​CalChamber in the News - 2011

2011

Articles and videos from news sources that mention the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber.)

Business Interests Were Top Bill-Killers in California's Capitol This Year
"From a political standpoint, when the economy goes down and business is what can bring you back, then people listen to business," said Marc Burgat, vice president of government relations for the California Chamber of Commerce. (The Sacramento Bee 12/25/11)

California Chamber of Commerce GC Erika C. Frank Guides Small Businesses Through Tough Times
It's been a rough three years for small businesses in California. Since the recession, many companies have had to reduce staff while others have had to shutter their doors. Meanwhile, the California Chamber of Commerce, the state's largest nonprofit business organization, has been doing what it can to help its approximately 14,000 members weather the storm. (San Francisco Daily Journal 12/22/11)

Chamber of Commerce Lists New 2012 Laws
The California Chamber of Commerce has released a lengthy list of new business/employment laws scheduled to take effect in 2012. (The Sacramento Bee 12/22/11)

New Calif. Law Requires More Pregnancy Leave Coverage, Applies to More Small Businesses
California will require more employers to continue health care coverage for women on pregnancy disability leave under a new law. (KPCC 12/21/11)

2012 brings new laws on California employment
About two dozen state employment laws will take effect Jan. 1, according to a list published by the California Chamber of Commerce. (San Francisco Chronicle 12/20/11)

New Laws Affect Calif. Businesses in 2012
Most California businesses must provide pregnancy insurance coverage for employees. All could face fines up to $25,000 for misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor. Companies can't use consumer credit reports about employees or job applicants. (The Orange County Register 12/18/11)

Chamber Chief Visits Redding; State Leader Praises Leaders for Pro-Business Attitude
For the first time, the board chair of the California Chamber of Commerce visited Redding Wednesday. (Redding Record Searchlight 12/14/11)

Got a Calculator? Rival Tax Plans Complicate Ballot
Five groups and counting – including Gov. Jerry Brown – aim to help California by convincing voters next November to approve billions in tax increases. “The taxes I’ve seen that the people of California are mostly likely to support are taxes imposed on somebody other than themselves and even then they’re not too excited about it,” said Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce, whose support –or at least neutrality – Brown is trying to win for his revenue plan. (Capitol Weekly 12/01/11)

Can California Exports Survive a Recession in Europe?
According to the California Chamber of Commerce, international-related commerce in the state supports about one-fourth of California's gross state product," said Scott Anderson, an economist at Wells Fargo Securities. (International Business Times 12/01/11)

Registration Opens for Chamber Law Seminars
The California Chamber of Commerce has opened registration for its 2012 labor and employment law seminars. (The Sacramento Bee 11/26/11)

Business Group Joins Chorus on Court Cutbacks
A business-backed coalition on Thursday launched the first of four hearings aimed at making the case that state budget cuts to the courts have gone too far."There is no constituency for funding the court system beyond the people who are in the court system," said Allan Zaremberg, president and chief executive officer of the chamber. The Recorder

‘Cap and Trade’ Worries Escalate
After years of discussion and rule making, the California Air Resources Board last week approved the cap-and-trade program for the state’s largest electricity generators and industries. Brenda Coleman, a policy advocate at the California Chamber of Commerce, said the 10 percent requirement is a $2 billion tax on business during a bad economy, and the chamber lobbied hard to get it removed. (Sacramento Business Journal 10/28/11)

Brown Proposes Sweeping Changes in Public Employee Pensions
Brown's plan drew immediate praise from business and reform groups that have been advocating for changes they say are necessary to keep pension costs under control and to fully fund pension liabilities. California Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Allan Zaremberg called Brown's plan "a bold and substantive proposal" and said addressing the issue is essential to allow state and local governments to fund basic programs such as education that are "critical to our economy." (Ventura County Star 10/27/11)

Brown's Own Allies are His Biggest Foes in Pension Reform Fight
California Chamber of Commerce President Allan Zaremberg called Brown's plan bold and substantive. "The Legislature should embrace this common sense plan," he said. "Addressing pension and health care costs will allow state and local governments to fund programs critical to our economy, including higher education, K-12, public safety and the courts." (San Jose Mercury News 10/27/11)

Jerry Brown Wants Voters to Approve His Pension Overhaul Plan
California Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Allan Zaremberg had a different take. "We commend the Governor for a bold and substantive proposal that addresses California's unsustainable state and local pensions and retiree health care costs," Zaremberg said. "The Legislature should embrace this common sense plan." (The Sacramento Bee CapitolAlert 10/27/11)

