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The Leading Voice of Business in Orange County |
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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OCBC APPLAUDS GOVERNOR'S SOLID PATH TO JOBS CREATION--ENCOURAGES MORE
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With a nod to the good intentions of every New
Year's resolution, OCBC commends the Governor for his comprehensive plan to
put California back on the road to recovery and focus first on jobs creation. OCBC
supports the California Jobs Initiative and, in particular, jobs training
and the new hire credit but encourages more of the good thinking
behind the Governor's proposals--especially with a looming $20 billion state budget hole to fill
caused by a decrease in state revenue, failed budget "fixes" from last year,
litigation losses incurred by the state and other economic
disasters.
"There's a lot of money already going to job
training right now," said OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn. "What we need
are actual jobs! With jobs, folks pay taxes, businesses grow, revenue
flows to the state. To accomplish this, California needs to clean up its
regulatory morass and make it easier to do business."
That
means more regulatory reform concepts to include things like CEQA streamlining
applied to all infrastructure projects, including a comprehensive state water
project
system and AB32 and SB375 exemptions for roads, water, and
housing projects. Most importantly, it means more job creation incentives, like
Enterprise Zones--which give tax credits to businesses that hire the
unemployed-- applied statewide.
"If I were queen of the
world, I would make the whole state an enterprise zone," added Dunn. "I know
businesses would respond to that. It attracts businesses and grows
businesses."
Lastly, the OC local economy will not escape the state budget
mess. We expect hits to local Prop 10 dollars and local government
funding.
Click here for more information on the issues including a full budget summary, official press releases and coverage.
For more information, please contact Kate Klimow.
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OCBC ENDORSES STATE SENATOR LOU CORREA FOR RE-ELECTION
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 The Business Council announced last week its endorsement for State Senator Lou Correa for re-election representing the 34th District.
Correa is a solid advocate of the Business Council's key initiatives to enhance
infrastructure investment, increase supply of workforce housing and promote
solid education programs to ensure a skilled 21st century workforce.
"We are
pleased to endorse Senator Lou Correa for re-election because of his strong
record of support for OCBC's business agenda," said Lucy Dunn, President and
CEO of the Orange County Business Council.
Senator
Correa understands the connection between a strong business environment and
sustainable infrastructure. He has been supportive of expansion of the 91, a
vital link in goods and people movement between the Inland Empire and Orange County,
as well as expansion of the 57.
Throughout his years of service in the Assembly and in the Senate,
Correa has championed a number of legislative proposals, balancing the needs of
the business community with environmental concerns, working to ensure the
quality of life for in Orange County and in California will continue to
improve. OCBC applauds the leadership
Senator Correa has shown in supporting the comprehensive water package and Race
To The Top legislation, two critical issues that directly impact California's
future. He has equally championed
Enterprise Zone legislation, rightly seeing that the path to California's economic recovery starts with
giving business effective tools to start growing again. Senator Correa introduced a bill that
proposed a simple and sensible reform to CEQA that doesn't diminish its authority, but
helps to facilitate the process and also supported additional housing
legislation that helps with home affordability by reducing regulatory red tape
that drives up costs. For more info, please contact Kate Klimow.
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CALIFORNIA INCREASES COMPETITIVENESS IN RACE TO THE TOP EDUCATION REFORM
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 Sacramento took a bold step last week, passing
the final legislation needed to ensure California's
eligibility for the Obama Administration's Race to the Top funding.
President Obama set aside $4.3 billion to distribute to states that demonstrate
real education reform and target improvement in the lowest performing
schools. The legislative package passed recently by the Legislature and
signed by the Governor helps to make California's
application highly competitive for up to $700 million of this funding.
Among the key elements of the legislation are:
a) linking teacher and principal evaluations to student
performance; b) giving more power to parents with children in the
worst-performing schools, enabling them to transfer their kids to a better
school in the district or in another school district; c) empowering
parents at poor performing schools to force changes in school operations;
d) along with other measures to turn around low-performing schools... [read more]
For more info, please contact Alicia Berhow.
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NEW YEAR AND A NEW LANE: 73 TOLL ROAD KEEPS THINGS MOVING
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 OCBC, elected officials and transportation leaders gathered last week to celebrate the newest addition to the 73 Toll Road. A fourth northbound lane was added to the 73 to accommodate
peak-hour congestion.
