December 29, 2011
Garden Grove Chamber Releases Annual Vote Record Holding Elected Officials Accountable
The Chamber Releases 2nd Annual Vote Record on How State Elected Officials Voted with Business in Garden Grove.
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce focused its efforts in 2011 on 28 potential state laws that might impact our regional business community. The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC) met monthly to discuss and work together to support or oppose potential laws and communicated each position with our local legislators.
“It is Chamber’s responsibility to determine the issues that will ultimately impact our local economy and then hold our legislators accountable to how they voted by releasing our vote record to the membership and Garden Grove business community,” stated Dr. Les Malo, Chair of the Garden Grove Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. “The GAC was very active in tracking, reviewing and taking action on legislation in 2011. We continue to seek support from our legislators on pro-business proposals that will allow our economy to get back on track and create jobs in our community and across the state,” continued Malo.
The Chambers lobbied during the 2011 legislative session for area legislators to OPPOSE 18 potential laws that would negatively impacted business and to SUPPORT 10 bills that would have helped the business community in a variety of ways. The Chamber will continue to raise awareness on particular harmful new laws by issuing call to action eALERTs and informing members via its advocacy website www.gardengroveadvocacy.biz, quarterly newsletters and frequent updates at the chamber’s monthly GAC meetings. The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce is only one of the handful of chambers statewide that release their own vote record on how local legislators vote with the chamber.
To reach the “Percentage FOR pro-business legislation,” the Chamber tallied the number of times our legislators voted with the Chamber’s position on each proposal and divided that total by the total number of proposals in which each legislator voted. A legislative proposal is not figured into the vote record percentage if a legislator, for whatever reason, did not vote or if the proposal failed before the legislator had an opportunity to vote. The Governor’s final decision on whether or not the legislative proposal becomes law is also included.
Log on to
www.GardenGroveChamber.org or
www.GardenGroveAdvocacy.biz for more information.
Summary of Votes
Ranked in Order of Percentage FOR Pro-Business Legislation
2011 Vote Record – In Depth
Not voting = Elected official did not vote.
N/A = Potential new law died before elected official had an opportunity to vote or in the case of the Governor the potential new law did not reach his desk.
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce 2011 Vote Records
AB 10 (Alejo – D) Minimum Wage: Annual Adjustment
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
AB 21 (Nestande – R) State Budget: Key Liabilities
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
AB 22 (Mendoza – D) Employment: Credit Reports
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: NO
State Senator Tom Harman: NO
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: SIGNED
AB 32 (Lara - D) Entrepreneurship: Economic Gardening
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
AB 52 (Feuer – D) Health Care Coverage: Rate Approval
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: NOT VOTING
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
AB 83 (Jeffries - R) Environment: CEQA Exemption: Recycled Water Pipeline
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
AB 135 (Hagman - R) State Air Resources Board: Membership: Small business owner
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT
State Senator Lou Correa: NOT VOTING
State Senator Tom Harman: NOT VOTING
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: YES
Assembly Member Jim Silva: YES
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: VETOED
AB 153 (Skinner – D) State Board of Equalization: Administration: Retailer Engaged in Business in CA
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
AB 325 (Lowenthal – D) Employee's Right to Bereavement Leave
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: NOT VOTING
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: VETOED
AB 350 (Solorio – D) Displaced Janitor Opportunity Act
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: NOT VOTING
State Senator Tom Harman: NO
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
AB 559 (Swanson – D) Civil Actions: Costs
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: NO
State Senator Tom Harman: NO
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: VETOED
AB 889 (Ammiano – D) Domestic Work Employees
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
AB 947 (Solorio – D) Workers Compensation: Temporary Disability Payments
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: NOT VOTING
State Senator Tom Harman: NO
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: VETOED
AB 961 (Mansoor – R) Public Employee Organizations: Negotiations: Pension Benefits
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: YES
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
SB 104 (Steinberg - D) Labor Representatives: Elections
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: YES
State Senator Tom Harman: NO
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: VETOED
SB 168 (Corbett – D) Petitions: Compensation for Signatures
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: YES
State Senator Tom Harman: NO
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: VETOED
SB 252 (Vargas – D) Public Contracts: Personal Services.