California's Unemployment Insurance Fund Debt Grows
Previous efforts to fix California's broken unemployment insurance system have proved futile. But raising unemployment insurance costs definitely remains a non-starter for the California Chamber of Commerce, policy advocate Marti Fisher said. "Any additional taxes on employers," she said, "are going to be counterproductive for job creation and stabilizing the economy." (Los Angeles Times 10/25/11)

Gov. Jerry Brown Defies Easy Description in How He Handled Legislation
Brown slapped down dozens of bills that would have expanded the scope of government, and others that would have placed burdens on businesses, winning praise from the California Chamber of Commerce and other business groups. (Bay Area News Group 10/11/11)

Brown Finishes Bill Signings, Earns Lawmakers' Praise and Ire
Chamber President Allan Zaremberg said Brown's "commitment to 'do no more harm' to California's economy will send a strong message that eliminating economic uncertainty is the first element of any program to make California more competitive." (The Sacramento Bee 10/11/11)

Brown Veto Pen Not that Sharp After All
Brown vetoed almost every bill that the California Chamber of Commerce deemed to be a "job killer." (The Sacramento Bee 10/10/11)

Only One 'Job Killer' Bill Signed by Brown
The California Chamber of Commerce's “job killer” label appears to be effective in the Jerry Brown era. Of 30 bills tagged with the label, five of which made it to the governor’s desk, Brown signed just one into law. (Sacramento Business Journal 10/10/11)

Cal Chamber Praises Jerry Brown for Vetoing 'Job Killer' Bills
Of five bills the chamber identified as "job killers" on his desk, Brown, a Democrat, vetoed four, the chamber said. (The Sacramento Bee CapitolAlert 10/10/11)

With Signings and Vetoes, Brown Plays Balancing Act
But he vetoed all but one of the bills on the California Chamber of Commerce's job killer list. (Capitol Public Radio 10/10/11)

Governor Vetoes Most of Chamber's 'Job-Killer' Bills
Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed all but one of bills that the California Chamber of Commerce had identified as “job killers.” (Los Angeles Business Journal 10/10/11)

Governor Vetoes Limits on Fee Discretion for Housing, Employment Claims
Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed a bill deemed to be a “job killer” by the California Chamber of Commerce, which the organization claims would’ve limited judges’ discretion in limiting of denying legal fees in fair employment and fair housing claims. (Sacramento Business Journal 09/27/11)

Key Business Bills on Governor’s Desk
The chamber is urging Brown to veto those four that are sitting on his desk, including a bill that would severely limit the ability of employers to use credit checks in hiring decisions, and one that would standardize three days of bereavement leave for employees and allow them to pursue legal claims for violations of the rule. “You reach a tipping point where employers can’t afford to do these things,” said Marc Burgat, vice president for government relations at the chamber. (Sacramento Business Journal 09/16/11)

Chamber of Commerce Wins Big on its 'Job Killer' List
The Legislature may be dominated by liberal Democrats, but the California Chamber of Commerce emerged from the 2011 session as a big winner in its annual "job killer" duel with labor unions, trial lawyers and environmental and consumer groups. (The Sacramento Bee CapitolAlert 09/13/11)

As They Gain Strength, State Democrats Act a Bit Like Republicans
Last month, Capitol insiders gaped as Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce, joined Democratic leaders to announce the new regulatory proposal to help businesses. Reporters asked why he was standing with lawmakers whose bills he had labeled "job killers." Zaremberg replied: "I know how to count." (Los Angeles Times 09/10/11)

Environmentalists Find Few Victories This Year in Sacramento
Business groups say it is only right that eco-measures were kept in check this year. "The key for employers is certainty, and over-regulation is the single biggest cause of uncertainty in the California business climate," said Loren Kaye, president of the California Foundation for Commerce and Education, an arm of the California Chamber of Commerce. (San Jose Mercury News 09/10/11) 

New and Not Improved
Remember the Assembly bill that would require companies that provide building security, maintenance, window cleaning or food services to retain the employees of the previous service contractor for 90 days? Well, AB 350 has been amended. Which is to say it has been made worse. (Bakersfield Californian 09/06/11)

