In This Issue:

• AB 32 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS NOW AVAILABLE

• PPIC POLITICAL POLLING

• ICSC NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE PROGRAM

• NAIOP SESSION WITH CITY MANAGERS

• AB 32 CLIMATE CHANGE SESSION – NEXT WEEK

• 2008 INDUSTRY AWARDS GALA

• CBPA 2008 CALENDAR

AB 32 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS NOW AVAILABLE

The economic analysis for the California Air Resources Board’s AB 32 scoping plan released this week presented a rosy picture of the plan: that one of the most ambitious regulatory programs in California history won't cost businesses in the state anything to implement, but will in fact be a boom to businesses’ bottom lines. We wish that were the case, but have a lot of issues with the analysis.

According to the AB 32 Implementation Group, the analysis provides no estimate of real-time costs that California businesses and consumers will have to pay up front, and freely acknowledges that many costs won't even be considered until after the scoping plan is adopted. Moreover, the models used by CARB were the same ones criticized by a Brookings Institute study which found that these models consistently overestimate benefits and underestimate costs by billions of dollars a year.

The kinds of programs considered in the scoping plan will actually cost billions of dollars in the near term for increased electricity, fuel and food costs. Some fear that failure to adequately research, disclose and plan for the real-time costs of the scoping plan will cause the public to question the wisdom of AB 32 and our ability to achieve the desired emissions reductions.

CBPA has testimony on the analysis noting specific concern with the lack of analysis for short term costs to building owners; lack of market based programs to incent energy efficiency in existing buildings; and concern that the program relies on saving from “zero net energy” proposals that have not been shown to be technologically feasible.

Click here to read the AB 32 Scoping Documents.
 

PPIC POLITICAL POLLING

A new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California is out on issues that range from the presidential campaign to the budget process. Here are some of the more interesting findings:

• Three in four (76%) Californians say major changes are needed in the budget process. Forty-nine percent think it would be a good idea to lower the legislative threshold for budget passage from two-thirds to 55 percent.
• A record 44 percent of adults across all political party and demographic groups say that jobs and the economy are the top issues facing the state.
• A majority (55%) of likely voters oppose Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment that would eliminate the right to same-sex marriage.
• By 10 points, likely voters prefer the Obama-Biden Democratic presidential ticket to the Republican McCain-Palin ticket.

OPINIONS ON POLITIANS

Californians are pessimistic about their elected leaders’ ability to handle the challenges:
• State legislature gets record low rating: Only one in five Californians (21%) approve of the job the legislature is doing, a decline of 5 points since last month.
• Constituents give their own legislators low marks: Only one in three residents (34%) approve of the job their own state senator and assembly member are doing, an 8-point drop since March and a 7-point drop from a year ago.
• Governor fares slightly better: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 38 percent approval rating has held steady from last month but is still 12 points lower than a year ago.
• President Bush’s approval drops to new low: Among Californians, the president’s approval rating is 23 percent, a slightly more negative assessment than he received in a recent CBS News/New York Times national poll (27% approval).
• Congress’ job approval rating slips: Congress’ 29 percent approval rating is about the same as last month, but 4 points lower than in March.
• Congressional representatives rated higher: The state’s residents give higher approval ratings to their own Congressional representative (49%) and to Senator Dianne Feinstein (48%), Senator Barbara Boxer (44%), and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (40%).

PPIC POLLING ON SELECT PROPOSITIONS

The following numbers were reported on a few of the more controversial propositions:

Proposition 4 (Abortion notification)
Yes: 48 percent
No: 41 percent

Proposition 8 (Gay marriage)
Yes: 41 percent
No: 55 percent

Proposition 11 (Redistricting)
Yes: 38 percent
No: 33 percent

We have not taken a position on Props 4 and 8. However, we strongly support Proposition 11, the Governor’s redistricting proposal.

Click here to read all the PPIC Poll results.
 

ICSC NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE PROGRAM

October 10 in San Ramon. The program topic, “Brave New World: The Fall of Consumer Confidence and Easy Credit; What's Left in Its Wake,” with Special Guest Speaker, California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer. We've entered a Brave New World for retail development... one where consumer confidence has been shaken, and credit is nearly impossible to come by. Many banks, car manufactures, and retailers have filed bankruptcy. Cities are being financially squeezed by the State of California, and retail development has dramatically slowed down. Click here for more information.
 

NAIOP SESSION WITH CITY MANAGERS

You are invited to attend a Sacramento area luncheon and City trade show addressing commercial real estate development opportunities. Sacramento area City Managers will address the incentives available to commercial developers in their city and identify local opportunities and challenges that developers may face. The luncheon is Thursday, October 30, in Sacramento. Click here for more information.
 

AB 32 CLIMATE CHANGE SESSION – NEXT WEEK

***Please Note: This Session is next week. If you want to attend, reserve your spot now by emailing Melissa Martinez.

Please join four major industry groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, California Building Industry Association, California Business Properties Association, and American Council of Engineering Companies of California for a high level discussion and panel presentation on the implementation of AB 32, California’s 2006 Green House Gas (GHG) global warming solutions bill and its resulting impacts on industry.

From land use to transportation planning, residential to commercial development, manufacturing to the retail industry, AB 32 is setting the stage for profound effects that will resonate across California for years to come.

The AB 32 Session will be held in Sacramento on October 2, and is FREE FOR MEMBERS. Space is limited and attendance is on a first-come first-serve basis, so sign up now. Click here for more information.
 

2008 INDUSTRY AWARDS GALA

The Industry Awards Dinner is scheduled for October 23, 2008 at The Island Hotel in Newport Beach. This event is not to be missed as it is a chance to recognize the unwavering leadership of individuals and companies dedicated to our industry. Click here for more information about the honorees and for sponsorship information.
 

CBPA 2008 CALENDAR

October 23-

CBPA Board Meeting
The Irvine Company, Newport Beach

2008 Industry Awards Dinner
Island Hotel, Newport Beach