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: YES
State Senator Tom Harman: NO
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
SB 378 (Dutton - R) Employment: alternative workweek schedules.
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
SB 389 (Dutton – R) Employment: Meal Periods
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
SB 411 (Price – D) Home Care Services Act of 2011
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: YES
State Senator Tom Harman: NO
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
SB 432 (De Leon – D) Workplace Safety: Lodging Establishments: Housekeeping
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: YES
State Senator Tom Harman: NO
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
SB 460 (Price – D) International Trade Marketing and Promotion
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT
State Senator Lou Correa: YES
State Senator Tom Harman: YES
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
SB 469 (Vargas – D) Land Use: Development Project Review: Superstores
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: YES
State Senator Tom Harman: NO
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: VETOED
SB 475 (Wright – D) Infrastructure Financing
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT
State Senator Lou Correa: YES
State Senator Tom Harman: YES
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
SB 508 (Wolk – D) Income and Corporation Taxes: Credits
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: NO
State Senator Tom Harman: NOT VOTING
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: NO
Assembly Member Jim Silva: NO
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: VETOED
SB 568 (Lowenthal – D) Recycling: Polystyrene Food Containers
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: NO
State Senator Tom Harman: YES
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: YES
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
SB 653 (Steinberg – D) - Local Taxation: Counties: General Authorization
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: OPPOSE
State Senator Lou Correa: N/A
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
SJR 4 (Harman – R) United States - Korea Free Trade Agreement
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT
State Senator Lou Correa: NOT VOTING
State Senator Tom Harman: N/A
Assembly Member Allan Mansoor: N/A
Assembly Member Jim Silva: N/A
Assembly Member Jose Solorio: N/A
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr.: N/A
May 10, 2011
Chamber Hard At Work: Representing the Interests of Business with Government
The Garden Grove Chamber continues to weigh in on various legislative proposals in order to ensure the Garden Grove business community has a voice in at the local, state and federal levels of government. The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) has been actively tracking and taking positions on over 20 pieces of legislation, issues and other issues of relevance for the business community. The month of June also includes a small contingent of chamber members traveling to Sacramento to take part in the annual California Chamber of Commerce Business Summit and lobby local state elected officials in their capital offices.
“The tracking of legislation that impacts the Garden Grove business community is an important function of the Chamber. We continue to fight for our businesses by reaching out and letting our elected officials know what is important to our business community,” stated Dr. Les Malo, Chair of the Garden Grove Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. “The Government Affairs Committee continues to provide a basis for the Chamber to act on local, state and federal issues impacting the business community so a favorable and profitable business climate is secured,” continued Malo.
The following are some of the top issues that the chamber has taken a position on and is currently tracking in order to protect businesses in Garden Grove:
AB 10 (Alejo – D) Minimum Wage: Annual Adjustment
AB 10 would automatically increase the cost of doing business for employers in California by raising the state minimum wage to $8.50 per hour with an automatic annual indexing of minimum wage for every year thereafter according to the percentage of inflation.
Oppose
AB 22 (Mendoza – D) Employment: Credit Reports
AB 22 would expand employer liability by increases to exposure for hiring decisions by unduly restricting the ability of businesses to use consumer credit reports as part of the background check process, with the exception of certain financial institutions.
Oppose
AB 32 (Lara - D) Entrepreneurship: Economic Gardening
AB 32 states the intention of the Legislature to enact legislation that supports entrepreneurship as a form of economic development and job creation and which would provide assessment of communities regarding their assets, skills, and needs, and identify opportunities for agencies to remove barriers to make citing, zoning, and licensing easier for small businesses.
Support
AB 83 (Jeffries - R) Environment: CEQA Exemption: Recycled Water Pipeline
AB 83 would allow exemption of the CEQA process for installation or repair of recycled water pipes if they are installed under existing paved roads or improved right-of-ways up to 8 miles.
