The Business Advocacy Service Center

Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce

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!

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.

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.

April 20, 2009

Redondo Beach Chamber Takes Action on May 19th Statewide Special Election


The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau released its positions on the May 19, 2009 Special Election ballot measures. The Propositions are part of the 2009-2010 state budget agreement between the Governor and Legislature designed to help balance the state budget through various increase in length of time of taxes, shifting of former voter-approved propositions and borrowing of funds from future state lottery revenues.

 

Click here for more information.

March 15, 2009

“Card Check” Is Bad For Our Economy

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau earlier this year opposed a federal proposal that would eliminate the secret ballot process and strip a Redondo Beach employee’s right to privacy in union organized elections. The proposal, known as the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or “Card Check”, will be a top priority of this new Congress and President.

 

Click here for more information.

March 10, 2009

Transparency Needed in State Government

By John Parsons

Chair of the Board


The Redondo Beach Chamber is supporting a proposal to bring more transparency to how business in done in Sacramento. The proposal, ACA 8, introduced by Assembly Member Kevin Jeffries, would end back-room deals and make the legislative process more accessible to the average Californian.

 

Click here for more information.

February 25, 2009

Redondo Beach Chamber Sets 2009 Legislative Priorities

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is taking every major effort to combat the current downturn in the state’s economy by developing and enhancing its pro-jobs legislative priorities. The priorities serve as guiding principles when tracking local and statewide legislation and issues that might impact the Redondo Beach business community. We need to make sure businesses and jobs stay in Redondo Beach.

 

Click here for more information.

January 15, 2009

Redondo Beach Chamber Supports the Protection of Vital Community Services


The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau supports the placement of a measure on the ballot for the voters to consider updating the City’s utilities users tax (UUT). Redondo Beach is continuing a trend that many other cities, Pasadena, Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale and Los Angeles among others, have started, which allows for updating outdated language in order to protect the UUT as an existing revenue source.

 

Click here for more information.

January 15, 2009

Who’s Looking Out for Employee Rights?
 

By Marna Smeltzer

President and CEO


One could argue that one of our most fundamental rights in this country is the right to vote by secret ballot. Knowing that your vote is confidential allows you make choices without the fear of repercussions. Currently, there are certain organizations and individuals elected to office to protect our rights who may be doing just the opposite.

 

Click here for more information.

January 2, 2009

Another Year of Fighting for You

 

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau continued to serve as the voice for the business community and continued to oppose legislative proposals and issues that negatively impact the local businesses and the regional economy.

 

The Chamber, through its Government Relations Council (GRC), continued to play an active role at the local, state and federal levels when representing the interests of businesses with government. By taking a position on a proposed new law or business related issue, it allowed for the business community to have a seat at the table with area legislators that they may not otherwise have.

 

Click here for more information.

December 20, 2008

The 2008 Vote Record: Redondo Beach Chamber Increases Legislator’s Business Votes


The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau releases its vote record on the top twenty most important legislative proposals impacting our business community. The Chamber discussed and took a position of support or opposition on each proposal and communicated those positions with our local legislators, Senator Jenny Oropeza and Assemblymember Ted Lieu.

“The Chamber is issuing its fifth vote record since 2004,” stated Marna Smeltzer, President and CEO of the Chamber. “We are pleased that Senator Oropeza and Assemblymember Lieu increased their overall support for pro-jobs legislation by 30% and 24% respectively since our last vote record in 2007,” continued Smeltzer.

 

Click here for more information.

December 15, 2008

Warning: New Laws in 2009 May Impact Your Business

 

By Marna Smeltzer

President and CEO


The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau represents the interests of its business community with all levels of government. Each year, the state legislature, for example, approves many proposed laws that impact every Redondo Beach business owner. The Chamber makes it a priority to update and inform the business community of important new laws.

 

Click here for more information.

December 10, 2008

Proposition 11: A Victory for the Chamber
 

By John Parsons

Chairman of the Board

 

We did it! Together we have taken action to fundamentally reform our broken political system and to bring real change to our state government.

