News
CalChamber Supports Infrastructure Investments for Zero and Low Emission Vehicles
Implores Legislature to Ensure Technology Neutrality and Create a Fuel-Agnostic Transportation Funding Plan By Leah SilverthornClimate Change, General, Transportation Yesterday, the California Chamber of Commerce issued its recommendation that the California Legislature re-authorize the Clean Transportation Program and ensure a level playing field for all zero emission technologies in order to advance our climate goals. If our state is to succeed in rolling out zero emission vehicles without greatly
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Arterial Street Improvement Progress In Fullerton
The City of Fullerton’s Public Works Department is making progress on the rehabilitation of several arterial (major) streets. Completing this week: Commonwealth Avenue between Balcom Avenue and Raymond AvenueRaymond Avenue between Commonwealth Avenue and Chapman Avenue In Progress: Orangethorpe Avenue between Woods Avenue and Highland Avenue Starting Shortly: Brookhurst Road between Orangethorpe Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue Programmed for next Fiscal Year (July 1, 2201 - June 30,
AB 5 Injunction Overturned
By James W. Ward Once upon a (pre-pandemic) time, one of employers’ most pressing concerns was the independent contractor law (also known as AB 5) that took effect in 2020, codifying the California Supreme Court’s strict “ABC” test for classifying workers as either employees or independent contractors. Though the COVID-19 pandemic largely overshadowed AB 5 (and everything else), worker classification issues remain important and continue to develop. Last year, AB 2257, for example, made a number of
‘Right to Recall’ Mandate Circumvents Policy Process
By Ashley Hoffman - May 4, 2021 Now in effect is a new law establishing a “right to recall” requirement for certain hotels, private clubs, event centers, airport hospitality operations, and building services. The law applies to all employees laid off due to COVID-19. Adopted through the budget process rather than legislative policy committee hearings, SB 93 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review) went into effect immediately upon being signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on April 16. If the subject sounds
Discover Fullerton on Foot: Destination Downtown
Live Local – Fullerton on Foot highlights small businesses through a series of video guided walking tours. These tours encourage residents to get active while exploring neighborhood businesses! A list of upcoming walks with program dates is provided below. Click here to view the YouTube playlist featuring these businesses Click here to download the mapClick Here to Learn More
Gavin Newsom signs tax break on pandemic loans for many California businesses
By Sophia Bollag for The Sacramento Bee Many California businesses won’t have to pay state taxes on their federal pandemic loans under a bill Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Thursday. The measure, Assembly Bill 80, aims to help businesses that received loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, which the federal government established to help businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Newsom’s office described the law as “providing a $6.2 billion tax cut” for small businesses hurt by the
Fullerton City Council Appoints Steve Danley as Acting City Manager
Steve Danley was appointed by the Fullerton City Council on Tuesday, April 27th as Acting City Manager. For over 30 years, Mr. Danley worked for the County of Orange in multiple executive and line positions, including Chief Human Resources Officer, Performance Audit Director, Chief Organizational Assessment/Development, and Landfill Site Manager, to name just a few. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business and Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from UCI. He also has an AA from
CalChamber Cites Key Policy Elements for Recycling in a Circular Economy
Working to find a comprehensive solution to recycling and packaging concerns is a goal shared by the California Chamber of Commerce and its members. That was the message conveyed this week by CalChamber Senior Policy Advocate Adam Regele in testimony to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Regele made his comments at the April 26 committee hearing on SB 54 (Allen; D-Santa Monica), explaining the CalChamber’s oppose unless amended position. Shared Goals The CalChamber agrees with Senator Ben
City of La Palma Receives Congressional Funding Request for Citywide Street Medians Project
Last week, 38th District Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez submitted a $2 million funding request to the United States House Committee on Appropriations for the City of La Palma’s Arterial Street Medians Rehabilitation Project for Fiscal Year 2022. The project would reconstruct 48 median islands and add three new median islands throughout the City. The median islands would include a variety of drought-tolerant plants and trees with a drip irrigation system to significantly reduce water usage and water
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City Manager Domer Departs Fullerton
The City Council and City Manager have agreed to a mutually acceptable separation. The City Council voted 3-2 on April 20, 2021 with Mayor Bruce Whitaker, Mayor Pro Tem Nick Dunlap, and Councilmember Fred Jung in support, to terminate the employment agreement for City Manager Ken Domer effective April 27, 2021 at 5 PM. Mr. Domer was appointed unanimously on June 24, 2017 and began his service to the City of Fullerton on July 27, 2017. Mr. Domer was instrumental in helping the City Council work through
