Chamber News Newsletter
LARGEST BUSINESS ORGANIZATION IN TUOLUMNE COUNTY
October 2014
IN THIS ISSUE
Mark your calendars for the Chamber’s Annual Community Awards Banquet. Since 1921, the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce has hosted this event. This elegant affair will be held on November 20, 2014 at the Black Oak Casino Resort Hotel. During this event the Chamber recognizes members of the community that have gone above and beyond throughout the year. Awards are given to Individuals, Businesses, NonProfits, Administrative Professionals, Government Officials, Teachers and Students. These winners are nominated by members of the community and our high schools. This event allows the Chamber
See Page 7 for details
of Commerce to say “thank you” to the community. Business sponsorship opportunities are still available for some of the award categories. The sponsorship investment for the Citizen of the Year award is $1000.00 and includes four (4) dinners. Each of the other categories can be sponsored for $500.00 and includes two (2) dinners. See Page 8 for the full list of categories and criteria for nomination. Nomination forms are available on the Chamber’s website and at the Chamber office. All nominations must be submitted by Thursday, October 30th, 2014.
Booths still available for Trade Faire
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Ambassador Spotlight
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DMV Robbing Taxpayers
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Building a Water Use Efficient Community
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Community Awards Nomination Criteria
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Governor Signs Two Job Creator Bills
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Olsen on Market Forces and the Economy
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Office of Emergency Services Launches New Software Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services formally announces Everbridge, a new Emergency Notification Software. This new system offers much more than their previous system in abilities and redundancy. While they are still able to pull in all land lines through AT&T and Comcast, privacy laws do not allow for cell phone numbers to be downloaded in the same manner. Therefore, the only way Emergency Services can access cell phone numbers is through a voluntary registration or through IPAWS (Integrated Public Alerting & Warning System) through FEMA. However they are limited in accessing IPAWS for only the most life threatening emergencies.
Voluntary registration into the system allows the user to offer personal information such as their cell phone numbers and email as well as choose the priority in which the notifications will be delivered to them. The system allows for up to 25 different modes of communication. You do not have to be a resident to register. The system allows for those who live outside the area to register, but have family or own property in Tuolumne County. The system also allows registrants to enter more than one address in the system (i.e.. Daycare, parents home, schools, work, etc.) so that they can be notified if that address falls within a designated area of a notification. Continued on Page 11
MISSION - To provide leadership for a healthy and vibrant business environment and encourage responsible economic growth respecting Tuolumne County’s quality of life.
Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce OFFICERS Wendy Gast---------------------------------------------------President of the Board Amelia Harrison-------------------------------------------------------President Elect Jeff Redoutey------------------------------------------------------------Vice President Jim Costello-----------------------------------------------------------------GAC Chair Margaret Davis------------------------------------------------Past Chair/Treasurer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dana Mayo (JS West Propane)----------------------------------------Rep. Sonora Mark Truppner (KVML Radio)---------------------------------------Rep. Sonora Peggy Mosley (Groveland Hotel)----------------------------------Rep. Groveland Justin Myers (Caldwell Insurance)-----------------------------Rep. East Sonora