A Productive and Successful Year:  Small Business California 2007 Review

 

We were named on the Insurance Commissioners Fraud Task Force.

We have pushed for years the implementation of On Bill Financing and in 2007 the CPUC ruled that utilities needed to adopt On Bill Financing by 2009.

We testified before the Senate Small Business Committee on small business energy issues and were instrumental in getting language in the recently passed energy bill to assist small business in energy conservation.

We were appointed to the ETAAC committee which is making recommendations to the Governor on the implementation of AB 32.

We hired a lobbyist, Lori Kammerer, who has been incredibly effective in representing us in Sacramento.

SB-Cal sponsored bill SB 869 was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in October '07.  This bill goes after businesses that are not providing workers' compensation for their employees, creating an un-even playing field for those who are.  SB 869 will have the EDD provide to the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Board (WCIRB) a list of employers and the WCIRB cross checking the list with their list of employers with workers compensation.

 

Taken the lead in the state in Healthy Kids. Testified in two committees in the legislature, spoke at town hall meetings in L.A. and Sacramento and surveyed small businesses around the state on the issue .

 

Moved On Bill Financing such that it is part of San Diego Gas and Southern California Edison future plans and moving forward with PG&E

Working with the Speaker Pro Tem's office helped  put on Small Business forums in Davis and Orange County.

Developed d a very close relationship with the speakers office [Tia], the Senate Pro Tems office[ Mike] and Liz Figuroas office[ Doug]

Worked very closely with the head of the Office of Administrative Law in getting funding for 2 additional lawyers to review regulations put forth by state agencies.

Drove the funding of the Small Business Advocate

Given small business a voice at the WCIRB  in their efforts to change experience modifications to the detriment of small business. In our efforts organized labor is working with us.

Pushed insurance companies to lower workers compensation rates. We also have been asked by the CEO of State Fund to assist them in their efforts to communicate with small businesses around he state.

Developed close relationships with the  California Association of Employers,Oakland Chamber, Nortec, Small Manufacturers, Nawbo of L.A., Nawbo of San Francisco, Nawbo of Orange County, Nawbo of California, Nawbo of Sacramento. National Small Business Association and SBA.