 

Political reform in California was one of the Redondo Beach Chamber’s top policy priorities in 2008. Every 10 years, after the federal government conducts a nationwide census, new boundary lines called districts are drawn for each member of the California State Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization. The Chamber wanted to change how this process was done.

 

Click here for more information.

November 26, 2008

Take Action Now on Important Employee Reforms!
 

The Redondo Beach Chamber urges you to contact Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and ask him to support flexible work schedules and clarification to the state’s meal period requirements.

Flexible work schedules are important because it allows employees to deal with family matters and save on commute costs; it allows for employees to accommodate their personal needs outside of work; it reduces traffic and greenhouse gas emissions that are harmful the environment due to less workers traveling to and from work; and, it allows employers to be competitive when retaining jobs.

Also, the Chamber is committed to keeping jobs in Redondo Beach by helping to clarify meal period laws. This clarification will save local businesses on litigation costs. We need a solution to fix the complex, misinterpreted meal and rest period requirements.

 

Click here to submit your letter of support!

October 28, 2008

So Vain: Yes On Proposition 11

October 22, 2008

Another Year Of Fighting For You

 

By Marna Smeltzer

President and CEO

 

In 2008, our Chamber helped stop many proposed laws that would have added unreasonable costs to business. I would like to take this time to thank the many individuals, businesses and community members that supported the Chamber’s legislative efforts. Many pro-business pieces of legislation were also signed into law by the Governor that the Chamber worked very hard to pass.

 

Click here for more information.

October 22, 2008

Chamber Urges Action On November Statewide Ballot

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau urges you to vote November 4, 2008. The Chamber wants you to understand that the statewide propositions will have an impact on our local business community.

“The Chamber took positions on the November Propositions so our businesses understand their impact to business,” stated Marna Smeltzer, President and CEO of the Redondo Beach Chamber. “Our positions align with our policy platform for the year which allows us take positions on issues that impact our business community,” Smeltzer continued.

 

Click here for more information.

September 30, 2008

TAKE ACTION! Chamber Urges Community to Support Transit Line Extension

 

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is considering the expansion of a transit line known as the Harbor Subdivision. The Harbor Subdivision is a freight rail corridor, approximately 26 miles in length, that goes from downtown Los Angeles towards the coast and down through the South Bay to Long Beach. Metro owns the right of way.
 

Click here to submit your letter of support!

September 25, 2008

Proposition 7: The Wrong Way to Go Green

 

By John Parsons, Chairman of the Board

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau urges you to oppose Proposition 7 on the November ballot. This Proposition wrongly claims to be a renewable energy solution. Let me be clear: the Redondo Beach Chamber believes renewable energy is needed and is an important part of the future of how utilities can provide energy to their consumers. Unfortunately, Proposition 7 is the wrong approach and puts both public and investor-owned utilities and their consumers at risk of higher costs.
 

Click here for more information.

September 25, 2008

Vote NO on Measure DD this November and Save Redondo
 

By Marna Smeltzer, President/CEO


As a valued community member, you and your commitment to Redondo Beach and its economic vitality are very important. That is why we are asking you to join the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce in fighting Measure DD on the November 4, 2008 ballot.
 

Click here for more information.

September 11, 2008

The Chamber Urges You To Help Stop The Redondo Beach Citywide Ballot Measure DD on November 4th

 

As a valued community member, your commitment to Redondo Beach and its economic vitality is very important. That's why we're asking you to join the Redondo Beach Chamber in fighting the Redondo Beach Citywide Ballot Measure DD on the November 4, 2008 ballot.

The Redondo Beach Chamber urges you to join us in stopping Measure DD and save our city from the negative impact of this poorly written initiative. The website, www.SaveRedondo.com aims to show voters the true impact of Measure DD, gain your support and raise critically needed funds.

 

Click here for more information.

