SBDCs

I just found out yesterday that in the Governor's May revise of the budget, the SBDCs  were given $2 million. It will be from the general fund so that means the SBA will match this amount.

We are watching closely to make sure this money does not get shifted to a special fund jeopardizing the match. Hats off to Barbara Vohryzek, the Small Business Advocate and Panorea Avdis in the Governor’s office for making this happen.

Small Business California has been working for a while to get additional funding for California SBDCs. 


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

Crowdfunding Bill Clears the Assembly Floor

As you all know Small Business California has put forth a crowd funding bill that will help small businesses and start-up businesses obtain equity capital. Yesterday, the Assembly passed our bill 75 to 0.

We had no nay votes previously in Banking and Financing and Appropriations. See below from our government affairs manager.

"It now goes to the Senate where it will be harder because AARP will be coming out opposed."

We are however very optimistic. Thank you to all that sent support letters.


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

Troy and Alana Pack Patient Safety Act of 2014

It is expected that a Patient Protection measure called the Troy and Alana Patient Safety Act of 2014 will be on the ballot in November. This will do a number of things like random drug and alcohol testing of doctors with privileges in hospitals. It also will test after adverse situations to a patient. It will also raise the cap on non-economic damages from $250,000 to a little over $1 million.  The current limit of $250,000 was signed into law in 1975 and has not been increase. The new cap is adjusted for inflation.

This measure is being brought forth by Consumer Attorneys and is opposed by the California Medical Association. There are other pro and con supporters but I will not go into detail about. The argument made in favor of this is that about 10% of doctors have substance abuse problems. They point out that Medical Malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the country trailing Heart disease and cancer. They also argue that the $250,000 cap has not been raised for almost 40 years.

The CMA argues that this will drastically increase health cost and that the drug testing has been included so they can have something that resonates with voters but their real interest is to increase the malpractice cap. They also argue that the testing after an adverse situation will not hold up in court because I believe it has to be done three days after and the doctor may not necessarily be on duty.

This is going to be a highly contested issue and millions of dollars will be spent by both sides. What do you think?


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

Volunteers In Medicine | Online Lending Seminar

Volunteers In Medicine (VIM) just completed its annual survey of our 95 eligible Volunteers In Medicine Clinics. 85 responded.

The highlights were,

1. We have 105,759 patients with 404.810 patient visits.
2. The average cost per patient was $332 and the average cost per patient visit was $85
3. There were 12178 individuals who volunteered - 6811 medical and 5567 non medical.
4. There were 348 paid staff
5. 75% of participating clinics are in states that did not expand Medicare.

Remember we take no government money

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Go-Biz is doing a webinar on May 22 to discuss online business lending. It will be from 12PM to 1PM. See information below.
  
 

GO-Biz's Small Business Unit to Host Webinar on Online Business Loans

Small business loans from online lenders have become an increasingly popular option for some businesses. Some say that they are quicker and more flexible to process than loans from brick and mortar lenders.  Have you wondered if this financing option would work for your business?

If so, please join our webinar on May 22nd.  GO-Biz will invite two experts to discuss online business lending in the U.S.  The presentation will describe online loan amounts and loan terms, as well as the online loan application process.  This very informative webinar will provide small business owners with an introduction to this new business loan arena.  Register now - space is limited!

Thursday, May 22nd -  12:00 PM to 1 PM  (PDT)
Registration information and additional details on the webinar are available here.

Featured presenters:

SUSAN RILEY BROWN, Business and Community Development Consultant
 

PAUL QUINTERO, Chief Executive Officer of Accion East, Inc.




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

Crowdfunding

Equity capital for start-ups and growing small businesses has always been a problem. With the passage of the JOBS Act this was made easier but there are still some problems. While the final regulations have not been written, we know that general solicitation and adequate investor protections will not be in the final regulations.

To solve this problem Small Business California is sponsoring AB 2096. It allows general solicitation and many investor protections  like a cap of $5000 for non-accredited investors, attorney fees for successful plaintiffs, and additional disclosure requirements.
 
AB 2096 passed the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee on an 11 to 0 vote. It is going to the Assembly Appropriations Committee today and it is on consent calendar. We have over 20 small business associations around the state supporting this measure. This bill will fill a real need for small businesses to raise up to $1 million in equity capital.
 
For more information go to www.leginfo.ca.gov

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

Health Conference | Registration Information

On Thursday and Friday I will be speaking at a Health, Healthcare and Economic Development Conference. I will be talking from the small business perspective. For those of you that provide health insurance to your employees what has been your experience since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act?