The new
lane stretches for six miles between Aliso Creek Drive and Bison
Avenue.
"With additions and improvements like this, we are able to meet the growing needs of Orange County's
residents and businesses, said Lucy Dunn who spoke during the ceremony. "Orange County is the economic engine of Southern
California--and when mobility is assured, business thrives. When business thrives, the state thrives."
Business and
transportation improvements are inextricably linked. OCBC's mission to enhance
OC's economic prosperity depends on adequate housing, solid education of our
workforce and enhanced infrastructure improvements. Orange County Business Council applauds the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency and TCA for adding the fourth lane to the 73 and celebrating a "New Year and a New Lane!." This helps with goods movement,
people and visitors movement. In fact, shout out to Steve Bone, Chairman of the
OC Tourism Council, who reminds us that 83% of all California tourism is a
result of Californians moving about this state (not visitors crossing state
borders!) Mobility is very important to a vibrant economy.
We cannot end our
celebration of "New Year and a New Lane" without also looking forward to a "New
Resolve and Creativity to complete the Old 241!" For more info, please contact Kate Klimow.
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BUSINESS COUNCIL UNVEILS NEW ADVOCACY ACTION CENTER
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The Business Council now makes it easier to take action and get involved on the issues that matter most to businesses in Orange County. With the new Advocacy Action Center you can:
1. Track key legislation that OCBC is following.
2. Gain access to the most up-to-date legislative directory.
3. TAKE ACTION! As issues unfold, OCBC's Advocacy Action Center is your one stop shop to send letters to your legislators.
Click here to tour the new Advocacy Action Center! For more info, please contact Kate Klimow.
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SAVE THE DATE: OCBC ONE VOICE, TWO CAPITOLS ADVOCACY TRIPS
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Join OCBC, civic and business leaders for the region's premier
advocacy trips to the Nation and State capitols for the Business Council's One Voice, Two Capitols Advocacy Trips.
Washington, D.C. - March 15 - 17, 2010
OCBC, in partnership with local
government officials and chambers of commerce, will lead an annual delegation of
business leaders and public officials to Washington, D.C., to
advocate for Southern California. Participants
meet with members of Congress and the president's administration on key issues.
The trip includes a welcome reception, two breakfasts with high ranking
Congressional leaders, a marquee evening event, and unparalleled business
networking with fellow participants.
Sacramento - May 17 - 19, 2010
Meet with legislators on state issues
vital to Southern California. Participants will
meet with state lawmakers, members of the Governor's administration and other
decision makers on issues including education, health care, housing,
transportation, and water.
More details and registration information coming soon! Contact Kate Klimow for more info.
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OCBC KEEPS WATER DISCUSSION FLUID
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OCBC's
Kate Klimow represented Orange
County on a panel at the recent Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Fall Conference &
Exhibition that
also included Matthew Mahood, President & CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of
Commerce; Linda Best, President & CEO, Contra Costa Council; and, Ron
Gastelum, Interim Executive Director, Southern California Water Committee. The panel discussed the business communities
reaction to the Delta Legislative Package, with a particular emphasis on
advancing the water bond campaign and implementing the water plan.
ACWA conferences bring together state,
local and federal water officials to discuss a broad range of subjects facing California water
agencies. The water crisis is a
statewide issue, so the importance of coalitions cannot be overstated. OCBC works with local cities and chambers,
builders and other business groups, is partnered with the Southern California
Water Committee and, most significantly, the Regional Economic Association of
Leaders (R.E.A.L.) Coalition, an alliance of the 17 most influential business
associations in California,
representing over 11,000 employers and more than 3 million jobs. Through these combined efforts, the
short-term and long-term solutions to our water issues can be developed and
implemented. For more info, please contact Kate Klimow.
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OCBC MEMBERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT--PFIZER PROMOTES HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
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OCBC
member Pfizer is providing a collection of tools and information to help
organizations offer an effective smoking cessation benefit to its employees.
Businesses that promote healthy lifestyles by offering employees access to
smoking-cessation programs cite increased workplace morale, employee
productivity and business profitability as direct benefits.
With
healthcare costs being one of the largest and most dominant issues affecting
business today, it makes good business sense that employers examine the
long-term benefits associated with employee wellness programs. Among the most
prevalent and preventable health risks in the workforce today is smoking.