Dayna Davis (Sierra Pacific Industries)------------------------Rep. Soulsbyville Jamie Lloyd (Chicken Ranch Casino)---------------------------Rep. Jamestown Sherri Langley (Black Oak Casino)-------------------------Rep. Tuolumne City Jeff Redoutey (Blue Mountain Minerals)-------------------------Rep. Columbia Amelia Harrison (Umpqua Bank)-----------------------------------Rep. At Large Margaret Davis (Junction Shopping Center)-------------------- Rep. At Large Wendy Gast (Union Democrat)--------------------------------------Rep. At Large Jim Costello (Mt. Brow Winery)------------------------------------Rep. At Large Vacant-------------------------------------------------------------------Rep. E. Sonora Brad Menary (Business First)---------------------------------- Rep. Twain Harte Teri Brockmire (Basket Diva)------------------------------- Chair, Ambassadors Nanci Sikes (Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau)--------Ex-Officio & TCVB Ron Kopf (Tuolumne County Business Council)---------------------Ex-Officio Shirley Sarno (Sonora Chamber of Commerce)----------------------Ex-Officio Steffanie Reed (Twain Harte Chamber of Commerce)--------------Ex-Officio James Nagle (Yosemite Chamber of Commerce)---------------------Ex-Officio Gary Neubert (Columbia Chamber of Commerce)------------------ Ex-Officio Constance O’Connor (Central Sierra Arts Council)---------------- Ex-Officio Joe Silva (Superintendent of County Schools)-------------------------Ex-Officio Steve Farrell (SCORE)-----------------------------------------------------Ex-Officio Thyra Lawrence (Leadership Tuolumne County)--------------------Ex-Officio Larry Cope (Economic Development Authority)---------------------Ex-Officio CHAMBER STAFF Michael Ayala----------------------------------------------CEO/Executive Director Monique Robertson-----------------Office Manager/Administrative Assistant Candice Kendall----------------Administrative Assistant & LTC Coordinator
Visit the Chamber Website
CHAMBER AFFILIATE SCORE----------------------------------------Service Corps of Retired Executives LEADERSHIP TUOLUMNE COUNTY Thyra Lawrence-------------------------------------------------------------------Chair YOUTH LEADERSHIP TUOLUMNE COUNTY Vix DeMattei-----------------------------------------------------------------------Chair Chamber News is published monthly by Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce 222 South Shepherd Street • Sonora, California 95370 (209) 532-4212 • Fax: (209) 532-8068 Email: info@tcchamber.com • Web: http://www.tcchamber.com Publisher & Editor-----------------------------------------------------Michael Ayala Design & Layout Editor--------------------------------------------Candice Kendall Editorial copy and advertising deadline is 25th of month for following month. Please note: Editorial opinions are not necessarily those of the Board of Directors or members of the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce.
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Don’t sit on the Sidelines, GET INVOLVED! OCTOBER 2014 1 Executive Board of Directors: Noon – Chamber 2 Town Hall Luncheon: 11:30am -1pm – The Peppery 3 Ambassadors Committee: Noon – Chamber 6 Governmental Affairs Council: 11 a.m. – Chamber 8 Transportation Committee: 9:30 am. – Chamber 8 Board of Directors: 11am– Chamber 14 Twain Harte Chamber Mixer: 5:30-7 p.m. 16 Marketing/Website/Special Events Committee Noon – Chamber 16 T. C. Chamber 11th Annual Trade Faire! 5-8 p.m. Mother Lode Fairgrounds 20 Governmental Affairs Council: 11 a.m. – Chamber 21 Sonora Chamber Mixer: 5:30-7 p.m. 23 LTC/YLTC: Noon – Chamber 23 Yosemite Highway 120 Chamber’s Network Night: 5:30-7 pm 30 Community Awards Nominations Due
NOVEMBER 2014 3 Governmental Affairs Council: 11 a.m. – Chamber 5 Special Board of Directors Meeting: 11am – Chamber 6 Ambassadors Committee: Noon – Chamber 10 SCORE: 9 a.m. – Chamber 11 Twain Harte Chamber Mixer: 5:30-7 p.m. 12 Transportation Committee: 9:30 a.m. – Chamber 17 Governmental Affairs Council: 11 a.m. – Chamber 18 Sonora Chamber Mixer: 5:30-7 p.m. 20 Marketing/Website/Special Events Committee Noon – Chamber 20 LTC/YLTC: Noon – Berkshire Hathaway 20 Community Awards Banquet 6 p.m Black Oak Casino Resort Hotel 20 Yosemite Highway 120 Chamber’s Turkey Pot Luck 5:30-7 p.m.
