Dozens of Bills Bad for California’s Jobs Climate Still Pending

(August 18, 2003) The California Chamber is calling on the state legislature today to focus on reinvigorating California’s economy and to reject the dozens of pending “job killer” bills upon their return from summer recess.
 

“The national spotlight currently on California is highlighting the problems with our economy and the policies that are discouraging business investment in our state,” said Chamber President Allan Zaremberg.  “We urge all legislators to stop our downward economic spiral.  The legislature must stop driving much-needed jobs and businesses to other states by hampering their ability to simply keep their doors open because of over-reaching regulations and costly mandates.”

As legislators return from summer recess for the final weeks to consider bills this year, the California Chamber is urging them to stop anti-business legislation and work to bring relief to businesses experiencing skyrocketing workers’ compensation and other costs. 

“We are hopeful that the recently appointed workers’ compensation conference committee will implement the system overhaul necessary to bring relief to California’s employers while also providing the benefits injured workers need,” continued Zaremberg.  “Further, the costly mandates and regulations still being considered that will further hamper job growth, such as a multi-billion dollar health care mandate, must be stopped.”

Earlier this year, the Chamber released an Economic Stimulus Package, which called upon legislators to ‘do no more harm’ to California’s economy by rejecting job killing legislation, but to also implement essential reforms and programs that will help stimulate job growth and provide the revenues necessary to fund essential services such as public safety and education.

“In order to solve California’s budget woes, we must focus on reinvigorating California’s stagnant economy to stimulate job creation and generate revenues,” said Zaremberg.  “Businesses look to locate or expand in California because of our great quality of life, skilled and diverse workforce, and world class universities – but because our costs of doing business are going through the roof, we are actually driving jobs and businesses to other states.”

View the California Chamber's Economic Stimulus Package and the status of the 'job killer' bills.

Staff Contact: Sara Lee