July 6, 2017

Join us August 3^rd for the first of two workshops looking at Community Choice Aggregation, or “CCAs.” Seen by some as a mechanism to increase renewables, many city and county governments across the state and the nation are either considering or have already taken control of purchasing power from local utilities through CCAs.

During this interactive workshop, we’ll hear from experts with different perspectives as we dig deep, cut through the rhetoric, and – together – identify what is best for our businesses, our residents, and our region.

This event is open and complimentary to the public, however, advance registration is required in order to guarantee adequate space and food. Register here: https://sdchamber.org/event/community-choice-aggregation-workshop-1/.

July 6, 2017

SeaWorld’s proposed Electric Eel project was unanimously approved by the San Diego City Council on June 20^th. The project has already been approved by the Mission Bay Park Committee, the Park and Rec board, and the City of San Diego’s Planning Commission. The project now needs approval by the Coastal Commission. Millions of people visit SeaWorld each year, which generates millions of dollars in tax revenues while employing thousands of San Diego residents.

July 6, 2017

Jerry Sanders and 14 other speakers joined approximately 300 students and parents at Roosevelt Middle School on This pilot program is in response to a statistic highlighted in the Chamber’s Regional Jobs Strategy: San Diego County is home to an estimated 43,000 “opportunity youth.” These young people are no longer in school and don’t have a job. In that way, they are disconnected from society and, in large propensity, end up on high-levels of public subsidy, in the criminal justice system and not in the workforce supporting our economy. The Chamber partnered with the San Diego Workforce Partnership and the San Diego Unified School District to host this Career Day as part of a larger effort to bring awareness of career opportunities to students before they hit 16 years of age, and to help spark an interest in staying connected. Moving forward, Chamber staff will meet with partners to discuss the success of the pilot program and the potential of expanding the program for future years.

July 6, 2017

On June 15^th, the state legislature adopted an on-time budget package of $183 billion – the largest budget in state history. . Particularly controversial was the inclusion of a massive overhaul of the Board of Equalization and rules changing the process of recall elections which were supported on party lines. Effective as of July 1, the plan resolves Proposition 56 (tobacco tax) revenue spending and increases education spending with K-12 including community colleges seeing an increase of about $3 billion. Also included in the budget was the expanse of the California Earned Income Tax Credit, with the goal of reaching about 1 million Californian families in 2018, and additional funding for infrastructure improvements per SB 1. Finally, the state will end FY2018 with a rainy day reserve of about $8 billion, as bolstering reserve funds has been a major sticking point in budget negotiations since Governor Brown has taken office.

July 6, 2017

After weeks of negotiating, the Senate has published its “working draft” of the Better Care Reconciliation Act, their version of the American Health Care Act passed narrowly in the House. The bill repeals all of the taxes introduced in the ACA, with the notable exception of the Chamber-opposed Cadillac tax, which will go into effect in 2026 under this proposal. Further, it prohibits health plans purchased with tax-credits to go toward a plan that covers abortions and defunds Planned Parenthood. It would fund CSR’s through 2019 and eliminate the employer and individual mandates in their entirety. Medicaid subsidies will be available to those at 350 percent of federal poverty level, and raise the age ratio to 5:1. Finally, it would extend the Medicaid Expansion (compared to what is outlined in the AHCA), starting a year later in 2021 and returning to the pre-ACA levels in 2024. Currently, the bill does not have sufficient support in the Senate to pass, however discussions continue with the goal of passing before the end of the month.

July 6, 2017

On June 21, Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced his “Housing SD” plan – a set of policies aimed at increasing housing supply, cutting red tape, and directing city resources to affordable housing development. This is a top priority for the Chamber and we have worked closely with the Mayor and his team to draft proposals that make sense for the market and for San Diego’s needs. This set of proposals is an important step forward in making San Diego a place where businesses, and their employees, can succeed and grow.   Housing prices in San Diego continue to trend upward both for purchase and rental units. This is due to the lack of housing being built. Statewide a number of proposals have been made in the legislature, however many are hitting political roadblocks or fail to address the real issues that make it difficult for new units to come to market.

Housing SD is the result of a diverse group of stakeholders all invested in producing solutions that are politically, economically and developmentally viable. Further, the Mayor’s commitment to bring these to City Council in the near future presents struggling San Diego families with an opportunity for relief.

For further information on this, click here.

July 6, 2017

The Chamber, in partnership with the Water Reliability Coalition, was awarded a grant by the San Diego Foundation to execute three workshops, a summit, and an awareness campaign around the potential for stormwater capture and reuse.

The third workshop which was held on June 29 covered case studies and proofs from organizations that are currently utilizing successful stormwater capture and reuse programs. The workshop looked at the stormwater programs used by San Diego County, San Diego International Airport, and Stantec.

Each workshop built upon each other and will conclude with a draft white paper to communicate the results which will serve as the guiding document for a final summit this fall. The effort includes promotional videos for the workshops and bringing awareness to the concept released by the Chamber through member communications and social media.