Find and fix leaks
Booth’s Still Available at the Harvest Trade Faire The Ambassadors of the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce hosts their 11th Annual Trade Faire. Book your booth today! This is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your business and products. Booths cost only $60 for Members and $100 for Non-members. Local businesses will be featured, displaying and selling their service or products. Finger food and beverages will be available for purchase. Entry is FREE! Come and enjoy from 5pm to 8pm. The public and the business community are invited to attend this event on Thursday October 16, 2014 in the Sierra Building at the Mother Lode Fair Grounds. Bring your costumes and the kids! Help us judge the winners of the ‘Best Costume’ and ‘Best Decorated Booth’ contests. There will also be a Kids’ Pumpkin Decorating Contest and raffle tickets on sale for a chance at great prizes. To register or for more information please call Dianne at 536-2568 or the Chamber at 532-4212. WE’LL SEE YOU THERE! October 2014
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Ambassador of the Month - Carole Mutzner Hello, my name is Carole Mutzner. I work for the American Red Cross and serve as a Chamber ambassador. I enjoy volunteering for the Chamber, it gives me a chance to meet people in a wide range of occupations and to find out about their businesses. It’s amazing to me to see the variety of jobs that people do and to learn about all the different things that are available here in our community. Another plus for me is that I get to tell others about Red Cross and what we do, which has been helpful in generating awareness about our services here in the Mother Lode. Being an Ambassador isn’t all about business, it’s also fun! We get to go to all the Mixers and network in a relaxed and friendly setting. Our ambassadors group is always looking for new members. The time commitment is only about three or four
hours per month and you’ll never meet a nicer bunch of people. If you’d like to join us, please give the Chamber a call at 209-532-4212 or, better yet, stop by at our next Mixer and let one of the Ambassadors know you’re interested. Being a good Red Crosser, I have to take this opportunity to ask each of you if you’re prepared for emergencies. As business owners, you know how important it is to make plans for the everyday things that come upshouldn’t you make plans for the unexpected too? Please visit our website www.readyrating.org for tips and information on how to prepare for those unexpected (and unwelcome) surprises that come with local emergencies like fire, bad weather and flooding or give me a call at 209-5331513. I’ll be happy to help you get started with your business and family preparedness planning.
A great time was had by all at the Chamber’s Annual Wine event at Seven Sisters Restaurant at Black Oak Casino Resort. Thank you to everyone who attended and made this event a success!
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DMV Needs to Stop Robbing Taxpayers If you recently purchased a car from a private party, you may have paid too much tax to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. I've been hearing complaints from constituents that DMV charged them a higher city tax rate when they don't actually live within city boundaries.
ways use good old-fashioned street maps to determine where city boundaries start and end. Confusion over sales tax rates is not unique to the DMV. My office has worked with restaurants, clothing retailers and other businesses located in split tax rate zip codes to ensure they are charging the correct amount of tax. What is unique to the DMV is their reluctance to fix the problem, despite an obvious solution.
These constituents were forced to jump through hoops to prove they didn't owe the higher tax. As their elected representative, I was hap- It’s outrageous that the State of California expects private citizens py to assist them in obtaining refunds, but DMV should have never to do things right that government is doing wrong. overcharged them in the first place. In a recent letter to DMV Director Jean Shiomoto, I urged her to What's worse is that these overcharges are not isolated incidents, stop overcharging taxpayers and start using our sales tax look-up but rather a systemic problem resulting from DMV's bizarre relitool. My letter follows repeated attempts by my staff and other ance on zip codes to determine tax rates. Board staff over the past year urging DMV to adopt the new tool. DMV staff indicate a desire to fix the problem, but warns a solution Sales and use tax rates vary widely across California and change could be years away. That’s entirely unacceptable. over time. In addition to the statewide sales and use tax rate of 7.5 Taxpayers should be able to trust their government and know they percent, many cities and counties add voter-approved local taxes. won’t be robbed when they step foot in a DMV office. The result is some cities have sales tax rates as high as 10 percent. Unlike typical retail transactions, the tax rate for a vehicle sale is based on the address provided to the DMV by the registered owner, not where the sale took place. If you buy your car at a dealership, the burden is on the car dealer to collect the tax. But in the case of a private party sale, DMV collects the tax when the buyer registers the vehicle. We're not talking pocket change here. Getting the tax rate wrong on a vehicle purchase could easily force a buyer to pay hundreds in unfair taxes. One might think DMV would take great care to calculate the correct rate. Not so. DMV relies entirely on zip codes to determine tax. If even a small portion of a zip code's territory has a higher tax rate, DMV typically charges everyone in that zip code the higher tax. DMV admits zip codes are not a reliable way to determine tax. Even so, savvy buyers must fill out a “city use tax waiver” to avoid paying the higher tax. According to DMV procedures, to avoid being overcharged a resident or business in an unincorporated area must submit a statement of facts, a letter on city letterhead or a certificate of use tax clearance. This is outrageous! To make matters worse, DMV routinely broadcasts tax rates by zip code in its “Vehicle Industry News” publication, potentially leading others to charge too much tax as well. There’s really no excuse for this sort of incompetence in the 21st century, especially in a land of technology like California. There is already a system in place that DMV could be using. To help combat sales tax rate confusion, at my urging last year the Board of Equalization developed an extremely accurate tool for determining tax rates at specific locations. The Board’s online tax rate lookup tool, enables anyone, even DMV, to find the correct sales tax rate for a specific address. If that’s too complicated for the dinosaurs at DMV, they could al-
George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a taxpayer advocate and elected member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit boe.ca.gov/Runner.
