The bills and votes in the Chamber’s vote record reflect state legislators’ attitudes toward job creation, fiscal responsibility and the business climate.
As part of the Chamber’s effort to track the positions of several Riverside-area state legislators on essential business issues, the Chamber has compiled its 2011 Legislative Vote Record to highlight several pieces of legislation that passed the Assembly and Senate and landed on Governor Brown’s desk for final action. The full report focuses on ten legislative bills the Chamber identified that would have had very specific positive or negative impacts on the local economy and the respective votes of each of legislators that represent Riverside and the region.
With issues ranging from reducing workers’ compensation costs for businesses to improving public school assessment standards to develop a stronger workforce, the issues impact businesses of every size and across most major industries. “As part of its central goal to build a stronger local economy, the Chamber continues to represent the interests of business with government and, when necessary, take political action to ensure that our lawmakers in Sacramento are creating an environment conducive to business development and job creation,” stated Howard Golds, Chairman of the Board of Directors and partner with Best Best & Krieger LLP.
“As the voice of the business community, it is our responsibility to advocate to our legislators on the key issues that impact us and, in turn, share with our members how their elected leaders acted on key bills in Sacramento,” said Golds. The Chamber applauds Senators Bob Dutton and Bill Emmerson as well as Assembly Members Kevin Jeffries, Jeff Miller, Mike Morrell and Brian Nestande for prioritizing the business community in their deliberations in Sacramento. Furthermore, we encourage them to build on this platform and continue tackling the complex issues that shape our state’s economic growth and competitiveness.
The Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Council studied each of the ten bills, and then the Chamber’s Board of Directors took a position of support or opposition by communicating those positions with each Riverside legislator.
Chambers Voices Crucial Concerns on AQMD Air Quality Energy Policy
After several months of input from concerned members of the business community, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) recently adopted an air quality-related energy policy to create a unified approach to improving air quality standards. While the policy does not add any new AQMD regulations or mandates, it does add a set of policies and action steps to meet increasingly strict federal health-based standards for air quality in the South Coast Air Basin as well as promoting the development of zero- and near-zero emission technologies.
Deeply concerned with striking a balance between environmental improvement goals and sustaining economic development in the South Coast Basin, the Chamber voiced its concerns to the district’s Governing Board on addressing air quality while minimizing hindrances to economic development and job creation within Southern California. Recognizing this balance, the final policy adopted by the AQMD Governing Board appears to address the bulk of the Chamber’s primary concerns.
Throughout its input to the staff and board of AQMD, the Chamber strongly recommended that the energy policy recognize a stronger nexus of regulation with the source of air pollutant generation, especially on mobile sources such as personal vehicles, rail, freight, and marine vessels. Moreover, the Chamber stressed that further detail regarding the geographic source of generation would ensure businesses within Inland Southern California do not unfairly bear the burden of regulation that would more suitably apply to sources in the more industrial areas of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
The Chamber also emphasized that the energy policy should strive to reach a balance between the economic benefit of improved air quality and the cost of compliance incurred by the residents and businesses already located in the region. This balance is vitally important such that too much in one direction, whether it is reduced standards for air quality improvement or cost-prohibitive requirements on businesses hurting job creation, would not significantly improve the greater quality of life for the region.
Overall, the final air quality-related energy policy approved by AQMD’s Governing Board will promote zero- or near-zero emission technologies, support “demand-side” energy management, encourage the storage of electricity to reduce the need for new, large power plants and transmission lines, and recognize that fossil-fueled power plants will still be needed to accommodate growth and complement intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Chamber Discusses Pressing Issues for Region with CA Legislative Analyst
Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor informs members about the recent budget and educates them on the next steps for what is to come in the months ahead.
As the keynote speaker at the Chamber’s September Good Morning Riverside and part of a roundtable discussion with several business and civic leaders after the event, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor offered a frank assessment of the state’s economic situation and the fiscal policy that shapes several critical issues for Inland Southern California.
In his presentation before more than 200 Chamber members, Taylor stressed that the reliance on sales tax revenue for government income coupled with the volatile boom and bust cycle of the California economy in recent years has led to greater uncertainty of funding in the state’s fiscal policy. This is a significant contributing factor to the dramatic and often drawn out budgeting process undertaken by the Governor and legislators every year.
