CALL TO ACTION! ADVOCATES REQUEST YOUR TAXES BE RAISED

A parade of non-business advocacy groups have launched an aggressive effort to increase taxes on the business community, both with new tax increase/burden proposals and also by urging repeal of recent positive tax reforms, such as the Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryback, R&D credit sharing, and elective single sales factor. These advocacy groups are seeking to do this in both the Legislature and on the ballot.

This effort to increase and repeal employer taxes follows an effort launched last week by some of these same groups to push a reassessment of all non-residential properties in order to increase property taxes, and launching of a political organization to pursue a Split-Roll Property Tax Measure.

Click here to read the letter in which a parade of more than 80 signatories urge legislative leadership to repeal the “corporate tax breaks.”

The problem with the letter? Its implications are incorrect. It is absolutely crucial that Legislators be reminded of the $10+ billion in tax increases/accelerations in the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 budgets imposed on the business community that were the hefty price paid for the so-called “tax breaks.”

Employers Hit with Over $10 Billion in Tax Increases and Accelerations in 2008 and 2009 Budget Deals - If you want to add your company name or organization to this letter, let us know by 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 15.

CA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT 2009 – SUCCESS!

The 2009 California Commercial Real Estate Summit (CCRES) – better known as “Commercial Real Estate Lobby Day” -- was held in Sacramento. Over eighty industry leaders, representing commercial, industrial, and retail real estate, came to town to strategize on how to defeat split-roll property tax, meet with legislators, Governor’s staff, and Constitutional Officers, and to learn more about issues impacting commercial real estate in California. The event can best be summed-up in the following “thank you” message sent to the participants.

Industry Colleagues:

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend the 2009 California Commercial Real Estate Summit (CCRES). Interacting with the Legislature is like giving a speech to a parade, so your presence in Sacramento over the past two days is an essential part of the year-round advocacy effort that is needed to assure the commercial, industrial, and retail real estate industry has a place at the table and is effective at influencing public policy with an impact on our businesses.

You efforts help establish a connection between the Sacramento process and real live people providing jobs, services, and growing the economy. You helped educate legislators about issues impacting our industry, from sustainable building mandates to the impact of international trade. You fought on your own behalf against bills that would do great harm to the industry and supported a few that might actually provide some benefit.

One of the purposes of the CCRES is to present a unified front between all the sectors of our industry. For the most part, legislators and staff do not distinguish between the various types of projects within our industry – a shopping center and an office building is all commercial development to most folks under the gilded dome. So, combining/consolidating efforts under the CBPA umbrella of all the major industry associations (ICSC, BOMA, NAIOP, IREM, RILA, and CDA) and individual member companies, is an effective way to assure that we use that to our advantage and act as a cohesive whole, while taking the opportunity to explain the unique characteristics of each sector of the industry, which ultimately increases our effectiveness on the wide range of issues and bills.

Finally, we hope you had the chance to network with colleagues and meet some new ones and personally interact with legislators from your area and beyond. We know this relationship building will help us represent you and the industry better in the coming months – we hope you found it valuable, too.

On a housekeeping note, please pass along any relevant information you picked up while meeting with legislators, any follow-up we should do, and/or any feedback you may have on the CCRES to help strengthen the event for next year. It is also recommended that you send just a quick “thank you note” to those offices you met with. Address information is below.

Respectfully,

BOMA California – Your everyday advocates in Sacramento

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. Your input is critical.

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 Wednesday, July 1.

UCLA ANDERSON FORECAST FOR THE NATION AND STATE

Today is the last day for BOMA California Members to register for the UCLA Anderson Forecast at a highly discounted rate, as they update our economic forecast for the second half of 2009-10 The special topic will focus on the next big banking challenge - the fallout from commercial real estate.

Commercial real estate has been hit by both demand and supply shocks. As the economic climate deteriorates demand has caused projects to be delayed or cancelled.

Those on the supply side still interested in development have been plagued by thinning finance opportunities. At the same time, Commercial real estate prices have declined by about 30% since the mid-2007 peak and the Commercial mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) market has all but disappeared with new issuance dropping from $250 billion to zero.

To get the special rate you must register before June 12 by clicking here and using Registration Code: CBPA0609.

BOMA CALIFORNIA 2009 CALENDAR

JUNE 2009

June 28-30—
BOMA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Philadelphia, PA

 NOVEMBER 2009

November 5—
BOMA CA BOARD MEETING & ELECTION OF 2010 OFFICERS
Meritage Hotel, Napa, CA
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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