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Tuesday, June 8, 2021 | View as Webpage
CAL/OSHA RULES BURDEN BUSINESSES, RESTAURANT SUPPORT PROGRAM, OC HOME PRICES SKYROCKET, HABITAT OC OPEN HOUSE AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
NEW CAL/OSHA RULES EXCESSIVELY BURDEN BUSINESSES:* 
  • Businesses must navigate an increasingly complex labyrinth of regulations to ensure compliance with Cal/OSHA standards as employees return to the workplace. OCBC is greatly concerned with Cal/OSHA’s decision to further burden businesses by passing confusing new mandates that go beyond federal and state guidance, including requiring workers to wear masks indoors unless everyone is vaccinated and requiring employers to provide N-95 masks to unvaccinated employees. Stay tuned for more info on how the business community is asking for action by the Governor to align CA with CDC guidelines so the economy can effectively reopen on June 15.

GOV. NEWSOM LAUNCHES RESTAURANTS SUPPORT PROGRAM AS STATE REOPENS:*  
  • The state will fully reopen on June 15 but restaurants are encouraged to continue outdoor operations. Gov. Newsom has expanded regulatory relief for restaurants and bars to maintain safety protocols through the end of 2021. Read more here.

OC HOME PRICES INCREASE $117,750 IN YEAR:* 
  • DQNews/CoreLogic’s report on closed OC transactions from April shows the countywide median home price of $872,750 was up $117,750, or 16%, over the past 12 months—another record breaking increase. Over the last 10 years, gains annually averaged only 7.2%. Skyrocketing prices are another outcome of CA’s severe housing shortage and why efforts to pave the way for construction of new workforce housing units are badly needed! Read more.

COVID-19 RESOURCE UPDATES:*
  • OCHCA has shifted its vaccination efforts to expanding its network of mobile PODs. On June 5, all OC Super POD sites ceased operations. Mobile POD appointments can be made here. Employers who would like to submit a request for a worksite COVID-19 vaccination mobile clinic for staff can click here.

OPINION PIECE - SURVEY SHOWS OC IS POLITICALLY MODERATE:*   
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, political extremists drew national attention to OC. However, a survey of 704 OC residents (18 or older) shows the majority view COVID-19 as a real threat and that it was not fully under control here. COVID deniers, anti-maskers, and anti-vaxxers do not represent OC. Read more.
ADVOCACY UPDATE
LEGISLATURE STOPS MULTIPLE BAD FOR BUSINESS BILLS:*
  • Last week, numerous bills OCBC opposed that would have been bad for business, workforce and economic development failed to advance in the legislative process. This includes AB 71, a massive tax increase on businesses; AB 1316, a bill dramatically restricting charter schools; SB 213, an extreme workers’ compensation mandate for hospitals; and SB 342, which would have expanded the voice of unelected advocates over local elected officials on the regional Air Quality Management District. OCBC extends its sincerest gratitude to the Assemblymembers and state Senators who kept these bills and others from progressing.
 
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WELCOMES CA REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, ASM. DAVIES:*
  • On June 4, OCBC’s Government Affairs Committee welcomed Linda Akutagawa, Commissioner of the CA Citizens Redistricting Commission, and Assemblymember Laurie Davies. Commissioner Akutagawa described how COVID-19 and delayed Census data are impacting the re-drawing of state and federal, while Asm. Davies recounted her first six months in the Legislature and her policy priorities for helping small businesses recover.

BUSINESS RESOURCES
UCI’S 2021 ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL UPDATE:*
  • Join Professor Chris Schwarz of the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business on June 10 at 11:30 a.m. to hear his latest thoughts on the economy and financial markets as the economy prepares to reopen! The webinar is free for all. Register here. 

US CHAMBER LAUNCHES AMERICA WORKS INITIATIVE:* 

WEBINAR ON CLEANTECH OPPORTUNITIES:* 
  • Join U.S. Commercial Services to learn more about clean technologies product and service export opportunities, U.S. government priorities on climate and cooperation with China, Intellectual property rights protection, export controls and available U.S. government resources. Register here 

SBA’S $100M COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR PILOT PROGRAM:
  • U.S. Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program is a new initiative geared to help the nation’s smallest businesses, with a priority focus on those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women and veterans. SBA will accept applications through July 12, 2021, and anticipates making award decisions by August 2021. 
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
OPEN HOUSE WITH HABITAT OC:* 
  • Join Habitat for Humanity of OC on June 15 for an exclusive tour of their newest homes in Fullerton and learn more about the Habitat model for homeownership. RSVP now to reserve a spot.

UNITED WAY’S MONTHLY UPDATE:*  
  • WelcomeHomeOC housed 30 individuals in 19 households in May. There are currently 70 property owners in the network and 35,478 people engaged through public awareness, events and social media. Click here to view the full update.  

CHOC'S VACCINE CLINIC FOR AGES 12 AND UP:*  

OCHCA COVID-19 COMMUNITY SURVEY:
  • OC Health Care Agency wants to help you. Click here to confidentially fill out a survey with your struggles and challenges a year after the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey results will help determine the community’s greatest needs.  

‘VAX FOR THE WIN’ PROGRAM: 
  • If you are vaccinated or about to be then you have a shot at winning $50,000 or a grand prize of $1.5 million with the Governor’s “Vax for the Win” program. Read more here or click here to view in Spanish. 

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
FSB PUBLIC AFFAIRS HELPS ENTITLE HOUSING IN PLACENTIA:* 
  • FSB Public Affairs announced they helped a developer secure Placentia City Council approval of a 189-unit workforce housing project. The mixed-use development will have units available to OC residents making between 30% and 80% area median income. Thank you, FSB, for helping expand OC’s supply of workforce housing! 
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
OCBC EVENTS
TODAY! Economic Development Forum Series: Part 2 – What the Biden Administration Means for the Economy
June 8 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Join OCBC’s Economic Development Forum Series: Part 2 to hear from a panel of industry experts on how the Biden Administration will affect taxes, regulation, global trade and investment, recent and upcoming legislation, bipartisanship, and more. This event is sponsor supported and complimentary. Thank you sponsors: Amazon, Cal State Fullerton, and John Wayne Airport.
Register here. For more information contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.  

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
June 8 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join OCBC for an update from the Port of Long Beach.
To register, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager.

TOMORROW! June 9 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join OCBC and HR colleagues for an open discussion on the return to work.
To register, contact Jesse Ben-Ron VP, Workforce and Economic Development

June 10 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
To register, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager.
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.