[Source: Fox & Hounds] If I’m known for anything in California, it’s been for my studies about companies leaving the state because of its punishing tax and regulatory policies. Sadly, new political antics will likely cause my future reports to reflect further deterioration in the state’s business climate. I say that because a new California Read More…
Category: California News
The public deserves transparency of pricing at the pump
[Ronald Stein, PTS Staffing Solutions] Fuel prices in California are among the highest in the country, as a result of some of the highest taxes in the country, plus the costs associated with compliance with various State environmental laws, which trickle down to the consumer, resulting in Californian’s paying as much as $1 more per Read More…
With air-quality standards, is the cure worse than the disease?
[Source: Orange County Register] Have we reached the point where air pollution regulations are harming people more than air pollution itself? That’s the question at the heart of the dispute between the Trump administration and California about the Environmental Protection Agency’s air pollution program known as NAAQS, the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. President Trump Read More…
Cancer-causing coffee? Proposition 65 warnings becoming too common
[Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune] A preliminary decision by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elihu M. Berle — that coffee should carry a warning that it is potentially carcinogenic because it has trace amounts of acrylamide — should be maddening to those who care about public health. That’s not just because it’s a decision that Read More…
California lacks a job-friendly economic policy
[Source: Orange County Register] Amazon’s second headquarters, a shiny object dangled in front of revenue-hungry government officials across the country, appears to be headed for someplace other than California. The project known as “HQ2” is likely to land in northern Virginia, some observers believe, where Amazon recently located the headquarters of its cloud business a Read More…
Duration of written meal period waivers depends on your needs
[Source: CalChamber] We have employees working 6-hour shifts who want to waive their meal period and employees who want to waive their second meal period after 10 hours. How often do we have to renew the written waiver? Pursuant to the California Labor Code, both the 6- and 10-hour waiver allow an employer and employee Read More…
Shaking down manufacturers doesn’t help climate change fight
[Source: The Sacramento Bee] California manufacturers are big players in the state’s efforts to address climate change. The largest companies are regulated through a program that will greatly reduce emissions and grow the economy at the same time. The result will be a win-win for jobs and the environment. Unfortunately, trial attorneys and a handful Read More…
California Supreme Court: OT rate for flat bonus must be based on nonovertime hours worked
[Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune] Except for executives, professionals, and others exempt from overtime rules, California employees are legally entitled to one-and-half times their “regular” hourly rate of pay for hours over eight in a day, over 40 in a week, and for all hours worked on the seventh day in a workweek. Non-exempt employees Read More…
Study: L.A.’s small businesses optimistic about growth
[Source: Los Angeles Business Journal] Small businesses across Los Angeles have seen a boost in sales and project continued growth through the end of summer, according to a new survey released March 13. The survey, by 1st Century Bank in conjunction with Beacon Economics, showed optimism and expectations of growth among small businesses in Los Read More…