Support
AB 135 (Hagman - R) State Air Resources Board: Membership: Small Business Owner
AB 135 would create a requirement for one member of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to be a current owner of a small business and have experience with a small business for ten years.
Support
AB 153 (Skinner – D) State Board of Equalization: Administration: Retailer Engaged in Business in CA
AB 153, also known as the “Amazon Bill or E-Fairness Legislation, would require online-only out-of-state retailers to collect state sales taxes for purchases sold in California.
Oppose
AB 961 (Mansoor – R) Public Employee Organizations: Negotiations: Pension Benefits
AB 961 is an act to amend the Government Code related to public employee organizations by ending collective bargaining for public employee pension benefits.
Support
SB 104 (Steinberg - D) Labor Representatives: Elections
SB 104 essentially eliminates a secret ballot election and replaces it with the submission of representation cards signed by over 50 percent of the employees, leaving employees susceptible to coercion and manipulation by labor organizations.
Oppose
SB 378 (Dutton - R) Employment: Alternative Workweek Schedules
SB 378 Alternative Workweek Schedules provides significant benefits and flexibility for employers and employees who want to implement alternative workweek schedules.
Support
April 8, 2011
Chamber Supports Local Legislator’s Pension Reform Law
The Garden Grove Chamber voted to support proposed legislation by local Assembly Member Allan Mansoor that would end collective bargaining for public employee pension benefits. The legislation, AB 961, would only impact collective bargaining for pension benefits and does not affect collective bargaining for wages, salaries and other benefits for public employees. Current agreements for pension plans for public employees would remain guaranteed.
“The current pension plan obligations by the State remain at levels that cannot be maintained moving into the future due to the current economic conditions,” stated Dr. Les Malo, Chair of the Garden Grove Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. “We need to make sure our legislative leaders have the flexibility in balancing the State budget deficit as we move forward. AB 961 allows our State to grapple with unfunded public pension obligations at a time when the State’s overall revenue is down and will allow our legislative leaders to place our state in a better economic position in the future as we continue to recover,” continued Malo.
In the late 1990s, California’s economy was at its height with a budget surplus. This allowed for the Legislature to pass very generous pension plans for public employees. Now, with California trying to recover from a multitude of economic downturns like the stock market collapse and the nationwide housing bust, the State’s public pension system requires attention by the Legislature.
The Chamber believes by passing AB 961, the Legislature can tailor public employee pension benefits to the current economic conditions. The Legislature then can in turn plan and prepare for reasonable pension plans for future public employee contract negotiations. With the passing of AB 961, the chamber believes that California will now be able to deal with the future unfunded liability of public employee pensions.
February 11, 2011
Governor’s Proposed Budget Would Severely Cut Much Needed Adult Day Health Care Services Funding
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce sent the following letter to Governor Brown and Garden Grove state elected officials urging them to reconsider the proposed cuts to Adult Day Health Care funding.
The Honorable Jerry Brown
Governor, State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via Fax: 916-558-3160
Subject: Adult Day Health Care Services
Dear Governor Brown:
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce understands the difficult choices that lie ahead for you and the legislature when deciding on a balanced state budget. The Chamber is concerned that some programs included in the proposed solution to the budget deficit may ultimately cost the state more in the long term and impact thousands across the state. Adult day health care benefits the Garden Grove community while working to save the state in other costs.
Adult day health care services help the frail older adults and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related type of dementia living in our community. Their caregivers are the workers in our businesses who need this program to enable them to maintain their jobs. This in turn keeps our businesses productive with employees who can focus on their work rather than be disengaged because they are worrying about what is happening at home.
