Farmworker overtime bill rotten for growers in Tri-Counties
If you want more evidence for my theory that small businesses are simply being thrown under the bus in the current political season, just look at the farmworker overtime bill that nearly passed the General Assembly on Aug. 23. The proposed rules, which were pulled from a final vote on Aug. 25, would mandate higher Read More →
Brown declares state of emergency for Chimney Fire in San Luis Obispo County
Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for San Luis Obispo County on Aug. 15 for the ongoing Chimney Fire, which has burned an estimated 4,300 acres along Chimney Rock Road. Several communities in the area south of Lake Nacimiento were evacuated after the fire destroyed 12 structures and damaged 20 more. Around 200 Read More →
Minimum wage and salary increases — a ripple effect or a tsunami?
By Jon Light You may have heard that California will have a minimum wage of $15 by 2022. But there are ramifications beyond that gradual increase that employers may not have considered. In April, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a minimum wage increase to $15 per hour, phased in over five years between 2017 Read More →
Transportation future up to Ventura County voters
Ventura County has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take control of its future. Going before voters in November is a Transportation Investment and Expenditure Plan that would for the first time give Ventura County a dedicated sales tax revenue stream for transportation upgrades and environmental improvements. The plan, crafted by the Ventura County Transportation Commission, was Read More →
Initiative to help startups at UC campuses included in state budget bill
California lawmakers included an initiative to help startups at UC campuses throughout California in a $122.5 billion budget passed by the legislature June 15. Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, proposed the initiative, which will give $2 million every year to each UC campus and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to start or expand business incubators. Read More →
GMOs, drought strategies may be ripe for rethinking
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California must end war on businesses
We’ve had the war on women. And the war on immigrants. Is the war on business, next? That’s a fair question raised by many, including Ventura employer General Magnaplate Corp., which is closing after settling with the Environmental Defense Center over charges it polluted the Santa Clara River. In a statement, the company said it Read More →
