News & Updates

NAFTA Update and Recently Imposed Tariffs

International

June 18, 2018

Representatives of the Border Trade Alliance led by Chamber VP Paola Avila as the Board Chair were in DC last week urging lawmakers from both parties to support modernized trade agreements. The current state of impasse in the three-nation negotiations over the North American Free Trade Agreement has brought much uncertainty to future trade relations.

The BTA, which represents both public and private entities on issues related to cross-border trade, also urged members of Congress to assert themselves in the trade debate.

“We thank all of the senators and representatives who took the time to visit with the BTA and hear our positive, pro-growth message of trade and cross-border cooperation,” BTA Chair Paola Avila said. “We are hopeful that Congress will, in a bipartisan fashion, act as a respectful but necessary check on the executive branch and stand opposed to the administration’s installation of tariffs on steel and aluminum, resist further tariffs on autos, and urge the administration to dial back its rhetoric toward our friends and closest trade partners. Our economy risks tremendous damage if we pursue higher tariffs.”

In addition to meetings on the Hill, Paola led a panel discussion on NAFTA at the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute fifth-annual Building a Competitive U.S.-Mexico Border conference. Watch the webcast recap: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/fifth-annual-building-competitive-us-mexico-border-conference

The Chamber opposes tariffs and continues to work to strengthen cross-border trade with Mexico. On a radio interview with KPBS, Paola, discussed how new tariffs may impact San Diego’s economy and U.S.-Mexico trade relations.

Region’s Leaders Recognized and Celebrated at 16th Annual Visionary Awards

LEAD

June 15, 2018

On June 14, more than 700 business, community and civic leaders attended the 16th annual Visionary Awards, Southern California’s premier leadership recognition event. The evening’s honorees included Peter Seidler and Dan Shea, the Ronald Kendrick Memorial Award for Regional Collaboration; Blanca Uribe Diaz, the Charles Nathanson Memorial Award for Cross-Border Region Building; Jay Flatley, the Economic Opportunity Award; Lidia S. Martinez, LEAD Graduate of the Year; Chloe Gubbay, the Community Spotlight Award; and Patti Roscoe, the Neil Morgan Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement. New this year was the Community Spotlight Video Lounge, where finalists for the 2018 Community Spotlight Award were interviewed via Facebook Live.

Opportunity Zones Program in California

Policy

June 14, 2018

As part of the federal tax reform bill, states had the opportunity to identify “Opportunity Zones” for local economic development opportunity. The program allows investors to utilize incentives including capital gains tax breaks by investing in a designated Opportunity Zone. The U.S. Department of Treasury recently certified the California Opportunity Zone map, which can be found here. According to the California Department of Finance, zones were determined based on: a focus on poverty, areas with business activity, and geographic diversity. San Diego is situated to benefit from this program, with a notable chunk of census tracks designated as Opportunity Zones.

100 Businesses Ask Mayors to Approve More Housing

Policy

June 14, 2018

In a letter signed by over 100 local businesses, the Chamber asked the Mayors throughout San Diego County to approve more housing in their jurisdictions. Citing the impacts to employee retention and attraction, as well as the role housing plays in reaching climate goals and reducing commute times, employers are increasingly beginning to join the housing discussion. Read the letter here.

Chula Vista Water Front Expansion Heard at Chamber Public Policy Committee

Policy

June 14, 2018

In May, the Port of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista approved a public-private partnership deal for the design and development of the $1.1 billion Chula Vista Bayfront hotel and convention center. The Chamber Public Policy Committee heard from Chula Vista  Mayor Mary Casillas Salas  about the expansion. She emphasized the potential the project has for job creation and economic development within the region.

Harmful Water Tax Dies

Policy

June 14, 2018

State legislators had proposed a law that would have taxed residents on the most basic need of water in order to fund the cleaning of toxic wells. Instead of pursuing this legislation, leaders agreed to spend $5 million from the general fund to crackdown on lead in drinking water at child care centers and to allocate $23.5 million from the general fund for safe drinking water actions. Additionally, California voters on June 5th, approved Proposition 68, a parks-and-water bond that includes $250 million to clean-up unsafe drinking water systems.

Low Unemployment Encourages Job Growth

Policy

June 14, 2018

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, San Diego County’s unemployment rate was 2.9 percent in May 2018, which was significantly lower than California’s unemployment rate of 3.7 percent. In San Diego County between April 2018 and May 2018, the California Employment Development Department reported total employment increased from 1,489,200 to 1,494,900, an increase of 5,700 jobs in one month. “Leisure & Hospitality” led the month’s employment growth, adding 2,100 jobs. Much of the increase was concentrated in “Arts, Entertainment & Recreation” (up 1,700). San Diego’s economy has been continuously adding jobs on an annual basis since 2010.

Election Results Promising

Policy

June 14, 2018

On June 5, voters in San Diego spoke decisively with their vote for District Attorney, Summer Stephan, who has advocated for decreasing human trafficking and domestic violence among other priorities. Sheriff Bill Gore also had a strong victory. Chamber-supported Scott Peters, Bonnie Dumanis, Jim Desmond, Lorie Zapf, and Chris Cate will all advance to the November ballot. Statewide, Chamber-supported propositions 68, 69, 71, and 72 all passed. Thank you to everyone who voted. Your support is critical to passing much-needed reforms and electing business-friendly candidates that will help us continue to improve San Diego’s business climate.

Convention Center Expansion Agreement between City Council and Port

Policy

June 14, 2018

The San Diego City Council and the Board of Port Commissioners voted on June 12th in support of a three-party settlement agreement to secure long-term control of the land needed to expand and modernize the San Diego Convention Center using voter-approved funding. The agreement would allow the City to gain control of the site if the “YES For a Better San Diego” Convention Center ballot measure passes in November. The agreement between City Council and the Port demonstrates the understanding of the Convention Center Expansion as essential for growing our regional economy, adding jobs, and generating new revenue that can be used in neighborhoods.

Read more here.

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Crucial SANDAG Vote Supports More Housing

Policy

June 14, 2018

On June 8th, SANDAG’s Board of Directors demonstrated leadership in addressing the region’s housing crisis. The SANDAG Board voted to accept the state’s determination of housing need at 171,000 units to be built from 2021 through 2029 throughout the County. This vote reversed a previous vote in which the SANDAG Board asked the state to accept a lower goal of 116,000 units.

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