November 10, 2022

The Chamber’s 10th Annual Legislative Lounge is tonight! Which is great because this week was a whirlwind. There’s going to be so much to talk about like… There was actual rain. Lots of it. Elon is doing Twitter-y things again, and check marks are back? Or gone?

Yep, that’s about it. That’s all that happened this week, right?

Kidding. Let’s talk all about it at Legislative Lounge. See you there.

Business Updates:

Congratulations to Affirmed Housing Group who had a ribbon cutting for their Windsor Pointe affordable housing development, which offers 50 affordable homes ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments.

Friendly reminder that some small businesses are eligible for preference during procurement. You need to be certified and know how to navigate assistance programs though!

Sea World is saying a big thank you to our veterans with their Red White and Blue Salute event this weekend.

Grocery prices got you down? Look no further than Aldi. They’re slashing prices on thanksgiving essentials to 2019 prices to ‘rewind’ inflation.

Broadway San Diego welcomes “Hamilton” back to the stage! With the added bonus of two cast members from San Diego, Elijah Reyes and Charlotte Mary Wen. The production is in town from November 9th to November 20th.

Legislative Updates

Federal: Happy 247th birthday to the Marine Corps! And, thank you to all of our Veterans for your bravery and service. May you have a safe and enjoyable Veterans’ Day this Friday.

Brrr, it’s cold in here! There must be some inflation-chilling in the atmosphere! (We’re not sorry). Catching many off guard, the CPI report indicates that inflation may be cooling.

According to the Point-in-Time count, conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, the number of veterans in the United States experiencing homelessness has dropped by 11% since 2020. This data reports the biggest decline in more than five years.

That feeling where you’re laughing because crying would just be inconvenient: Market experts are predicting mortgage rates at 10% or higher in 2023.

Election drama-rama: Nobody knows who will hold the House. But that also means nobody knows who will be Speaker, even though Kevin McCarthy has been pretty clear he’d like to get that gavel back. (Shot)

Chaser: there is a father-son duo in the 118th Congress! And a Gen-Zer! And still people born in the 1930’s! Fun facts about the seats that have been decided.

The FTC is not amused with Elon’s Twitterverse.

In other federal agency news, the NLRB has dropped a proposed rule that would bolster unions and make it harder to remove a union.

International: 

In a change of roles, an 8-year-old boy in India bit a cobra that attacked him, which resulted in the cobra’s death shortly after. In this incredible survival story, the boy is totally fine having only suffered a “dry bite” with no venom.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai met virtually with Mexico’s new Secretary of Economy Raquel Buenrostro. Ambassador Tai highlighted the need to address concerns on Mexico’s energy policies which have been brought forward on a USMCA consultation request in order to avoid disruptions to integrated supply chains and trade.

More changes within President Lopez Obrador’s cabinet: Jorge Nuño has been appointed as Secretary of Communications, Infrastructure and Transportation (SICT). He replaces Jorge Arganis who stepped down due to health complications. Secretary Nuño joined the Chamber Delegation to Mexico City to sign the revenue sharing agreement with SANDAG  along other Mexican officials, a huge milestone for the Otay Mesa East land port of entry project.

IBA Chair Ernesto Bravo participated in the Tijuana EDC’s 3rd Annual Borderless Business Congress in Tijuana where he shared an overview of global trends in nearshoring. Chamber staff also helped moderate a conversation with consul generals from both sides of the border about collaboration and partnerships in our region. These conversations are key to strengthen efforts to boost our global competitiveness.

An $8 billion project in Germany aims to transform an abandoned airport in Berlin into an eco city.  The decades-long investment, Berlin TXL, envisions a climate-friendly community with sustainable technologies and innovation hubs. Home to both residential and business areas, Berlin TXL will produce its own power and promote vehicle-free streets.

Join us next Thursday at 10:00am for the Chamber’s last IBA Forum for the year. The conversation will focus on our region’s creative industry and its contribution to boost economic development and competitiveness.

Save the date for this year’s International Tribute Awards and join us to honor outstanding individuals and businesses who have made a substantial contribution to the binational initiatives bridging the US and Mexican economies. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with leaders from both sides of the border.

State:

Flu, COVID and RSV are all very active in California. Take your vitamins, eat your wheaties, and get those booster shots!

Changes to the Newsom team: this week it was announced that his chief of staff and friend of San Diego Jim DeBoo would be stepping away from the role. Replacing him will be fellow lobbyist-turned-staffer-turned-lobbyist (you get it), Dana Williamson.

Assembly Democrats are currently meeting (right now!) to discuss who will be Speaker next year, a big position that includes duties such as deciding who will be Committee Chairs. Stay tuned for who it’ll be in a future update!

The fun don’t stop: the CPUC is getting ready to drop new rules for Net Energy Metering after their first attempt was panned by basically everyone. No details on what the new proposal will be though.

Ouch. CalPERS posted a 7.5% loss on their investments for the FY, which is higher than what was initially expected (and still bad), 6.1% projected loss.

Local:

Once a red safe hold, the County of San Diego has turned light blue according to voter registration – and we see this, with the City recently electing a 9-0 super majority of Democrats on council. KPBS looks into what happened, and what comes next.

The Port of San Diego’s Commissioners unanimously voted to enter Seaport San Diego into the CEQA process, an important step for staff to begin environmental analysis of the $3.6 billion project to revamp Seaport Village. Onward!

While San Diego Beer Week is wrapping up, you can still grab some local brewskies at the closing beer garden hosted at the Lodge at Torrey Pines on Sunday.

In case you missed it, November 8th wasn’t just election day, it was a total lunar eclipse! If you missed the spectacular sight on Tuesday morning, you’ll have to wait three years for another total eclipse to be visible.

Upcoming Hearings & Public Input Opportunities

• The San Diego City Council will meet on November 14 and November 15.
• The City of San Diego’s Active Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will meet on November 16. Included on the agenda will be the street preservation ordinance update.
• The City of San Diego is holding a Special Economic Development & Intergovernmental Relations Meeting on November 17.
• The City of San Diego’s Land Use & Housing Committee will meet on November 17. Included on the agenda will be the Mira Mesa Community Plan Update.
• The City of San Diego’s Planning Commission will meet on November 17.
• The County Board of Supervisors will meet on November 15 and November 16.

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. Applications close on November 15.
• 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 in December. We’re dark in November!

Transportation & Land Development Committee:
Our next meeting will be on November 15, 8:00am via zoom.

Education & Workforce Committee: 

Our next meeting will be on November 15, 8:00am via zoom.

Economic Development Strategy Working Group: 

Our next meeting will be on November 15, 9:00am via zoom.

Cannabis Forum:

Our next forum will be on November 16, 8:00am via zoom. RSVP to LCazares@sdchamber.org.

International Business Affairs Forum:

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

Sustainability & Industry Committee:

Our next meeting will be on December 1, 8:00am via zoom.

Health Committee:

Our next meeting will be December 14, 8:00am via zoom.