SB-Cal Activities

You all know that SB Cal is the lead small business organization in the state on energy issues. What you may not know is that we have intervener status at the California Public Utilities Commission. Hank Ryan our Executive Director represents us and in my opinion is the most knowledgeable person in the state on these issues. Yesterday he filed his comments to the CPUC regarding On Bill Financing. On Bill Financing exist in California due to his efforts. I also want to note that San Diego Gas &Electric is approaching $2 million in On Bill Financing and they have clearly been the leader with the Investor Owned Utilities.

Based on our survey the number 2 issue for small businesses in California is education and workforce development. Ginne Mistal, our board member in Redding, is working with the California Workforce Investment Board to develop best practices of local Workforce Investment Boards around the state.On September 11, she went to a meeting of the California Workforce Association and presented the questions SB-Cal and the California Workforce Investment Board developed. I might note that we had a lot of assistance from NORTEC who run some great programs in I believe 10 counties in the Redding, Chico, Yuba area.

Scott Hauge
PresidentSmall Business California

Small Business Exemption

You all have heard by now that the Senate and Assembly passed a budget. The good news is we got an exemption for small businesses. The bad news is that instead of getting the exemption for businesses under $5 million it is for businesses under $500000.

We of course are disappointed with the reduction but without the leadership of Small Business California and the 35 associations that fought for the this there would have been no exemption.

Scott