Small business owners convey their concerns to a bipartisan group of 14 influential lawmakers
The timing couldn’t have been better. The message couldn’t be more unmistakably clear.
With the September 14 end-of-session deadline looming, 10 members of NFIB California’s Leadership Council converged for a Leadership Day in Sacramento and then fanned out in the Legislature’s so-called Swing Space on August 30 to raise the alarm about some very bad-for-small-business bills.
Although members discussed a variety of issues with lawmakers and their staffs, the one recurring the most and was the immediate concern was a late entrant into the legislative game, Senate Bill 799, which started its legislative life as something completely different from what it was gutted and amended to—extending unemployment benefits to striking workers.
Other top issues brought up were SCA 7, enshrining the right to join a labor union into the state’ s constitution; AB 524, deeming anyone a family member for purpose of taking paid leave; SB 616, adding yet more reasons to take leave; and ACA 13, lowering voter thresholds to raise taxes.
A complete list of the 57 bills NFIB is supporting or opposing can be read here.
“There’s never a good time for our Leadership Council members to leave their businesses, even for a couple of days, and travel to Sacramento,” said NFIB California State Director John Kabateck. “It says a lot about their dedication to the small business cause. The legislators were also appreciative, even ones who might not side with our positions enjoyed the informational exchange.”
The members of the Leadership Council attending Leadership Day were:
Sunder Ramani, Leadership Council Chair
Penta Media Resources, Burbank
Manuel Cosme, CA NFIB PAC Chair
Professional Small Business Services, Vacaville
Beth & Marshall Booth
Spaces Renewed, Oceanside
Paul Cramer
Star Milling Company, Perris
Craig Cooper
Menifee Bicycles Inc., Menifee
Larry Marino
Maloney Meat Company, South Gate
Gary McKinsey
Steps 4 Your Success Seminars, Modesto
Max Ordonez
IMM Management, Los Angeles,
Jeff Pardini
Hills Flat Lumber, Grass Valley
Nick Payzant
Cerna Healthcare LLC, Irvine
Clockwise from upper left-hand corner: NFIB members Sunder Ramani and Jeff Pardini, Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Cecilia Aguair-Curry, NFIB member Gary McKinsey, NFIB Califonria State Director John Kabateck; Assemblymember Diane Dixon chats with Leadership Council members; Assemblymember Bill Essayli listens to the message NFIB members, from left to right, Craig Cooper, Marshall Booth, Beth Booth have to deliver; Assemblymember Lori Wilson hears from (left to right) NFIB member Larry Marino, NFIB Regional Director Greg Biryla, and NFIB members Paul Cramer and Nick Payzant
Front row from left to right: NFIB members Marshall and Beth Booth, Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, NFIB member Gary McKinsey. Back row from left to right: NFIB Leadership Council Chairman Sunder Ramani, NFIB Field Sales Division Manager Ken Greek, NFIB member Craig Cooper, NFIB State Director John Kabateck, NFIB member Jeff Pardini 
Clockwise from upper left corner from left to right: NFIB member Manuel Cosme makes a point with Miles Horton, top aide to Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, as NFIB member Max Ordonez and NFIB Chief Legislative Director Tim Taylor listen in; NFIB members press the small business case with Assemblymember Vince Fong; Cosme, Taylor, and Marino visit with Assemblymember Juan Alanis (seated on desk); Assemblymember Tri Tra listens to NFIB members’ arguments 
Front row from let to right: NFIB members Marshall and Beth Booth, Sen. Janet Nguyen, NFIB members Gary McKinsey and Jeff Pardini. Back row from left to right NFIB California State Director John Kabateck, NFIB member Craig Cooper, NFIB Regional Director Greg Biryla, and NFIB Field Sales Manager Ken Greek 
NFIB Leadership Day team meet with Sen. Brian Dahle (center) 
NFIB Leadership Day team pays a visit to Assemblymember Joe Patterson (center) 
NFIB Leadership Day team gather in the Swing Space of the State Capitol before fanning out to meet with legislators