Tips for Employers on Contracting Labor
One of the top 10 things that employers do to get themselves sued is to make everyone “independent contractors,” said Susan Kemp, CalChamber senior employment law counsel.  (The Desert Sun 09/05/11)

Economists Warn Politicians' Job Creation Plans Likely Won't Have Immediate Impact
Efforts at the federal level that improve hiring nationwide can certainly benefit California, simply because of its size and share of the national economy, said Loren Kaye, president of the California Foundation for Commerce and Education, a think tank affiliated with the California Chamber of Commerce. "We're 12 percent of the national economy," Kaye said. "If something's going to work, it'll help California if it also helps Texas and New Jersey." (San Jose Mercury News 09/04/11)

Employers Must Show Union Rights Posters
In a state where many employers run afoul of workplace laws, the California Chamber of Commerce is tackling one of the biggest landmines, that of who is an employee and who is an independent contractor. (The Press-Enterprise 09/02/11)

Democrats, Business Groups Agree on Regulatory Review
Business groups have long complained about the state's regulatory process, saying that it is onerous and too unpredictable. "The number one issue that we hear from businesses throughout the country is the uncertainty of doing business in California," Zaremberg said. "And what we have today is a step forward in the right direction to basically bring some certainty to the regulatory process." (The Sacramento Bee CapitolAlert 09/01/11)

Bill to Keep Property Services Employees Moves to Senate
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday passed a bill that requires “property services” employers to keep a predecessor’s employees on the job for at least 60 days. But opponents like the California Chamber of Commerce California Chamber of Commerce say the measure undermines the at-will employment presumption in California. (Sacramento Business Journal 08/23/11)

Analysis: Workers' Comp Disability Cap Extension Could Cost $210 More
“AB 947 adds huge new payroll costs for private and public employers in California, at the same time our 12 percent unemployment rate remains among the highest in the nation and government is struggling to protect public services,” Thomas Vu, policy advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce, said in a news release this week by Workers’ Compensation Action Network, a Sacramento-based employer coalition. (Sacramento Business Journal 08/19/11)

Analyst: Bill Would Up Calif. Workers' Comp Costs
The Workers Compensation Action Network, a coalition of business and government groups, has come out against AB 947 saying that it would increase temporary disability benefits as much as $137,000 per claim, based on calculations from the Commission on health and Safety and Workers' Compensation. (The Orange County Register 08/19/11)

Celebrating New Voting Districts
State Chamber of Commerce President Allan Zaremberg says, "The process worked. Legislators and congressmen are going to be more accountable to voters. There'll be more competitive districts. "It's a victory for the voters and a model for the rest of the country." (George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times 08/18/11)

Plastic Foam Ban Advances in Assembly
A controversial bill that would ban the use of polystyrene food containers moved ahead Wednesday in the Assembly. The California Chamber of Commerce is against the bill and placed the legislation in its annual "job killers" list released in June. (Long-Beach Press-Telegram 08/18/11)

Governor Names Retired BofA Exec as Jobs Adviser
The California Chamber of Commerce praised the appointment. It said Rossi, a Democrat, was well-qualified to help Brown remove barriers to job growth and improve California's business climate as the state struggles with high unemployment. "We look forward to working with Mr. Rossi to focus California policy makers on creating the certainty businesses need to invest in our economy and create jobs here," chamber president and chief executive Allan Zaremberg said in a statement. (The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle 08/17/11)

Allan Zaremberg Discusses Renew California
CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg discusses the CalChamber's updated "Renew California" economic recovery plan on KENWS radio in Palm Springs, California. (KNEWS-FM 08/17/11)

California Chamber Uses Video Clips to Fight Political War
The California Chamber of Commerce Monday unveiled a new weapon in its never-ending war over legislation it considers to be anti-business—a series of video clips narrated by former Capitol television reporter Kevin Riggs. (The Sacramento Bee CapitolAlert 08/16/11)

Union Bill Would Tie Hands of Employers
If you read Santa Ana Democratic Assemblyman Jose Solorio's explanation of his legislation, the very controversial Assembly Bill 350, it's all about trying to help low-wage workers keep their jobs in this tough economy. Don't be fooled. It's really about helping the sponsor of the bill, the Service Employees International Union, retain union membership and improve its bargaining position. (The Sacramento Bee 08/09/11)

