Workers Compensation\CrowdFunding\Go Biz Seminars

I debated whether to send another email today after yesterday's but I can’t withhold good news. In the Executive Newsletter today, they announced that the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau is considering a midyear recommendation that rates be reduced by the high single digits or low teens. It has been a long time since recommendations have been made to reduce rates. Keep in mind the companies do not have to take the Bureau's recommendation, but there will be a lot of pressure to do so.

One major reason for this was the passage of SB 863. Small Business California was a strong supporter of SB 863. We also brought in 20 associations that supported the bill and got over 200 support letters. A big thank you to Christine Baker, head of the Department of Industrial Relations, who was one of the architects of the bill. SB Cal worked closely with her in SB 863's development.

In an email yesterday, I gave a list of bills Small Business California was sponsoring. One was AB 722 which is going to help start-up companies and growth companies get equity capital of up to $1 million. This bill would reduce the cost of a crowd funding offering and allow general solicitation of non-accredited investors. It would not allow telephone solicitation. It would also put in place a number of protections for investors in crowd funding offerings. Board member Mark Hiraide, a securities attorney, is the architect of this bill.

I received a call from an SF Chronicle reporter asking for small businesses that could be helped by AB 722. If you are in the Bay Area and would be interested in talking to her, let me know. For the rest of you in California, I would like to know if you would talk to a reporter as I expect we will have future calls for media around the state.



 

Please see information below on seminars in Sacramento and San Diego. Janelle Green, who sent this to me, is with GoBiz. Thank you Janelle.

Subject: U.S. Dept. of Energy Small Business Contracting - Sacramento and San Diego Events
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
at California Energy Commission, 1516 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.at SDG&E Innovation Center, 4760 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92117

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is hosting several Energy Industry Day events to promote and publicize opportunities for small businesses seeking to meet DOE support requirements. Opportunities will be available for attendees to learn of potential partnerships with prime and subcontracting companies. These Energy Industry Day events would both support the agency's commitment to DOE's "Small Business First Policy" and would provide dedicated sessions that introduce Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and other prime contract holders with small business.

Energy Industry Days will involve remarks from senior-level DOE Officials, large prime contracting ESCOs, and federal building energy managers. Meetings will also include speed networking sessions designed to facilitate discussions of partnering opportunities between small business and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) on current and possible future requirements.

Space is limited and attendees must register by visiting http://energyindustrydayswest.govtools.us.


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