News & Updates

#OneBorder Meeting in Tucson

InternationalPolicy

April 10, 2017

oneborder-logo2

The Chamber is a founding member of the #OneBorder coalition. Founded in 2016, the group brings together individuals, organizations, and communities from the United States and Mexico to strengthen the shared goals of security and prosperity and deepen the bonds of friendship.

Last month, OneBorder held its fourth stakeholder meeting, this time in Tucson, Ariz. The meeting covered a variety of topics focused around trade and the U.S.-Mexico relationship in general. Meeting attendees discussed the agricultural and manufacturing sectors which generate jobs in the U.S. as a result of partnership with Mexico. Did you know U.S. agricultural exports have increased by 400 percent since NAFTA was implemented? Key members of Congress and the administration were identified as target meetings to incorporate in the next OneBorder meeting which will take place in Washington D.C. in June.

Sign up to receive information on the June meeting in Washington D.C. on the OneBorder website: http://oneborder.org/

Baja California Railroad Updates

InternationalPolicy

April 10, 2017

BJRR

Baja California Railroad (BJRR) continues its work to rehabilitate the desert line. The Garcia Station has improved commercial operations by providing increases in storage, cold rooms, and refrigerated deconsolidation areas. BJRR has optimized commercial operations of local companies with the United States noted by an increase in freight rate of 14 percent last February. This goes hand-in-hand with the newly paved loading/unloading cargo docks and the Garcia Bridge rehabilitation of bank number 3 at the 14th kilometer. Also, BJRR discussed investment opportunities during its recent participating in the Chamber’s recent delegation trip to Mexico City.

The Chamber is a proud supporter of the Cali-Baja Rail Binational Forum on June 9th in UABC Tecate, where rail and transportation experts from the U.S. and Mexico will speak on the opportunities that rail transportation offer our region. The event is open to the public. For more information click here.

Governor’s Transportation Plan Approved by Legislature

Policy

April 10, 2017

Governor Brown was joined by Democrat legislative leadership to introduce a 10-year, $52 billion proposal to address the state’s abysmal infrastructure system. A self-imposed deadline for passage of the bill was declared for April 6th, and the bill passed out of the Senate with two Democrats voting no, and one Republican voting yes, with the remainder of the votes along party lines. The proposal includes a gasoline tax, diesel tax, and vehicle license fee to raise just over $5 billion annually. This bill would deposit the revenues attributable to 50 percent of the $0.20 per gallon increase in the diesel fuel excise tax imposed by the bill into the Trade Corridors Enhancement Fund, to be expended on corridor-based freight projects. Much needed road improvements in our own border region, such as those used by commercial trucks to access the Otay Mesa port of entry, would be eligible for funding.

Opposition cites distrust that funds for road maintenance and other transportation costs have routinely been diverted to the General Fund during tough financial times for the state, and existing taxes should already be maintaining infrastructure.

VA Secretary Honors VCC at 2-1-1

Policy

April 10, 2017

Former U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Robert McDonald joined San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Jerry Sanders and other local elected officials to celebrate the one year anniversary of Vets’ Community Connections (VCC). The Chamber funded the original research that led to the creation of VCC, and maintains leadership roles on the executive committee. VCC continues to gain momentum providing veterans in the region the opportunity to engage in their communities as a civilian. For more information on VCC, including how you can get involved, visit http://www.vetscommunityconnections.org/#sandiego.

Councilmember Georgette Gomez Visits Public Policy Committee

Policy

April 10, 2017

Gomez GeorgetteCouncilmember Georgette Gomez is the final of the three newly elected San Diego City Councilmembers to visit with Public Policy Committee. Councilmember Gomez focused on areas of possible collaboration with the Chamber, like infrastructure, housing affordability, and economic development. Her mission is to help lift people out of poverty as much of her district falls within 30 percent Area Media Income or AMI which is the household income for the median — or middle — household in a region. Councilmember Gomez attended the Chamber’s Sacramento and Mexico City delegation trips.

Updates on the Transboundary Sewage Spill

InternationalPolicy

April 10, 2017

As reported in last month’s Policy Update, the binational region has been working toward solutions to prevent future sewage spills originating from Mexico similar to what occurred in February.

The International Boundary and Water Commission has concluded its investigation of the spill. The report, released March 31, is available here.

The Minute 320 workgroup will incorporate the lessons learned from this spill and develop implementation plans to achieve improvements to eliminating spills, capacity building, and improved notification and response as identified in the recommendations section of the above-mentioned report.

In response to the spill, Governor of Baja California, Francisco Vega de Lamadrid declared a state of emergency which triggered $120 million pesos to address affected infrastructure needs including those recommended by the U.S.-Mexico International Boundary and Water Commission. Additionally, Governor Vega de Lamadrid has been working with the Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Tijuana (CESPT) – Mexico’s public services utility – to develop a Wastewater and Water-Reuse plan for Tijuana which will require federal assistance. The Chamber will share Governor Vega de Lamadrid’s plan when it is released.

Mayor’s Convention Center Financing Plan Also Addresses Infrastructure and Homelessness Needs

Policy

April 10, 2017

Mayor Kevin Faulconer unveiled a path forward to finance the long-stalled contiguous convention center expansion. The expansion – strongly approved by San Diego City Council, Port of San Diego and Coastal Commission – was delayed by litigation. After the latest round of success in Court earlier this year, the Mayor moved forward with a proposal to pay for the more than $600 million project. The plan calls for voters to consider a TOT increase similar to the former “3-2-1” plan where hotels closest to the convention center would see an increase of 3 percent and those farthest from the center would only have a 1 percent additional increase. Included in the financing would be a set aside of approximately $20 million per year in spending related to infrastructure and homelessness purposes. In June, the Council will consider placing it on the November ballot.

Chamber Hosted Governor’s Marijuana Czar Lori Ajax

Policy

April 10, 2017

On March 23, Lori Ajax, Chief of the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation, joined Chamber members to discuss the development of statewide marijuana regulations. The discussion covered a wide range of topics including:

  • conflicts between Federal and State law
  • the rights of employers
  • the regulation of use, sales, edibles and cultivation
  • HR and employee use
  • impact on local government and emergency resources, and
  • taxation 

Lori Ajax also joined the delegation on the Sacramento trip earlier this year.

Senator Lets Go of Legislation Opposed by Chamber

Policy

April 10, 2017

SB 62, a bill the Chamber opposed for its proposed burden to employers, will be gutted and amended to deal with a non-labor related issue which is a major win for the business community. As originally written, SB 62 sought to expand the definition of “family member” for whom employees could take up to 12 weeks of unpaid protected leave to care for. This was a dramatic step above the existing federal Family Medical Leave Act.

Kurt Honold Named President of Consejo Coordinador Empresarial

InternationalPolicy

April 10, 2017

KHonold

Kurt Honold

International Business Affairs Committee member, Kurt Honold, was sworn in as the new President of the Tijuana Business Council, Consejo Coordinador Empresarial. Consejo Coordinador Empresarial is comprised of the presidents of 16 business and economic development organizations in Tijuana. During his remarks, Honold highlighted the importance of binational cooperation for a productive workforce and economic climate and also recognized the importance of gender diversity in successful businesses. Honold is a well-established local entrepreneur and has held various local and national leadership positions both in the public and private sector including interim Mayor of Tijuana in 2007.