April 10, 2017

Mayor Kevin Faulconer unveiled a path forward to finance the long-stalled contiguous convention center expansion. The expansion – strongly approved by San Diego City Council, Port of San Diego and Coastal Commission – was delayed by litigation. After the latest round of success in Court earlier this year, the Mayor moved forward with a proposal to pay for the more than $600 million project. The plan calls for voters to consider a TOT increase similar to the former “3-2-1” plan where hotels closest to the convention center would see an increase of 3 percent and those farthest from the center would only have a 1 percent additional increase. Included in the financing would be a set aside of approximately $20 million per year in spending related to infrastructure and homelessness purposes. In June, the Council will consider placing it on the November ballot.

April 10, 2017

Councilmember Georgette Gomez is the final of the three newly elected San Diego City Councilmembers to visit with Public Policy Committee. Councilmember Gomez focused on areas of possible collaboration with the Chamber, like infrastructure, housing affordability, and economic development. Her mission is to help lift people out of poverty as much of her district falls within 30 percent Area Media Income or AMI which is the household income for the median — or middle — household in a region. Councilmember Gomez attended the Chamber’s Sacramento and Mexico City delegation trips.

April 10, 2017

On March 23, Lori Ajax, Chief of the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation, joined Chamber members to discuss the development of statewide marijuana regulations. The discussion covered a wide range of topics including:

• conflicts between Federal and State law
• the rights of employers
• the regulation of use, sales, edibles and cultivation
• HR and employee use
• impact on local government and emergency resources, and
• taxation 

Lori Ajax also joined the delegation on the Sacramento trip earlier this year.

April 10, 2017

SB 62, a bill the Chamber opposed for its proposed burden to employers, will be gutted and amended to deal with a non-labor related issue which is a major win for the business community. As originally written, SB 62 sought to expand the definition of “family member” for whom employees could take up to 12 weeks of unpaid protected leave to care for. This was a dramatic step above the existing federal Family Medical Leave Act.

April 10, 2017

Last week, Governor Brown issued a statement declaring an end to the drought due to record-setting precipitation and conservation throughout most of the state. Although Governor Brown ended the drought state of emergency in most of California, the state could experience drought conditions in the future, which is why it’s important to continue conserving water resources and diversifying supply portfolios. Urban water use reporting requirements will stay in effect as well as prohibitions on wasteful practices such as watering during or after rainfall.

April 10, 2017

The replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act, dubbed the American Health Care Act (AHCA), was introduced by Speaker Paul Ryan only to be pulled from the floor vote as it became clear there was not sufficient Republican support to pass the bill. President Trump has vowed to continue working on a deal, meeting both with Democrats and staunch Republican opposition such as the members of the House Freedom Caucus. These discussions have yet to produce a tangible legislative proposal, but the Chamber will continue to monitor the situation closely. It remains possible that Congress will be pulled back for an emergency vote as they adjourned for Spring Break last week.

The Chamber’s Healthcare & Public Policy Committees have adopted the following position regarding proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act:

It is the Chamber’s position that there be no repeal of the Affordable Care Act without an immediate, adequate replacement bill that prioritizes maintenance of expanded coverage, and considers the broader economic impact of healthcare on the local, state and federal levels.

The Chamber has defined an adequate replacement proposal as one that:

• Prioritizes the protection of expanded coverage;
• Does not impose an unreasonable burden on employers;
• Provides flexibility and assurances of stability for businesses and contractors who have participated in the ACA structure as they are shift into compliance determined by new policies; and
• Modifies or eliminates duplicative, excessive, antiquated and contradictory regulations that drive up costs, divert resources from patient care and inhibit coordination amongst health providers.

April 10, 2017

Electric Eel, SeaWorld’s proposed 150-foot coaster ride, will be heard by the City of San Diego’s Planning Commission today. The proposed project is consistent with SeaWorld’s Master Plan, the EIR analysis, and the Coastal Act. The Electric Eel project was unanimously approved by the Mission Bay Park Committee and the Park & Recreation Board. SeaWorld also briefed the Chamber’s IHLU Committee. If the project receives its necessary approvals, it will be completed in May 2018.