Considerations for Workplace Reopenings
In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss workplace reopenings and what employers should consider when deciding whether to end their remote work programs. This podcast was recorded on April 16, 2021. Listeners should be aware that given the unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic, information shared on this podcast episode may change at any time. With Governor Gavin Newsom announcing
Employers Must Still Follow Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Standards Despite Vaccinations
By Matthew J. Roberts, Esq. April 27, 2021 As California marches towards its June 15 reopening date, nearly half of its population has received a COVID-19 vaccination at this point. Many employers see the increased vaccine eligibility and supply as providing the opportunity to return employees to the workplace in some capacity. Complicating the issue is continually revised government guidelines from agencies such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department
Tips for Easing Employees Back to the Office
Mike McCluskey April 28, 2021 182 As more and more people are getting vaccinated against COVID-19, a return to a degree normalcy is finally within sight. Many employers are likely itching to get their employees back into the office, and employees may be eager to see their virtual coworkers and bosses in real life. Returning employees to the work place after they’ve worked from home for over a year can be difficult, but employers have a few tricks to help ease the transition. Prior to 2020, fewer than
SBA Administrator Guzman Announces Application Opening for $28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund
SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman today announced the U.S. Small Business Administration will begin registrations on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT and open applications on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon EDT for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. “Restaurants are the core of our neighborhoods and propel economic activity on main streets across the nation. They are among the businesses
Fullerton Launches New Adopt-a-Trail and Park Program
The City of Fullerton Parks and Recreation Department has established an Adopt-a-Park and Trail program which will provide an opportunity for community groups, civic organizations, and private businesses to contribute to the effort of maintaining beautiful and clean parks and trails in the City of Fullerton. The City of Fullerton has approximately 28 miles of recreational trails and 53 parks spread throughout the City. Adopt-a-Park and Trail volunteers will help with litter and weed abatement on a
SBA Launches Supplemental Targeted Advance for Small Businesses Hardest Hit by COVID-19
The U.S. Small Business Administration launched a new round of Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) assistance – called Supplemental Targeted Advances – on April 22, 2021 that will provide $5 billion in additional assistance to 1 million small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have been most severely affected by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supplemental Targeted Advance program is the latest SBA relief program to launch as part of the American Rescue Plan Act on March 11,
Wage Theft Already Is a Crime in California
Ashley HoffmanLabor and Employment California employers must navigate the nation’s toughest labor and employment laws. Long before the introduction of AB 1003 (Gonzalez), California already deemed wage theft a crime. It is absurd to think a progressive state like California would not have already addressed this issue. In 2012, Labor Commissioner Julie Su created the Criminal Investigation Unit within the agency to specifically focus and prosecute employers who steal wages from employees. In 2014,
SVOG Application Portal Reopens on April 24 at 12:30 p.m. EDT
The U.S. Small Business Administration will reopen the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. EDT. In preparation for the opening, potential applicants should register on the portal in advance. Applicants will also need a smartphone and a multi-factor authenticator app to register and apply. The SBA has also added the following updated resources. Applicant user guide and FAQ: For help with the application process, refer to the applicant user guide and
Premium Pay Penalty Due When Employee Given Late Meal Break
Yesterday our store was very busy, so I could not let my employee leave for a meal break until very late in the day. Do I owe the employee a one-hour meal period penalty because their lunch break was late, or is it owed only if they didn’t get a meal break at all? California’s meal period penalty is owed both when an employer fails to provide an employee with a meal break at all, as well as when the meal break is provided later than is legally required. The penalty is known as premium pay.Meal Break
Supervisor Doug Chaffee to Host 4th District Virtual Job Fair to Connect Our Business Community to J
