For the legislative and political week February 6-10
Welcome to the February 4-10 edition of the NFIB California Main Street Minute from your NFIB small-business-advocacy team in Sacramento.
The Minimum Wage
- Now that the seven-year phase-in of graduated minimum-wage rates created by Senate Bill 3 in 2016 has run its course, ending at $15.50 an hour on Jan. 1, 2023, the subject is certain to be back in the Legislature this year.
- Additionally, an initiative increasing the minimum-wage in steps to $18 an hour by Jan. 1, 2026, is eligible for the November 2024 ballot, unless a deal is reached with legislators to preempt it.
- Right now, NFIB California will oppose any further efforts to raise the minimum-wage rate, arguing in this one-page Talking Points Memorandum that:
— The Minimum Wage is an Entry-Level Wage Earned Mostly by Teens and Young Adults
— Minimum Wage Earners are Not Trying to Sustain Families
— Raising the Minimum Wage Lifts No One out of Poverty
— Raising the Minimum Wage Benefits Few While Punishing Many More
— Raising the Minimum Wage is Devastating on the Small Business Economy.
- We need to hear from you. Last week, NFIB California sent its membership a link to Share Your Story about the negative effects raising the minimum-wage rate would have on your business. According to the latest NFIB Jobs report, released last Thursday (February 4), 46 percent of NFIB members reported raising compensation, up 2 points from December, and just 4 points below the 49-year record high set in January last year. A net 22 percent plan to raise compensation in the next three months.
- Having your story to share would put NFIB in a stronger lobbying position to persuade legislators also worried about the effects of a higher minimum-wage rate. If you did not receive your Share Your Story link, send an email to NFIB Grassroots Manager Tayor Criddle at [email protected].
Retail Theft Update
- Modesto-area Assembly member Juan Alanis has introduced Assembly Bill 335 that would repeal Proposition 47, which reduced from felonies to misdemeanors some theft and drug possession offenses. Fellow Assembly member Josh Hoover of Folsom has introduced Assembly Bill 75, a measure aimed at increasing penalties for serial theft offenses.
- Reports CalMatters, “While Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher of Chico said he believes there will be ‘bipartisan support for these reasonable reforms,’ some GOP lawmakers acknowledged the reality that many of these bills won’t pass, noting that similar bills introduced by Democrats had failed, too.”
- NFIB CA is a member of Californians Against Retail & Residential Theft, a coalition designed to raise awareness about the impact of property crimes against Main Street employers and neighborhoods. To add your business to the growing coalition, click here.
Taxpayer Protection Initiative Qualifies for Ballot
- “The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act will empower California voters with the right to vote on all future taxes, which will let them take direct control over the cost-of-living crisis affecting working families throughout the state,” said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, announcing on February 1 that the Act had qualified for the November 2024 ballot.
- “Our measure gives voters the accountability they deserve for their state and local taxes, ensuring politicians are transparent in how new and future tax dollars will be spent.” Lapsley is also co-chair of the campaign committee.
Ballot Results News Release
- NFIB thanks its members who took the time to vote their 2023 California State Ballot. The results can be found in this news release and on the NFIB California webpage here.
National
Highlights from NFIB Legislative Program Manager Caitlin Lanzara’s weekly report
- On February 2, NFIB Research Center released the latest NFIB’s monthly jobs report, showing 57% of owners reported hiring or trying to hire in January, up two points. Of those hiring or trying to hire, 91% of owners reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill.
- On January 31, NFIB Small Business Legal Center released the January issue of The Docket.
— For a rundown of the Legal Center’s 2022 activities, check out our new Legal Minute video series here.
— On January 27th, the Legal Center filed its first amicus brief of 2023 in the case Coinbase Inc. v. Abraham Bielski at the U.S. Supreme Court, which supports small businesses’ right to arbitration. The press release can be found here.
Next Main Street Minute February 13.
