Welcome to the April 6-10 edition of the Main Street Minute from your small-business-advocacy team in Sacramento.

Back to Work on Bills and Budget

California senators and assembly members return to work today (April 6) after a brief Spring Break but don’t dare think important legislative matters went unattended.

In last Thursday’s edition (April 2), the Capitol Morning Report informed, “The Legislative Central Coast Caucus has announced the Orange Clownfish as its ‘Fish of the Week.’ Michael Guerra, legislative aide to caucus co-chair Asm. Dawn Addis, says the Orange Clownfish has: ‘… symbiotic relationship with sea anemones, where the fish brings food and the anemone provides protection; develops a layer of mucus to protect it from anemone stings; communicates with popping and clicking noise; tells good jokes.’”

Ballot Initiative Update from Swing Strategies

“New developments are reshaping California’s ballot — join Tom Ross and Tino Rossi for all the latest news at our Statewide Ballot Initiative Update Webinar.

“As we close in on the deadline to submit signatures for verification, 14 measures are still on the street – racing to make the November ballot. We’ll break down what’s nearing qualification, what’s coming next, and what it means for the road ahead.”

Register here for this Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. webinar.

Farewell French Dip

After 118 years, Coles in Downtown Los Angeles served its last French dip sandwich. State Director John Kabateck provided KABC 7 News with a few reasons it and other small businesses are finding it tougher and tougher to stay open.

Speaking of NFIB in the News …

The Carmichael Times was one of the first media outlets to publish Kabateck’s comments about the latest NFIB Jobs Report. The news release triggering the story can be read here.

Calendar

— May 4 & 5: Small Business Leadership Day at the Capitol

— May 29: Last day for bills to pass their house of origin

— June 2: Primary Election for eight state constitutional offices, four Board of Equalization seats, all 52 congressional seats, all 80 assembly seats, and 20 (even-numbered districts) state senate seats. Governor’s proclamation here.

— June 15: Deadline (by midnight) to pass new state budget

— July 2-August 3: Legislature on Summer Recess

— August 31: Legislature adjourns its 2026 session

— September 30: Last day for governor to sign or veto bills sent to him.

National

NFIB released Episode 84 of the “Small Business Rundown” podcast featuring NFIB member Kevin Ciak discussing how a new rule proposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on heat standards would affect his business and employees.

Highlights from Federal Government Relations Principal Louis Bertolotti’s weekly report

— Both chambers of Congress were in recess last week. The partial government shutdown continues, as a deal to reopen is worked out.

— NFIB filed an amicus brief in the case Cozy Inn v. Salina at the U.S. Court of Appeals, urging the Court to uphold free speech for small business owners. Beth Milito of the Small Business Legal Center said, “The Cozy Inn’s proposed mural… falls squarely within the tradition of artistic expression protected by the First Amendment. The Tenth Circuit should affirm that decision and restore confidence to small business owners who use… artwork to contribute to their communities, honor local history, and attract people to their stores.”

— Director of Federal Government Relations Josh McLeod was quoted in Small Business Trends on the need to permanently repeal BOI reporting requirements for small businesses: “The significant data privacy risk from the BOI database is just one reason small businesses overwhelmingly oppose the CTA.”

Next Main Street Minute: April 13. All Main Streets Minutes can be found on the NFIB website here. Pull down the California tab in the upper-right-hand corner.