Senator Mark DeSaulnier: Organ Donation Measure Signed by Governor
Governor Brown this week signed SB 272 (DeSaulnier) into law to provide clarity and certainty for both employees and employers in the implementation of California's bone marrow and organ donation leave law. SB 272 was sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce and supported by the California Nurses Association (San Francisco Chronicle 08/04/11)

Regulation Where None is Needed
When our state lawmakers go back into session after their summer recess, one of the many misguided pieces of legislation they will consider is Assembly Bill 350. (The Sun 08/03/11)

AB 350: Yet Another Perverse Job-Killing Bill
Democratic legislators in Sacramento have sponsored so many anti-business bills in the current legislative session that they must not be aware that California’s unemployment rate is a dreadful 11.8 percent. (San Francisco Examiner 08/03/11)

Lt. Governor Releases Plan to Revive Calif Economy
CalChamber CEO Allan Zaremberg said his group appreciated Newsom's emphasis on international trade, regulatory reform and "the priority Sacramento policy makers must place on doing no more harm to our economy." (The Associated Press in the San Jose Mercury News 07/29/11)

Employee Misconduct Policies Save Companies Money, Time
In a recent online seminar, two attorneys who serve as counsel to the California Chamber of Commerce noted the importance of policies that establish clear rules for workplace investigations. “Knowing when and how to conduct workplace investigations is a critical skill for both large and small businesses,” said Erika Frank, the chamber’s vice president and general counsel. (Sacramento Business Journal 07/22/11)

Life of Housing Development Plans Extended
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill into law that extends the life of future housing developments for an additional two years, the California Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday. (Sacramento Business Journal 07/20/11)

California Chamber Offers Workplace Investigation Webinar
The California Chamber of Commerce is hosting a webinar Thursday on how to conduct legal workplace investigations to aid businesses. (Sacramento Business Journal 07/13/11)

Web forum to discuss office investigations
The California Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business webinar Thursday on how to conduct workplace investigations. (The Sacramento Bee 07/13/11)

California Republicans Win Tax Argument, Little Else
The California Chamber of Commerce sought a bipartisan compromise with governance changes and broad-based taxes. Business groups will consider joining a coalition next year that places such a package on the ballot, said Allan Zaremberg, president and CEO of the chamber. "I think there were lost opportunities here," Zaremberg said. "The programs that were not funded are important to creating certainty for someone who wants to come to California. We have not created enough certainty to tell an investor who wants to come here, 'Your taxes are going to be stable and your fees aren't going to go up.' " (The Sacramento Bee 07/06/11)

Union, Proposition 25 Proves its Worth
This will be only the sixth time in the last 25 years that a budget has been enacted by the start of the fiscal year, assuming Gov. Jerry Brown signs it before Friday. And he will; he already has signed pieces of it. Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce, says: "We need to get this budget mess behind us to get some certainty for businesses thinking about investing in California. And we have a budget that continues the uncertainty. We tried so hard to find that sweet spot for a comprehensive solution." (George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times 06/30/11)

Federal Worker Assistance Program Tied to Foreign Free-Trade Deals
The fate of three big trade deals now turns on a politically divisive program that has aided displaced workers in California towns such as Lodi, Folsom and Fresno. "International-related commerce is a major ingredient in the economic prosperity of the state and our nation," Denise Davis, vice president of the California Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday. "Successful passage of these job-creating agreements would be a big win for California, its companies, workers, farmers and ranchers." (McClatchy News Service in The Sacramento Bee 06/30/11)

Local Chambers Earn Statewide Award
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce and Porterville Chamber of Commerce earned the California Chamber of Commerce's President's Circle award for their diligence in helping small businesses comply with state employment laws. (Fresno Business Journal 06/27/11)

CFOs Adjust to ‘New Normal’ as Recovery Sputters
Unemployment affects many companies because it holds back consumer spending. “We’re actually dragging down the national average,” said the CalChamber’s Larry Dicke. “Overall, everybody is still very cautious and concerned about the unemployment rate.” (Sacramento Business Journal 06/24/11)

Union, Property Firms Battle Over Bill to Protect Service Jobs
A bill that would require companies to keep security guards, food-service workers, janitors and other building employees for three months after a change in service providers will be heard in a state Senate committee Wednesday. “It’s a huge intrusion into the employer-employee relationship,” said Jennifer Barrera, of the California Chamber of Commerce, which is opposing the bill. She said it would preclude background checks on existing employees when a new company takes over. (Sacramento Business Journal 06/24/11)

