In This Issue:

• STATE BUDGET?

• ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES NAMED FOR 2009

• CEQA GUIDELINES AND GREENHOUSE GASSES

• AB 32 & CEQA: LETTER ON THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE

• NO CASH IS FLOWING TO IMPORTANT PROJECTS

• CRAFTING A GREEN TAX POLICY

• CBPA NEW LEGISLATOR LUNCHEON & BOARD MEETING

• ICSC 2009 OAKLAND ALLIANCE PROGRAM: MEET THE “BAY BRIDGE” MAYORS

• CBPA 2009 CALENDAR

STATE BUDGET?

Ask ten people in the State Capitol when a budget will be signed and you will get ten answers. However, we think the fact that the state is almost out of cash, the leaders have not been attacking one another, and some of the republicans are not blowing up at the mention of taxes, a deal is near and by Feb. 1 we venture to guess something solid can be reported.
 

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES NAMED FOR 2009

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass announced the full membership of all the policy and fiscal committees of the California State Assembly. Click here to see if your favorite legislator got any good committee assignments. State Assembly 2009 Committee Assignments.
 

CEQA GUIDELINES AND GREENHOUSE GASSES

The Governor’s Office of Planning & Research (OPR) has drafted amendments to the CEQA Guidelines for greenhouse gas emissions as required by Senate Bill 97 (SB 97). OPR held one workshop earlier this week in Los Angeles and will hold a second workshop next week in Sacramento.

It is extremely important that our industry engage in this process. Your company/firm is highly encouraged to analyze the proposals, attend the workshops, and submit comments. This proceeding will change the template for the environment review process and must be informed by those with practical knowledge on the topic.
 

AB 32 & CEQA: LETTER ON THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE

CBPA has led an effort to draft comments and assemble a large coalition of business and industry groups to help provide guidance to the ARB. Click here to read the industry comments CEQA thresholds.

As the letter notes, AB 32 mandates a statewide goal of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reductions and charges the Air Resources Board (CARB) to achieve the target in a technologically feasible and cost effective manner. As currently recommended, CARB’s proposed thresholds of significance include both a numeric limit on GHG emissions for different categories of development, as well as performance standards. We argue that the thresholds of significance utilize performance standards alone, because the application of arbitrary numeric limits may be inconsistently applied, encourage lead agencies to adopt their own numeric limits defeating the purpose of a statewide standard, are not based on objective science and do not properly focus reductions on the most cost effective approaches.

 

NO CASH IS FLOWING TO IMPORTANT PROJECTS

Many contractors received a “Dear Proposition 1B Recipient” letter in the last few weeks. The terrible news this letter brings is that the cash-flow from the voter approved bonds is being suspended. Written by Cal-Trans Director Will Kempton, the letter states that due the Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB) suspending disbursements of bond funds, “I have had to suspend awards of State-advertised bond-funded construction contracts.” He goes on to state that he is “hopeful that the Legislature will move quickly to resolve the underlying budget issues that are affecting our bond programs.”

We also reported last week that State Controller John Chiang will only make school, college and some welfare payments. $3-plus billion in other payments, including those for state income tax refunds, property leases, and many health and welfare programs are not being made.
 

CRAFTING A GREEN TAX POLICY

Michelle Steele over at Fox & Hound talks taxes and green: “It’s the most fundamental principle of the modern environmental movement. But, for all the big talk from green politicians, government continues to block individuals from taking the small steps that will ultimately save the planet. Nowhere is this problem better demonstrated than in the state’s tax regulations of bio-fueled vehicles.” Click here to read the full essay.
 

CBPA NEW LEGISLATOR LUNCHEON & BOARD MEETING

If you have not already done so, please RSVP for the bi-annual CBPA New Legislator Luncheon on February 18 in Sacramento. This is your opportunity to meet with new Assemblymembers and Senators in a relaxed atmosphere to discuss issues of importance to the commercial, industrial, and retail real estate sector. The luncheon follows the first meeting of 2009 for the CBPA Board of Directors. We expect a very good showing of legislators to the luncheon. Contact Melissa Martinez, at 916-443-4676 for more information or to RSVP.
 

ICSC 2009 OAKLAND ALLIANCE PROGRAM: MEET THE “BAY BRIDGE” MAYORS

Set in the newly renovated historic Fox Theatre in downtown Oakland, on January 29, this is an opportunity to listen in and interact with the Mayors of Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville and Alameda as they speak about retail development/redevelopment in their respective cities.

California Transportation Commission Commissioner Phil Tagami will steer this esteemed panel as they wind-down the path of retail development/redevelopment opportunities, city services, strategic planning, economic impact and the big box store controversy as well as other intriguing retail real estate issues.

The Alliance Program is a special ICSC initiative which provides forums for the public and private sectors to network, share ideas, discuss industry issues and explore retail development opportunities.

For more information and to register for the program please click here.
 

CBPA 2009 CALENDAR

February 18, 2009 (note date change)
CBPA Board Meeting and New Legislator Luncheon
Sacramento, CA (California Chamber of Commerce)

March TBD (late March), 2009
CBPA Legislative Committee Meeting
Place TBD (Southern California)

June 9-10, 2009
CBPA Board Meeting and
California Commercial Real Estate Summit (CCRES)
Sacramento, CA (Hyatt Regency)

November 5-6, 2009
CBPA Board Meeting and
Real Estate Industry Strategic Issues Conference
Napa, CA (Meritage)