Orange County Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, in partnership with Orange County Workforce Development Board, Orange Community Services, American’s Job Center of California, 4th District Cities and Chambers of Commerce, will host a Virtual Job Fair on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The virtual platform will provide jobseekers greater opportunity to attain successful employment by having access to multiple, high-profile employers, representing a
SBA Announces Official Restaurant Revitalization Fund Application and Guidelines
SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman today announced key details on application requirements, eligibility, and a program guide for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RFF). The restaurant industry has been among the hardest-hit sectors during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help bring jobs back and revive the industry, the American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joe Biden, established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund at the U.S. Small Business
Three Bills Added to CalChamber Job Killer List
The California Chamber of Commerce added three bills to its annual list of job killer legislation yesterday. The additions bring the 2021 Job Killer list to a total of 23 legislative bills that would place California employers and the state’s economy in harm’s way should they become law. Two of the bills added yesterday would increase labor costs on employers and a third would establish a new private right of action. So far this year, the CalChamber has identified 25 job killer bills. One was amended
Alcohol Awareness in the Workplace
By Katie Culliton for CalChamber Each year, an estimated 500 million workdays are lost to alcohol-related issues, costing $240 billion annually — and 72 percent of that is due to lost wages from reduced work productivity. Since April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which was created to increase outreach and understanding of the causes, effects and treatment of alcoholism, there’s no better time to promote workplace programs that may help employees with alcohol-related problems and ensure your company has an
USCIS Requests Public Input On Barriers That Prevent Access To Immigration Services And Benefits
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking comments from the public on how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can reduce administrative and other barriers and burdens within its regulations and policies, including those that prevent foreign citizens from easily obtaining access to immigration services and benefits. This effort will help DHS identify process improvements for USCIS, with benefits for state, local, and tribal governments, for businesses (including small businesses and
City of Buena Park's Photography Show
Submissions are being accepted through May 25 and may be dropped off at the Buena Park Community Center, 6688 Beach Blvd. or emailed to finearts@buenapark.com by May 11, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Photographs will be on display in the Council Chamber from June 1 to August 3, 2021. Photographs may also be featured on the City's website, social media, and promotional materials! All physical photographs must be mounted on mat board or poster board. Work that is on canvas or framed must have wiring on the back and be
Adopted Wildfire Smoke Regulation Clarifies Employer Obligations
HRWatchdog April 19, 2021 With a new fire season approaching, has the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) developed additional regulations to address the hazards and mitigation of employee exposure to wildfire smoke? The emergency wildfire smoke regulations promulgated by Cal/OSHA and adopted by the Standards Board (OSHSB) on July 18, 2019, have been revised, adopted and approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) as new Section 5141.1 of Title 8, the California
Vaccination Is Key to Reopen Economy
In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg and Dee Dee Myers, senior adviser to Governor Gavin Newsom and director of the Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), discuss the COVID-19 vaccine and why it is critical to reopening the California economy. Reopening Set for June 15 Earlier this month, Governor Newsom announced that California will be fully reopening its economy on June 15. Why, Zaremberg asks Myers, did the Governor choose June 15? Two
Statewide Business Community Launches PSA to Encourage Vaccinations
“Do It For” PSA launches as state expands vaccine eligibility to all residents 16 and older California’s business community has released a new public service announcement (PSA), called “Do It For,” which will air statewide on TV, radio and social media, reaching millions of California residents in both English and Spanish, encouraging them to get vaccinated when it’s their turn. “The key to opening up California’s economy safely and responsibly is to get every Californian vaccinated,” said Allan
Safe, Welcome Reopening Plan for California
I’m sure many readers know someone who postponed a wedding or reunion in 2020 due to the inability to gather or travel under COVID-19 restrictions. Thankfully, last week came the good news that we can, once again, begin making plans. California is on the right trajectory. If vaccination rates stay up and hospitalization rates stay low, Governor Gavin Newsom promises that, beginning June 15, Californians can once again gather together or travel to California’s world class tourist
Fullerton's Orangethorpe School Receives Civic Learning Award