In reference to the recent budget passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Brown earlier this year, Taylor highlighted the major components of the realignment program that will transfer several state services to local governments with the promise of state funding in order to achieve future savings by the state. Unlike the initial realignment proposed by the Governor in January, the final adopted realignment relies on a shift of existing state and local tax revenues rather than the extension of expiring tax rates as proposed by the Governor. Moreover, the adopted budget legislation does not include the Governor’s proposal for a constitutional amendment to make the funding allocations to local governments permanent.
After Good Morning Riverside, Taylor reiterated many of these same points in a roundtable meeting with local business leaders, Mayor Ron Loveridge, and County Supervisor Bob Supervisor. He noted that funding for specific regional projects, including the Chamber-supported request for continued funding for the UCR School of Medicine, is increasingly difficult given the state’s current economic climate. He recommended that university leaders redirect UCR’s already allocated funding to demonstrate to the Legislature a greater stake in the establishment of the medical school.
Taylor also reiterated his office’s support for the state’s action to eliminate local redevelopment agencies, except those that agree to pay their share of property tax revenue to the state’s coffers. Mayor Loveridge expressed his disagreement with this step, citing redevelopment as the primary tool for local governments to stimulate new development and job creation.
Taylor highlighted his office’s support of increasing tuition fees for community colleges in California as a means to leverage more federal funds to mitigate programmatic impacts on instruction and services caused by budget cuts in Sacramento. Taylor recognized the public consternation over increasing fees but stated that federal tax credits for financially needy students provided a greater opportunity for higher education funding, while having no negative effect on those students.
10 Ways the Chamber Helped Your Business
A delegation of Chamber members traveled to Sacramento to meet with state lawmakers and advocate for several critical issues including passing a sound state budget, protecting redevelopment, and funding the UCR Medical School.
The Chamber is committed to building a stronger local economy by being an advocate for our members and the voice for business. Here are 10 ways your investment in the Chamber helped us to improve the Riverside business community.
Successfully Urged for Greater Local Representation via Redistricting Process
With strong support and advocacy from the Chamber, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission approved final maps for Assembly, Senate, and Congressional districts that boost local representation at the state and federal levels to reflect the explosive growth of population in Riverside County. The Chamber advocated keeping the City of Riverside intact within Assembly, State Senate, and Congressional districts and nesting these political districts within Riverside County as much as possible.
Effectively Supported Pro-Business City Council Candidates to Victory
With the endorsement of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Political Action Committee (GRCCPAC), Council members Mike Gardner, Rusty Bailey, and Chris Mac Arthur were successfully re-elected to office on the Riverside City Council for maintaining a pro-business environment in local government. Councilman Steve Adams, with the GRCCPAC’s endorsement, will continue to a run-off election on November 8, 2011. The GRCCPAC is a separate entity that works to identify and support business-friendly candidates for local, state, and federal elected offices.
Awarded Scholarships to Local Students to Create a Well-Educated Workforce
Understanding the need for a highly educated workforce, the Chamber worked to increase the college-going rates of local students attending college. All six of the Chambers’ Area Business Councils provided for scholarships to local high school students. This year, the business councils awarded 14 scholarships to local students, donating more than $8,000 through the Dollars for Scholars program.
Supported General Aviation Development at March Air Reserve Base
Upon the recommendation of the Economic Development Council, the Chamber unanimously supported the use of March Air Reserve Base as a general aviation facility. General aviation includes privately owned, light aircraft, business jets, emergency service flights, crop-dusting and other non-commercial aerial activities. General aviation supports additional uses of the base and attracts jobs to the region.
Local business leaders joined Mona Pasquil, Appointments Secretary to Governor Brown, at a Chamber Business Roundtable to discuss opportunities for greater representation in Sacramento from Inland Southern California.
Brightened Up the City through the Great American Clean-Up
Volunteers came out in full force for the 2011 Great American Clean-up, organizing clean-up sites are over thirty different locations citywide. Through this enthusiastic effort, volunteers cleared and abated weeds, cleaned up litter, removed graffiti, and landscaped city medians. In one day, over 600 volunteers collected over 6,000 pounds of trash.
Helped Local Businesses Adjust to New Water Rates
In an effort to reduce wasted water resources and encourage efficiency among business and residential consumers, the Western Municipal Water District has established a new rate structure that would individualize budget rates for customers. The Chamber worked with large water users that will be affected by the new rate to be sure they fully understood the potential impact to their business.
Chamber members build their network of contacts and customers over appetizers and refreshments at the Chamber’s After Hours Business Mixer at the Fox Performing Arts Center.