Overcharged Tax on an Auto Purchase? Get Your Refund The fact that the California Department of Motor Vehicles has been overcharging tax means some Californians could be eligible for a tax refund and not even know it. If you purchased a vehicle in the past three years, please follow these steps to ensure you didn't pay too much tax: Visit www.boe.ca.gov/taxrate to determine the correct tax rate for your address. Compare this rate to the rate you were charged when you purchased or registered your vehicle. If you were overcharged, please click this link for instructions on how to request a refund. For assistance, contact my office at 916-445-2181 or 661-723-8469. Please know that I am urging DMV to correct its deficiencies and am hopeful that they will do so soon. In the meantime, it is vital for taxpayers to be aware of this problem so they can ensure they are paying the correct amount of tax. Courtesy George Runner
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‘Building a Water Use Efficient Community’ Conference Scheduled In response to the ongoing Local State of Emergency due to drought conditions, and calls for significant reductions in water use, several organizations have come together to produce a conference called Building a Water Use Efficient Community. The free conference, open to the public, begins at 8:30 AM on Saturday, 10/18 and continues on Sunday, 10/19 in the Creekside Building, Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora. Vendor exhibits are open on Saturday and Sunday from 7 AM to 5 PM. Black Oak Casino Resort is a major sponsor of the conference. Michael Ayala, Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, says “Representatives of several community organizations were talking to each other about the drought and what we could do to help, so we decided to get together and organize a conference for the community.” Peter Kampa, Kampa Community Solutions, LLC, and GoGreywater, is involved as one of the organizers, and also as a presenter. Pete worked from the beginning to make sure Tuolumne County Master Gardeners are involved so the conference presentations are practical, with demonstrations and opportunities for hands on learning. Other organizations producing the conference are the Tuolumne County Association of REALTORS®; Tuolumne County Business Council; and Tuolumne Utilities District. Debbie Powell, Master Gardener Program Coordinator for Calaveras and Tuolumne counties for UC Extension, is also involved.
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Saturday’s Program begins with “An Overview of Tuolumne County’s Water: Past, Present and Future” by TUD General Manager, Tom Sesca. A Keynote Address will be provided by Dorene D’Adamo, a member of the State Water Resources Control Board. Other presentations include how to safely use greywater and rainwater for irrigation and Master Gardeners will teach which landscape materials are best for outdoor water use efficiency. “Visualizing and Defining a Water Use Efficient Community” will be presented by George Kirk, Landscape Architect and owner of Solomon’s Gardens Nursery. Sunday’s Program includes a Keynote Address by Supervisor Karl Rodefer, Chair of the county Water Policy Committee. Master Gardeners and other experts will provide instruction and demonstrations on choosing and installing water efficient plants and replacing lawn with low water use landscape. Other sessions will include practical ways to install rainwater harvest irrigation and how to set up a laundry to landscape irrigation system. For more information please contact: Karen Burkhardt Government Affairs Director karenmburkhardt@gmail.com T.C. Association of REALTORS® 14195 Tuolumne Rd. Sonora, CA 95370 Cell- 916-947-0563
The Red Chair Visits The Groveland Hotel. The ‘Red’ revolution….. The Red Chair’s story started on Cape Cod, where in the spring of 2012, it visited the finest inns of the Cape. This chair has since traveled to various inns and B&B’s from East to West Coasts, being photographed enjoying the sites and attractions of each place it’s visited while making new friends! What a fun way to highlight the best inns and B&B’s from near and far. September “Red” had the good fortune of vacationing in Tuolumne County spending some time at the Groveland Hotel. Here’s an excerpt from the Red Diaries of his stay:
Sept 9, 2014 Red had a playful time at the Groveland Hotel, enjoying the ambiance of our historic Gold Rush era property and the little town of Grove -land. The lazy fall days were perfect for sitting on the veranda and dinner with friends, old and new. The only trouble came when Red
was put in jail for a little While, but quickly made friends with the Sheriff and got out early for good behavior..
