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Tuesday, January 18, 2022 | View as Webpage
WORKPLACE VACCINE RULE BLOCKED, RESTORING THE CA DREAM, HELPFUL TIPS FROM SOCALGAS, LATEST COVID-19 UPDATES AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
BIDEN WORKPLACE VACCINE RULE BLOCKED BY SUPREME COURT AS NEW STATE REGULATIONS TAKE EFFECT:
  • A Biden administration requirement for employers with 100 or more employees to ensure employees are fully vaccinated or receive regular COVID testing was halted by the Supreme Court last week, although a mandate for most healthcare workers to be vaccinated can go into effect, affecting roughly 10.4M employees. At the state level, new Cal/OSHA regulations became effective last week instructing employers to provide tests for employees during outbreaks and revising guidance on when and what type of face coverings are required. Learn more about Cal/OSHA’s revised emergency standards.
REGISTER FOR OCBC 2022 ANNUAL DINNER: 
  • Join us on Feb. 10 at Disneyland Resort for the 2022 OCBC Annual Dinner presented by The Orange County Register! Help us welcome OCBC's new President and CEO, Jeff Ball, recognize the leadership of 2021 Board Chair, Jena Jensen, install 2022 Board Chair, Dave Bartlett, and wish Lucy Dunn well in her retirement! You won’t want to miss it! Register today!
*All guests are required to present either proof of full vaccination (two weeks since your final dose) or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of the event date. Face coverings are also required for all guests, unless actively eating or drinking.
RESTORING THE CA DREAM:
  • Join OCBC's President and CEO, Jeffrey Ball, as he moderates an all-star panel put together by Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky for the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy on Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. The report lays out the challenges faced by middle- and working-class Californians. Register here.
OCBC'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECAP:
  • On Jan. 12, OCBC's Workforce Development Committee hosted Carma Lacy, County of Orange Director of Workforce and Economic Development. Carma gave an overview of the many services her department provides for employers, including On-the-Job Training program, which can reimburse an employer 50% to 75% (90% for small business) of wages while that employee is receiving training and the Work Experience program, which can fully subsidize wages for an employer who hires youth and/or adult with little to no work experience. Best of all, these services are free! To learn more contact Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC VP Workforce and Economic Development.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
TCA AGENCIES SELECT BOARD LEADERSHIP FOR 2022:
  • The Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) two Boards of Directors recently selected Chairs and Vice Chairs to lead the Agencies in continuing the pursuit of enhanced mobility in OC and practice of strong fiscal management. The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) unanimously elected Yorba Linda Council Member Peggy Huang to another term as Chair for 2022. Dana Point Mayor Joe Muller was also re-elected as Vice Chair. The San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) unanimously elected Newport Beach Council Member Will O’Neill to serve as Chair and Laguna Hills Council Member Janine Heft to serve as Vice Chair. Congratulations!
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
SOCALGAS' TIPS TO MANAGE HIGHER NATURAL GAS BILLS:
With the colder winter weather comes higher natural gas bills. SoCalGas recently shared with NBC4 LA helpful hints to reduce usage and lower your gas bill. Recommendations include:
  • Setting the thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 55 at night if your health permits it. Lowering the thermostat three to five degrees can save up to 10% on heating costs.
  • Turn down the temperature on your water heater.
  • Take shorter showers to reduce your natural gas use.
  • Wash clothes in cold water to save up to 10 percent on water heating costs.

2022 HEALTH CARE FORECAST CONFERENCE:
  • Join UCI’s Center for Health Care Management and Policy’s 2022 Health Care Forecast Conference virtually, Feb. 23-25, 2022. The conference will present a near-term forecast of the health care economic and political landscape, with a focus on health care equity. Hear from national experts on what to expect from state and federal policymakers in the coming year, tools available to advance health equity through delivery transformation, and the changing health care delivery models in the US.  Register today! Discount for 2 or more from organization, enter code when registering: DISOUNT2

OCHCA'S LATEST COVID-19 UPDATES:
  •  Self-collection, at-home COVID-19 test kits are available to OC residents for free here. However, due to increased demand, kits may be delayed beyond the usual processing time. For additional testing options, visit the State’s website.
  • The State’s indoor masking mandate for everyone regardless of vaccination status has been extended until Feb. 15. 
  • Reports are surfacing about pop-up testing operations that may be unlicensed and out to scam people. Beware of testing sites that ask for social security numbers or other data designed to collect personal information as these are illegitimate sites. Report fraud by calling the Office of Inspector General at 800-447-8477 or online.
OCBC'S UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENTS
2022 OCBC Annual Dinner and Installation of Board of Directors
February 10, 2022 | 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Register here!
A special thank you title sponsor, The Orange County Register. Thank you VIP reception sponsor, UCI; gold sponsors, Brookfield Properties, Disneyland Resort, Experian and FivePoint Holdings, LLC; silver sponsors, AAA, The Boeing Company, BIA-SC, City of Hope Orange County, HNTB, JPMorgan Chase, Kaiser Permanente, Ontario International Airport, SDG&E, SoCalGas, Southern California Edison and U.S. Bank; and bronze sponsors, Anaheim Public Utilities, CalOptima, Cal State Fullerton, Charter Communications, Chevron, Cox Business, CSUF College of Business, Curt Pringle & Associates, Girl Scouts of Orange County, Goodwill of Orange County, Jamboree, LSA, MemorialCare, Nossaman LLP, Orange County Department of Education, Rancho Mission Viejo, South Orange County Community College District, Transportation Corridor Agencies, Tri Pointe Homes, University of Massachusetts Global, UPS and WSP USA.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS*
TOMORROW! January 19 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
The meeting will be held virtually.
OCBC's Economic Development Committee will be discussing China's Economy, the Biden Administration's policies towards China and how they impact Orange County's economy. The featured speakers are Robert Mead, Associate Professor of Economics at California State University Fullerton and Jeremie Waterman, VP of China Policy and President of the U.S. Chamber's China Center.

February 4 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The meeting will be held in a hybrid format.
OCBC will host State Senator Pat Bates for a discussion with members. OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to attend in person or register for via Zoom.

February 9 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
The meeting will be held in a hybrid format.
In partnership with First 5 Orange County, hear from representatives from SoCal Gas, Applied Medical and others on the significant benefits of having strong childcare services for your employees, as well as a conversation on how your organization can expand your childcare offerings.
OCBC members, to attend in person, please notify, Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC VP Workforce and Economic Development OR register here to attend via Zoom.
NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY!
Join OCBC and connect with the most influential companies and top executives actively engaged in creating a pro-business environment and prosperous economy. Hundreds of Orange County's leading businesses, cities and non-profit organizations represent an elite group from every industry cluster. But we need YOUR VOICE! For more info, contact Natalie Rubalcava, OCBC Chief Operating Officer.