May 4, 2017

As part of its #NameOurTug contest, General Dynamics NASSCO is inviting local K-8 students to help name their new tug boat. The contest will run May 2 – June 9. The contest winner will have the opportunity to participate in the christening of the new tug at a special ceremony this summer. The winner will also receive a family four-pack of tickets to the San Diego Zoo. Links to a contest flier and official submission form are included below. Additional information is available on NASSCO’s website at www.nassco.com/NameOurTug.

Contest Flier/Submission Form: ENGLISH  ESPAÑOL

May 4, 2017

The San Diego City Council unanimously voted to support the City Department of Homeland Security’s proposed drone ordinance. The ordinance will align the City’s standards with existing FAA guidelines, and does not go beyond that. The ordinance will provide local law enforcement with the tools they need while allowing drones to be used safely and responsibly within the community. The Chamber joined SeaWorld and the Padres in support of the ordinance.

May 4, 2017

AB 5, introduced by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, will not be pursued for the remainder of the year, providing businesses additional time to respond to the proposal. The bill stipulated that prior to hiring a new full time employee, employers would be required to offer additional hours to all part time employees and provide training to equip them for the new role, should they want it. The Chamber and other business groups felt strongly that this bill would further hurt marginalized communities that are trying to enter the workforce. The Assemblymember has indicated that she will refocus on the bill in 2018.

May 4, 2017

Two state bills the Chamber strongly opposed have been amended and dropped for the year, respectively. AB 199 (Chu) would have required prevailing wage on all residential building projects, increasing the cost per unit up to $80,000, and further exacerbated the region’s housing crisis. AB 1506 (Bonta) would have expanded rent control throughout the state. After significant lobbying from statewide coalitions, in which the Chamber participated, we are pleased to report AB 199 has been amended heavily, removing the most egregious portions, and AB 1506 will not be pursued this cycle.

May 4, 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 first workshop filled the Chamber Boardroom with 80 attendees on April 19th. A recap video of the workshop is included below.

The second workshop is scheduled for May 15^th and will be held at the San Diego Foundation. Attendance is free and open to the public. The effort includes promotional videos promoting the workshops and bringing awareness to the concept released by the Chamber through member communications and social media. To register, click here.

May 4, 2017

As President Trump continues to state healthcare reform as a priority, the Chamber was pleased to host Representative Scott Peters for a roundtable in the Chamber offices. As a recently appointed member of the powerful Energy & Commerce Committee with oversight on health issues, Representative Peters is an important voice for San Diego’s healthcare industry and the businesses trying to navigate an increasingly dramatic healthcare policy landscape. Representative Peters presented the group with areas of possible bipartisan collaboration and highlighted some of the logistical challenges that make the process of drastic change to healthcare possible, but unlikely.

May 4, 2017

The Board of Directors voted to support the proposed San Diego Convention Center Ballot Initiative. As a result of a victorious court decision, Mayor Kevin Faulconer released a revised financing plan to fund the long-stalled expansion, including homeless and infrastructure needs. The plan is similar to the original financing mechanism where hotels closest to the center would be assessed an additional 3 percent increase in TOT and those furthest would receive an additional 1 percent increase. The cost of the expansion has grown up to $685 million – up from $520 million while litigation stalled momentum on the project. The funding would also generate approximately $900 million in total revenue for street repair and another $900 million in total revenue for homeless programs over 40 years. The project has the necessary approvals from the City Council, including unanimous support from the Port and Coastal Commission. The Chamber has a long standing position in support of the contiguous expansion. The Mayor’s proposed initiative would require a two-thirds vote. It will be before the City Council in June for consideration to place on the ballot.