(September 30, 2004) Three California Chamber-opposed 'job killer' bills that would have prohibited or restricted worldwide outsourcing were vetoed yesterday by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a victory for California jobs.

The three anti-outsourcing bills vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger were AB 1829 (Liu; D-La Cañada Flintridege), SB 888 (Dunn; D-Garden Grove) and SB 1492 (Dunn; D-Garden Grove) - legislation that would have prohibited or restricted California businesses’ ability to conduct a portion of their operations abroad.  These bills would have invited retaliation from the state's trading partners and would have had a negative impact, either directly or indirectly, on California jobs, 25 percent of which are tied to international trade.

“By rejecting these ‘job killer’ bills that would have invited retaliation from California’s trading partners, Governor Schwarzenegger today helped to protect California’s economy and the millions of California’s jobs that rely on trade, “ said California Chamber President Allan Zaremberg. “Our state is the largest exporting state in the nation, making up 25 percent of our economy and contributing to nearly 2 million jobs.  Foreign investment in California also contributed to 713,000 ‘insourced’ California jobs in 2003 - each of which would have been in jeopardy had these ‘job killer’ bills been enacted.”

“If Legislators want to protect California workers they should not stifle economic opportunities, but work instead to cultivate a business climate that creates more jobs,” continued Zaremberg. “That means changing policies that have increased the cost of doing business here and have made our state unattractive for employers looking to create new jobs and new businesses.   We should be focusing on policies that will help stimulate California’s economy and attract jobs to our state.”

“Governor Schwarzenegger recognizes that these bills would have been anti-jobs and would have harmed California’s economy, just as we are starting on the road to recovery. He should be applauded for his veto,” concluded Zaremberg.

For more information on these anti-outsourcing bills or to view the entire “job killer” list, please visit our website at www.calchamber.com