August 28, 2008

Redondo Beach Chamber Stops Mandatory Sick Leave Job-Killer

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau stopped a proposed law that would have unreasonably expanded employer’s costs and liability by mandating a specific paid sick leave policy. The Chamber testified in opposition to the proposed law and mandate in a California State Senate Committee in Sacramento last month. The Chamber also hand-delivered over 50 letters of opposition to the mandate from Redondo Beach businesses.

Click here for more information.

August 15, 2008

Chamber Urges Community to Support Local Transportation Solutions

 

The current state of our transportation systems is flawed and we are doing something to change it. Recently, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) proposed a measure to make substantial improvements to our local transportation infrastructure. Specifically, Metro proposed a half-cent sales tax measure for Los Angeles County that will appear on the November ballot.

 

Click here for more information.

July 28, 2008

Redondo Beach Chamber Seeks Your Comments On A Proposed New Law

By the year 2012, a proposed new law would prohibit a food providers, such as restaurants, from distributing disposable food service packaging to a consumer unless that disposable food service packaging is compostable or recyclable.

The food provider would be held liable for not adhering to these requirements and be fined a $100 daily penalty for not doing so.

The proposed new law, AB 904, according to its author, is designed to decrease the amount of plastic and unrecyclable materials in the environment. Plastic waste, such as disposable food packing for takeout, has created significant amounts of trash to landfills and poses a risk to the marine environment throughout the state.

Please take a couple of minutes to answer four simple questions. The Chamber will use your answers to determine a position on this proposal.

Click here to start the survey.

July 21, 2008

Take Action Now! Oppose A Multi-Billion Dollar Paid Sick Leave Mandate

 

AB 2716 is a proposed new law that would unreasonably expand employer's and local government agencies’ costs and liability by mandating paid sick leave for all employees, including, interns, seasonal, part-time, temporary, and full-time employees.

All employers in California would be mandated to provide paid sick leave to an employee after only seven days of work in a calendar year. The proposed new law impacts all employers, large and small, regardless of the current level of sick leave already provided.

This proposal, estimated to cost employers billions of dollars in increased costs, places a massive burden on our local businesses at a time when our economy is underperforming and job cuts are continual.


Click here to take action!

June 30, 2008

Chamber Fights To Improve Local Economy and Help Businesses

 

As your incoming Chair of the Board, I want to let you know how excited and optimistic I am about this year. I look forward to working with the Board of Directors and all the members of the Chamber so that we can strengthen the Chamber as an influential organization in the South Bay and strengthen our local economy to help all our businesses. It’s going to be an exciting year!

As the voice of business in our city, the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau continues to oppose legislative proposals that negatively impact our local businesses and the regional economy. The Chamber continues to play an active role at the local, state and federal levels when representing the interests of businesses with government. By taking a position on a proposed new law, we are giving the business community a chance to have a seat at the table with area legislators that they may not otherwise have.

We are also keeping the ball rolling with our recent success in helping defeat SB 1057, which would have prevented a rental car company from charging a tourism commission fee. The fee is used to fund and promote California and our area as a tourist destination. This would have been a crushing blow to our local businesses, especially those near the Harbor/Pier area. The Chamber has also supported worthy pieces of legislation that aim to help business and the consumers they serve. For example, SB 691 creates more stringent standards for selling scrap-metal to a junk dealer. This helps law enforcement in stopping the theft of scrap metal throughout our city.

We want to encourage the business community to play an active role in the Redondo Beach Chamber’s efforts. 
More

June 30, 2008

Get Out The Vote: Pass Along Tools For Voting In November Election

 

Secretary of State - Voter Education

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to informing and improving public policy in California, 16.1 million Californians (70 percent of eligible voters) were registered to vote, a new record high, for the Primary Election on June 3. Despite these high registration numbers, voter turnout was at an all-time low of 22.4 percent, a dramatic decline from the February 5 Presidential Primary turnout of 57.7 percent. More

June 21, 2008

Redondo Beach Chamber Urges Community to Support Local Transportation Solutions

 

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is working to raise awareness about and improve transportation throughout the South Bay region. As part of its efforts, the Chamber is reviewing the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), a 30-year funding guide for transportation construction and service in Los Angeles County, of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors. More

June 12, 2008

Take Action! Support Efforts To Improve Transportation

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors needs to know of your support for transportation in the South Bay Region. 

The Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is the 30-year funding guide for transportation construction and service in Los Angeles County.  The LRTP is periodically updated and the Metro Board will consider the updated plan on June 26. The update lists priorities for highway and transit based upon sound and objective criteria but there are currently no revenues for any new projects in the Plan. More

May 30, 2008

Chamber Opposes Proposal to Eliminate State Tourism Funding

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau opposes a proposed law that would prevent rental car companies from charging consumers a tourism fee used to fund and promote California. SB 1057 would negatively impact our state’s efforts to promote California throughout the world as a tourist destination.
More

May 25, 2008

Chamber Supports Idea of a State Budget Savings Account

 

It is clear to us that the State of California does not have a revenue problem. Instead, we have a spending problem. We need to start considering proposals that end the eventual budget deficits that plague our state. In January, the Governor proposed the Budget Stabilization Act. His proposal transfers budget surpluses into a savings account to be used to balance the budget in years when a budget deficit is projected. More

May 20, 2008

Chamber Supports Proposed Employee Break Law

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau supports a proposed law that will provide a comprehensive solution when complying and enforcing of the current meal period laws for employees. SB 1539 will provide clarity and flexibility to employers and employees across all industries regardless of the employer size or current union status.
More

May 10, 2008

Get Out The Vote: Pass Along Tools For Voting In June 3 Statewide Election

 

Secretary of State - Voter Education

With the 2008 election year in full swing, the Redondo Beach Chamber is joining chambers of commerce and employers statewide in partnering with California Secretary of State Debra Bowen in the MyVote Democracy At Work Project.  

 

Our mission: to provide you with the tools you need to participate in the electoral process, starting with the June 3 Statewide Primary Election. More

May 8, 2008

Redondo Beach Chamber Supports Governor's "Rainy Day Fund" Concept

 

The Governor’s budget proposal in January 2008 included a 10 percent reduction to nearly all General Fund departments and programs, boards, commissions and elected offices, except in cases where such a reduction is unconstitutional. A clearer impact on state revenue will release in the Governor’s May Revised Budget to be released May 15, 2008.
 

The Governor proposed a Revenue Stabilization Fund (RSF), which is a savings account for excess revenues taken in by the state each year requiring that the state deposit excess revenues into the RSF. More

April 22, 2008

TONIGHT! City Council To Consider Zoning Changes Impacting The Harbor Area

 

The Redondo Beach Chamber is urging the City Council to take additional steps before rendering a final decision on zoning changes that impact the harbor area.

 

It is critical to avoid making poor planning decisions based on negative public perceptions that were created by such past developments as the Village, Seascape and Pier Plaza projects.

The Harbor Enterprise operating costs continue to increase while revenues have been stagnant or are in decline, yet the solutions are complex and involve both economic and political issues.
More

April 15, 2008

Redondo Beach Chamber Positions on June 2008 Statewide Propositions


Proposition 98

Regulation of Private Property
 

Redondo Beach Chamber Position: OPPOSE


Proposition 98 aims to protect private property, including businesses and farms, from government profiting by seizing property from one private property owner and giving it to another private entity.

Private property may not be taken by eminent domain for private use under any circumstances (e.g. to build a shopping center, auto mall or industrial park).

Proposition 99

Acquisition of Owner-Occupied Residence

Redondo Beach Chamber Position: No Position


Proposition 99 Aims to prohibit the government from using eminent domain to take a home to transfer to another private party.

Will not change state or local rent control laws or ordinances as Proposition 98 would abolish rent control.
More

April 11, 2008

My Voice. My Choice. My Vote!

