE
ACTION: Submit Your Letter
On Mandated Health Care
The Redondo Beach
Chamber has a
long-standing position opposing any form of mandated
health care.
The Redondo Beach Chamber, however, is supportive of any effort
to improve our health care system, especially in terms of
lowering health care costs, improving the quality of care, and
making sure every American has access to affordable coverage.
We also believe that
the legislation currently being considered in the Congress would
not improve the system, but jeopardize the parts of the system
that currently work.
The creation of a new government-run insurance plan is a step in
the wrong direction. Employers currently suffer a significant
cost-shift from existing public programs, and the program
described in House legislation would significantly increase
costs for every American who purchases private insurance. We do
not believe that the government plan will be a fair competitor.
Because of the increased costs and lack of competition caused by
a government plan, employers will not be able to continue
offering their current plans, which cover more than 170 million
Americans.
Responsible and constructive health reform is something we can
support and should be enacted this year. Until then, we urge you
to join us by signing onto a letter from the United States
Chamber of Commerce asking the Congress to enact reforms that
improve the health system without jeopardizing those who
currently have coverage.
Click here to take action and
submit your letter. |
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July 27, 2009
One Size
Fits All Workers’ Compensation Is Wrong For Job-Creation
A federal proposal
looks to establish a national commission to study state workers'
compensation laws. H.R. 635, if passed, would assemble a
14-person commission charged with, among other duties, studying
and evaluating State workers' compensation laws in order to
determine if such laws provide an adequate, prompt, and
equitable system of compensation for injury or death arising out
of or in the course of employment; and studying and evaluating
whether additional remedies should be recommended to ensure
prompt and good faith payment of benefits and medical care to
injured workers and their families. It is the last part of the
Commission’s duties that should be cause of serious concern for
the business community.
The workers’ compensation reforms of 2004 have continued to
allow business in California to remain equitable. If H.R. 635
passes and a commission is created to study workers compensation
systems throughout of the country, California could be included
with other states that may have out of control workers
compensation rates. Workers compensation systems need to be
state controlled and not regulated based on what is happening in
other states.
H.R. 635, on the surface, appears to be only calling for a
“study.” When, in actuality, it is another attempt at creating a
“one size fits all” set of federal guidelines for states’
workers’ compensation laws. California has effectively
modernized its systems. Based on improved research, states have
employed a myriad of innovative tools in order to address the
system. |
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July 20, 2009
Credit
Check Changes Bad For Job-Creation
Businesses
try to take the necessary precautions against theft.
Cameras and alarms are installed, management is trained
to have a keen eye for suspicious persons, and valued
employees are screened. It is this last action by an
employer that has come under fire in the state capitol
by way of a legislative proposal.
AB 943 would prohibit employers from using consumer
credit reports for employment purposes unless the
information is “substantially job related.” However, the
Chamber believes this will still hinder the employee
screening process and will not allow the employer to
choose the best possible candidate for the position. On
average, businesses lose as much as two percent of sales
to employee theft. Lastly, language in AB 943 strongly
mirrors language from AB 2918 (2008) that was vetoed by
Governor Schwarzenegger.
Employee theft is a growing problem. The U.S. Chamber of
Commerce rates the annual cost at $40 billion. According
to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, this is the
fastest growing crime in the United States and many
experts estimate that it increases at a rate of 15
percent annually. AB 943 is working its way through the
Legislature that will severely diminish an employer’s
ability to protect their business from this real threat.
“AB 943 eliminates a tool employers use to find and hire
well qualified individuals that are charged with
protecting and ensuring the profitability for the
business, especially for a small business,” stated Marna
Smeltzer, President/CEO of the Redondo Beach Chamber of
Commerce & Visitors Bureau.
AB 943 defines “substantially job related” to mean a
consumer credit report may be used for a position that
has access to money, other assets or confidential
information and the following conditions:
• A managerial position;
• A position in a city, county, or city and county;
• A sworn peace officer or other law enforcement
position; or,
• A position for which the information contained in the
report is required to be disclosed by law or to be
obtained by the employer. |
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July 15, 2009
Are You
Following The Red Flag Rules?
Identity
theft affects our entire community. Millions of people
every year become victims to this crime. Unfortunately,
the members of our business community are placed
squarely in the middle of this ongoing threat. But, does
this mean business, particularly health care providers,
should police the activities of their patrons in order
to fend off, or stop identity theft? The Federal Trade
Commission, the federal bank regulatory agencies, and
the National Credit Union Administration believe so, and
your business may need to comply with the Red Flags
Rule.