Advocated for Businesses to Avoid Costly Disability Access Litigation
Recognizing a growing concern for businesses with customer accessible facilities, the Chamber supported legislation to create a process for the notification and correction of disability access violations and helps businesses avoid costly and frivolous litigation. While the Chamber recognizes that public and private facilities must conform to the requirements of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and violations need to be corrected, the Chamber supports legislation that helps businesses make a good faith effort to correct an alleged Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violation before being subject to penalties and litigation.
Supported Establishment of More Parking Opportunities for Business Customers
The Chamber reviewed the parking plan in Magnolia Center and strongly supported the establishment of greater 90-minute public parking locations by the City of Riverside to facilitate turn-over of on-street parking during peak business hours, allowing ample time for lunch, appointments and service-oriented needs. With the Chamber’s support, the City also created additional parking opportunities by adding 25 new parking spaces on Brockton Avenue from Magnolia Avenue to north of Nelson Street and 6 additional 2-hour parking spaces on San Simeon Way.
Hosted Seminars on Social Media Tools, Human Resources, and Customer Service
Recognizing the growing need for business to capitalize on new tools and techniques to grow their business, the Chamber hosted a series of seminars for Chamber members on taking advantage of social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and online blogs to reach new customers and expand their marketing reach. Seminars also included information on other topics important to businesses such as sexual harassment prevention and securing local municipal contracts.
Stressed Importance of Pro-Business Legislation to State Lawmakers
Through the Chamber’s Capitol Connection trip, an annual advocacy trip to Sacramento, Chamber members met and discussed critical local and business issues with state legislators and policy advisors. The Chamber emphasized the need to pass a sound budget quickly, protect redevelopment agencies, and fund the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. The Chamber delegation also warned legislators of potentially damaging pieces of legislation that would hinder job creation just prior to casting their vote.
Chamber-Supported Ballot Measure to Continue Enhanced Library Services
Marcy Branch Library is one of several Riverside libraries that would benefit from the passage of Measure I on the November 2011 ballot.
With the support of the Chamber, the City of Riverside has placed Measure I on the November 8 ballot in order to offer continued and enhanced library programs and services. Measure I would continue a $19 per year tax on property owners that provides about $1.3 million for library staffing, programs and materials, which is nearly a quarter of the library system’s budget.
In 1992, the State of California shifted funds from cities to meet their budget obligations causing a reduction in local funding. In an effort to secure a dedicated revenue source for local libraries, voters approved City-sponsored Measure C – a $19 annual parcel tax – in 2002 by a 69% majority. For the 2011-2012 fiscal year, Measure C will generate $1.43 million for libraries, which represents 22% of the overall library budget. However, the ten-year term of this measure is due to expire in June 2012.
Since 2002, Measure C has allowed the Riverside Public Library to increase the weekly hours of operation, the number of youth service staff to conduct children’s programs, and the number of public access computers for each of its eight branches. Measure C has also contributed funding for the development of teen programming system wide and the creation of teen space at the Downtown Library.
The increase in programs has also come simultaneously with the City’s expansion of the Library system, including the addition of the Arlanza and Orange Terrace Branch Libraries and the relocation expansion of the Marcy Library. The City anticipates using future Measure proceeds for maintaining these new services and continuing to expand programs and hours of operation by staffing the Hillcrest Joint Use Library, increasing the number of public computers and early learning computers, providing additional children’s programming, adding early learning components to every library, increasing space for children in existing libraries, continuing library outreach to local schools, providing special events, and upgrading technology components and self-checkout systems.
If approved, provisions of the Measure I extension of the parcel tax will be the same as what currently exists, which means no tax increase, all funds will be restricted for library services only and it will expire again in ten years.
General Aviation Adds New Depth to March
The Chamber recently expressed support for the expansion of general aviation and the establishment of a terminal specifically for general aviation use at March Air Reserve Base. This decision came in conjunction with assurances from military leaders at the base that general aviation usage would be a benefit to the base and the community rather than a danger to local residents. Despite many common misconceptions, general aviation includes privately owned, light aircraft, business jets, emergency service flights, crop-dusting and other non-commercial aerial activities rather than large freight aircraft.
Furthermore, March Joint Powers Authority is seeking the development of a general aviation terminal at the airport for small general aviation aircraft. At a recent Chamber meeting, Gary Gosliga, Airport Director for March Joint Powers Authority, explained that the environment impact report for the terminal is currently under review by the Federal Aviation Administration with construction scheduled to begin in winter 2012 and end late 2013. Current plans include parking for pilots and passengers, an apron, and a terminal building. Public facilities would be located on an 11.5 acre parcel on the southeast portion of the airport.