In addition, there are economic issues that would negatively impact our state budget. First, the loss of more than an estimated 7,600 jobs, as centers lay off personnel, adding $94 million to the state Unemployment Insurance Fund’s largest ever shortfall. Another estimated 13,892 working middle class Californians will be forced to quit their jobs to care for their loved one, adding to further loss of income tax revenue. Second, the vendors such as our member businesses who supply the supplies, equipment and contracted services will lose business putting our economy further into a decline. Both will create more costs – not savings. Finally, the state will continue to be impacted by further increased costs as thousands of elderly, mentally ill and Alzheimer’s patients are pushed into overcrowded E.R.s, hospitals and nursing homes for medical crises.
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce urges you and the legislature to reconsider such a cut to such an important service to our community. Furthermore, we respectfully ask that you and the legislature take into account all possible options when attempting to solve the state budget shortfall. The Adult Day Health Care Service Program is good for our seniors, good for maintaining the integrity of family, good for our community and good for California business.
Sincerely,
Connie Margolin
President/CEO
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Les Malo
Chairman, Government Affairs Committee
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce
February 1, 2011
Garden Grove Chamber Focuses Efforts on Critical Public Policy Areas
As the 2011 legislative session is underway, the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce is focusing its efforts on four critical issue areas. These strategic initiatives are the key priorities that the Chamber will proactively advocate at all levels of government on behalf of the Garden Grove business community. The four public policy areas are the Chamber’s primary areas of focus throughout the calendar year.
“The four policy areas enable us to clearly state our goals with our local elected representatives when advocating on behalf of Garden Grove businesses and our membership,” stated Dr. Les Malo, Chair of the Garden Grove Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. “This will be a critical year for getting business back on track; creating jobs throughout our community and ensuring the national healthcare law and illegal immigration reform are fully vetted at the federal and state levels respectfully,” continued Malo.
2011 Garden
Grove Chamber of Commerce Strategic Initiatives
- Local, State
and Federal Government Reform
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce will work with local government agencies to
streamline necessary business permits and support incentives to attract and
retain businesses. We will seek legislative proposals that eliminate duplicative
commissions; unnecessary state agencies; and do not raise the state sales tax. We will continue to find ways to
collaborate with our local, state and federal legislative officials in order to
find reasonable budget reform solutions.
-
Immigration Reform
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce will support federal efforts that create a
guest worker program that is comprehensive, addressing both future economic
needs for workers and the status of undocumented workers already in the United
States. We will seek legislative
proposals that address the ongoing undocumented immigration problems locally,
statewide and nationally. We will support the creation of an effective
employment verification system that is fast and reliable and the impacts on the
Garden Grove business community are minimized.
- Business Attraction
and Retention
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce will continue to assist businesses by
supporting local programs and efforts to attract and retain businesses; oppose
efforts to increase business fees and taxes; support programs such as Buy in
Garden Grove (BiGG); and the promotion of small business banking loans at the
local level. We will ensure our local economy remains strong by seeking
opportunities to secure local and state tax incentives for businesses in Garden
Grove. The Chamber will oppose any state mandated business regulations that put
the Garden Grove business community at an economic disadvantage and seek ways to
reform the Government structure that deals with fiscal reform that continues to
place the State in a budget deficit each year.
- National Healthcare
Reform Impacts
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce supports responsible healthcare
infrastructure and insurance policy proposals that result in increased
availability of affordable healthcare coverage for employers and their
employees. We will monitor, track and review additional legislative proposals
and regulations to the recently signed national healthcare reform law. This will
allow the Chamber to ensure the national healthcare mandate law does not place
Garden Grove businesses at an economic disadvantage.
January 25, 2011
Chamber Sets 2011 Policy Agenda
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce is proud to present its 2011 Policy Platform which will serve as the foundation for the Chamber’s effort to improve the
business climate throughout the city. The Policy Platform is a
living document which can be expanded upon in the future as the Chamber forges ahead with its Government Affairs Committee (GAC).
“In 2011, the GAC will continue to support the Garden Grove business community by acting on its behalf at every level of government. We have a wonderful set of
volunteers who have dedicated their time in the best interest of the Garden Grove business community,” stated Dr. Les Malo, Chair of the Garden Grove Chamber’s
Government Affairs Committee. “The Policy Platform is designed to complement the current mission and goals of the Chamber in order to help us facilitate discussion
between our federal, state and local elected officials,” continued Malo.