Under the Red Flags Rule, “creditors” that have “covered
accounts” must design a program to prevent, detect, and
minimize the damage from identity theft. Does this apply
to you?
You are a “creditor” if you extend, renew, or continue
credit; arrange for someone else to extend, renew, or
continue credit; or are the assignee of a creditor who
is involved in the decision to extend, renew, or
continue credit.
Your business has “covered accounts” if you deal with
(1) an account primarily for personal, family, or
household purposes, that involves or is designed to
permit multiple payments or transactions, or (2) any
other account for which there is a reasonably
foreseeable risk to customers or the safety and
soundness of the financial institution or creditor from
identity theft.
If you find that you are, in fact, a “creditor” and deal
with “covered accounts” your first step should be to
access the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site (www.ftc.gov)
and review the guidelines they have established for
writing your plan. |
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July 10, 2009
Chamber Supports Job Creating Proposals
The Chamber is proud to support two important job
creating proposals and urges your action on these
issues. AB 474 and AB 1107 will allow for a more
attractive business climate throughout the state.
Business in the state has come under fire lately for
only opposing legislative proposals and not offering up
solutions to the current economic crisis or ways to
enhance the business environment throughout California.
California has suffered from a barrage of marketing
ploys and incentives of neighboring states in order to
attract business from California. The Redondo Beach
Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is cognizant of
these efforts and if doing everything it can in order to
ensure a profitable business climate throughout Redondo
Beach. The Chamber believes by supporting AB 474 and AB
1107 that these are steps in the right direction.
Please take some time to review each of the proposed new
laws and consider helping us in our efforts by signing
onto www.redondoadvocacy.biz and send a letter today!
AB 474 will implement the following:
• Allows water agencies to enter into a contractual
agreement with willing property owners to finance the
installation of water efficiency equipment;
• The program is completely voluntary between the
property owner and agency;
• Helps to address chronic water needs throughout
California by permitting voluntary individual efforts to
improve water efficiency and save money for the
individual over the long run;
• Supported by numerous water agencies and chambers of
commerce throughout California.
AB 1107 will implement the following:
• Creates an economic review of regulations which aims
to reduce the likelihood that overly burdensome
regulations will be adopted by ensuring that accurate,
science-based assessments are conducted, revealing the
true cost to California businesses and the economy;
• Creates a uniform requirement to complete an economic
analysis of proposed rules and regulations for the Cal
EPA and its boards, departments, and agencies;
• The economic analysis is required to evaluate the
costs and benefits of a proposed rule at a level of
detail that is appropriate and practicable for reasoned
decision making;
• Makes legislative findings that regulations should
maximize benefits while minimizing cost and the cost and
benefits of environmental protection regulations should
be subject to an external professional peer review;
• AB 1107 will apply common sense standards during the
rulemaking process that promotes consistency and
transparency, avoid additional state costs, and ensure
more accurate information is available to regulators
when they are proposing regulatory requirements that
could have a significant economic impact on our
struggling economy. |
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July 10, 2009
Proposed Law Provides
Clarity To Meal Periods
The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce is supporting a new
proposed law that allows for a clearer understanding of
workplace meal periods and with the hopes of reducing frivolous
lawsuits.
SB 287, authored by Senator Calderon, is a very similar to a
piece of legislation he introduced last year in which the
Chamber supported. SB 287 is once again an attempt to provide a
comprehensive solution when complying and enforcing of the
current meal period laws for employees. The only unfortunate
part is the proposed law, SB 287, is stalled once again and may
be used as a bargaining chip when legislators debate the state
budget later this summer.
The Chamber has been a strong supporter of the proposal because
it will provide clarity and flexibility to employers and
employees across all industries regardless of the employer size
or current union status.
California’s employers and employees have attempted to comply
with Labor Code section 512 since it was enacted in 1999. The
section simply states that a non-exempt employee may not work
more than five hours in a workday without being provided with a
30-minute meal period. These provisions have been interpreted in
various ways by state enforcement officials and the courts,
contributing to significant confusion. This confusion has also
lead to costly litigation against California businesses that now
may face closure due to exorbitant settlements.
According to the California Chamber of Commerce, meal periods
disputes are currently 40 percent of all California class-action
lawsuits and approximately half of all employment-related
lawsuits filed in California each year. SB 287 is design to
avoid liability under these interpretations and some employers
have had to even discipline or discharge employees for not
taking their meal breaks as directed. Employees and employers
will be able to benefit from the proposal in which protects the
employee and addresses collective bargaining agreements when
dealing with meal periods. |
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July 2, 2009
TAKE
ACTION: Submit Your Letter In Support of Redondo
Beach's Marina
Click here to submit your letter of
support!