Read more about the Red Chair here: www.redchairtravels.com
Chamber Begins Production of 2015 County Map We are pleased to announce that Town Square Publications has been selected to produce our all NEW 2015 Tuolumne County Community Map. This formidable marketing tool for your company will be a full-color, high-tech community map. As a Chamber member, you will have an excellent opportunity to promote your company in one of our community’s most in-demand publications. Thousands of maps will be distributed by the Chamber in response to requests for relocation and visitor information, as well as to local residents, business owners, tourists, and hotels. The map will be updated to include all the latest roads, parks and developments in our area. The 2015 map publication will provide the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce a valuable marketing tool to more aggressively promote our community and enhance our status as a vibrant and thriving Chamber. Internet explorers will be able to access all of the information about our community on the Internet, enabling you to extend your
marketing online to a worldwide audience. In addition, the Tuolumne County Community Map will be replicated online via the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce website and the Town Square’s Community home page, further extending the exposure of your advertising message and increasing your search engine optimization. Don’t miss the opportunity to promote your business to visitors, residents and business owners! Advertising revenues solely support the production of the publication. If you would like to be a part of this valuable and informative new Tuolumne County Community Map, please call the Chamber Office at (209) 532-4212 and our Town Square Publications representative, Joy Shultz, will contact you to set up an appointment. You can also reach
Joy by cell at (209) 769-0182 for more information. Want us to contact you? Enter your info on our online intake form at www.tccchamber.com/news.html and Joy will a be happy to meet with you. Get your business noticed and keep it successful. Purchase your advertising space, gain additional return on investment with this most effective publication and be assured your customers know who you are and how to find you. October 2014
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Congratulations to all the September Raffle prize winners at our Mixer—Mother Lode Internet Raffle Prize Host—$150 Virus Removal & PC Clean up $40 Gift Certificate & $25 Slot Play Gift Certificate for 1,000 Business Cards Gift Certificate for 1,000 Business Cards Gourmet Wine Slushie/Handcrafted Candle Jar Coup de Grace II Wine Gift Basket of Sweets Wine and Wine Rack Halloween Gift Basket Gourmet Gift Basket $20 Movie Gift Certificate Half of the Evening’s Raffle Proceeds $100
Donated By
Winner
Mother Lode Internet Black Oak Casino Resort Business First Business First The Itty Bitty Balloon Shop Randy Hanvelt Mike Dambacher Mount Brow Winery Carolyn King Paula Cheatham/Glenn S. Caldwell Ins. Cutler-Segerstrom Insurance Agency Chamber Ambassadors and Our Guests
Sherri Langley Janel Whitehouse Jim Costello Mark Truppner Matt Van Arsdale Stephanie Bryer Brandon Russell Janel Whitehouse Trish Russell Pam Costello Mia MacKinnon Mark Steichen
Website Member Business Spotlight 4th Dimensional Thank You To All Who Attended Citizen of the Year Nominee shall have been involved in voluntary services that have improved the quality of life for the citizens of Tuolumne County, and demonstrated outstanding leadership and community service beyond the call of duty. The nominee must have been a resident of Tuolumne County and lived here for at least two years. Teacher of the Year Nominee shall be currently teaching in Tuolumne County and have been active in that position for at least 12 months. Nominee can be from any grade level, including Junior College. Their activities can be distinguished as "making a difference." Nominee must be a resident of Tuolumne County. Excellence in Government Nominee shall have demonstrated excellence in his or her public sector position, demonstrated good working relationships with members of the business community, shown honesty, and integrity in the conduct of their duty, and sound management of public moneys when applicable. Entrepreneur of the Year Nominee shall have demonstrated leadership in their firm and/or the business sector, as well as a special concern for their employees, the community and its citizens. They should have demonstrated staying power, commitment to customer service, a substantial history as an established business, growth in number of employees, and 8
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increase in sales and/or unit volume. The nominee must be associated with a business and/or branch office that is located in the county.
Best of Tuolumne Awards Category Nomination Criteria - from front page
a business facing issues of growth, not survival. Nominee has made a noticeable impact in job creation or sales growth, and has been in business two years or more and a maximum 5 full-time equivalent employees, including the owner. They should maintain a responsible and rewarding workplace environment while providing support (in-kind or financial) to their neighborhood or community. Administrative Professional of the Year A person who provides community members, law enforcement, executives or other administrative professionals with a tool to demonstrate their appreciation for exemplary community outreach, volunteerism, or a significant work project or agency effort. Student of the Year
Non-Profit Organization of the Year Nominee shall have an active and operating not-for-profit organization 501 (c) 3 for at least five (5) years; have programs available to the local community and/or have examples of contributions made to programs available to the local community. Nominee should have made a meaningful, impactful achievement in the past 12 months, and made an improvement to the community. Nominee develops and fosters the virtues and skills of civic engagement and social responsibility within their community. Small Business of the Year Nominee is a privately held company and is
(Nominated by County Schools in conjunction with Tioga, Sonora and Summerville High Schools)
Nominee must be currently enrolled in a Tuolumne County high school, private, public, or home schooled and working at least 12 hours a week in a local business. Nominee must exhibit a strong work ethic and possess commendable job related skills or entrepreneurial aptitude. This individual should be a role model for other working students.
