Search

The article reports on the difficulty of engineering and construction firms in finding qualified civil engineers in California. Executives of engineering companies projected that the shortage of engineers could drive companies to pass up lucrative projects and cause the delay in the delivery of their projects on time. According to president Ron Tutor, engineering companies are competing in terms of recruiting qualified engineers.

Reports on the political implication of environmental impact reports on planned development projects in California. Establishment of the California Environmental Quality Act; Inclusion of technical appendices in the environmental impact reports; Revision of environmental impact standards for construction projects.

Highlights the plans of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration as he prepares for his mid-November 2003 oath of office. Plans to name three top staff positions within the month of October; Schwarzenegger's scheduled visit to Sacramento to meet with Governor Gray Davis; Efforts of members of the transition team to process job inquiries.

The article focuses on the banker rotation rule that could cost card clubs in California and mentions topics including the battle between local card rooms and tribal gaming casinos, Bureau of Gambling Control, and enforcement of the rotation of banker position from January 1, 2017.

The article reports that the nonprofit organization California Chamber of Commerce has opposed the extension of the income tax increase of Proposition 30 until 2031 which was approved by voters in 2012 and is set to expire in 2018.

The article focuses on the passing of bills that are considered to harm businesses in Sacramento, California. The bills include those require businesses to pay for employee health care, increase workers' compensation benefits and regulate the amount of chemicals used in their products. Business lobbyists stress that these bills pose a threat to employers. Topping the list are health care reform bills introduced by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez and Senate President Don Perata.

The article reports that a recent study from a respected think tank has found that not only have California's major industries all suffered some net job loss from business relocations, but that this effect is most pronounced among industries that tend to pay higher wages. The think tank was the Public Policy Institute of California, which studied business relocations into and out of the state between 1992 and 2003.

The article reports on the proposals of several measures that could have sweeping impacts on the business climate in California. Four of the measures would raise $37 billion for much-needed infrastructure projects throughout the state, including highways, goods movement, school facilities, housing, and levee repair.

The article presents information on a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure bond being crafted in Sacramento for June's statewide ballot. It is proposed that the bond will likely be in the $11 billion to $15 billion range. It is discussed to have a much larger bond package split up into measures on two separate ballots, such as the $13 billion and $12 billion school facilities bond measures. It is also considered that significant additional borrowing could increase the state's annual debt repayment costs, which is now around 6 percent of state revenues.

The article reports on the candidacy of democrat politician Fabian Nunez who represents the 46th district in Los Angeles, California. Nunez grew up in a family of 12 children in the San Diego neighborhood of Logan Heights. According to him, he will be able to cut some big deals next year if the governor's initiatives go down to defeat next month.

Reports on the public concern involving the preparedness of the state for disaster in California. Delay in complying with deadlines to ensure that hospitals and schools are seismically upgraded; Impact of a biological attack on the local economy; Lack of recovery plan by the 35 percent of the 100 companies surveyed.

Reports on the efforts made by researchers to develop new technological innovations in Los Angeles, California. Total number of patents issued to companies' product development; Implication of innovation for the city's economic development; Other industries setting new innovations in the city.

This article reports that several statewide business groups have launched their attempt to loosen the state's daily overtime law, backing legislation that would allow employees to seek permission from their bosses for an alternative work schedule without requiring employers to pay overtime in California. The legislation faces an uphill battle amid what's expected to be sharp opposition from labor unions. The fight is likely to be intense given the prospects of an all-out initiative war between governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his business allies on one side and labor unions and their Democratic allies on the other.

Reports on the concern of employers on the first paid family leave law in California. Effectivity date of the law; Opposition of businesses to the legislation; Benefits of the law to employees.

Reports on California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget deals. Pending compact with state Indian tribes; Uses from projected surplus revenues; Comments of state Treausrer Phil Angelides on Schwarzenegger's budget strategy.

Reports on the ability of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to work out a compromise that can appease both sides of the aisle. Prediction on the expected coming round of budget talks; Increase in the number of caseloads in several health and social service agencies; Difficulty on the significant additional borrowing since the ongoing structural budget deficit of at least seven billion U.S.dollars.

Reports on the widening of California's budget deficit as revenues fall short. Consideration of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on a tax increase; Efforts on the reduction of budgets on top of budget cuts outlined in January; Increase in income tax filings in the weeks following April 15 tax deadline.

Reports that the increase in unemployment insurance taxes could lead to employee layoffs in California. Decrease in funds of the state Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, an employer-funded pool established to pay weekly benefits to unemployed workers; Increase in the payroll tax rate paid by employers; Emergency loan from the federal government to keep the fund from falling.

Reports on the gasoline prices in California. Link between the gasoline prices and supply problems; Aspects of the legislative proposal; Performance of refineries in the state.