The
City of Redondo Beach is home to some of the most beautiful
marine life and ecosystem in Southern California. Redondo
Beach is also home to some of the most productive coastal
businesses that range from day long fishing trips to its
surrounding ports and harbors.
The Redondo Beach Chamber of
Commerce & Visitors Bureau understands the need to protect vital
marine life and the delicate ecosystem that make our area so
pleasant.
The Chamber is urging elected officials to take into
consideration the cross section of businesses that stand to be
impacted by the implementation of a Marine Protection Area (MPA).
The marine life and its ecosystem are natural wonders to our
area and should be treated as such. By designating an MPA close
to King Harbor and surrounding ports, vital jobs and businesses
will be at jeopardy. We believe this would restrict both
commercial and recreational fishing and have direct impact on
the business community and tourism.
The Chamber will be diligent and is willing to work with the
Agency in order to find a equitable balance between preserving
the ecosystem and the Redondo Beach economic system. At a time
when the unemployment rate continues to rise and with so many
Redondo Beach citizens struggling to make ends meet, the Redondo
Beach community cannot afford such intrusions to the livelihood
of so many.
Click here to submit your letter of
support! |
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June 15, 2009
Flexible Scheduling Helps
Employees
The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors’ Bureau
supports a proposed law that allows for workplace flexibility.
SB 187 is designed to allow for employees and employers to have
more flexibility in their work schedules. Current California Law
requires overtime compensation to be paid for work performed by
an hourly employee who works in excess of eight hours in a
single day or more than 40 hours in a single workweek.
The reason for the proposed new law that allows flexibility in
scheduling is to help accommodate employees' diverse family
obligations, personal pursuits, and commuting issues by allowing
employers to agree to provide scheduling options requested by an
employee.
We believe this new law, which was attempted last year and is
considered an ongoing effort throughout this legislative
session, is needed more than ever to allow employers to offer an
incentive for hard working employees. Having the option would
allow an employer to agree to an employee’s request to work four
10-hour days a week and help structure a work schedule that
could be benefit to both the employer and employee.
The proposed law also offers certain protections and benefits to
employees such as;
• The request for the option must be made by the employee, in
writing, and it must be made voluntarily,
• The employer is required to maintain a copy of the written
agreement as they would any personnel record – for three years
beyond termination of the agreement,
• The agreement must be executed in writing,
• Either the employee or the employer can revoke the agreement
at any time, provided they give seven days written notice,
• Any hours worked beyond the compressed workweek hours must be
paid at normal overtime rates,
• The employer is prohibited from reducing the employee’s
regular rate of pay as a result of the employee adopting an
alternative work week schedule,
• Working a compressed four-day workweek provides up to 50 extra
non-work days each year for the average full-time employee,
• Satisfying employee demands for flexible schedules,
• Reduces traffic and the frequency of long commutes at peak
hours,
• Fewer trips to the workplace result in lower carbon emissions,
and
• A flexible work life is good for your health according to
researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine as
reported in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine (December 2007).
The legislature has determined that SB 187 will be a two-year
bill. In order to keep the proposal at the forefront when
legislators discuss this issue and many others during the
ongoing budget negotiations, business needs to let our local
legislators know the importance of this legislation. Please help
by sending a letter today. |
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May 15,
2009
AB 1000 Paid
Sick Leave Law Returns
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!
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May 1,
2009
Redondo Beach Chamber
Continues to Fight Against Workers’ Comp Rate Increases
By
Marna Smeltzer
President and CEO
The Chamber will continue its fight against repealing any of the
reforms from 2004 which have allowed the workers compensation
system to remain equitable and less costly to do business in
California. The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB)
is recommending a 24% increase in the benchmark rate for
workers’ compensation insurance policies.
Click here for more
information. |
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May 1,
2009
Card Check
Impacts Business At All Levels
By
John Parsons
Chair of the
Board
Late last month, two Federal proposals, H.R. 1409 and S. 560,
were introduced in Congress. The two proposed laws would
undermine long standing principles of workplace democracy and
fairness and result in employees having less ability to
determine if they wish to be represented by a union. The Chamber
has been ardently opposed to the two pieces of legislation since
its first inception last year.
Click here for more information. |
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