November 18, 2021

Baja’s new state administration took office this month for a six-year tenure. Marina del Pilar Avila became the first female and youngest governor in the state’s history. She introduced members of her cabinet including Jorge Alberto Gutierrez, incoming Director of the State’s Sustainable Mobility Institute; Jose A. Medina as Secretary of Health; Netzahualcóyotl Jáuregui as Secretary of Welfare; and former Tijuana Mayor and businessman Kurt Honold, who will serve as Secretary of Economy and Innovation.

The ceremony was attended by elected officials nationwide including Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, and Mario Delgado, National President of the MORENA party. President Lopez Obrador visited Baja a couple of weeks prior and expressed his support for Governor Avila.

The Chamber looks forward to continued collaboration with the State of Baja under her leadership.

November 18, 2021

The World Design Organization (WDO) announced that San Diego and Tijuana have been selected as the 2024 World Design Capital (WDC). Our region will become the first binational capital, selected as a result of our commitment to human-centered design and legacy of cross-border collaboration to transform our natural and built environments.

WDC is a biennial designation that recognizes cities for their effective use of design to drive economic, social, cultural, and environmental development.

Moscow, Russia was the other shortlisted city for the title of World Design Capital 2024. San Diego-Tijuana showcased “the power of design to unite and connect us, despite geographical differences” and was awarded the designation by the WDC 2024 Selection Committee.

November 18, 2021

Here’s what happened at this week’s San Diego City Council and Committee hearings:

• City Council unanimously approved a change to the municipal code to eliminate minimum parking requirements for businesses located in transit priority areas and neighborhood-serving commercial areas. The Chamber was proud to support this item. 

Here’s what happened at this week’s Board of Supervisor hearings:

• Supported the creation of an ordinance to eliminate discrimination against women. The Chief Administrative Officer and Office of Equity and Racial Justice will work on creating one that follows the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which was adopted in 1979, and a gender equity strategy. 
• Heard an update on the status of the San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework. 
• Supported a congressional bill to stop new offshore oil drilling in Southern California.
• Directed the Department of Parks and Recreation to work with outside agencies to keep regional lakes and reservoirs open.

Upcoming City Public Input Opportunities Reminders:

• December 14 is a month away, but mark your calendars for the street vending ordinance to come to City Council.

Upcoming Hearings

• The SANDAG Board of Directors will meet on November 19.
• The San Diego City Council will be in legislative recess from November 22-December 3.

For more on recent legislative updates and musings from our Policy & IBA teams, read the weekly Policy Update here.

November 18, 2021

On November 8, the U.S. lifted travel restrictions impacting our land ports of entry and allowed fully vaccinated travelers from Canada and Mexico to enter the country by land or ferry. In addition, starting January 2022, all inbound foreign travelers crossing into the U.S.– whether for essential or non-essential reasons – will be required to provide proof of vaccination.

DHS released a FAQ sheet for foreign-born travelers stating they should verbally attest to their non-essential travel and COVID-19 vaccination status and be prepared to present proof of vaccination as outlined on the CDC website. These requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens, permanent residents (including those with commuter status), or foreign-born individuals aged 17 or under, or foreign-born travelers engaged in activities deemed essential (including H1b and H2b visa holders). 

To help reduce wait times and long lines, travelers can take advantage of the CBP OneTM app to process their I-94 permit and are highly encouraged to avoid rush hour (4:00-9:00am).

Restrictions harmed our economy for over 19 months and not only impacted tourism and retail, but also every other economic engine, small business, and our cross-border workforce across sectors. The Chamber joined a press conference led by Mayor Todd Gloria marking the start of efficient economic recovery as restrictions were lifted. We will continue to work collaboratively with CBP and regional stakeholders to address border wait times which already cost $3.4 billion in lost economic output for both sides of the border.

November 18, 2021

Today, Cal/OSHA met for their regularly scheduled meeting. Upon introduction of the Federal Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), this meeting was expected to include a higher adoption of that guidance, which means just a wholesale inclusion of the federal language. This is hardly a controversial move as it’s legally required for states to adopt within 30 days of issuance. However, once the federal appeals court issued a stay on that federal ETS, today’s meeting took a different route. Instead, there was a significant public comment regarding the state’s second adoption of their own ETS, and regarding the draft permanent standard that will be in effect — if adopted — in April 2022. 

At this point, employers may feel confused about the number of proposals, where they should be going for information, and how best to prepare for the long run. Chamber staff recommends using the current state ETS for your decision-making, as this is the only document in effect that is enforceable at the moment. On December 16, Cal/OSHA will readopt the ETS, likely with changes. In the meantime, we await a decision by federal courts regarding the federal ETS.

November 18, 2021

Registration is now open for this year’s International Tribute Awards taking place on Tuesday, December 7 at the Westgate Hotel. Join us to recognize the individuals and businesses that lead binational initiatives bridging the U.S. and Mexican economies.

This year’s award recipients are:

• International Business of the Year: Taylor Guitars
• International Leader of the Year: Melissa Floca, Sr. Advisor, Cross-Border Initiatives at the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice
• Cross-Border Collaboration: San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas; Ambassador Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego; and Luis Lutteroth, President of Consejo de Desarrollo de Tijuana (CDT)

Register Now