1. Have you looked at Covered California and the Small Business Health Option Plan?
2. Have you dropped your health insurance and had your employees get the subsidies in Covered California?
3. Do you think you will be dropping  health insurance in the future?
4. Have you placed your insurance outside Covered California?
5. Did you take an early renewal?
6. Has your premium gone up? How much?
7. Did you use a certified Covered California agent to place coverage?
8. Did your agent recommend not using Covered California?
9. Have you had problems with the doctor Networks. This can be both inside and outside Covered California.
10. Do you receive a tax credit from Covered California?
11. Do you think the Affordable Care Act will ultimately succeed?
12. Please indicate if you are in an urban or rural area.
13. Are the provider Networks [doctors, hospitals, etc.] adequate to meet your companies needs?
14. Other comments?

 If you are interested in attending conference see information below.

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

Made in CA Survey

Small Business California passed a bill last year regarding the labeling of Made in California. At the end of the session the author added an amendment that was very troubling. It said that the business had to have 100% of the product made in the USA . The only exclusion to this is packaging.

It is really important  you answer the questions below. It is hard to move forward on implementing this if it doesn't benefit many businesses.
 

1. Are you a California-based manufacturer?

• If yes, do you produce any products that are 100% made in the USA? (For purposes of this survey, “100% made in the USA” includes labor and all product materials.  It does not include packaging.)
  If yes, please describe products ___________________________________.
• If yes, please describe how you are able to confirm that your supply chain consists only of USA-made labor, parts, and materials_____________________________.
• If yes, would you be interested in being part of a 100% made in the USA label to brand and market your product(s)? YES / NO

2. If your products are not currently 100% made in the USA, what approximate share of total value is made in the USA? (For purposes of this survey, product value includes labor and all product materials materials.  It does not include packaging.)  _______________. 
    
3. Would you be interested in adjusting your supply chain to fit a 100% made in the USA standard if a 100% made in the USA label were available?

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

Good News AB 2096 | Effect of Sales Tax on Amazon

Small Business California is sponsoring a bill to help small businesses get equity capital. It is a well-known fact that start ups and other small businesses that want to get equity under $1 million have a lot of problems. This bill will help these businesses by streamlining the process and provide investor protections that are not in the Federal JOBS act.

I am excited to tell you that AB 2096 passed in the Assembly Banking and Finance committee yesterday with an 11 to 0 vote.

Next stop, Appropriations!

We had a great deal of help with this from about 20 small business associations around the state. For more information go to www.leginfo.ca.gov.

One final note, Lee Petillon former board member, worked on this bill for three years. Mark Hiraide was his partner and he has been the driving force on this. We have named it the Lee Petillon bill. I am sure he is smiling down on us. 
 

---

Business Week came out today with information about the effect the sales tax has had in the 10 states where Amazon is required to collect sales tax. As you know California is one of those states.

“In states that have the tax, households reduced their spending on Amazon by about 10 percent compared to those in states that don’t have the levy. For online purchases of more than $300, sales fell by 24 percent, according to the report titled “The Amazon Tax.”

Small Business California worked hard to get this legislation passed. To continue reading the article on Businessweek, click here.
 
 

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

Minimum Wage | SF Health Care Ordinance - CORRECTION

*Accidentally we initially put David Chiu, but that was a typo. Supervisor David Chiu has been a wonderful friend and supporter of small businesses.

I don’t usually write about local issues but I think what is happening on the minimum wage in SF is going to mushroom around the state. The minimum wage now is $10.74. I think this is the highest in the country except for SeaTac in Washington which is $15. It is expected that a couple of measures will be on the November ballot. The SEIU has taken out papers to increase the minimum wage to $13 come January 2015. In 2016, businesses with over 100 employees will be required to pay $15 and those under 100 will go to $14. In 2017 businesses under 100 will go to $15. From there every year will have a cost of living adjustment.

The Mayor is expected to also put forth a measure increasing the minimum wage to $15 or $16 but over a longer period of time. The timelines are not known. How would this impact your business?  Are you hearing about increases in your area?
 

---

Supervisor David Campos has introduced legislation to change the current SF Health Care Ordinance. All businesses with 20 or more employees will be required to purchase health insurance for all employees working 8 hours or more or pay annually into a City fund or another fund that meets Affordable Care Act regulations. For businesses with 20 to 99 employees the amount is $1.66 per hour per employee. For businesses with 100 or more employees the amount would be $2.44. Both are increased annually by the cost of living increase. These amounts mentioned above would have to be put into the fund in cash and is irrevocable, meaning the employee has the availability of this money until it is used up.


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

Minimum Wage | SF Health Care Ordinance

I don’t usually write about local issues but I think what is happening on the minimum wage in SF is going to mushroom around the state. The minimum wage now is $10.74. I think this is the highest in the country except for SeaTac in Washington which is $15. It is expected that a couple of measures will be on the November ballot. The SEIU has taken out papers to increase the minimum wage to $13 come January 2015. In 2016, businesses with over 100 employees will be required to pay $15 and those under 100 will go to $14. In 2017 businesses under 100 will go to $15. From there every year will have a cost of living adjustment.

