BUSINESS GROUPS QUESTION TAX PROPOSALS

This comes from our friends at the CalChamber: Major business organizations (including CalChamber, CalTax, CBPA, BOMA Cal, NAIOP, & ICSC, among others), have expressed strong concern and opposition to several items included as part of the latest “tax package” being considered by a special state tax commission. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger created the Commission on the 21st Century Economy last fall and asked it to examine how the volatility of state revenues related to California’s tax structure.

Business and other observers have raised concern that the commission is straying from that assignment. The menu of proposed tax changes the commission will consider at a meeting in September includes proposals geared toward increasing revenues rather than addressing volatility and a new approach to taxation that lacks details which can be analyzed, including Split Roll Property Tax.

The business community has consistently stated that the solution to California’s revenue problems will come only from robust economic growth and job creation. Click here to see the full alert from the CalChamber.

SEND THE TAX COMMISSION E-MAIL – OPPOSE SPLIT ROLL!

Split roll property tax and energy tax would be extremely detrimental to the state’s economy. Aside from further burdening businesses by raising property taxes an estimated $7.5B, it would be an expensive administrative nightmare.

County Tax Assessor’s have acknowledged that they do not have the capability to implement such a program without greatly increasing the tax bureaucracy, increasing government spending and adding to the morass or complicated tax law.

The nadir of a national recession is not the time to proceed with dramatic changes and increases to the tax burden on job creators.

Please send the Tax Commission an e-mail today by clicking here.

Remind them that higher property taxes will only hurt California small businesses, workers, consumers, seniors and taxpayers and further damage our state’s struggling economy.

We don’t need more new taxes on top of the $12.5 billion placed on California taxpayers already this year!

UPDATE ON WATER – “DO IT RIGHT”

Our very own Rex Hime has been published in the influential political online magazine, Fox & Hound, calling on the Governor and legislators to get a water deal done swiftly – and to do it right.

“The Legislature’s day-long hearing yesterday addressing California’s future – water, should be a wake-up call for everyone that this issue needs to be done now but more importantly – it needs to be done correctly.

“The last three years of water shortages have brought us all face to face with the consequences of continued inaction on the water front. Experts at the University of California estimate that cutting off water deliveries to agriculture have cost the state more than 35,000 jobs this year alone. The losses to California’s economy approach $1 billion, and that only counts the amount lost in the Central Valley. The losses statewide for all the businesses that depend upon an abundant, reliable and affordable source of water have been much greater.”

Click here to read the full story.

FACEBOOK AND TWITTER FOR LOW PROPERTY TAXES

Californian’s Against Higher Property Taxes now has a social networking presence. If you want quick and easy updates, and a way to stay involved and in the loop on the fight to protect Proposition 13, join one or both of the following pages:

Facebook

Twitter

CA BUSINESS CLIMATE PUSHING JOBS OUT OF STATE

Most of you don’t need a reminder that California’s business climate is difficult. We have the sun and the beaches, but we also have the taxes and the regulations, and crazy laws, and all of these types of things.

A recent report commissioned by the California Manufacturers and Technology Association released in June by the Milken Institute estimates that California has lost 79,000 manufacturing jobs from 2003 to 2007. During that same time, our competitor states have gained 62,000 manufacturing jobs. The report lays much of the blame in migration of companies on California's complicated regulatory environment.

Click here for a story about Nevada partaking in a bit of Schadenfreude and taking advantage of this economic downturn to recruit California businesses.

ARB WORKSHOP ON REFRIGERANT/HVAC

The Air Resources Board (ARB) has posted the August 24, 2009 public workshop presentation for the proposed regulatory program for reducing high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant emissions from stationary, non-residential refrigeration equipment through leak repair, reporting, improved refrigerant recovery rates, and other approaches. This control measure is being developed as an early action measure pursuant to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32).

Click here for more information.

Please pass along any comment, concerns, and recommendations by replying to this email. We are following this issue closely in both the legislature and as part of the regulatory process.

SB 375 REGIONAL TARGET MEETING

The California Air Resources Board’s (ARB) Regional Targets Advisory Committee will hold another public meeting on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. This meeting will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Sacramento and will be on webcast. If your company is interested in the way that land use will be impacted by the statewide mandate to reduce greenhouse gasses, this is an important proceeding to follow. Click here for more information.

The notice and agenda for this meeting are posted on the ARB
website.

Please pass along any comments, concerns, and recommendations by replying to this email. We are following this issue closely in both the legislature and as part of the regulatory process.

NORCAL CITY MANAGERS LUNCHEON

On Thursday, October 29, NAIOP is co-sponsoring the City Managers Luncheon with Lambda Alpha International at the Dante Club in Sacramento. Eight City Managers are currently scheduled to appear and more are expected. This event will be moderated by our own Rex Hime. Sponsorship opportunities are available. See this flyer for information.
 

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. Click here for registration and discounted room rates. Please contact Melissa Martinez or click here for more information.

BOMA CALIFORNIA 2009 CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 2009

November 5—
BOMA CA BOARD MEETING & ELECTION OF 2010 OFFICERS
Meritage Hotel, Napa, CA
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

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