Click here for the complete Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce 2011 Policy Platform
January 1, 2011
Garden Grove Chamber Informs Businesses of New Laws
A number of legislative and regulatory changes will take effect in 2011 that may impact the operations and planning of local businesses.
“It is important for our members to be informed and up-to-date on important new laws that may impact their bottom line as business owners,” stated Dr. Les Malo, Chair
of the Garden Grove Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. “We urge our members to contact Chamber staff with any questions,” continued Malo.
For the following list of new laws that have recently gone into effect or will take effect in 2011
For the following list of new laws that have recently gone into effect or will take effect in 2011 CLICK HERE.
December 15, 2010
Garden
Grove Chamber Releases Annual Vote Record Holding Elected
Officials Accountable
The Chamber
releases vote record on how state elected officials voted with
business in Garden Grove.
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce focused its efforts in 2010
on 30 potential state laws that might impact our regional
business community. The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC)
met monthly to discuss and work together to support or oppose
potential laws and communicated each position with our local
legislators.
“It is our responsibility to determine the issues that will
impact our local economy and then hold our legislators
accountable to how they vote by communicating their position
with the Chamber’s membership,” stated Dr. Les Malo, Chair of
the Garden Grove Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. “We
will build on this year’s vote record by continuing to track and
review legislation in next year’s 2011 legislative session. This
is an exciting time for the Chamber as we seek out support from
our legislators on pro-business proposals in order to move the
business community forward in 2011 and beyond,” continued Malo.
Click here for more.
October 12, 2010
Garden Grove Chamber Recommendations For November 2, 2010 Ballot
Measures
Vote NO on Proposition 19:
Legalization and Taxation of Marijuana
Proposition 19 allows
people 21 years and older to possess, cultivate, or transport
marijuana for personal use while permitting local governments to
regulate and tax commercial production and sale of marijuana to
people 21 years old or older.
Vote YES on Proposition 20: Voters FIRST Act for Congress
The Proposition 20 extends the responsibilities of the
Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) and gives the
Commission the authority to draw the boundaries for the United
States Congressional Districts.
Vote NO on Proposition 21: Annual Vehicle License Surcharge
to Fund State Parks
Proposition 21 establishes an $18 annual state vehicle
license surcharge and grants free admission to all state parks
to surcharged vehicles and requires deposit of surcharge revenue
in a new trust fund for the parks.
Vote YES on Proposition 22: Local Taxpayers, Public Safety,
and Transportation Act
Proposition 22 would prohibit the State from taking,
borrowing or redirecting local taxpayer funds dedicated to
public safety, emergency response and other vital local
government services. Furthermore, the Act would protect vital,
dedicated transportation and public transit funds from state
raids.
Vote YES on Proposition 23: Suspension of AB 32
Also known as the California Jobs Initiative, Proposition 23
would delay the operation and implementation of AB 32 until
California’s unemployment rate returns to the levels that
existed at the time of its adoption, 5.5% or less, for four
consecutive calendar quarters.
Vote NO on Proposition 24: Repeal of Corporate Tax Breaks
Proposition 24 would repeal several corporate tax reforms
that are slated to go into effect in 2010 and 2012. The
corporate tax reforms were approved by the Legislature and
signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in February
2009 as part of the budget agreement.
Vote NO on Proposition 25: Legislative Vote Requirement for
Passage of State Budget
Proposition 25 changes the legislative vote requirement
necessary to pass the state budget from two-thirds to a simple
majority. Furthermore, it provides that if the Legislature fails
to pass a budget bill by June 15, all members of the Legislature
will permanently forfeit any reimbursement for salary and
expenses for every day until the day the Legislature passes a
budget bill.
