January 11, 2018
The Chamber is pleased to applaud the recent selection of Senator Toni Atkins as the next Senate Pro Tem. An announcement from current Pro Tem, Senator Kevin De Leon (Los Angeles), was a welcome shift in leadership as long-time Chamber partner and friend, Senator Atkins prepares to take the reins of the legislature in the coming weeks. Additionally, first-term Assemblyman Todd Gloria was made Majority Whip, being appointed by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.
January 11, 2018
On January 10th, Governor Brown unveiled his $132 billion budget proposal for FY18/19. As predicted, he is using the surplus dollars from another good budgetary year to shore up the Rainy Day Fund, putting aside $3.5 billion to meet statutory requirements. By June 2019, that fund is expected to have 13.5 billion in reserve dollars should another recession hit. The budget increases education spending and proposed additional accountability measures, as well as outlines spending for SB 1 (commonly referred to as the “gas tax” bill) in a variety of areas. The Governor will now begin discussions with legislative leadership prior to unveiling the May Revise.
January 11, 2018
The second year of the state’s two-year legislative cycle has kicked off, with plenty of unfinished business remaining from 2017. Of note, this year occurs during an election year and during many high-stakes issues being debated which will undoubtedly keep the Chamber and its membership busy. Things to watch: housing will continue to be top of mind, as fifteen of the 100+ pieces of housing-focused legislation were ultimately signed by the Governor. Bills that focus on planning for increased density along transit corridors, local jurisdiction accountability to meet housing targets, and more controversial ideas like rent control will be a major focus for Chamber policy staff. Additionally, Governor Brown is expected to flex his political muscle as he finishes his last year of an unprecedented term. His budget proposal, unveiled January 10th, sets the tone for his priorities. And finally, the legislature will be expected to find a resolution to the charges that the culture in Sacramento is rampant with sexual harassment and other boorish behavior that goes unchecked. Leadership will undoubtedly want to tackle this early on.
Read more: https://calmatters.org/articles/get-speed-10-hot-topics-will-shape-california-campaigns-2018/
January 11, 2018
The Tijuana Economic Development Council, in its commitment to the industrial and economic development of the Cali-Baja region, is hosting a conference on “The U.S. Tax Reform and its effects in Mexico”. The event will be held on January 18th, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Via Corporativo (10643 Mision San Javier, Tijuana, Baja California, 22010).
Please note that this event will be held in Spanish. RSVP on the event’s website.
January 11, 2018
Welcoming San Diego is a multi-sector effort to advance the civic, social and economic integration of immigrants and refugees, who envision a vibrant, inclusive, and safe binational region that attracts families and businesses from around the world and that all San Diegans can flourish in. Throughout spring, there will be a series of community forums to gather input from residents and thematic focus groups on topics such as Civic Engagement, Safe and Connected Communities, Economic Opportunities, Education and Inclusive Access.
Please join us in participating in this important initiative which will kick off on February 2, 2018, at the San Diego Concourse.
For event details and free registration, please visit the event’s website.
January 11, 2018
San Diego’s unique location along the U.S.-Mexico border provides the perfect home base for visitors to enjoy the best of San Diego, Tijuana, and Baja Norte. While San Diego has much to offer visitors such as the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and our world-famous beaches, Tijuana, Ensenada, and the wine region of the Guadalupe Valley offer exceptional culinary and cultural experiences to the binational tourist. The combined richness of offerings on both sides of the border and the stark cultural and culinary contrast between San Diego and Baja Norte creates a unique two-nation vacation experience unlike any other in the world.
Please join us in our first Cross-Border Business Forum of the year on February 15th 2018. The forum will take place at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Further information and registration is available on the Chamber website.
January 11, 2018
The General Service Administration (GSA) announced the temporary closing of lanes on the I-5 Freeway as part of the San Ysidro Port of Entry expansion and modernization project. During the third phase of the project, one lane of the southbound vehicle traffic on the I-5 freeway was temporary closed from 4:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on January 10th to 12th, 2018. Said closure was part of the GSA efforts to provide safety to the construction workers and the travelers that cross the border during the construction period. Following this construction work, three lanes of the northbound vehicle traffic on the I-5 freeway will be temporarily closed from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. until January 31st, 2018. These closures are necessary in order to finish the installation of a bridge over the eastern exit that connects the new administrative building with the existing one.
The San Ysidro POE enhancement project will ultimately benefit the cross-border community with the realignment of I-5, expansion of southbound lanes from 5 to 10, and the construction of eight new additional northbound inspection lanes.
For more information and updates, please visit www.gsa.gov/5realign
January 11, 2018
From international trade to the wall, the U.S. and Mexico relationship and our Cali-Baja region is at the forefront of the national political stage. With this has come a growing uncertainty for the future of our binational relationship. As a national model for productive and collaborative cross-border trade and commerce, it is critical that Cali-Baja leaders voice our support for the policies and projects that will continue to strengthen our cross-border communities.
Please join us on this year’s Binational Delegation to Mexico City, taking place April 15th to 18th, 2018. We are happy to announce our continued partnership with the Four Seasons Hotel who will provide a discounted rate for our delegation. The focus of our advocacy efforts this year will be: NAFTA, border infrastructure, immigration and workforce integration, environmental issues such as the Tijuana River Valley, and Mexico’s upcoming presidential elections. Our agenda will include a meeting with the Mexican Senate and other government agencies as well as networking opportunities to strengthen business and political relationships.
Registrations are open! Please visit our website to register and for information about suggested flights, hotel, and event details.
January 11, 2018
The Senate Finance Committee has acted on the nomination of Kevin McAleenan to become Customs and Border Protection’s new Commissioner. McAleenan has been a member of the U.S. Government’s Senior Executive Service since 2006 and served as Deputy Commissioner from November 2, 2014, when he was appointed Acting Commissioner at CBP.
Under his leadership, CBP has developed strategies that protect the nation’s borders from terrorism and attack transnational criminal networks. He has also implemented innovations that facilitated the U.S. international arrival and departure process, saving the government and travel industry millions of dollars. McAleenan has also advanced the development of CBP’s trade transformation agenda, designed to help America compete in the global economy. The Chamber met with McAleenan during the delegation trip to Washington D.C. in September 2017, and we look forward to continue working with him to advocate for a secure, reliable, and efficient border that enhances cross-border commerce.
January 11, 2018
Following President Trump’s announcement to phase out DACA in September 2017, the Chamber has committed to moving legislation to provide a permanent solution for DACA recipients. The dissolution of DACA will shrink our labor force and deport over 40,000 San Diegans who were brought to the U.S. as children. A bipartisan proposal by Representatives Will Hurd, a Texas Republican, and Pete Aguilar, a California Democrat provides a viable compromise with a solution for Dreamers and border security. The Chamber urges Congress to take action now.
You can learn more about this legislation here, and see the Chamber’s statement here.