News & Updates

Chamber Testifies at Coastal Commission in Support of Pure Water

Chamber Staff testified at the Coastal Commission in May asking the Coastal Commission to approve the federal consistency determination for the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit renewal for the Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant. This permit is an important component to what makes Pure Water San Diego economically feasible at this time. By significantly reducing ocean discharges from the Point Loma plant, Pure Water San Diego will allow ratepayers to avoid paying for a very expensive, and what will become an unnecessary, conversion to the plant.

House of Origin

The state’s house of origin deadline was Friday, June 2nd, requiring that all legislation pass out of its original house in order to progress. The Chamber is pleased to report that Senator Atkins’ SB 2, a bill to provide a stable source of funds for the building of affordable housing; and SB 769, a bill to expand community college baccalaureate degree pilot programs, made it out of the Senate. However, AB 1565, a bill that mandates unilateral accelerated salary increases for employees, and AB 1102, a bill that challenges staffing processes at hospitals, remain in play and are opposed by the Chamber. For additional information on specific bills, contact Chamber staff.

Stefanie Benvenuto
619.544.1378
sbenvenuto@sdchamber.org

For further information on this, visit:

http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/government/sacramento-report-the-2017-house-of-origin-billsplosion/

Trump Budget

President Trump unveiled his proposed budget for FY18, to strongly mixed reviews. This budget assumes both comprehensive tax reform and the passage and implementation of the American Health Care Act, both of which are facing an uncertain future. Further, the President is relying on a substantial growth rate for the American economy that many remain skeptical of. It is important to note that the President’s budget proposal does not represent the final product, however offers a guideline of sorts to Congress as they begin to write their budget resolution. Of note for San Diego is that funding was included for the Otay Border Crossing and increased allocation for personnel for the U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The life science and social service industries face drastic cuts under the proposal, including the elimination of a number of programs that funnel money directly to local programs. If you or your business has feedback on the budget proposal, please contact Chamber staff.

Stefanie Benvenuto
619.544.1378
sbenvenuto@sdchamber.org

For more on this topic:

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/us-politics/sd-me-trump-budget-sandiego-20170523-story.html

Governor Releases May Revise

Governor Brown released his to the January budget of $183.4 billion. The Governor continues to spend conservatively with the belief that the state is headed for another recession. Of note, Brown is watching the federal administration in Washington with the knowledge that significant changes to the Affordable Care Act and/or tax reform would mean additional pressure on the state budget. Governor Brown has maintained that Proposition 56 (which the Chamber supported) dollars from November will be redirected to offset Medi-Cal costs instead of adequately reimbursing Medi-Cal doctors, dentists, and other providers, as originally dictated in the bill language.

Chamber Retains New State Lobbying Firm

The Chamber has recently made a change to its state lobbying firm and is now working with the highly regarded firm of DiMare Brown Hicks Kessler (DBHK). Under the new partnership, the Chamber’s goal is to increase visibility and key relationships to strategically benefit the San Diego business community. DBHK has a wealth of experience and includes partners who have formerly worked at CalChamber, the CA League of Cities, and in offices of legislators who hold positions in leadership.

10News LEADership Award Recipient Dr. Jason Galea

Dr. Jason Galea is honored with the 10News LEADership Award for founding and serving as executive Director of the San Diego Saints Hockey program.

Community Partner of the Month: The New Children’s Museum

The New Children’s Museum is a new model of children’s museum whose mission is to stimulate imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families through inventive and engaging experiences with contemporary art.

We believe all children should have access to the creative process and arts of the highest quality. We provide free and discounted admission through ongoing public programs like “Check Out NCM” library memberships, Target Family Day, Blue Star Museums and Kids Free October. We also provide group visits for many children and families from diverse communities throughout San Diego County through our Mass Creativity Program, Title 1 Access program, pARTners in Creativity and more.

We offer a variety of programs for teachers, students, and families throughout the year taught by trained Teaching Artists. We believe that by engaging children through art, play and exploration, the Museum is nurturing skills needed for the 21st century: creativity, confidence, problem solving, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, collaboration, optimism and curiosity about the world.
Providing impactful and fun educational experiences is at the heart of The New Children’s Museum. Our camps combine hands-on art-making activities, creative games and playtime in the park with the opportunity for children to think, play and create.

Our Museum offers fun and creative ways for families to think, play and create together in our programs and classes! We offer a variety of programs for teachers, students, and families throughout the year taught by trained Teaching Artists. Our Museum hosts multiple annual events for families, communities and adults.

Plan your visit to The New Children’s Museum today, learn more here.

Member Spotlight: AbacusNext

AbacusNext® helps businesses with stringent security and compliance needs grow by providing Compliance-Ready™ turnkey technology solutions, allowing our clients to leverage the power of cloud computing without the added challenges and expenses of managing complex IT infrastructures on their own. As an end-to-end solutions provider, our products and services portfolio includes virtual desktop (DaaS), private cloud, case management software (CMS), email hosting services, security endpoint protection, business continuity (BCP), and on-premise solutions. Since 1983, we have delivered on-demand services to over 500,000 businesses worldwide, and are recognized by Forbes as one of America’s fastest growing companies.

We were founded on one simple concept: improving the lives of professionals through the use of technology. Its competencies serve to simplify the adoption, implementation, and management of technology to quickly increase revenues, reduce costs, and maximize efficiencies, while keeping security and compliance at the forefront.

For more information, please visit www.abacusnext.com.

Contact Info:
AbacusNext
9171 Towne Centre Drive
Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92122
www.abacusnext.com
info@abacusnext.com