Vote YES on Proposition 26: Legislative Vote Requirement for
State Levies and Charges
Proposition 26 increases legislative vote requirement to
two-thirds for state levies and charges, with limited
exceptions, and for certain taxes currently subject to majority
vote. This Proposition changes the State Constitution to require
voters to approve, either by two-thirds or majority, local
levies and charges with limited exceptions.
Vote NO on Proposition 27: Elimination State Commission on
Redistricting
Proposition 27 eliminates 14-member redistricting commission
(The Commission) and its authority for establishing state
Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization district boundaries.
The Proposition replaces The Commission with elected state
representatives responsible for their own districts and the
drawing of congressional districts.
October 12, 2010
Garden Grove
Congressional Candidates To Debate This Week!
Loretta Sanchez And
Van Tran To Debate October 13 On KOCE-TV’s Real Orange
The top polling candidates for the 47th Congressional District
office will hold their only pre-election debate on two special
broadcasts of KOCE’s Real Orange. Incumbent Democratic
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, and challenger, Republican
Assemblyman Van Tran will tape two 30-minute debate programs on
Wednesday, October 13. The debate specials, moderated by veteran
news anchor Ed Arnold, will premiere on Wednesday, October 13
and Thursday, October 14 at 6:30 PM, respectively.
Encore broadcasts of the debate can be seen through October 20
on KOCE with additional broadcasts on the OC Channel.
Click
here to check your local listings.
The programs will also be available
by clicking here by
Friday, October 15.
Representatives from the local media are invited to attend the
tapings, as well as a post-event press conference with the
candidates. This event is not open to the general public. Any
quotes, video clips, and audio from the debates will be
embargoed until that debate has premiered on KOCE.
For more information, contact Lindsey Neal at 714.861.4328 or
lneal@koce.org at KOCE.
Note: The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce does not endorse
candidates for elected office.
September 16, 2010
Chamber Releases Positions On the November 2, 2010 Statewide
Ballot Measures: Calls on Business Community to Take Action!
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce has released its positions
on the November 2010 Statewide Ballot Measures. The Chamber has
spent the summer months reviewing each measure and the impacts
on the Garden Grove business community.
2010 marks an important year for the Garden Grove business
community and the chamber urges each member to take action on
each measure in November.
The following Propositions will be on the November 2, 2010
statewide ballot:
Proposition 19: Legalization and Taxation of Marijuana
Garden Grove Chamber Position: NO
Proposition 19 allows people 21 years old or older to
possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use
while permitting local governments to regulate and tax
production and sale of marijuana. Furthermore, prohibits people
from possessing marijuana on school grounds, using it in public,
smoking it while minors are present, or providing it to anyone
under 21 years old and maintains current prohibitions against
driving while impaired.
Proposition 20: Voters FIRST Act for Congress
Garden Grove Chamber Position: YES
The Proposition 20 extends the responsibilities of the
Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) and gives the
Commission the authority to draw the boundaries for the United
States Congressional Districts.
Proposition 21: Annual Vehicle License Surcharge to Fund
State Parks
Garden Grove Chamber Position: NO
Proposition 21 establishes an $18 annual state vehicle
license surcharge and grants free admission to all state parks
to surcharged vehicles and requires deposit of surcharge revenue
in a new trust fund. The trust funds would be used solely to
operate, maintain and repair the state park system, and to
protect wildlife and natural resources. The Proposition exempts
commercial vehicles, trailers and trailer coaches from the
surcharge and requires annual independent audit and review by
citizens’ oversight committee.
Proposition 22: Local Taxpayers, Public Safety, and
Transportation Act
Garden Grove Chamber Position: YES
This Proposition would prohibit the State from taking,
borrowing or redirecting local taxpayer funds dedicated to
public safety, emergency response and other vital local
government services. Furthermore, the act would protect vital,
dedicated transportation and public transit funds from state
raids.
Proposition 23: Suspension of AB 32
Garden Grove Chamber Position: YES
Also known as the California Jobs Initiative, Proposition 23
would delay the operation and implementation of AB 32 until
California’s unemployment rate returns to the levels that
existed at the time of its adoption, 5.5% or less, for four
consecutive calendar quarters.