Focuses on budget crisis in California. Results of car tax rollback; Plan of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to refinance the deficit; Proposal to increase property taxes on business to pay doe education programs.

Focuses on the necessity for employees to pay tax for the unemployment insurance trust fund in California. Benefit of the increase in unemployment benefits; Implication for the insolvency of the unemployment trust fund; Options to solve the problem for taxes.

Evaluates the economic condition of California. Dependence of the state's funds on income taxes; Collapse of the state revenues; Need to overhaul the tax structure of the state. INSET: PLETHORA OF PROPOSALS.

Reports on the formulation of several initiatives to qualify for the 2004 ballot in California. Formulation of budget accountability act which would reduce the state's budget; Formulation of an initiative that would repeal automobile license fee; Restoration of the state's open primary.

Focuses on the proposal for a high-speed rail transportation in California. Estimation of the cost for the project; Issuance of the preliminary environmental impact report on the project by California High Speed Rail Authority; Revival of the high-speed train from Anaheim to Las Vegas.

Reports on the budget crisis in California's political andgovernment system. Budget deficit in government electioncampaigns; Progression in the political communities; Implementationof electoral restrictions.

Reports on the progress of the election recall campaign against Governor Gray Davis in California. Factors stimulating the recall campaign; Citations of the potential candidates in the proposed re-election; Response of Davis to the recall campaign.

Reports on the gubernatorial candidacy of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger as replacement for Governor Gray Davis in California. Impact of the popularity of Schwarzenegger on his political career; Comments of Representative Darrell Issa on the candidacy of Schwarzenegger; Supporters of Schwarzenegger.

Discusses the problems that may arise resulting from the closing off of new policies by California's State Compensation Insurance Fund. Requirements of the compromise proposal for employers seeking coverage from State Fund; Impact of the changes on the workers' compensation system.

Reports energy crisis in San Diego, California. Criticism of broadcaster Harvey Rosenfield against the electric utilities and to the government; Views of politicians on the criticisms of Rosenfield; Impact of the crisis on the consumers.

Reports on the low profile being kept by major industrial companies with regards to California's power crisis. Failure of the state's deregulation system; Efforts of the CMTA to revise the system to reduce the likelihood of further power price increases; California Chamber of Commerce's anticipation of a comprehensive set of proposals.

Discloses that a package of tax breaks for California businesses that was included in the state budget sent to Governor Pete Wilson is contingent upon the failure of an initiative on the November 3, 1998 ballot. Purpose of Proposition 7 of the ballot; Need for the business community to choose between tax credits in the initiative and tax cuts approved by the Legislature.

Reports that the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Boards has eliminated California employers with fewer than 10 employers from a proposed ergonomics rule. What this exemption means for small businesses in California; Ramifications of the ergonomics rule; Why employers and business groups in California have vigorously opposed ergonomics regulations.

Focuses on the effort by California Governor Pete Wilson to repeal the state's daily overtime law. Failure of the state's Legislature to repeal the law; Attempt by the Republican controlled Industrial Welfare Commission to repeal the law; Requirements of the law; Examination of the overtime issue in California.

Reports on the California legislature's passage of certain laws aimed at helping business enterprises. Offer of tax cuts and tax incentives; Establishment of the California Earthquake Authority; Passage of regulatory reforms; Specific industries that will get tax cuts and tax incentives.

Focuses on the dispute between tort reform lawyers and large corporations in California regarding Proposition 211. Filing of class-action shareholder suits with no limitations; Need to check rampant fraud in Wall Street; Opposition from Sen. Bob Dole.

Reports that the Trends 2000 Business Relocation and Expansion Exposition, which was at the Anaheim Marriott in Orange County, California, is relocating to New York City. What the Trends 2000 move indicates; Length of time spent in California; Remarks from Ken Moore, president of the Orange County Economic Development Consortium.

Reports on California Governor Pete Wilson's proposal to lower the prevailing wage that contractors on public works projects must pay workers. Move that could bring cost savings to some contractors and local governments; State Department of Industrial Relations' (DIR) unveiling of a new set of proposed regulations; Opposition.

Reports on the effects of the lobbying battle over electric car mandates in California-based corporations. Electric gas and utilities' support of the mandate; California Manufacturer's Association's opposition to the mandate; Reasons for tax groups' opposition of the mandate; Reduction of regulatory burden; Strategies used by oppositionists to strengthen their cause.

Reports on the expansion plans of Health Insurance Plan of California's (HIPC) coverage among businesses in the state. Benefits offered by HIPC to small businesses which can't afford regular health plans; Criticisms on HIPC from legislators and health plan industry observers; Legislative support for expanding HIPC's coverage qualifications.