HEALTH CARE BILL FLATLINES

The Senate Health Committee rejected the much ballyhooed health care reform bill, handing supporters a stunning setback in their quest to completely change the way health is delivered in California. Although rumours had circulated for weeks that the plan was in trouble, when proponents of the bill showed up to the committee hearing to see a sign reading “Do No Harm” hanging in front of Committee Chair Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), the magnitude of their problem became apparent.

Kuehl a long time proponent of a “single payer” system, made it clear she was not supportive of this version of reform. She, and other senators on the panel, lamented that the annual plan, which was estimated to cost $14.9 billion annually and would force individuals and businesses to purchase insurance, was inadequately funded and would worsen the state budget crisis. A proposed tobacco tax drew well funded opposition and the fact that raising taxes takes a two-thirds vote in the Legislature made finding financing a complicated exercise. Republicans never supported the measure and the Democratic caucuses of the two houses could never get on the same page. The debate, however, is far from over. Watch for a new proposal to emerge in the coming months.

CBPA OPPOSES PROPOSITON 92

California Business Properties Association, which represents BOMA California in Sacramento, is part of a broad coalition of business, teachers, firefighters, labor, seniors, transportation and health care workers, opposing Proposition 92 on next Tuesday’s ballot. Proposition 92 amends the California Constitution to guarantee community college funding levels without adding any accountability structure. The measure would inflict an enormous amount of pressure on California’s already-stressed general fund and possibly require major cuts from other programs funded from the same pool of money.

CBPA urges your “no” vote on Proposition 92.

CALIFORNIA CHAMBER POSITION ON PROPOSITIONS

BOMA California is a member and close ally of the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber). They have taken the following positions on the statewide propositions you will see on next Tuesday’s ballot:

• CalChamber Opposes Propositions 91, 92, 93
• CalChamber Supports Propositions 94, 95, 96, 97

Click here for more information on these positions.

BSC GREEN BUILDING CODES

COMMENTS ARE NEEDED ASAP!

On February 13 and 14, 2008, the Building Standards Commission’s Green Building Code Advisory Committee will meet to adopt proposed changes to the State’s Building Code to incorporate new green building standards.

As part of a large coalition, our industry successfully fended off an ill-conceived LEED mandate bill in the Legislature last year and part of our argument was that the Building Standards Code process should work to write these codes. Well, that process is now happening and the BSC is fast-tracking these new codes and input on the proposed codes are now needed.

Please circulate this email to anyone that has practical experience with building codes and ask for their comments.

Although some of these building standards will initially be voluntary, you should assume that any voluntary measure on this adoption cycle will become mandatory in the next adoption cycle.

Proposed Green Building Standards; State agency combined green building standards proposed for publication in the 2007 California Green Building Standards Code, CCR, Title 24, Part 11

Please either submit comments on your own or send them to Matthew Hargrove for incorporation into a comprehensive industry submission and testimony.

ENERGY COMMISSION HEARING – BUSINESS INCENTIVES TO BUILD GREEN

BOMA California and CBPA provided detailed testimony at a California Energy Commission hearing on “business incentives” for green buildings. The testimony was well received and will hopefully create opportunities for private industry to partner with the state agency to advance market-based ideas to increase energy efficiency.

Click here to read both the CBPA and BOMA California letters to the Energy Commission

Click here to read the AB 2160 Green Building Report

CBPA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

California Business Properties has launched a new website. We hope the new design will be easier to navigate and will provide easy access to information. It is a work in progress, so your thoughts about the new site, what works and/or what is needed, are appreciated (email to Matthew Hargrove). Same address, new site: www.cbpa.com .

GREEN CALIFORNIA SUMMIT AND EXPOSITION

Builders, property managers, developers, facilities managers and others involved in real estate should not miss the Green California Summit (April 7-9, Sacramento Convention Center). The event, guided by an Advisory Board that includes senior state officials and leaders from the real estate community, combines an exposition featuring hundreds of green products and services with seminars and training. Discover green tools that can save you money, preserve the environment and give you a competitive edge - and find out about regulations and policy that are changing the industry. For more information, click here.

HELP GRAD STUDENT WITH ADA RESEARCH PROJECT

A grad student at the University of San Francisco has asked our Association for help with a project she is doing as part of an independent research project regarding title III of the American's with Disabilities Act and how it affects business owners and managers in California. She has designed a simple survey and hopes that you might take some time to provide information to assure her results are as robust as possible. If you are willing to help out a young researcher, you can find the survey here.

BOMA CALIFORNIA CALENDAR 2008

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2008 (date TBD) —
BOMA California Board Meeting
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Embarcadero Center #4, Conference Center, Promenade Level
Co-hosted by Boston Properties and Unico Properties
San Francisco

TUESDAY, JUNE 10 & WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2008 —
BOMA California Board Meeting & CA Commercial Real Estate Summit
Sacramento (Hyatt Regency)
Times and locations TBA

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER, 2008 (DATE TBD) —
BOMA California Annual Meeting
Times and location TBD
Los Angeles