Many local residents around March have expressed concerns that would come with opening the base to more private flying, including aircraft noise, accidents and the potential for terrorist acts since the base is shared with the military.
However, Colonel Karl McGregor, commander of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing and base commander for MARB, expressed his support for general aviation at March, stating that the military wants the civilian air traffic in order to help defray the costs of operating the airport. McGregor said that military units on base would be able to handle the mix of private flights and military flights and maintain a high level of security at the airport.
The development of a general aviation terminal and the use of the airport by small private aircraft would not only bring in new construction-related jobs but also add a new facet to March Air Reserve Base as an elemental economic driver for the region.
Chamber Set to Examine CA’s Fiscal Outlook at Good Morning Riverside
Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor will bring a wealth of expertise and insight into the state’s current fiscal policy management at this month’s Good Morning Riverside, sponsored by Premier Service Bank.
After a busy legislative session in Sacramento, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor will join Chamber members for this month’s Good Morning Riverside, sponsored by Premier Service Bank. As the foremost non-partisan authority on the state’s fiscal policy, Taylor will brief members on the far-reaching impact of the recently-passed budget as well as provide an outlook of the state’s fiscal situation.
Over the past year, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, under Taylor’s direction, has developed and published a number of reviews on a wide range of topics under consideration by the Legislature, including the 2011-2012 state budget, realignment of state services, public employee pensions, environmental cap-and-trade policies, and fiscal and policy reviews of several state departments.
The Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) serves as the “eyes and ears” for the Legislature to ensure that the executive branch is implementing legislative policy in a cost efficient and effective manner. Historically, one of the most important responsibilities of the LAO has been to analyze and publish a detailed review of the annual Governor’s budget, including individual department reviews and recommendations for legislative action. The LAO also provides an overview of the state’s fiscal picture and identifies some of the major policy issues confronting the Legislature.
Taylor was appointed to the position of Legislative Analyst in October 2008, as the fifth person to serve in that capacity since the office was founded in 1941. As the Legislative Analyst, Taylor serves as the nonpartisan fiscal advisor to both houses of the California Legislature and oversees the preparation of annual fiscal and policy analyses of the state’s budget and programs. His office is also responsible for preparing impartial analyses of all initiatives and constitutional measures qualifying for the state’s ballot.
Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree, with highest honors, in political science from the University of California, Riverside, and a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University. He serves on the Statewide Leadership Council of the Public Policy Institute of California.
State Funding for 91 HOV Project to Create Jobs, Relieve Congestion
After continued advocacy by the Chamber and other local groups, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) recently allocated $157 million to the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) to begin construction on the State Route 91 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Project. Part of a total $2.2 billion allocation spread across 146 highway, transit, and rail projects statewide, this new allocation draws its funding from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. The CTC spent most of the spring and summer deferring projects until the state’s budget was settled.
The SR-91 HOV Project will build one additional high occupancy vehicle lane, also known as a carpool lane, in each direction between Adams Street and the 60/91/215 interchange. The project will also separate a major railroad track crossing, improve ramps, bridges and freeway access, and close a 6 mile HOV gap on the 91 freeway in order to relieve congestion and shorten commuter’s drive times.
With a total cost of $273 million, the SR-91 HOV Project was waiting on the final allocation of state funds in order to begin construction. This shelf-ready project, scheduled to begin early 2012, will create approximately 1,800 construction-related jobs over the term of its build-out—much needed at a time to aid a struggling economy.
In addition to the initial improvement that infrastructure developments bring through construction-related job creation, transportation projects such as the SR-91 HOV Project reduce traffic congestion, improve commute times, mitigate goods movement problems, facilitate regional commerce, improve quality of life, and sustain California’s competitive position as a leading world economy and center for global trade.
In 2006, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 1B which allocated $19.9 billion via the sale of bonds to transportation infrastructure for goods movement, highway congestion relief, local streets and roads, and public transportation. Riverside County is heavily impacted by commuter and cargo traffic moving through the region. Nearly 300,000 vehicles commute daily between the county and neighboring Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
New Redistricting Maps Boost Local Representation
Despite final approval by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, several groups have filed challenges against the final Senate maps including a single district that covers the City of Riverside.
