October 13, 2022

Not to alarm you or anything but… Your ballot will be in your mailbox next week! Get informed with the Chamber Voter Guide!

CLINCHED! Our San Diego Padres clinched the National League Wild Card Berth, the seventh in franchise history. Thanks for losing, Milwaukee.

Business Updates:

Congratulations to NAVWAR for celebrating 25 years in San Diego!

For 76 years, Tupperware has only been sold at home parties, now – Chamber Member Target will exclusively sell the brand.

Chamber member San Diego County Water Authority has announced their new Chair taking the helm on October 1st, Mel Katz. Mayor Gloria’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Nick Serrano, has become Vice Chair.

Chamber member Maravai Life Sciences has appointed a new CEO! Please give a warm welcome to William “Trey” Martin, III, who has been appointed to succeed Carl Hull.

Palomar Health has launched a 24/7 nurses advice line. Registered nurses will offer care assessment, advice and recommended next steps to all San Diego residents.

Legislative Updates

Federal: 

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson officially took her place at the Supreme Court. In a ceremony that has been a tradition for all appointed Justices, Justice Jackson gave her remarks at the Library of Congress before officially being sat as the first black woman on the Court.

Hurricane Ian tore through Southwest Florida, leaving over 100 people dead. Firefighters from throughout California, including the San Diego and Chula Vista Fire Departments, deployed to Florida as on-the-ground rescue specialists. Thank you to all of our first responders helping Florida recover.

Dank News! President Biden has pardoned thousands of Americans with federal marijuana possession convictions and is urging governors across the U.S. to do the same. Additionally, US Attorney General Garland will work with HHS Secretary Becerra to review cannabis scheduling under federal law.

Biden also unveiled new measures to expand abortion access on Monday; 100 days after the Supreme Court overruled the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. The Department of Health and Human Services has also announced $6 million in grant funding to expand access to family planning clinics

International:

Last call to register for this year’s Binational Delegation to Mexico City to avoid that late fee! We’re excited to go back to CDMX after three years to continue to raise our voice as one region and advocate for policies and projects that allow our businesses and community to thrive. Delegates will meet with key federal officials to discuss bilateral trade, border infrastructure, efforts to mitigate pollution impacting the Tijuana River Valley, and cultivate political and business relationships.

Baja Governor Marina del Pilar announced a $50M investment from Safran Electronics & Defense, with up to 470 new jobs in Mexicali at an expanded plant in 2023. The announcement followed a delegation to France and Germany led by state authorities and in partnership with industry leaders including the Tijuana EDC. Delegates visited 40 companies in the automotive, semiconductor, aerospace and electronics sectors.

Join Mayor Todd Gloria and Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero, among other elected officials and regional leaders, at next week’s US-Mexico Mayors’ Community Summit.  The welcoming ceremony (free and open to the public) will take place on Tuesday, October 11 at 5:00pm and highlight the importance of our binational partnership in building economic, educational, and community ties. Chamber staff and members will participate in panel discussions focused on USMCA, trade, and cross-border collaboration on global resiliency during the conference.

The Presidential race in Brazil continues (grabs popcorn). Failing to achieve the 50% of votes to win, candidates Luis Lula da Silva and Jaír Bolsonaro are desperately hunting for endorsements in the most polarized election since the 80s. Among their differences is the future of the Amazon, with Bolsonaro’s administration reversing the most environmental protections in Brazil’s history. A second election is scheduled for October 30th.

Protests in Iran continue across several cities following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody after violating the hijab mandate. Iranian authorities deployed security forces at universities in an attempt to quell protests, however, thousands more have gathered around the world in solidarity with women in Iran.

Join the next California Delegation to the Centro Fox Presidential Library in Guanajuato, Mexico, sponsored by UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies!  The trip will take place October 26-29 and includes meeting with former President of Mexico Vicente Fox and First Lady Marta Sahagún, staying at President Fox’s Family Hacienda, visiting the stunning city of Guanajuato during the 50th anniversary of the Festival Internacional Cervantino, and bringing back unforgettable lifelong memories.  Proceeds support scholarships for students participating in the world’s first foreign exchange program at a presidential library.  Discover more info and register at www.VisitCentroFox.org!

State:

Californians, we have a debate. Governor Newsom and State Senator Brian Dahle are set to face off on October 23rd, live at 1:00 pm.

Tax refunds are coming starting today. Want to see if you’re eligible?