 

Secretary of State - Voter Education

With the 2008 election year in full swing, the Redondo Beach Chamber is joining chambers of commerce and employers statewide in partnering with California Secretary of State Debra Bowen in the MyVote Democracy At Work Project.  Our mission: to provide all Californians with the tools they need to participate in the electoral process, starting with the June 3 Statewide Primary Election. More

April 9, 2008

Redondo Beach Chamber Supports Proposed Free Trade Agreement

 
The Redondo Beach Chamber supports the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.


If California is going to compete with our global competitors, we need to do it on a level playing field. Trade agreements like the one with Colombia will do that. America’s two-way trade with Colombia reached $18 billion in 2007, making Colombia our fifth largest trading partner in Latin America. Trade and investment in Colombia already sustains thousands of U.S. jobs and the Free Trade Agreement will only open up more opportunities.
More

April 7, 2008

City Council To Consider Chamber-Supported Zoning Changes

 

The Chamber urges the business community to attend the upcoming City Council meeting regarding the Planning Commission’s recommended amendments to the General Plan, Harbor/Civic Center Specific Plan, Coastal Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The Chamber believes the recommended amendments represent a fair and reasonable compromise. The Planning Staff and Commissioners did an admirable job formulating a win-win solution for our community. More

March 18, 2008

Submit Your Letter Supporting Flexibility in the Workplace

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau (RBCC & VB) supports a pro-posed law that is designed to allow for employees and employers to have more flexibility with work schedules. This new workplace flexibility proposal will accommodate employees' diverse family obligations, personal pursuits and commuting issues by allowing employers to agree to provide scheduling options requested by an employee. More

March 15, 2008

Redondo Beach Chamber Supports Political Reform Proposal

The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau (RBCC & VB) supports a pro-posed law that is designed to allow for employees and employers to have more flexibility with work schedules. This new workplace flexibility proposal will accommodate employees' diverse family obligations, personal pursuits and commuting issues by allowing employers to agree to provide scheduling options requested by an employee. More

March 15, 2008

Redondo Beach Chamber Successful in Defeating Healthcare Tax
 

By Glenn Bishop

2007 Chair of the Board


The Governor’s healthcare reform proposal and its mandated tax on business component failed to pass the State Senate earlier this year. The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau opposed the Governor’s proposal to fix California’s broken healthcare system. The Governor called a special session of the legislature in late 2007 and directed the state legislature to work out a solution to California’s healthcare crisis. More

February 27, 2008

Chamber Claims Victory Following Recent Propositions Vote

 

By Glenn Bishop

2007 Chair of the Board


I think it’s safe to say that voters kept business in mind when they went to the polls on February 5. It was encouraging to see that a majority of voters agreed with almost all of the Redondo Beach Chamber & Visitors Bureau’s positions on the statewide propositions. RBCC & VB took positions on these propositions late last year and worked diligently to communicate its positions to our members via this website, and in our monthly newsletter, Beach Business. More

February 20, 2008

Chamber-Supported School Bond Passes with Flying Colors
 

New Hope on the Way for Aging School Facilities

Measure C, the school bond supported by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau (RBCC & VB), passed by an overwhelming 66% of the vote on the February 5 city-wide ballot. Nearly six months ago, RBCC & VB was one of the first local organizations to sup-port the Redondo Beach Unified School District proposed bond measure. Measure C allows for, among other things, the update of our 100 year old high school, which will include new athletic facilities, state of the art turf fields, a synthetic track replacing the dirt track and an aquatics complex available to the entire community.
More

February 20, 2008
Chamber Increases Role in LA County Business Community
 

By Marna Smeltzer

President/CEO


I am happy to announce that Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau joined the newly formed Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), which serves as a powerful and cooperative voice for businesses and organizations throughout Los Angeles County. By joining BizFed, RBCC & VB has become part of a coalition of 44 business organizations, representing more than 70, 000 businesses and 1.2 million people throughout the county. More

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200 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA  90277 Phone (310) 376-6911