All information must be returned to the Chamber and becomes property of the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce.
MORE PHOTOS
The Chamber’s September Mixer Mother Lode Internet
Host—Ben Hulet Trish & Brandon Russell Jim and Pam Costello—Mt. Brow
Paula Cheatham, Ron Patel & Mark Steichen Mia MacKinnon—Mother Lode Internet
Stephanie Bryer
Mark Truppner—KVML Dr. Keith Sheppard —Sonora Dentist
Staff at Mother Lode Internet
Janel Whitehouse Matt Van Arsdale
Brandon Russell—4th Dimensional Mktg
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Governor Signs Two Job Creator Bills Edmund G. Brown Jr. has signed two California Chamber of Commercesupported job creator bills. The Governor signed AB 1839 (Gatto; D-Los Angeles), which encourages film and television productions to locate or remain in California by extending and expanding the film and television tax credit. The Governor also signed AB 1560 (Quirk-Silva; DFullerton), which ensur es Califor nia is a competitive envir onment for employer investment by restoring full funding to the California Competes Tax Credit Program.
The program proved to be very successful in its first year—the fund was oversubscribed by $470 million. The awards that were approved by GO-Biz are projected to create nearly 6,000 jobs and generate more than $2 billion in investments. Unfortunately, recently enacted legislation reduces the amount of funding in future years, weakening a valuable economic tool that has contributed to a more competitive environment in the state. AB 1560 authorizes the Department of Finance to restore funding to the program and, in doing so, sends a strong message to employers that California favors economic policies that make the state more investment-friendly.
Both bills passed the Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Apply for California Competes Tax Credit or Register for a GO-Biz Workshop For more information or to apply, visit the GO-Biz website.
AB 1839: Film/TV Tax Credit AB 1839 (Gatto; D-Los Angeles) ensures that California remains a competitive environment for the entertainment industry by restructuring and extending the film and television tax credit. It takes effect immediately. During the first three years of the film and television tax credit program, it supported 23,000 jobs and generated $1.9 billion in total spending. Failure to extend this incentive would create uncertainty for businesses and harm the prospects of employment and production in the entertainment industry at a time when California continues its economic recovery. As other states continue to provide additional meaningful incentives to attract film and television producers, California should implement policies that ensure economic competitiveness. This targeted capped tax credit will provide the motion picture and television industry with incentives to remain, invest, and create jobs in California. This legislation is consistent with the goals of the CalChamber 2014 Solutions for a Strong California. California has long been known as the center of the entertainment industry. This industry provides thousands of high-paying middle class jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue. Additionally, it supports thousands of small businesses that service the industry. Recently, however, the number of film and television productions shot in California has been on the decline due to competition from other states that seek to grab a share of this industry; 44 states currently offer some film and television tax incentive program. AB 1560: California Competes Tax Credit An urgency measure, AB 1560 takes effect immediately. Last year, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed legislation that created a new tax credit program administered by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). This program enables GO-Biz to negotiate agreements and provide economic incentives to employers in exchange for investment and employment expansion in California. Employers must apply for this program and, before awarding any incentives, GO-Biz evaluates each application based on a number of factors, including the number of jobs created, the amount of wages and benefits provided to employees, the duration of the investment, and the overall size of the investment in the state. In addition 25% of the funds awarded must be provided to small business. 10
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GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit during the following periods:
September 29, 2014, through October 27, 2014 ($45 million available) January 5, 2015, through February 2, 2015 ($75 million available); March 09, 2015, through April 6, 2015 ($31.1 million available plus any unallocated amounts from the previous application periods).
The CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards Program recognizes leadership and innovation among small businesses that take action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, promote climate friendly practices, and integrate sustainability throughout their operations. Since 2009, the program has recognized California businesses and organizations for exemplary environmental leadership, many of which have used the tools on CoolCalifornia.org to determine their carbon footprint, reduce their emissions, and save money. IMPORTANT DATES September 2, 2014—Open application period November 3, 2014—Last day to apply December 2014—Site visits to prospective winners January 2015—Winners announced February 2015—Awards ceremony in Sacramento Visit www.coolcalifornia.org/article/small-business-award-program
Market forces create effective change – not government regulation By: Assembly Republican Leader-Elect Kristin Olsen As business owners, you have first-hand knowledge of the impact market forces have on a company’s bottom line. Every choice you make – from the product, to its design, its cost, and its distribution revolves around attracting a particular consumer. It is in the best interest of the business to do everything it can to meet the needs of that consumer – above and beyond the efforts of its competitor – because that is the key to profit, growth and longevity.
The truth is that the only force that can truly create change is public opinion. Where laws often serve as mere revenue collectors for legislator’s pet projects and government growth, an outcry from the public on its distaste for a product or a company’s behavior will effectively cause businesses to adapt to changing times.
To be clear, there are many concerns that we may share about the impact of a product or service on our society. We can all agree that a certain level of public and consumer safety can be protected by the government, but the tendency is for government to go way too far, exacerbating our state’s economic challenges and unemployment rate. Ultimately, legislators should keep laws out Just last month, Pepsi Co and Coca Cola of matters where inconclusive or unsubcompanies both announced plans to reduce stantiated evidence is being used to place the calories of their sugary soft drinks by strict limitations on the personal liberty of 20 percent within the next decade. Meanindividuals, and the rights of business to be while, government officials wishing to take profitable and meet our employment needs. advantage of our nation’s obesity epidemic ***** Governments are often trying to manipulate have attempted to place a sin tax on these natural market forces by imposing blanket beverages – some with great success. A Assembly Republican Leader-Elect Kristin regulations that they think are in the best highly publicized effort by the State of Olsen, R-Modesto, is recognized as a soluinterest of all consumers, without any con- New York to ban the sale of sugary bever- tion-focused reformer. She represents the cern for the ripple effect they will have on ages over 16 ounces was deemed “arbitrary 12th Assembly District in the California businesses, employees, and ironically, all and capricious” by the state’s appellate Legislature, which includes portions of consumers. Year after year, bills are intro- court. This year, California State Senator Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, and duced in California and across the entire Bill Monning (D-Carmel) introduced a bill will take the reins as Assembly Republican nation that seek to limit individual choice that would have placed a warning of obesi- Leader later this fall. and inhibit the growth of jobs and business ty, diabetes and tooth decay on sugary by imposing sin taxes, restricting products, drinks here in California (another example and even placing outright bans on entire of government industries. trying to parent us in our nanny The inexperience of most legislators in the state). Although private sector – particularly those in CaliSB 1000 was fornia’s majority party - often makes their Free and confidential small business mentoring to killed in the Asregulatory proposals very unwise. This new and existing businesses sembly, you can year, they passed a bill to ban plastic grobet that similar, Face to face or online at www.TCSCORE.org cery bags and charge consumers 10 cents misguided efforts per paper bag, despite evidence showing Marketing and sales will be reintrothat banning these bags will kill jobs and Finding new business duced next year. will not improve the environment. Starting a new business Improving operations efficiency Expanding your company Tuolumne County Emergency Services Launches Hiring the right employees New Software—Continued from front page Managing the cash flow
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IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU ENTER AN ADDRESS INTO THE SYSTEM and VERIFY it! Without a ver ified address, the system will not be able to locate you and you will therefore not be notified. Please share this information with family, friends, and neighbors. Click the icon below to register now, or visit http://goo.gl/ KEw7jL or the County website www.tuolunne.ca.gov.
“Not just for startups” Small Business Workshop at Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce 222 South Shepherd St., Sonora, CA
$20 per attendee
November 6, 2014 9:00-11:00 am “Checklists and Planning for Going into Business”
Call 532-4316 for further information October 2014
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Edward Jones Investments-J. Zaiter Gordon Studio
Chef Dave Cooks!* El Dorado Investments Farmers Insurance* Quail Hollow One Railtown 1897 State Historic Park* Ray Suess Insurance & Investments Signal Service* Sonora Subaru* The Diamondback Grill* Tuolumne Veterinary Hospital Willow Steakhouse & Seafood Grille* *Contributor to Chamber programs and activities