Chamber’s 2014 Legislative Policy Platform
Business Environment
California, particularly Southern California, relies heavily on its vast natural and human resources and technological infrastructure to attract new investment. However, special assessments, taxes and fees represent a considerable added cost for businesses of all sizes and may deter investments. In order to sustain a climate in which a successful enterprise may be run, the Chamber believes we must reform our tax and tort system to enable and encourage, rather than stifle, growth and productivity among California workers and companies. We must remain competitive where it counts, on the bottom line.
The Chamber Supports:
- Efforts to secure tax incentives for research and development, high-tech innovation, and targeted work-training programs.
- Simplification of federal and state income, banking and corporate tax systems, and efforts to stabilize annual revenues and expenses.
- A cost/benefit analysis to be included in all rules, regulations, taxes and fees before passage of the same.
- Efforts to minimize business litigation costs through legislation that limits punitive damages, protects Proposition 64, and encourages the use of mediation and/or arbitration to resolve labor disputes.
- Legislation that protects businesses from frivolous or inequitable litigation and provides educational resources for businesses to understand how to comply with regulations.
- Legislation to help businesses make a good faith effort to correct an alleged Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violation before being subject to penalties and litigation, and encourage businesses to work with organizations that will help them identify possible areas of access corrections and assist them with applying for grants for such workplace improvements.
- Tax conformity to simplify the process of complying with both federal and state tax obligations.
- Adoption of federal changes to bring greater uniformity and predictability to any taxation of e-commerce.
- Efforts to clarify, simplify and safeguard rules for businesses regarding independent contractor tax status.
- Efforts to expedite regulatory review and permitting processes for new and existing businesses and construction projects.
- Open bidding processes on all public and private contracts and construction projects to provide equal opportunity and optimum return.
- The establishment of Infrastructure Financing Districts (IFDs) and the use of tax increment financing to stimulate the development of infrastructure, child care facilities, libraries and parks, military base reuse, urban infill, affordable housing, and consumer services.
The Chamber Opposes:
- State and local tax and fee increases that negatively impact the Riverside business community.
- Taxation of a specific industry or group.
- Any tax law changes that could stifle California’s national and global competitiveness and leadership role in high-tech innovation.
- Any attempt to erode Proposition 13 protections for commercial properties.
- Project Labor Agreements, defined as any comprehensive pre-hire collective bargaining agreement that is negotiated between a project’s owner and an appropriate labor organization, which sets out the basic terms, and work conditions for that particular project.
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JOIN THE CHAMBER
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Mar 19
INSIDE Magnolia Center
7:30 AM @ Luxe and Local Salon Emporium - 3951 Merrill Ave
For more information contact Ramy Shbaita at rshbaita@riverside-chamber.com
Mar 20
Business in Action (BIA)
7:15 AM @ Chamber Bourns Boardroom 3985 University Ave
For more information,
email Belen Lopez at blopez@riverside-chamber.com
Mar 21
AfterHours Business Mixer
5:00 - 7:00 PM @ Riverside Medical Clinic 7117 Brockton Ave
For more information, contact Quirina Ramirez at qramirez@riverside-chamber.com
Apr 03
Business in Action (BIA)
07:15 AM @ Chamber Bourns Boardroom 3985 University Ave
For more information,
email Belen Lopez at blopez@riverside-chamber.com
Apr 04
INSIDE Downtown
7:30 AM @ Tailored Space - 3600 Lime Street Building 2
For more information, email Ramy Shbaita at rshbaita@riverside-chamber.com
Apr 05
Military Affairs Council
7:30 AM @ Chamber Bourns Boardroom 3985 University Ave
For more information, email Ana Martin at amartin@riverside-chamber.com
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