Chamber CEO Says Still Time for 'Comprehensive' Deal
California Chamber of Commerce CEO Allan Zaremberg said he still believes there's time for a "comprehensive" solution to the state budget in the wake of Gov. Jerry Brown's veto. "I think I have some members who would like to see a comprehensive solution so they're not in the crosshairs for targeted taxes," Zaremberg said. "And I can see the business community saying for the good of the community, let's get this behind us once and for all. We're tired of watching Fox News get their entertainment from bashing California." (The Sacramento Bee CapitolAlert 06/20/11)

Wal-Mart Ruling Big Win for Big Business
The Supreme Court on Monday blocked a massive sex discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart on behalf of female employees in a decision that makes it harder to mount large-scale bias claims against the nation's biggest companies. "From the business community's perspective, we are pleased to have received a common sense ruling from the United States Supreme Court on this issue," said Erika Frank with the California Chamber of Commerce. (ABC 7 06/20/11)

11 Bills on Chamber of Commerce 'Job Killer' List Bite the Dust
Poll after poll has shown that public regard for the California Legislature has fallen to an all-time low. If their so-called public hearings are any indication, our elected representatives in Sacramento have an equally low regard for public opinion. "You've struck a nerve," said Allan Zaremberg, president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce. He bemoaned the many times that individuals and businesspeople who were "willing to sit there waiting their turn" - often having taken the day off from work and traveled many miles to make their voices heard — never got a chance to speak. (The Sacramento Bee CapitolAlert 06/15/1)

Opponents of Steinberg's Local Tax Bill Vow Referendum Fight
"Allowing this bill to become law would undermine the state's struggling economy, kill jobs and send exactly the wrong message about California's business climate to prospective employers. We are confident voters will reject this measure at the ballot box," said California Chamber of Commerce CEO Allan Zaremberg, a co-chairman of the campaign. (The Sacramento Bee CapitolAlert 06/15/1)

Business Lobby Focusing on Key Bills in State Legislature
Business advocates are claiming at least a partial victory with the passing of the June 3 cutoff — the last day for bills introduced this session to be passed in their houses of origin. “It’s kind of a good news-bad news thing,” said Marc Burgat, vice president of government relations for the California Chamber of Commerce. There’s still a wide variety of proposed new laws the chamber and other business interests plan to fight, ranging from climate-change regulations to bans on certain types of plastic food containers. (Sacramento Business Journal 06/10/11)

California Paid Sick Leave Mandate Dead for 2011
The 2011 effort to require California employers to provide at least 7 days of paid sick leave a year, AB 400, failed to pass the Assembly by the deadline and is dead for the year, says the California Chamber of Commerce. (The Orange County Register 06/08/11)

Former Long Beach City Manager Jerry Miller Honored by California Chamber of Commerce
Former Long Beach City Manager Jerry Miller was honored last week as California's 2011 Small Business Advocate of the Year by the California Chamber of Commerce. (Long Beach Post 06/06/11)

Oxnard Chamber of Commerce's Nancy Lindholm Earns CalChamber Political Partnership Award
Nancy Lindholm, president and CEO of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, was awarded one of the California Chamber of Commerce’s top honors June 1, at the 2011 Business Summit in Sacramento. (Ventura County Star 06/04/11)

Gov. Brown Pushes Special Election to Tackle 'Wall of Debt'
Shariq Yosufzai, chairman of the board of the California Chamber and a vice president at Chevron Corp., said in his remarks that California “must emerge from the shadow of debt and overspending.” He also said that education must be a priority for the state to remain a world-class economy: “The future of our state is at stake.” (The Sacramento Business Journal 06/02/11)

Brown Pitches Budget Plan, Tax Hikes to Businesses
"I have to tell my Democratic friends that yes, business has to create the wealth. We have to get real here, that every ill can't be matched with a trial attorney seeking benefits and fees. ... And on the other hand, we have to tell business that we're all in it together, and we're all Californians," Brown told a crowd at the Chamber of Commerce's annual Host Breakfast in Sacramento. (The Associated Press 06/02/11)

Voters Want to Have a Voice on Taxes
"If it's part of a comprehensive solution and some members of the Legislature are willing to stick it out and solve this problem once and for all, we need to be there to help them," Allan Zaremberg, the president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, said at the chamber's business summit. (Contra Costa Times 06/01/11)

