From SB-Cal President, Scott Hauge:

 

As we approach the end of 2007, I wanted to let you know some of our accomplishments. Small Business California has been in existence only three years and has I think had a significant impact on the political landscape of California and to a lesser degree Washington.

Let me outline just some of the things we have done in 2007.

1. We completed our third annual survey of small business issues. This sets out our agenda for the year. For the results of the survey go to our homepage, right column

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

3. We added the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber to our list of Affiliate members. Besides the Chamber we now have National Association of the Remodeling Industry, National Small Business Association, Northern Rural Training Employment Consortium, Energy Star and the Volunteers in Medicine as our partners.

4.We were and continue to be a major voice for small business in the health discussions in Sacramento.

5. We sponsored and passed SB 869 to go after businesses not carrying workers compensation.

6.We were named on the Insurance Commissioners Fraud Task Force.

7. We were named to the workers compensation task force to look into merging workers compensation and health insurance.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. We were appointed to the ETAAC committee which is making recommendations to the Governor on the implementation of  AB32

11. We went to Washington and presented Small Business Hero awards to Senator John Kerry, Senator Olympia Snowe and House of  Representative member Nydia Velazquiz.

12. Awarded Legislator of the year awards to State Senator Mark Ridley Thomas, Assemblyman Juan Arambula and Assemblyman Doug La Malfa.

This is a partial list but I hope you will agree it was a most productive year.

We look forward to 2008 and to all our members, thank you. If you are not a member please consider joining. You can do so by going to our homepage, left column.  In 2008 we will be adding a members only section to our website and be providing important information exclusively to our members.

I want to wish you all the best in 2008.

Scott Hauge
President 
Small Business California