Share, , Google Plus, Pinterest,

Print

Posted in:

CalChamber Honors Local Chambers

Gene-Wunderlichby Gene Wunderlich

Local Chamber of Commerce executives and members recently journeyed to Sacramento to take part in the CalChamber 2011 Legislative Summit. The summit was entitled ‘Creating Certainty in an Uncertain Economy’, with speakers and sessions focusing on how the business advocacy giant could improve the jobs picture in our state by addressing the endemic uncertainty of the budgetary, legislative and regulatory process.

CalChamber President & CEO Allan Zaremberg introduced the Chambers annual list of ‘job killer’ bills by stating, “The first step of an economic recovery program is to do no more harm to the economy. Proponents of anti-business legislation who think California’s economy can withstand additional pressure from new regulations, taxes and legislative burdens are simply unwilling to accept the unfortunate reality that California has the second highest unemployment rate in the country and is currently ranked near the bottom when it comes to business climate.”

The nations economy began to recover in 2010 but in California the economy barely stirred. The best to be said is that the state didn’t get much worse in 2010 after shedding 1.3 million jobs and seeing personal income actually retreat in 2009 – a first-ever in modern California history.

Unfortunately once again the list of ‘job killer’ bills introduced this year outnumber ‘job creator’ bills by almost 6 to 1. Legislators who vote with CalChamber Best Business bills more than 80% of the time are outnumbered by those that vote against jobs-friendly legislation by almost 2 to 1. (source: CalChamber.com)

John Watson, CEO of Chevron Corp., spoke of his companys pride in being one of the largest employers in the state and headquartered here for 132 years. But he pointed out that regulatory compliance issues and taxes cost $7,000 more per employee in California than it does in Texas, which is why 5 businesses are leaving California every week, over 70 so far this year.

He went on to state that “California needs a lesson in humuility right now. We don’t always have to be the leaders, especially when we’re going in the wrong direction. There are lessons to be learned about pensions and education and the environment from other states if we just let ourselves.”

Legisaltive analyst and top budget watchdog Mac Taylor opined in his remarks that he is feeling a slight degree of optimism for the first time in years because ‘the economy is improving slightly and there just might exist some political will to make fundamental changes to the way we budget in this state.’

CalChamber also presented a series of awards for individual business advocates as well as their President’s Circle Award. Started in 2009, the President’s Circle recognizes Chambers for excellence in business advocacy as well as helping their members navigate the often treacherous waters of California employment law. This year the Murrieta, Lake Elsinore Valley and Temecula Valley Chambers were all recognized for their efforts to assist members as well as for their consistent advocacy efforts through the Southwest California Legislatve Council. President’s Circle recipients also publish legislator voting records, meet with & generate letters to elected officials on local business issues and participate in the CalChamber compliance product resale program.

The Summit was capped by the traditional Host Breakfast address by the Governor. Governor Brown actually joined us for breakfast this year as opposed to Arnold, who would entourage in for his remarks and quickly exit. This year Governor Brown stuck to his customary talking points – we’re facing a wall of debt that must be resolved equitably and quickly if we’re to return California to it’s righteous path.

He presented his case for bringing the tax extensions to a vote of the people  saying ‘unfortunately current polls show more than half of you would vote no, but I’m asking for a fighting chance.’ People want the services but not the taxes to pay for them. If we don’t extend the tax increases we’ll be faced with greatly dimished services. He summed up his job as ‘finding the middle path.’ “I’m looking for zones of potential agreement – if I get as much push-back from Democrats as Republicans, I know I’m close.”

Summarizing his statement, he said there’s lots of good stuff happening around the state but lots of challenges as well. We must bring government closer to the people. We also have to get real about business – business creates the wealth but business has to understand that we need environmental regulations, social programs, schools etc. “Whatever way the people decide. California will prevail.”

The Governor should have sat in on some of the other sessions during the Summit. I still don’t think he gets it.

The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) is the largest broad-based business advocate to government in California.  Membership represents one-quarter of the private sector jobs in California and includes firms of all sizes and companies from every industry within the state.