California Politics and Industry News
“The Air We Breathe” | Sunday on 60 Minutes
Watch The Air We Breathe on 60 Minutes this Sunday: "With a new strain of COVID on the rise and flu season just getting started, CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook spotlights how lessons from the pandemic about the quality of indoor air...
California Foundation for Commerce & Education Releases UI Study
The California Foundation for Commerce & Education (CFCE) released a study by Michael Bernick and Douglas J. Holmes entitled Improving the Safety Net: Reforming an Unemployment Insurance Program to Serve the Jobless and Preserve Job Creation. CLICK...
Poor air filtration in schools is driving absences and tanking productivity, but the fix is simple
By SOPHIE ROSENBLUM - MICHAEL BAILEYAs summer break releases students from schools across the country, we have an opportunity to fit classrooms with a simple and cost-effective solution to reduce skyrocketing absenteeism and address tanking American...
Los Angeles Times — California bill calls for violence prevention plan, security; opponents say it hurts small businesses
BY ANDREW J. CAMPASo much blood was strewn across the Santa Clara Valley light rail work yard in San Jose that state Sen. Dave Cortese placed booties over his work shoes to inspect the scene.Concerns churned in Cortese’s mind hours after the May 26, 2021,...
Gavin Newsom Unveils Multibillion-Dollar Plan to Fund Housing for Mentally Ill
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday unveiled his plan to build housing for people with mental illness and addiction using $4.68 billion in new bond funding and some existing revenue from the state’s mental health services tax. CLICK HERE to continue...
COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Relief Grant Program Goes Live and is NOW Taking Applications
The application window is now open for the California Small Business and Nonprofit COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) Relief Grant Program to reimburse small businesses up to $50k for SPSL payroll spent between January 1, 2022 and December 31,...
Los Angeles Times — “Newsom’s Budget Math Doesn’t Add Up”
"SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has sent the Legislature a proposed state budget that is unrealistic and spews red ink..." CLICK HERE to continue reading.
SMACNA Launches WeAreWhatWeBreathe.com: A Comprehensive Indoor Quality Resource Hub
This week SMACNA launched a brand-new IAQ resource hub that was created and developed in coordination with CAL SMACNA to support contractors work in IAQ and ventilation in schools and commercial buildings. This website WeAreWhatWeBreathe.com was purposely...
Independent Project Analysis (IPA) — Quantifying the Value of Union Labor in Construction Projects
The Independent Project Analysis (IPA) finalized this study in December of 2022 which expands on an earlier 2008 study that found that union labor is more productive than open shop labor and projects that employed union labor cost less, despite the higher...
California Legislature Declares March 5-11, 2023 as Women in Construction Week!
Sacramento, CA -- Today, March 6th, resolutions were introduced on the floors of the Assembly, ACR 24, and Senate, SCR 29, proclaiming the week of March 5-11, 2023 as Women in Construction Week.Along with this introduction the Legislature requested that...
Energy expert sounds alarm over California power grid: ‘Stressed to the limit’
As California leaders continue to push a renewable energy agenda, one state policy expert is sounding off on the pricey costs and lack of infrastructure that could bring the Golden State’s electric grid to the brink of collapse. CLICK HERE to read full...
NPR – High-paying jobs that don’t need a college degree? Thousands of them sit empty
NPR posted an updated version of a story they originally published in 2018, with new reporting, and data and statistics, that reflect 2023 conditions; CLICK HERE to read.
Superior Duct Hosts Heavy Metal Summer Experience
Superior Duct Fabrication hosted it's first Heavy Metal Summer Experience in 2022. This program was created by HVAC industry members in the hopes of getting high school age kids interested in the trades. Sheet Metal, and other trades such as electrical and...
Why California’s well-intentioned PAGA labor law needs reform
WRITTEN BY: Jennifer BarreraJennifer Barrera is the president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce. To view the article on the Cal Matters website CLICK HERE. Eight billion dollars. That’s the amount of money trial attorneys have leveraged from...
2023 California Contractors License Law & Reference Book Now Available
Sacramento, CA – The 2023 edition of the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) California Contractors License Law & Reference Book (Law Book) is now available. The Law Book can be purchased directly from the publisher, or the online PDF version can be...