• As part of the $100 billion economic recovery package, Gov. Newsom made two more big funding announcements this week. $12 billion will be allocated to fight homelessness, addressing CA's 160,000 unhoused individuals with the creation of 46,000 new homes, expansion of the hotel-conversion initiative Homekey, rental support and local government grants. The problem, however, is that the state’s climate change rules are not aligned with the state’s housing goals: funding doesn’t matter if actual SUPPLY isn’t increased and the rules are so onerous, few can build. Without an increase in housing supply in all price ranges, homelessness will only increase. Another $20 billion for public schools will fund universal Pre-K by 2024, college savings accounts for 3.7 million kids, and incorporate mental health, social and family services.

• Given CA's huge unprecedented budget windfall, the Legislature should adhere to Gov. Newsom's promise of no new taxes this year. "California needs a steadfast focus on keeping and attracting new investment. How we hold the line against new taxes this year and in the future will be a major factor in dictating California’s economic future." Read more from the CEOs of CA's leading business and taxpayer associations.

• On May 11, OC’s weekly case rate hit a record low of 1.8 new daily cases per 100,000 residents, which clears yellow tier parameters of 2 per 100,000. If daily case rates remain below this for two weeks, OC could transition to the yellow tier. This means some businesses like museums, zoos and theme parks could increase attendance to 35%.  With Governor Newsom’s plan to open CA up June 15, 2021, we expect NEW guidance beyond the old colored tier format. Stay tuned.

• On May 5, Cal/OSHA announced that fully vaccinated employees exposed to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case no longer need to be excluded from the workplace if they are asymptomatic. Read more.

• Hoag Fly Well Clinic is an innovative facility at John Wayne Airport that offers urgent care services and COVID-19 vaccines. Onsite urgent care, telehealth consultations, vital screenings and more will be open to all airport visitors.  

• Join Union Bank on May 14 at 9 a.m. for an event that will provide resources and networking for small business owners. Topics include new survey results showing how small businesses feel about the pandemic, lessons learned and new best practices. The event is called "Road to Recovery for Restaurants in LA" but is open to and will have relevant info for those not in the restaurant industry or in LA. Register today!  

• Join OCCOG and OCBC on May 26 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. for The Roadmap to Success. Speakers representing cities, developers, and researchers will address how, in the face of a CA housing crisis, state-mandated housing element goals can be implemented in a way that is acceptable to local communities and neighborhoods. Register here.  

• Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley met with OCBC’s Government Affairs Committee to discuss the county’s vaccination progress, how to increase civic participation and ways to support the business community. Supervisor Foley’s office wants to hear how can the County help retain and attract business? Contact her office to lend your ideas. 

• California Business Roundtable is calling on the Governor and Legislature to focus on the state’s $20 billion Unemployment Insurance (UI) Fund debt with money from the U.S. Treasury. The UI debt is growing approximately $1.2 billion per month, which could result in higher employment taxes if unaddressed. "Businesses did not cause this recession and should not bear the burden of paying off this debt" says CBRT President Rob Lapsley. Read more.

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Forum on Economic Recovery on May 18-19 will feature Bill Gates for a discussion with the Chamber's President and CEO Suzanne Clark. The virtual event will focus on economic recovery and ways to create healthier communities, support entrepreneurship and expand access to innovative technologies. Register today!

• County of Orange was awarded a $500,000 grant for programs that provide OC veterans with career opportunities, training, supportive services and job placement. Employers that sign up and hire a veteran can get reimbursed up to 50% towards new hire costs. For more information, click here.

• District Export Council of Southern California will host the OC World Trade Week Forum designed to help SoCal firms get the insights and tools needed to move their business forward. For more information on the different sessions over May 18-20, click here.    

• The U.S. Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides restaurants with funds equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss. Recipients are not required to repay anything as long as funds are used no later than March 11, 2023. The U.S. Small Business Administration will administer funds to small restaurants that the pandemic has hit the hardest. For more information or details on eligibility requirements, click here. To register for an upcoming webinar by OC/IE SBDC, click here.

• Think Together partners with schools to change the odds for kids through award-winning school day and outside programs. Think Together is now hiring over 500 Summer Program Leaders and will provide all the training. They are asking job applicants bring their positive spirit and desire to invest in their community. Apply to be a Summer Program Leader today!  

• WelcomeHomeOC has housed over 400 individuals since 2018 and 15 households since April alone. There are currently 68 property owners in the network and 35,119 people engaged through public awareness, events and social media. Click here to view the full update.  

• CalOptima members can get vaccinated and receive a $25 incentive per vaccine dose. Vaccine clinics will be held at CalOptima’s main office on May 15 and 22 (first doses) and June 5 and 12 (second doses). To register, members can call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at 714-834-2000 or visit Othena and select the CalOptima site.  

• OC Human Relations welcomes everyone to join their virtual 30-year anniversary celebration on May 21 at 12 p.m. featuring conversations on race relations and new initiatives. OC Together will celebrate the many steps taken for continuous growth towards open dialogue and the creation of an equitable community. Register for the free event!

• OC Great Park’s COVID-19 drive-thru vaccination clinic is open Monday – Friday. Appointments are not required but can be made here. For more information, available in different languages, click here.

• OC Community Colleges invites the Retail/Hospitality and Tourism industry to take a brief 5-question Workforce Needs Assessment. Feedback will help OC colleges gauge how to better serve local industries/employees/future workforce with conventional career education programs or more nimble short-term training options.

• On May 12, Cox Communications announced that Connect2Compete, a low-cost internet package designed to create digital equity for students and families is permanent. Families can qualify for Connect2Compete by visiting here. Discounts will also be available through the Emergency Broadband Benefit program administered by the FCC.

• U.S. Bank aims to address the racial and wealth gap with Access Commitment. The program will support businesses owned by people of color, assist individuals and communities of color to advance economically and enhance career opportunities for employees and prospective employees. 

• Hoag Hospitals in Newport Beach and Irvine recently received “A” grades for patient safety in The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade. Hoag has prioritized patient safety and high-quality, compassionate care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations, Hoag, on the remarkable achievements!   

• Kaiser Permanente Anaheim and Irvine Medical Centers received “A” grades for exemplary patient safety from The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade. Kaiser Permanente had 12 hospitals receive Leapfrog’s “A” rating in Southern California. Congratulations, Kaiser Permanente, on the outstanding accomplishments!