phTitle CalChamber Highlights ‘Renew California’ Economic Recovery Plan As Legislators Return to Capitol
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phMainContent (August 16, 2011) The California Chamber of Commerce today released an updated version of its “Renew California” economic recovery plan, reminding legislators to refocus efforts on job creation in the final weeks of this year’s session.
“There are solutions that will make California more competitive,” said California Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Allan Zaremberg. “First, we must do no more harm to this economy. No more job killing legislation or bills that place California companies at a competitive disadvantage should be introduced or passed into law. Second, immediate action should be taken on proposals that will help improve our job creation prospects by creating certainty for those who will invest in our economy. Lawmakers must focus entirely on eliminating the perception—and reality—that California has a bad business climate. The timing and strength of an economic rebound will depend upon making California more competitive for job creation, new business formation and investment.” The priorities outlined in Renew California are:
- Do no more harm to the California economy by refusing to allow any more job killing legislation to become law;
- Get rid of laws unique to California that place us at a competitive disadvantage to other states;
- Eliminate California-only employment laws leading to litigation exposure;
- Create certainty for businesses by ensuring a fair and stable tax system; and
- Secure a long-term commitment from elected officials that California will not increase the cost of doing business here.
“Although California’s business diversity is a positive for our economy, each industry may have unique problems that require targeted solutions,” said Zaremberg. “A labor-intensive business may be mostly concerned about the costs and litigation associated with California-only employment laws. An energy-dependent manufacturer may be most concerned about the costs of electricity. A start-up technology company that requires a talented and highly educated workforce needs a robust higher education system. And, finally, any development to accommodate an expansion of jobs needs relief from the historical and costly abuses in the CEQA process.”
According to Zaremberg, there is much the Legislature can accomplish in the 20 working days left in this year’s session. These things include:
- Refusing to pass any of the remaining CalChamber-identified job killer bills;
- Refusing to pass any bill that adds a burden or creates uncertainty for employers;
- Passing a measure to require state agencies to use high-quality, consistent economic analysis when developing new regulations;
- Eliminating California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) litigation traps that have prevented job creating investments from coming to our state; and
- Protecting workers’ compensation reforms and preserving a balanced system that provides fair benefits at the lowest possible cost.
“So far this year, the Legislature has not made private sector job creation a priority,” said Zaremberg. “The budget this Legislature passed is predicated on revenue growth. The only way we will have enough money to ensure that the budget remains balanced and draconian cuts to schools and universities do not happen is to fix what ails us. We need more job growth, the ability to compete with the rest of the country and lower costs.”
A full copy of the “Renew California” plan can be found at www.calchamber.com/RENEW
Contact: Loren Kaye |