www.sdchamber.org

Ben Haddad , 2009 Chairman of the

Board

Board Report

The Chamber Board of Directors met on Thursday, March 26, 2009 and heard from Port of San Diego Chairman Steve Cushman.  Cushman discussed the Port's role in the community, energy-saving and green projects, and infrastructure projects such as the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan and the new cruise ship project. 

The Board took a position to support state Propositions 1A through 1F, which will provide structural budget reform and protect California's businesses. 

Prop. 1A establishes a "rainy day" fund and mandates increased savings from 5% to 12.5% of General Fund revenues, which can only be taken out if there is a budget deficit or an emergency.

Prop. 1B sets up a timeline for paying back schools and colleges more than $9 billion of the $12 billion in cuts that were required because of the budget crisis once the economy improves.

Prop. 1C modernizes the current Lottery structure by updating games and operations and receiving up-front payment from anticipated revenue increases.

Prop. 1D temporarily redirects a portion of excess funds from a voter-approved tobacco tax to pay for child health and social services during the next two years. Only a portion of the tobacco tax funds will be redirected so that existing programs currently funded by this revenue stream are protected.

Prop. 1E temporarily redirects a portion of tax revenues collected from the Mental Health Services Act to fund children's health programs that are at risk of elimination due to the budget crisis, including health care screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Prop. 1F prohibits legislators, the Governor and other state politicians from getting pay raises whenever California is running a budget deficit.

The Board also voted to conditionally support the City of San Diego's water allocation methodology, on the condition that outstanding issues regarding process water, application of best management practices (BMPs) and concerns by the multi-family rental housing industry are resolved; and to support businesses affected by the Brinker restaurant case decision. The Board voted to oppose SB 42, (coastal resources - seawater intake) a measure that could shut down 45% of California's in-state electrical capacity, is counterproductive to the state's climate change and renewable efforts, and could negatively impact desalination plants and eliminate a needed additional water supply.