SB 869

I just received word that our bill SB 869 by Senator Ridley Thomas passed the Senate this morning on a vote of 34-2. The two opposed were McClintock and Hollingsworth. As you will recall the purpose of the bill is to go after businesses that have filed with EDD but have no workers compensation coverage. It is estimated there are about 100000 of these businesses.
It will now go to the Assembly where we fully expect it to pass and be signed ultimately by the Governor. Lori Kammerer ,our lobbyist has really made this bill happen.
Thank you to all that wrote letters of support.
On the energy front our small business energy bill HR2389 went to mark up yesterday in the House. It is being introduced by the Chair of the Small Business Committee Nydia Velazquez. The initiative to get this introduced was Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This bill will do a number of things to help small business reduce energy use and assist in financing those energy efficient technologies. It also will require the SBA to provide information and promote energy efficiency ideas. We are working closely with the Center for Small Business and the Environment, the National Small Business Association and the Small Business Majority association. We have had tremendous help and guidance from Russ Orbin who is a staff member of the House Small Business Committee

I hope you feel like Small Business California is out there fighting for you and if you are not a member please consider joining. You can get information on how to do so by visiting our website at www.smallbusinesscalifornia.org

Scott Hauge President Small Business California