Multi Assn Secretary Lanier to Sen Rules/ Volunteers in Medicine

On March 5th a hearing will be held for confirmation of Governor Brown's appointment of David Lanier as Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development. Small Business California will be testifying in support of Mr. Lanier at the Rules Committee. Please see the link below for the letter of support signed by 19 associations. Thank you to all the Association that agreed to sign.

 RE: SUPPORT of David Lanier as Secretary – Labor and Workforce Development Agency

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 As I think you all know, I am Vice Chair of Volunteers in Medicine. This organization sets up free clinics around the country using retired physicians, dentists, nurses and lay volunteers. We have 96 clinics in 29 states, one of which is Clinic by the Bay in SF, which I co-founded. I am excited to tell you VIM has signed an agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals to be their partner in promoting and expanding VIM in the United States. For those that don’t know Teva, they are a huge firm in Israel and one of the largest generic drug companies in the world. They will be making this announcement at their conference this weekend in Palm Springs. VIM will be presenting at the conference.

In March,  I will be meeting with the Consulate General of Israel, Andy David  in San Francisco to discuss this this partnership.



Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA  94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188 

Urgent Small Business Survey/ Affordable Care Act

Our survey will be closing in about a  week. I really need your help in getting the survey completed.  Please take a few minutes if you haven’t already done so to complete the survey. You can access it by going to http://www.smallbusinesscalifornia.org/

Thank you for your time

Please find updated information on the  Affordable Care Act. Small Business California has been involved in the development of this piece:
 

February 24, 2014   New Series of Fact Sheets Explains Critical Details of Health Law for Employers   Running a business is hard work and employers don’t have a lot of time to follow new laws and their deadlines. However, small business owners and their employees need to know that March 31, 2014 is the deadline for most Americans to obtain health insurance coverage or face a tax penalty. Health Law Guide for Business is here to help business owners understand their options for obtaining coverage, both for themselves and their employees.  Over the next several weeks, we will be releasing four one page fact sheets explaining the basics of the law. We will cover the potential tax benefits of providing coverage, information on the new health insurance marketplace called Covered California, penalties for not obtaining coverage, and resources that employers can share with their employees about how to get covered.  Each fact sheet is designed front and back, one side in English and one side in Spanish. The first fact sheet is a brief introduction to the Affordable Care Act for business owners, covering the most important information they need to know now.  It is available for download now.  We hope that you will print it out, review it and share it with every employer you know.  If you represent an organization of businesses, please share this free resource with your members. We hope that you will find the information useful as you decide what health care options are best for you and your employees. Once again, click here to view the first edition and stay tuned for three additional fact sheets in the next several weeks.  And as always, visit www.healthlawguideforbusiness.org for the information that employers need to know now about federal health care reform.

Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA  94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188 

2014 SB Survey | SB935 Minimum wage: annual adjustment

Please see below, our 2014 annual survey link. This is really important for Small Business California as it sets our agenda for the year. It will take about 10 minutes or less. The results of the survey will be sent to every Assembly person, Senator, and House member in the state, the Governor, and our two National Senators. Our Manager of Governmental Affairs uses it throughout the year when working with elected officials and government people. It is also frequently referred to by the media.

2014 Survey direct link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KSYR6RF

For past surveys go to www.smallbusinesscalifornia.org
 
Thank you for completing and please send out to other small businesses you know.
 

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New legislation being introduced...

An act to amend Section 1182.12 of the Labor Code, relating to wages.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 935, as introduced, Leno. Minimum wage: annual adjustment.

Existing law requires that, on and after July 1, 2014, the minimum wage for all industries be not less than $9 per hour. Existing law further increases the minimum wage, on and after January 1, 2016, to not less than $10 per hour.

This bill would increase the minimum wage, on and after January 1, 2015, to not less than $11 per hour, on and after January 1, 2016, to not less than $12 per hour, and on and after January 1, 2017, to not less than $13 per hour. The bill would further increase the minimum wage annually thereafter, to maintain employee purchasing power. The automatically adjusted minimum wage would be calculated using the California Consumer Price Index, as specified. The bill would prohibit the Industrial Welfare Commission from adjusting the minimum wage downward and from adjusting the minimum wage if the average percentage of inflation for the previous year was negative. The bill would require the Industrial Welfare Commission to publicize the automatically adjusted minimum wage.

The bill would provide that its provisions not be construed to preclude an increase in the minimum wage to an amount greater than the formula would provide, to result in a reduction in the minimum wage, or to preclude or supersede an increase of the minimum wage that is greater than the state minimum wage by any local government or tribal government.

[to continue reading, please visit the California Legislative Information website] 


What do you think about this?


Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA  94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188 

Covered California's SHOP Halts Online Enrollment | Regulatory Fairness Hearing

On February 12th, Covered California’s Peter Lee, announced they would be shutting down the Small Business Health Option Program's online enrollment function effective Feb 12th. In a press release he said, “the SHOP portal was not meeting the needs of agents or small business and needed improvement.” It is projected to be back online the fall of 2014, according to the  press release. You will still be able to purchase insurance through the traditional paper process, working with your Certified  agent or the SHOP Service Center.
 

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On February 21st, there will be a Regulatory  Fairness Forum in Oakland at the Waterfront Hotel - 10 Washington Street, Room Regatta II. This is an opportunity to tell the National Ombudsman Brian Castro about unfair federal enforcement actions, government audits, and excessive fines or regulations.  Regulatory Fairness Board member Paul Wright will host a conversation with Oakland area small business owners and other members of the small business community. There  is no cost to attend. Should you have any questions contact Jose Mendez in the Office of the National Ombudsman 202-205-6178 or at jose.mendez@sba.gov



Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA  94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188 

2014 SB Survey | Should Employers Provide Health Insurance?

Please see below, our 2014 annual survey link. This is really important for Small Business California as it sets our agenda for the year. It will take about 10 minutes or less. The results of the survey will be sent to every Assembly person, Senator, and House member in the state, the Governor, and our two National Senators . Our Manager of Governmental Affairs uses it throughout the year when working with elected officials and government people. It is also frequently referred to by the media.

2014 Survey direct link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KSYR6RF

For past surveys go to www.smallbusinessacalifornia.org

Thank you for completing  and please send out to other small businesses you know.

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When I talk to small businesses about providing health insurance many tell me that they do not think health insurance should be linked to employment. Keep in mind, these are not necessarily people who do not provide insurance for their employees. Currently, most people in the US are covered by their employers.                      

What do you think? Should people get their health insurance through their employer? Do you provide insurance for your employees?
 

 
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA  94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188