New vision needed for Ventura County
You might call it the Ventura County conundrum. By many measures, Ventura County has recovered nicely from the recession with relatively low unemployment at 5.3 percent, steady job growth and a nascent boom in the travel and leisure sector. But a deeper dive shows some disturbing trends. Jobs have not recovered to their pre-recession peak, Read More →
To succeed, learn what motivates you
By Jim Cathcart People frequently tell me, “I don’t believe in motivation because it doesn’t last.” My smart-aleck response is, “Neither does eating, exercise, breathing, sleep or bathing but they are all still good for you.” Some people compare motivation to education and claim that education lasts and is, therefore, more substantial. The implied criticism Read More →
Fate of Dignity-Anthem gamble uncertain
By Stephanie Hoops Employers nationwide have been migrating toward self-funded health plans ever since the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 exempted them from state regulation, but it’s not clear whether that trend will continue in the wake of Donald Trump’s victorious presidential race. The Self-Insurance Institute of America is preparing blueprints for a Read More →
SLO County supervisors OK workforce housing pilot program
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved a pilot program that aims to incentivize the development of more workforce housing. The program, which got a 3-2 nod at a Nov. 22 meeting, eases design guidelines and streamlines the review process. It reduces the requirement for developers to provide low-income housing or pay in-lieu Read More →
Wells Fargo economist says Trump will likely help economy
President-elect Donald Trump will likely have a positive impact on the regional and national economy in the short term in the form of tax cuts and ramping up defense spending, Wells Fargo Senior Economist Mark Vitner said. Trump claims he will reduce personal and corporate income taxes, which would theoretically spur investment in the U.S. Read More →
Supervisors nix updated winery ordinance
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors denied an update to the county’s winery ordinance. Despite more than four years of public meetings, deliberation and a recommendation for adoption from the planning commission, the board voted against the update 4-1 at a Nov. 22 meeting. The existing ordinance, implemented in 2004, will remain intact. The Read More →
Judge’s block of federal overtime exemption rule great for California employers
It’s a rare event when a federal rule sets a higher pay standard than worker-friendly California. That’s part of the reason why I wondered whether a Department of Labor mandate to sharply raise the level for overtime exemption to $47,476 a year on Dec. 1 amounted to a war on small businesses. On Nov. 22, Read More →