Proposition 24: Repeal of Corporate Tax Breaks
Garden Grove Chamber Position: NO
Proposition 24 would repeal several corporate tax reforms
that are slated to go into effect in 2010 and 2012. The
corporate tax reforms were approved by the Legislature and
signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in February
2009 as part of the budget agreement.
Proposition 25: Legislative Vote Requirement for Passage of
State Budget
Garden Grove Chamber Position: NO
The Proposition changes the legislative vote requirement
necessary to pass the state budget from two-thirds to a simple
majority. Furthermore, it provides that if the Legislature fails
to pass a budget bill by June 15, all members of the Legislature
will permanently forfeit any reimbursement for salary and
expenses for every day until the day the Legislature passes a
budget bill.
Proposition 26: Legislative Vote Requirement for State Levies
and Charges
Garden Grove Chamber Position: YES
Proposition 26 increases legislative vote requirement to
two-thirds for state levies and charges, with limited
exceptions, and for certain taxes currently subject to majority
vote. This Proposition changes the State Constitution to require
voters to approve, either by two-thirds or majority, local
levies and charges with limited exceptions.
Proposition 27: Elimination State Commission on Redistricting
Garden Grove Chamber Position: NO
Proposition 27 eliminates 14-member redistricting commission
(created by Proposition 11, 2008) selected from applicant pool
picked by government auditors and consolidates authority for
establishing state Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization
district boundaries with elected state representatives
responsible for drawing congressional districts.
August 23, 2010
Expiration of
Capital Gains and Dividends Tax Rates Will Hurt Local Economy
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce sent the following letter
to its congressional representatives urging them to enact
legislation to prevent the current set of tax cuts from expiring
and further slowly the economic recovery.
The Honorable Dana Rohrabacher
U.S. House of Representatives
2300 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20510
Fax: 202-225-0145
The Honorable Ed Royce
U.S. House of Representatives
2185 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: 202-226-0335
The Honorable Loretta Sanchez
U.S. House of Representatives
1114 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: 202-225-5859
Subject: 2011 Tax Rates On Capital Gains And Dividends
Dear Representatives Rohrabacher, Royce and Sanchez:
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce urges you to protect
taxpayers from a massive impending tax increase on capital gains
and dividend income that will discourage all in Garden Grove and
Americans throughout the country from saving and investing at
exactly the wrong time and threaten our fragile economic
recovery.
As you know, the tax rates on capital gains and dividends will
substantially increase next year for all taxpayers unless
Congress acts. The capital gains tax rates would increase by as
much as 33 percent, from a current maximum rate of 15 percent to
20 percent. The tax hike for dividends is even more dramatic,
with tax rates for many investors increasing by nearly 164
percent. These increases do not include an additional 3.8
percent tax on investment income that was already passed this
year as part of the healthcare reform bill.
The Garden Grove Chamber has strong history of fighting for our
Garden Grove taxpayers and now we urge you to protect all
taxpayers from this massive tax hike by extending or making
permanent the 15 percent maximum tax rate on capital gains and
dividends. Furthermore, allowing these rates to rise for only
the highest earners will have a negative impact on all Americans
by reducing the value of stock for investors at all income
levels.
Aside from raising the tax bill for America’s seniors, families
and investors, allowing the current tax rates to return to their
former high levels will have additional, negative economic
effects. The rates for capital gains and dividends will no
longer be equivalent, thereby discouraging taxpayers from
investing in dividend-paying companies. Lastly, taxing dividends
at a higher rate than capital gains will incentivize companies
to favor debt financing over equity financing – ignoring a key
lesson learned from the financial crisis and potentially
increasing systemic risk.
Now is not the time for tax increases. Congress can play a
crucial role in establishing a solid and robust foundation for
healthy and sustainable job creation and long-term economic
growth by passing legislation to allow for the current taxpayer
protections on capital gains and dividend income.
