Government Affairs Update
Climate Action Plan Expected Next Month
One of the key local legislative issues facing BOMA San Diego is the City of San Diego’s proposed Climate Action Plan (CAP). State law mandates local jurisdictions to develop and implement greenhouse gas reduction measures through CAPs, and two sides are already staking out positions on this issue.
BOMA is advocating for a CAP that recognizes the important balance between environmental and economic sustainability
Some are calling for a strict and aggressive CAP that goes above and beyond state law and requires mandatory retrofits for residential and commercial properties at point of sale. Others, including BOMA, support a CAP that offers incentives – not regulatory mandates – to reduce energy and water use within commercial buildings. In addition, BOMA is advocating for a CAP that recognizes the important balance between environmental and economic sustainability.
Both sides of this issue were recently on display in the U-T San Diego:
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/aug/02/gloria-plan-safeguard-san-diego-health-environment/all/?print
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/aug/02/climate-plan-mandates-would-hurt-local-economy/all/?print
The Mayor’s plan should be released in mid-September. BOMA staff will review the proposal with the Government Affairs Committee and update the membership accordingly.
Campaign Underway to Overturn Minimum Wage Increase
A lot of action has taken place over the last 45 days regarding San Diego’s minimum wage. Here is a brief recap:
- July 28 – on a 6 – 3 vote, the San Diego City Council approves increasing the minimum wage above the State of California standard. If implemented, the minimum wage would increase to $11.50 by 2017 and then be indexed for ongoing future increases. The law would also require employers to provide five paid sick days for employees: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/jul/28/san-diego-city-council-gives-final-ok-minimum-wage/
- August 8 – Mayor Faulconer, citing economic concerns and a competitive disadvantage for San Diego businesses, vetoed the City Council decision: http://www.10news.com/news/faulconer-to-veto-minimum-wage-ordinance
- August 18 – by the same 6-3 vote, the San Diego City Council overrode Mayor Faulconer’s veto: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/aug/18/san-diego-veto-minimum-wage-hike-referendum/
- August 21 – a group of San Diego-based small business launched a referendum campaign to stop the City Council decision from going into effect: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/aug/21/small-business-coalition-launch-campaign-force-san/
The coalition has 30 days to collect 33,866 signatures from registered San Diego voters. If they succeed, the City Council must vote to either rescind the increase or put the issue before voters in June 2016.
If you have comments or questions regarding these topics – or any other legislative issue – please contact Craig Benedetto at craigb@calstrat.comor James Lawson at jlawson@calstrat.com.