California is facing another increase in gas prices due to unplanned refinery maintenance issues. Gas is now $6.42 in San Diego County, setting a new record high (previous record was $6.37 in June 2022). Governor Newsom is planning to add a shortfall tax to combat the increase in gas prices by oil companies, though it is to be seen when this is introduced. Gas prices may decrease when oil companies switch to the winter blend fuel, which is cheaper to produce.

Speaking of the Gavinor, he signed a swath of new CA employment laws into effect over the last week. These include establishing the “Fast Food Sector Council,” Card Check for Agricultural Employees, extending COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave and establishing a new Grant Program for Small Businesses, Bereavement Leave requirement, establishing Employment Discrimination Protections for lawful adult-use of cannabis, and more.

State officials have declared a state of emergency to work on stabilizing cliffs above southern California’s railroad tracks. Due to the work potentially taking months, Amtrak and Metrolink services between Orange and San Diego Counties will be unavailable until further notice.

California regulators posted proposed new cannabis tax rules, based on the amendment to Cannabis Tax Law by Assembly Bill 195. The Business Taxes Committee will meet to discuss them today, October 6th. On a similar note, the City of San Diego’s First Cannabis Equity Assessment is scheduled to be heard by the City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, starting at 2 p.m.

Local:

At a historic joint meeting between the San Diego City Council and County Board of Supervisors, leaders announced their commitment to create 10,000 new affordable homes on government owned property. Nearly 2400 acres of land could be used for this development.

The City of San Diego has raised its minimum wage to $16.50 starting January 1, 2023. This pay raise will be for workers of the City of San Diego, and is in accordance with the City’s earned sick leave and minimum wage increase. Tips will not be counted as part of workers wage.

Cool person alert! A local scientist at Scripps Research was awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Dr. K. Barry Sharpless has been recognized (for the second time!) for advancing the fields of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry.

It’s Kids FREE October throughout San Diego! Children 12 and under can receive free admission during the entire month of October at the San Diego Zoo, Legoland, Birch Aquarium, SeaWorld, museums and more thanks to the San Diego Museum Council and Mission Federal Credit Union.

City of San Diego Planning Department Updates:

• The 2022 Land Development Code Update is now out for review. This yearly effort contains updates to the code that aim to simplify and streamline the development process, and ensure compliance with new state and federal regulations. There will be two workshops for the public to provide feedback on October 6 and October 11. Take a look and email Angeli Calinog if you have any questions, comments, or concerns with the draft.
• Did you know that the Planning Department sends out bi-monthly newsletters? Sign up today to keep up with initiatives, community plan updates, and more.

Upcoming Hearings

• The San Diego City Council will meet on October 10 and October 11.
• The Port of San Diego will meet on October 11.
• The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will meet on October 11 and October 12.

Capital Opportunities & Resources

• The California Rebuilding Fund is offering small businesses with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees loans up to $100,000. Learn more and apply here. The Small Business Majority will be hosting webinars on October 7, October 11, and October 25 for interested applicants. Applications close on November 7.
• Chula Vista and the San Diego Foundation are offering Covid-19 relief money to small businesses and nonprofits. The city has $3.6 million dollars in its fund to spend. Organizations that operate in Chula Vista are eligible to apply until October 27. Applications won’t be reviewed until the deadline closes. For more information click here.
• San Diego County’s Small Business Stimulus Grant funds are still available for local small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the pandemic. County Districts 1, 2, and 3 are still accepting applications. Learn more here.
• Small business owners may currently receive $2,000 per employee that participates in the paid family leave program. Small business owners can apply here.
• Businesses can reach out to their nearest Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which has developed the Small Business Survival Resources Guide. SBDC can help with applying for COVID-19 relief, guiding you through available resources, and assisting with cash flow concerns, supply-chain interruptions, workforce capacity, insurance coverage, and more–all at no cost!

Future Chamber Meetings (Virtual) & Committee Actions

Public Policy Committee:

Our next meeting will be on October 11, 8:00- 9:00am via zoom.

Health Committee:

Our next meeting will be on October 12, 8:00am-9:00am via zoom.

Transportation & Land Development Committee:

Our next meeting will be on October 18, 8:00am-9:30am via zoom.

Economic Development Strategy Working Group: 

Our next working group meeting will be on October 25, 9:00-10:00am via zoom.

Sustainability & Industry Committee:

Our next meeting will be on November 3, 8:00am via zoom.

Cannabis Forum:

Our next meeting will be on November 16, 8:00am via zoom.

International Business Affairs Forum:

Our next forum will be on November 17, 10:00am via zoom.