The Mayor is expected to also put forth a measure increasing the minimum wage to $15 or $16 but over a longer period of time. The timelines are not known. How would this impact your business?  Are you hearing about increases in your area?
 

---

Supervisor David Chiu has introduced legislation to change the current SF Health Care Ordinance. All businesses with 20 or more employees will be required to purchase health insurance for all employees working 8 hours or more or pay annually into a City fund or another fund that meets Affordable Care Act regulations. For businesses with 20 to 99 employees the amount is $1.66 per hour per employee. For businesses with 100 or more employees the amount would be $2.44. Both are increased annually by the cost of living increase. These amounts mentioned above would have to be put into the fund in cash and is irrevocable, meaning the employee has the availability of this money until it is used up.

 

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

AB 2096 (Muratsuchi) Small Business Access to Capital - Crowd funding - Need Your Support

Last week, I was in Sacramento with SB-Cal Board member Mark Hiraide and SB-Cal's Manager of Governmental Affairs Lori Kammerer.  We met with Anita Lee in Assemblyman Muratsuchi‘s office, Katie O’Malley and Les Spahnn, from the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee, Nancy Pevorini from the Consumer Attorney and Andrew McElhinney in Senator Harkey’s office. We discussed Small Business California-sponsored bill AB 2096 by Assemblyman Muratsuchi.

This bill will make it easier for start-ups and emerging small businesses to obtain crowd funding money while providing much needed protection for investors not currently in the SEC crowd funding provisions.

I am writing to you to ask for your support of this bill and if you are involved in an association to ask the support of your association. Click here to read the fact sheet on the bill.

We just started seeking association support and we currently have the National Federation of Independent Businesses,  the  California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity, the California Metal Coalition and the Small Manufacturers Association of California. We expect many more. If you would like to sign onto our association letter or individually support, please let me know and I will send you letters.


Thank you for your consideration and let me know if you have any questions.


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

Minimum Wage | Volunteers In Medicine - Teva | Go Biz Meetings

Yesterday, Small  Business California received a call from Senator Leno’s office asking our thoughts on SB 935. This bill would increase the minimum wage to $11 in 2015, $12 in 2016 and $13 in 2017. It would also have an annual increase for inflation.

In a bill passed last year, the minimum wage was increased from $8 to $9 July 1st, 2014 and again to $10 in Jan. 2016. This does not have an increase for inflation. What are your thoughts?
 

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I am very proud to be the Vice Chair of Volunteers in Medicine. We provide health services to the working uninsured using volunteer physicians nurses, dentist and lay volunteers. We have 96 clinic in 29 states. There are three clinics in California located in SF (which I co-founded), El Cajon and Coachella Valley.

We just received a substantial grant from Teva Pharmaceuticals and have become their partner in North America. Our goal is to increase the number of clinics in the US. Please see information about the Teva conference in Las Vegas last weekend. Included is a list of Clinic around the country
 

---

Below my signature is the newly released list of upcoming workshops on GO-Biz’s California Competes Tax Credit. We would appreciate your help in getting the word out!

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

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GO-Biz to Host Regional Workshops on How Businesses Can Apply for the ‘California Competes’ Tax Credit

Join the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) for a workshop on the new California Competes Tax Credit. Small, medium and large businesses are encouraged to attend the workshop and receive instruction on how to apply for this new tax credit available from the state. The California Competes program provides upwards of $180 million in tax credits over the next two years for businesses of all sizes that want to expand or relocate to California.

Come and learn how your business can apply for new tax credits from the state. Additional details regarding the California Competes Tax Credit can be found here or for questions call GO-Biz at (916) 322-0694. Register below for the workshop in your area.

Online Webinar

Wednesday March 19^th
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Register Here

Tuesday, April 1^st
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Register Here

Northern California

Wednesday, March 19^th
9:00 am to 10:00 am
New City Hall
915 I Street
Council Chambers
Sacramento, CA 95814
Register Here

Wednesday, March 19^th
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Redding Council Chambers
777 E. Cypress Avenue
Redding, CA 96001
Register Here

Thursday, March 20^th
9:00 am to  10:00 am
City of Fairfield
2490 Hilborn Road #108
Fairfield, CA 94533
Register Here

Bay Area

Thursday, March 20^th
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Oakland City Hall
Council Chamber
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
Register Here

Friday, March 28^th
10:00 am to 11:00 am
235 Montgomery Street, Ste. 760
San Francisco, CA 94104
Register Here