Sincerely,
Connie Margolin
President/CEO
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce
August 20, 2010
Chamber Raises Awareness On Potential New Employer Liability Law
The Garden Grove Chamber opposes AB 482, a statewide proposal
that would expand employer liability by increasing exposure for
hiring decisions and at the same time, restrict the ability of
businesses to use consumer credit reports as part of the
background check process.
“AB 482 creates a risk for any employer and represents a major
liability that discourages business growth in California,”
stated Dr. Les Malo, Chair of the Garden Grove Chamber’s
Government Affairs Committee. “Small businesses rely on every
little bit of information they can obtain legally when hiring an
individual. It is the right of the business owner to protect
their business with current tools available to them. This
proposal will unduly restrict the ability of businesses to use
all legally available information in employment decisions,”
continued Malo.
Employee theft is a growing problem and it costs businesses
nationally over $40 billion per year, according to the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce. 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. On average, businesses lose as much as two
percent of sales to employee theft.
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the state
Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act (CCRAA) define and
regulate consumer credit reports and authorize the use of
consumer credit reports for employment purposes, pursuant to
specified requirements. The FCRA provides that it does not
preempt state law, except as specifically provided or to the
extent that state laws are inconsistent with its provisions.
Current federal and state law specify the procedures that an
employer is required to follow before requesting a report and if
adverse action is taken based on the report.
Under current law, an employer may request a credit report for
employment purposes so long as he or she provides written notice
of the request to the person for whom the report is sought. The
law requires that the written notice inform the person for whom
the consumer credit report was sought of the source of the
report and contain space for the person to request a copy of the
report. Furthermore, the law requires an employer, whenever he
or she bases an adverse employment decision on information
contained in a consumer credit report, to advise the person for
whom the report was sought that an adverse action was taken
based upon information contained in the report and provide the
person with the name and address of the consumer credit agency
making the report.
AB 482 would prohibit an employer, with the exception of certain
financial institutions, from obtaining a consumer credit report
for employment purposes unless the information is: (1)
substantially job-related, meaning that the position of the
person for whom the report is sought has access to money, other
assets, or confidential information, and (2) the position of the
person for whom the report is sought is a position in the state
Department of Justice, a managerial position, that of 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.
AB 482 is currently awaiting action by the Governor and the
chamber has urged the Governor to veto this particular proposal.
July 30, 2010
Chamber Protecting Garden Grove Businesses!
The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce supports a legislative
proposal that aims to crack down on deceptive business
solicitations that costs small business owners hundreds of
dollars.
The proposal, AB 898, helps to prevent deceptive solicitation
schemes by private, third party vendors that target small
businesses owners and require the business owner to file
government documents through the vendor. The misleading
solicitations sent to companies appear to be official government
documents and imply the business owner must pay an exorbitant
fee, sometimes up to $495, to file the documents with the
California Secretary of State’s office. In some cases, the
solicitations threaten penalties if the company does not file
with the third party vendor.
“This proposed piece of legislation is important for the Garden
Grove business community, especially at a time when every dollar
saved counts,” stated Dr. Les Malo, Chair of the Garden Grove
Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. “AB 898 will prevent
unscrupulous solicitation schemes that aim to prey on
unsuspected small business owners,” continued Malo.
Business solicitations by third-party vendors have been on the
rise over the last couple of years. The Attorney General has
found more than 50 companies engaged in this type of deceptive
ploy and has received well over 10,000 complaints from the
public about these government-look-a-like forms and threats. In
one lawsuit brought by the Attorney General, the defendants sent
out 986,000 misleading solicitations.
AB 898 will strengthen disclaimer requirements on font size,
placement of the disclaimer and restrictions on surrounding
text. These clarifications will provide businesses receiving
these solicitations with a more readily recognizable disclaimer,
as well as make this type of deceptive practice easier to
prosecute and eliminate. Under the law, no business is required
to go through a third party to file any document with the
California Secretary of State’s office.
West
County Connectors Construction Starts This Summer
Chamber Opposes
"Nickel A Drink" Tax