KFMB: 2011 Job Killer Bills
Allan Zaremberg, CalChamber president and CEO, discusses the 2011 “job killer” bills on the Mike Slater radio show on KFMB in San Diego. (KFMB 05/31/11)

KFBK: 2011 Job Killer Bills
Marc Burgat, CalChamber vice president of government relations, highlights CalChamber's 2011 “job killer” bills on Sacramento radio station KFBK. (KFBK 05/31/11)

Businesses, GOP Demand Calif. Regulatory Relief
"Plenty of companies start up in California and that's hugely important to our economy, but when you get to the next level they don't generally grow big here," said Loren Kaye, president of a think tank affiliated with the California Chamber of Commerce. (The Associated Press 05/28/11)

KMJ: 2011 Job Killer Bills
Denise Davis, vice president, media relations/external affairs, discusses CalChamber's 2011 “job killer” bill list on Fresno radio station KMJ. (KMJ 05/26/11)

Employer Jobless Tax Could Rise
Any fix for the unemployment insurance fund must include a series of policy changes that will improve California’s business climate and spur investment and job creation, CalChamber leaders say. “We need to improve the economy so we can improve revenue into the UI trust fund and decrease the payouts,” said Marti Fisher, a lobbyist for the state’s chamber of commerce. “We don’t want to see any job-killing taxes imposed.” (Sacramento Business Journal 05/27/11)

Assembly Passes Mandatory Bereavement Leave
The California Chamber and eight other employer groups oppose the bill. A letter to Assembly members states, “By making a four-day bereavement leave mandatory in every situation, AB 325 removes the flexibility employers need to balance bereavement leave requests with other pressing leaving leave requests." (The Orange County Register 05/27/11)

California Chamber Lists 'Job Killers'
The California Chamber of Commerce has released its annual list of “job killers.” The proposals this year range from a minimum wage increase (tied to inflation this time around) to a mandated increase in alternative fuels. (Sacramento Business Journal 05/26/11)

First, Do No Harm
This morning, CalChamber is releasing our 201l list of Job Killer legislation. This year’s list features 28 bills that, if signed into law, would increase costs for employers, lead to more regulations and litigation, and create further barriers to investment for companies hoping to do business here and to hire California workers. It is important to note that the first step in an economic recovery program is to do no more harm to the economy. (Fox and Hounds Daily 05/25/11)

California Chamber of Commerce Says 28 Bills are 'Job Killers'
The targeted bills are mostly sponsored by labor unions, environmental groups, personal injury attorneys and consumer activists, and with Democrat Jerry Brown back as governor, they have ramped up their efforts to pass their legislative agendas, which include many of the measures that were blocked during the Schwarzenegger era. (The Sacramento Bee CapitolAlert 05/25/11)

Severance Pay and Other Employment Myths
Some common employee-employer actions aren't required by law, says Ellen Savage, a labor law adviser to the California Chamber of Commerce. (The Orange County Register 05/21/11)

Darrell Steinberg Throws a Tax Pitch
State government could lighten its load while loosening its control over local communities.And that's just the kind of thinking that worries Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce, which strongly opposes the Steinberg bill. Acknowledging the measure may only be a brushback pitch, Zaremberg says "it's entirely possible that people will fall in love with it. When school districts say it's a great idea, how do you just turn off the spigot?" He worries that "1,000 school districts will be able to raise taxes limited only by someone's imagination." (Los Angeles Times 05/12/11)

Is Your Employee Handbook a Legal Minefield?
The California Chamber of Commerce released a white paper this week detailing the 10 worst mistakes made by employers when drafting employee manuals. (The San Diego Union-Tribune 4/14/2011)

Union 'Card-Check' Bill for Farmworkers Could Put Brown in Tough Spot
After an Assembly vote earlier this week, both houses of the Legislature have now passed a bill that would allow agricultural workers to unionize if a majority of them sign cards attesting to their desire to do so. The California Chamber of Commerce has labeled the bill a "job-killer," and is joined by all the state's major employer groups, including the California Farm Bureau Federation. (Ventura County Star 05/19/11)

California Finance Chief Woos Chamber While Anti-Tax Group Vows Fight
"To his credit, (Brown) put together a budget with long-term solutions, but what we're looking for is certainty," [CalChamber President and CEO Allan] Zaremberg said. "It's really important that California's deficit is no longer the talking point on national TV shows so people know California has solved its deficit." (Contra Costa Times 1/14/2011)