MASS VETO THREAT

The Governor has until Sunday to decide the fate of more than 700 legislative bills sitting on his desk. He has, however, threatened to veto all of them unless the Legislature comes to some agreement on a water deal. No one knows exactly what that means, and there is no possible way the Legislature could act and send a piece of legislation to him by Sunday. So Capitol watchers are watching this stand-off play out in real time.
 

WATER UPDATE

Lots of activity and lots of talking, but not a lot of pundits believe a deal is imminent. Issues are the same as they have been – how much to spend on infrastructure, what type of infrastructure to spend the money on, how much to spend on environmental mitigation, and governance. Click here for a great account from Capitol Weekly about what they are fighting over, including non-water related issues.

The California Latino Water Coalition is staging a Friday afternoon rally in front of the Capitol to pressure the Legislature to come to an agreement. Aside from the Governor and legislators from both parties, comedian Paul Rodriguez will speak.
 

LEGISLATION BY THE NUMBERS

By the numbers: So far in 2009 the Governor has already signed 393 bills and vetoed 28 bills, and 714 are awaiting action. How many of these new laws are you anxiously awaiting?
 

COMING BACK FOR A BIT

The Senate has announced that it will come back next week with a scheduled Floor Session on Tuesday, and “check in” sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. The Assembly has not announced any plans to meet. Nobody knows exactly what the Senate is planning on doing during its time back under the Dome. But vacations are being cancelled across the state by legislative and committee staff and Members of the “Third House.” We will be here, in the middle of the action, and will let you know what is happening.
 

PAY FOR PARKING – EVERYWHERE

Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) is the new enemy number one with many environmentalists and reducing them to control greenhouse gas emissions is a major component in the state’s battle against climate change. Development patterns and transportation funding are obvious tools that will be used to reduce how much you drive. There are also those that want to penalize people who drive by making it more expensive. One of the ways to do that is to make people pay for parking no matter where they go. Click here to read how some want to make this policy a reality.

TAX COMMISSION REPORT HITS WITH A DULL THUD

Last week, the Commission on the 21st Century (Tax Commission) submitted its final report to the Governor and Legislature. There had been high hopes that the fourteen members of the Commission would be able to submit a consensus report. However, the Commission was unable to come to agreement and even those that “signed on” to the report are not advocating full and immediate implementation.

The centerpiece of the plan, called the Business Net Receipts Tax (BNRT) is intended to offset revenue losses from flattening the personal income tax and eliminating the corporate income tax and the state portion of the sales tax. The proposal has drawn criticism from all sides as a number of fundamental questions remain which will fundamentally change the state’s revenue stream and adopt a new untested tax on business.

CBPA along with a growing list of professional organizations, businesses, and unions are expressing concern about the plan and asking that it be thoroughly analyzed before moving forward with implementation of any part.

For more information on this issue, and all things related to taxes, Californians Against Higher Taxes is continuing to raise awareness about proposed tax increases. Updates are available on the coalition’s website.
 

THOUGHTS ON TAX PROPOSALS SOLICITED

Although our current assessment of the proposal indicates that it is fatally flawed and has little chance of passing the Legislature, we would like your feedback. The BNRT in particular is very troubling.

The 400+ page report is available on the commission’s website. Your thoughts and feedback are encouraged. Please feel free to share this information with your local members and colleagues.
 

***HIGH PRIORITY*** GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS 2009 – FEEDBACK NEEDED

In an effort to promote sustainable buildings, California last year became the first state in the nation to adopt a statewide Green Building Code. Known as CalGreen, it is already being updated and industry input is critical. We are now in an “official” comment period with a 45-Day Notice of Proposed Action, which ends in mid November.

Your analysis and feedback is needed on the proposed changes for non-residential properties. To read the proposed changes for California Green Building Standards Code, Part 11, Title 24 -- Commercial, Industrial, and Retail Real Estate, click here.

It is very important that members of our industry read these regulations and identify issues that members of the Building Standards Commission should consider. We will compile industry comments and provide written and verbal testimony. Please send any and all comments by replying to this email or sending directly to Matthew Hargrove. Comments are due to CBPA by no later than Friday, November 8, 2009.

BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS AVAILABLE

The Nonresidential Compliance Manual for the for the 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards is now available on the CEC website. The new Standards will be in effect as of January 1, 2010.

Please send this to anyone in your companies/networks responsible for management of energy, construction, or property management issues. We hope to make sure this is distributed widely as compliance is important for your bottom line, but also to help our industry meet AB 32 goals.

Our industry helped shape and ultimately supported the adoption of these standards. National groups are using this as model for promulgated national guidelines and other states’ codes.

Click here for the compliance manual.

FIRST MEETING OF COMMISSION ON DISABILITY ACCESS

The first meeting of the California Commission on Disability Access will be held on Oct. 19 in the State Capitol. The Commission was established by industry supported legislation (SB 1608) which was designed to promote and increase compliance with laws providing equal public access in places of business to individuals with disabilities while reducing unwarranted litigation.

Appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger and representing our industry on the Commission is Michael Dean, from the respected firm Wendel Rosen Black & Dean, and longtime CBPA board member.

Members of the public are invited to attend and provide comment. Click here for more information.

Click here for more information on this significant ADA reform.

2009 STRATEGIC ISSUES CONFERENCE

Please join us on Nov. 5-6, as several major industry groups combine forces to sponsor a high level discussion regarding “Climate Change” policy and its impact on business in California. From AB 32 greenhouse gas regulations to the legislative and regulatory focus on land use, this conference promises to deliver the most up to date thinking about the politics driving these policies and will offer strategic discussion to set the course on how industry can proactively be at the table and positively influence policy. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Melissa Martinez or click here for more information. Click here for registration and discounted room rates.
 

BOMA CALIFORNIA 2009 CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 2009

November 5—
BOMA CA BOARD MEETING & ELECTION OF 2010 OFFICERS
Meritage Hotel, Napa, CA
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

November 5-6—
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE STRATEGIC ISSUES CONFERENCE
Meritage Hotel, Napa, CA