Providing treatments and tools as a fully-covered, comprehensive
insurance benefit increases the likelihood of success, directly translating to a
healthier, happier and more productive workplace for business. Studies
show that employees who smoke have higher absentee rates, lower productivity due
to time lost for smoking breaks, and higher health care costs - yet only 4% of
employers offer a tobacco cessation package as part of their benefits plan.
How to
Take Action? Talk to your health plan about adding a Smoking
Cessation Benefit Rider, and encourage employees to access smoking cessation
services by lowering co-pays or cost-sharing on these services. Download a free guide from Pfizer's Smoking Cessation Central.
Over
20 resources are available, at www.smokingcessationcentral.com to help your company learn about, design, and implement
a smoking cessation benefit or for more information or contact Lydia Simon at
714.625.0378.
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WELCOME NEWEST OCBC MEMBERS!
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OCBC COMMITTEE MEETINGS
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January
2010
Workforce Development Friday, January 20 from 7:30 - 9 a.m.
Economic Development
Friday, January 20 from 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Community Colleges Working Group
Thursday, January 28, 2010 from 3 - 4 p.m.
Committee meetings are open to
OCBC members and invited guests only. All committee meetings are held
at the OCBC offices unless otherwise specified. For more information on
upcoming committee meetings for 2009 check out OCBC's Committees.
Looking to get more involved?
Click below to receive specific committee notices.
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| COMMUNITY EVENTS |
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World Affairs Council of Orange County Presents: Lieutenant General Patrick J. O'Reilly - January 14, 2010
Lieutenant General Patrick J. O'Reilly is the Director
for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Office of the Secretary of
Defense, Pentagon, Washington, DC. In this capacity, he oversees MDA's
worldwide mission to develop a capability to defend deployed forces,
the United States, Allies, and friends against ballistic missile
attacks. To register or for more
information, please call 949-253-5751 or go to www.worldaffairscouncil.orgfor more event info.
CMTC Presents: Profit 101 Workshop - January 26th, 2010Profit 101 provides a "hands-on experience" with a collection of
data-proven tools and tactics for reducing risk and increasing success
with new products and services. Multiple people from the same
organization are encouraged to attend. Click here for more info and to register. Four Corners Transportation and Economic Summit - January 28, 2010Join the Four Corners Transportation and Economic Summit that is "Paving the Road to Recovery...Perspectives for a New Decade." OCBC's Lucy Dunn and Dr. Wallace Walrod will be featured panelists discussing the economic reality of the region and today's era of cooperation in the transportation arena. Click here to register or for more event information.The State of Education in Orange County 2010 - February 25, 2010Join the Orange County Department of Education for informative presentations on national, state, and local issues geared toward increasing awareness of relevant topics affecting the economic and community well-being of Orange County. Orange County Superintendent of Schools, Bill Habermehl, will present Orange County's 2010 State of Education Report. Additional speakers include OCBC's Lucy Dunn, and Ronald Bennett from Schools Services of California. Click here for more event information and to register. |
IS IT NEWS TO YOU? THEN IT'S NEWS WE CAN USE!
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Have an event coming up? Was your company just
highlighted in the news? Are you doing something great in Orange
County? The Business Council wants to know about it. Now OCBC members can submit news stories for OCBC's E-Update Indicator
Newsletter.
Click here and fill out the submission form for one of Orange County's premier business news source. Not a member? Click here for more information on how to get involved and join the leading voice of business in Orange County.
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SPREAD THE WORD! IMPACT THE WORLD! FORWARD YOUR COPY TO ASSOCIATES!
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Forward OCBC's E-Indicator to friends and colleagues by clicking on the "Forward Email" link at the bottom of the email and encourage them to sign up for one of Orange County's premier business publications!
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TUNE INTO OCBC-TV WEBCASTS AND GET CAUGHT UP ON THE LATEST EVENTS
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BUSINESS MEETS SOCIAL MEDIA
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 Do you tweet? Have a Facebook page or surf YouTube? Then follow the latest news
and information from OCBC online! The leading voice of business is connecting
you to business in Orange County like never before.
If you
have questions on how to get connected with the Business Council online, please
contact Director of Communications, Matt Prince at 949.794.7221. | |
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