Orangethorpe School was awarded a Civic Learning Award of Merit by a panel of judges and educators selected by the Chief Justice’s Power of Democracy Steering Committee. The Civic Learning Award is the state’s top honor for schools recognized for civics education. The scoring was competitive and some programs were separated by just one point. Orangethorpe School is one of only 32 California Schools receiving this special award. California’s Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, head of the state’s
Higher Ed Integral to Business Needs
In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg and Lande Ajose, senior policy advisor for higher education to Governor Gavin Newsom, discuss the challenges the state faces in its goal to ensure that higher education remains accessible to all Californians. California has some of the best regional economies in the world and it is thanks to our higher education institutions, which include prestigious universities like the University of Southern California, UCLA,
Job Killer Bill DOA; Proposed Ban on In-State Oil and Gas Production Fails First Senate Committee Hearing
By Adam Regele SB 467 (Wiener; D-San Francisco), a California Chamber of Commerce-identified job killer bill that proposed to ban in-state oil and gas production, failed in its first committee hearing yesterday. “Banning oil production does not reduce demand for energy essential to California’s economy,” said CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg. “This bill would have required California to import oil from places that are less environmentally friendly and it would make energy more costly
Knott's Berry Farm Announces Grand Reopening for May 21
Buena Park, Calif. – It’s official: Knott's Berry Farm is reopening its gates next month as the theme park safely resumes regular operations with limited capacity and new reservation requirements. The park will reopen to season passholders May 6, with plans for a grand reopening to the general public on May 21 for a summer-long, Knott’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. "The Knott's Family Reunion" looks to reunite family and friends in a safe and fun environment after a year-long closure due to
Social Enterprise Assists in Filling Post-Pandemic Workforce Gaps
With its world-renowned beaches, sprawling hills and canyons, and of course, Disneyland, Orange County is home to a wealth of hotels, restaurants, and cutting-edge hospitals that belie its small size and make it one of Southern California’s most robust workforce regions. Over the past decade, however, local affordable housing inventory has seen a steady decline, while rents have been on the incline, leading to OC’s young and essential workforce being priced out and edged out. Adding to these pre-pandemic
Tax Day Extended to May 17th
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the state Franchise Tax Board (FTB) extended the deadlines for individual taxpayers to file their 2020 income tax returns and pay their 2020 taxes to May 17, 2021. This postponement applies to individual filers whose 2020 tax returns and payments were originally due on April 15, 2021. This relief does not apply to quarterly estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021. These payments are still due on April 15. Taxes paid by
On-Site Drug Testing: Remember to Support Need, Confidentiality
By Dana Leisinger We’ve been bringing our employees back into the office, and pursuant to our “reasonable suspicion” drug testing, would like to conduct in-house drug testing. Can we do this? The short answer is yes — employers can conduct drug tests on site. There are a few issues to be aware of, however. Written Policy First, you must have a clear, written policy that upon reasonable suspicion of illegal (or legal) drug usage, the company will be conducting drug testing. Supervisors need to be
Job Killer Additions Increase Taxes, Labor/Employment Mandates
The California Chamber of Commerce this week added four bills to its annual list of job killer legislation. The additions bring the 2021 job killer list to a total of 22 legislative bills that would place California employers and the state’s economy in harm’s way should they become law. The four additions to the list involve tax increases and new labor and employment law mandates and are listed below. Tax Increases • ACA 8 (Lee; D-San Jose) Wealth Tax: Proposes to amend the Constitution to impose a
SBA to Open Shuttered Venue Operators Grants for Applications on April 8 at 12 p.m. EDT
Help is here with $16.2 billion for venues, theatres, and more The U.S. Small Business Administration will officially open the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal tomorrow, April 8, 2021 at 12 p.m. EDT for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theatres, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives to apply for critical economic relief, as those eligible entities are some of the first that had to
Property Concerns to Consider When Working From Home
Since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, there has been a significant increase in people working away from the traditional office setup. As the government enforces social distancing, working from home (WFH) is now a necessity for many employees, reducing the opportunities for the virus to spread. Working from home brings with it a wide range of advantages and disadvantages, and many employees suddenly found themselves having to adapt quickly. Even for those who might have occasionally worked from home,
