Chelsea Minor from KP Public Affairs was representing the California Business Roundtable as the featured speaker at today’s (Oct. 3, 2013) Government Affairs Forum, sponsored by Expedia. Her topic was CARE, Californians for Affordable & Reliable Energy Coalition, which educates audiences regarding major challenges ahead with California’s energy supply. CARE provides new information to key leaders and policymakers on the importance of the principles on future legislative and regulatory decisions.
Government Affairs Forum sponsorMinor provided a handout (posted here below) showing how quickly and how much energy costs are increasing and projected to increase in California and how that compares to other states. CARE, a coalition of small businesses, community groups, local officials and business organizations, statewide associations and large energy consumers is advocating for a state energy plan to protect the state’s economy.
While Chamber board member Wayne Williams, Professional Advisory Services, noted the big reimbursements he gets for the solar panels on his home, Councilman Bob Harbicht noted that it is the government and thus taxpayers who are footing that bill to subsidize those reimbursements to encourage the use of renewable energy, which he said is not sustainable or fair to others who do not install solar panels.
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(Click the fliers below to enlarge…)
In other monthly reports:
- Congresswoman Judy Chu’s rep Tommy Tseng shared information about the Annual Domestic Violence Collection Drive from Oct. 1 – Nov 1. Donation drop-offs are set up to collect used women’s and children’s clothing, household cleaning products, toiletries, school supplies and used cell phones.
- Assemblymember Ed Chau’s rep Olivia Lee announced a Covered California Healthcare Reform Town Hall event on Oct 26 from 12 noon – 4:30 p.m. at the Garvey Community Center.
- Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich’s rep Brian Mejia announced the county has leased the Super Scooper which helped in the recent Madre Fire. The Super Scooper is made available to fight fire quickly which is very valuable during this fire season.
* A new rating/grading system is being considered, similar to the current restaurant rating system.
* The Supervisior’s annual Trail Ride will be Nov. 3 at Vasquez Rocks from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m, and includes a BBQ lunch. - City of Arcadia – City Councilman Bob Harbicht and Economic Development Manager Jerry Schwartz reported that the Rusnak property is still in escrow and will close late November or early December following a hearing in front of the Planning Commission on Oct. 22 regarding entitlements.
* Councilman Harbicht said it feels like the economy is improving because sales taxes are up, Westfield Santa Anita is opening new businesses, property taxes “are unbelievable” and “taking off again,” with Arcadia getting 9% – 10% of all property taxes, and a huge increase when an old home under Prop 13 sells and a new one is built in its place.
* Schwartz said the Downtown Community Benefits District voted on an interim board of directors and consultant New City America will assist in managing the district and establishing this new organization. - M.A.D. Town Council’s Linda Sells reported the Sheriff are still continuing the Quality of Life survey. Information gathered from the survey will be used to improve the community. A Community Emergency Response Team course is being organized at this time , no date has been set.
- Gov Affairs Co-Chair Mary Dougherty explained that the Chamber board voted to approve sending a letter to Gov. Brown endorsing the Bay Delta Conservation Plan to build two twin tunnels to convey water from Central California to Southern California. Councilman Harbicht endorsed the plan as well. See the letter below (click to enlarge)…