In a historical, if largely ceremonial, vote, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission approved new political boundary maps that will reshape legislative districts in the California Legislature and United States House of Representatives. A nearly-unanimous vote by the Commission certified new maps that will replace districts that have been long-criticized for protecting incumbent and partisan interests. For Inland Southern California, the Commission sanctioned final maps that are significantly similar to an initial draft supported by the Chamber earlier this year for the City of Riverside.
Riverside’s Final Maps
Congressional District 41
Signifying a strong degree of consensus around the new boundaries in Inland Southern California, Senate, Assembly, and Congressional boundaries for districts in Riverside County survived several rounds of revisions and pre-visualized drafts as the Commission wrestled with drawing lines for more urban communities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento. Preliminary versions of the final maps were approved in early August, beginning a two week-period of public comment before the Commission approved the final maps that would mean drastic changes across the political spectrum in California.
Assembly District 60
At the congressional level, the final map creates a congressional district that encompasses Riverside, Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, and Perris. For the state, the City of Riverside is split between two Assembly districts that cover the Western and Eastern parts of the City. However, these two Assembly districts are then nested together to create a single Senate district encompassing Riverside, Corona, Norco, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, and Perris. For the rest of Riverside County, several districts were created to consolidate political representation within the region and ensure greater participation of local legislators in state and federal issues. To see the final maps, visit the California Citizens Redistricting Commission’s website at http://www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov.
The new finalized maps represent a significantly improved change for the City of Riverside as the current state and federal districts largely split up Riverside into sections that are conjoined with other communities, thereby creating a widely-dispersed but fragmented political platform. The Chamber strongly believes that these new maps will improve the opportunity for the business community in this region to speak with a cohesive voice in Washington, DC and Sacramento.
New Opportunities for Local Representation
Assembly District 61
The certification of these new maps also presents an immediate opportunity for local leaders and concerned stakeholders to shape the region’s political representation. With the Congressional and Assembly districts up for election every two years and the odd-numbering of the new Senate district for Riverside, local residents and business leaders will be able to elect new representatives as early as 2012. Moreover, with a depleted field of incumbents in these new districts, several opportunities exist for local individuals to campaign for election in these new districts. As such, the redistricting process has essentially shaken up the political representation for Inland Southern California, creating more opportunities for local business leaders and residents to take office.
Potential Obstacles Looming
Nevertheless, citing some concerns of flaws in the redistricting process and inconsistencies with the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, several community and political groups across the state have begun initial preparations to file legal challenges and ballot initiatives to overturn the Commission’s finalized maps. In particular, concerns regarding the final Senate districts across California have prompted some groups to begin collecting signatures for a state-wide ballot initiative that would overturn the finalized maps. If approved by the voters, the California Supreme Court would then be called upon to redraw the Senate maps from scratch.
The Chamber recently supported new legislation that would allow stricter environmental standards for California to satisfy federal standards, thereby reducing the cost and delay for land and infrastructure development projects. House Resolution 2538, introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert of the 44th Congressional District, would enact the Reducing Environmental Barriers to Unified Infrastructure and Land Development (REBUILD) Act of 2011.
This legislation would authorize states to enter into an agreement with the federal government to assume environmental review responsibilities for infrastructure and land development projects. Although the state would still be required to uphold the same standards or greater, by assuming these responsibilities states could integrate federal compliance into their own state approval process thereby streamlining construction timelines and eliminating the need for redundant reviews at the federal level.
The REBUILD Act will streamline the currently time-consuming environmental review process on infrastructure projects and begin projects sooner, thereby employing people faster. Having to go through just the state process could shave as much as 18 months off the five to ten years it often takes to complete environmental reviews and ensure compliance in the early stages of a major project.
The concept of this bill originated from a pilot program created by 2005 federal transportation legislation, which allows states to take responsibility for ensuring federal environmental standards are followed on certain projects. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) created a pilot program that allowed a limited number of states to take on the task of ensuring National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance for highway projects under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In those states that chose to assume this responsibility, the length of time to complete a project review was reduced by an average of 17 months while also ensuring the goals of the NEPA process were not compromised.
Regular audits of state NEPA programs required by the REBUILD Act to ensure states are upholding NEPA standards. Should a state be found in noncompliance, a mechanism is provided to initiate corrective action and, if necessary, revoke the state’s NEPA responsibilities. Although the state would still be required to uphold the same NEPA standards or greater, by assuming these responsibilities states could integrate NEPA compliance into their own state approval process thereby streamlining construction timelines and eliminating the need for redundant reviews at the federal level.
Riverside Chamber 