Central Coast 

Thursday, March 20^th
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Salinas City Rotunda
200 Lincoln Avenue
Salinas, CA  93901
Register Here

Central Valley

Friday, March 21^st
10:30 am  to 11:30 am
2331 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA  93721
Register Here

Friday, March 21^st
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
56 S Lincoln St
Stockton, CA 95203
Register Here

Southern California 

Tuesday, March 25^th
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
200 N. Spring Street
27th Floor - Tom Bradley Rm
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Register Here

Wednesday, March 26^th
10:00 am to 11:00 am
2500 S. Archibald Ave, Rm. 2
Ontario, CA 91761
Register Here

Wednesday, March 26^th
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
201 S. Anaheim Blvd
Gordon Hoyt Conference Room
Anaheim, CA 92805
Register Here

Thursday, March 27^th
10:00 am to 11:00 am
402 West Broadway, Ste. 1000
San Diego, CA 92101
Register Here

GO-Biz serves as California’s office for economic development and offers a range of services to business owners. Those services include attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, important informational briefings and much more. For more information visit: www.business.ca.gov or contact Jorge.Jaramillo@gov.ca.gov.

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.

---

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 

Small Business Development Centers/ President's State of the Union Speech/ Independent Contractors/ Survey

The President has signed the FY 14 budget and the good news is that the Small Business Development Centers, nationally have been given just over $113,600,000. This is a slight increase from this year and eliminates the sequestration cuts for the current year. As you may be aware the sequestration cut was 8%.

Now, what is important, is that California contributed money to help the California SBDCs  meet their SBA match. California is one of the few states in the country, if not the only state, that does not contribute to its SBDC program. 

---

The  President gave his  5^th State of the Union speech last night. He says that this will be a year of action and that he will try to do more in taking Executive action. One of these actions is an increase in the minimum wage for Federal workers to $10.15. What did you think of the speech? Is the President heading in the right direction? Can he really do much with a gridlocked  Congress?

---

I have written in previous emails that Small Business California is looking to pass legislation that would standardize the definition of Independent Contractors in California. Right now there are multiple definitions between EDD, IRS, Labor, etc. This is a real problem for small businesses. Upon reflection  we have decided to wait until next session as we want to make sure we have labor and other business organizations in agreement with the final language. We are talking to labor and they seem interested in trying to work with us.

Next week Small Business California will be sending out its annual survey. We have done this every year since 2005 and have received responses from every county in California. The results of the survey are sent to every member of the Assembly, every State Senator, the Governor , Senators Feinstein and Boxer, and every House member. I hope you will take about 10 minutes to complete the survey and will forward it to your colleagues. You can see the results of past surveys by going to www.smallbusinesscalifornia.org and clicking on surveys.
 


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

Annual Survey

Small Business California will be sending its annual survey out around the 1st of February.  Please take a look at last years and let me know what questions could be changed to make it better. I would appreciate you looking closely at the issues and advising if we have missed anything. You can access the survey by going to www.smallbusinesscalifornia.org  Click on the annual  survey tab at the top of our home page. Please get your responses back by Friday, January 24th. Could you also let me know if you would be willing to circulate the survey.
 

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Each year Small Business California recognizes people in government that have been helpful to small businesses. Please let me know if you have someone that deserves recognition. Send me their name, contact information and what they have done to further the small business cause.  I will then send a letter of appreciation from Small Business California noting your comments.  
 


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

Unemployment/ National Labor Relations Board/ Volunteers in Medicine

Because of the recent recession, California Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust fund continues to have a deficit. As a result, it has taken loans from the federal government to pay for the state UI benefits. It had until Nov. 10th to repay the loan or California employers would be assessed with additional FUTA taxes. For the 2013 tax year, California employers will be subject to an additional 0.9% or $63 per employee. The tax is due with the annual FUTA (940) return, which is on Jan 31, 2014.

For more information about the additional FUTA taxes, please visit:
http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/FUTA-Credit-Reduction
and
http://www.edd.ca.gov/payroll_taxes/Federal_Unemployment_Tax_Act_Tax_Increases.htm

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The California  Employers Association just sent a notice out that after a two year legal battle with employers who challenged the rule, the National Relations Board won't pursue efforts to require businesses to display a large poster advising employees of their right to unionize. This announcement was made on January 6th.

The notice that would have been required would have been an 11x17 poster and failure to do so would be considered an unfair labor practice.

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I thought you would be interested in this article about Volunteers in Medicine that appeared in the Philanthropy Roundtable’s Winter 2014 magazine. Volunteers in Medicine is the organization that takes retired doctors, nurses and lay volunteers who provide free health services to the working uninsured. I am Vice Chair of this organization and Clinic by the Bay, which I co-founded is one of the 96 VIM Clinic around the country.



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