CAL CHAMBER RELEASES ‘JOB CREATOR’ LIST

The California Chamber of Commerce released its annual list of job creating legislation -- bills that, if passed, will improve the state’s job climate and stimulate economic recovery. So far in 2009, just 14 proposals have been identified as “job creators.” We are members of the CalChamber, work closely with their advocacy and policy staff, and strongly support this pro business agenda.

Below are few examples of “Job Creator” bills. Click here for the full list.

* AB 1107 (Blakeslee; R-San Luis Obispo) Economic Review of Regulations — Reduces the likelihood that overly burdensome regulations will be adopted by ensuring that accurate, science-based assessments are conducted, revealing the true cost to California businesses and the economy.

* SB 356 (Wright; D-Los Angeles) Small Business Impact Analysis — Improves climate for small business by reforming the regulatory development process to include a specific small business economic impact analysis and other provisions that mitigate the cost of regulation to small business.

* AB 765 (Caballero; D-Salinas) Research and Development Credit — Encourages investment and jobs in research and development by increasing the research and development tax credit rate from 15% to 20%, in conformity with federal law, beginning in 2011.

* SB 699 (Alquist; D-Santa Clara) Manufacturing Investment Incentive — Encourages investment and jobs in manufacturing by establishing a sales and use tax exemption for manufacturing equipment, beginning in 2013.

* AB 333 (Fuentes; D-Los Angeles) New Home Construction — Ensures a smooth and seamless recovery of the residential housing market and that the necessary entitlements are in place by extending expiring subdivision maps for a period of 5 years.

* SB 49 (Dutton; R-Inland Empire) Homebuyer Tax Credit — Encourages recovery in the residential housing market by raising the funding cap on an already-successful economic stimulus program that offers homebuyers a $10,000 personal income tax credit for new home purchases.

* SB 371 (Cogdill; R-Fresno) Water Supply Bond — Creates a multitude of high-paying construction jobs and an array of other jobs in restoration and clean-up projects and provides long-term stability to the business climate by authorizing a $9.98 billion general obligation bond for water infrastructure needs.
 

BOMA SF PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO 'LIGHTS OUT' ORDINANCE

Margot Crosman, President of BOMA San Francisco and former BOMA California Boardmember, was published in the April 3-9, 2009 edition of the San Francisco Business Times, which addressed her concerns with regard to the office building after-hours lighting ordinance introduced by a member of the SF Board of Supervisors. Ms. Crosman suggested that a more practical approach to saving energy is warranted, rather than Supervisor Chiu's measure which would require building managers to become, in essence, "lighting police.” Read the full piece here.

In addition to the opinion piece, Ms. Crosman sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors and Mayor Gavin Newsom outlining the impracticalities of the after-hours lighting ordinance, as well as the many proactive actions that BOMA San Francisco has done to conserve energy. Indeed, BOMA has been a leader in sustainable building practices. Crosman did assure Supervisor Chiu that BOMA was ready to work with him to craft a more acceptable ordinance. Read Crosman’s letter here.

ADVOCATES FOR HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES ON BUSINESSES REMAIN PERSISTENT

Even though the idea has been repudiated time-and-again, advocates who think businesses should pay a higher rate of property taxes (known as “split roll” property tax) continue to aggressively push this idea in many different venues. The latest manifestations are a piece of legislation in the State Assembly, and in front of a tax reform commission.

The legislation, AB 1299 (Coto; D-San Jose) would exclude ad valorem property taxes from the definition of state taxes, essentially eviscerating the intent of the voters who enacted Proposition 13, by removing the current two-thirds vote requirement for raising property taxes for non-residential properties. That means that a split roll could pass by a simple majority vote.

At the same time, split roll advocates have officially put the idea on the agenda of the “California Commission on the 21st Century Economy,” convened to advise the Governor and Legislature on possible changes to our state’s tax structure. BOMA California has very strong connections with several of the commissioners, who helped put the idea into context at a public hearing.

Additionally, a well respected former from the Office of the Legislative Analyst for the state of California, used a recent study entitled "The Economic Effects of California Adopting a Split Roll Property Tax" as the basis for his presentation, and recommendation against adopting a split roll.

Our organization, along with a large coalition of business and industry groups and individual companies, known as Californians Against Higher Property Taxes, are organized to meet this renewed threat of split roll property tax.

GOVERNOR JOINS WATER MARCH

Governor Schwarzenegger joined farm workers, farmers, mayors, students, business owners and civic leaders at the San Luis Reservoir as the last stop in a four-day California March for Water Rally through the Central Valley to draw attention to California’s water crisis and the urgent need for a comprehensive solution that increases storage, improves conveyance, protects the Delta’s ecosystem and promotes greater water conservation. Click here for the press release.
 

GOVERNOR ASKED TO RESIGN DUE TO WATER ISSUES

Congressman Nunes (R-Tulare) said today that California’s GOP standard-bearer, Gov. Schwarzenegger, should step down for his “failure to respond to the ongoing California water crisis.” Nunes goes on to say, “When a government can’t provide the people access to a reliable supply of water, it has failed.” Click here to read the full story.

We report this story only to show how bad the water situation is getting. CBPA has worked very closely with the Governor on these issues and knows that he is showing leadership and pressing hard to serve the state. The saying, “whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting,” doesn’t ring true for no reason. We urge all parties to continue to press forward and arrive at a solution that addresses one of the worst crises our state has ever faced. And we continue to support the solution that the Governor and Senator Feinstein have asked the Legislature to adopt.

L.A. SEEKS TO RETROFIT CITY BUILDINGS

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a Green Building Retrofit Ordinance to upgrade city buildings for energy efficiency. The ordinance calls for retrofitting all city-owned buildings larger than 7,500 square feet or built before 1978 with a target of achieving LEED Silver-level certification. The ordinance sets a goal of starting 100 retrofits annually and priority will be given to projects with high community-impact level. This is just the latest in Los Angeles' green plans as they strive to be the country's greenest city. Click here to read the full story.

S.F. MAYOR WANTS TO MAKE EXISTING BUILDINGS GREENER

And not to be “outgreened” by their Southland counterpart, San Francisco Mayor Gain Newsom, who in 2008 signed the San Francisco Green Building Ordinance requiring new and/or renovated buildings to meet higher green building standards, now has his sights set on making existing buildings more sustainable. Consequently, Newsom has organized an Existing Buildings Task Force to work with public and private interests to compile recommendations for future ordinances aimed at making San Francisco’s existing structures more energy efficient. You can read all about it here and here.
 

BOMA CALIFORNIA 2009 CALENDAR

JUNE 2009

June 9-10—
CALIFORNIA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT
Sacramento

June 10—
BOMA CALIFORNIA BOARD MEETING
Hyatt Regency, Sacramento
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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