
County Supervisor To Request Community Hospital Hearing
Next Tuesday, March 27, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn intends to request a public hearing be held in Long Beach before April 13 for a required emergency medical services study related to Community Medical Center Long Beach’s imminent closure. Hahn is requesting that study be completed by May 15. She is also asking that the board send a letter to the governor in support of legislation that would allow the hospital an extension to comply with state seismic regulations. Additionally, she is requesting that the county monitor whether the hospital and its operator, MemorialCare Health System, are complying with notification requirements. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors meets at 1 p.m., board hearing room 381B, Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles.
State Supreme Court Ruling Creates Confusion For Employers
A ruling earlier this month by the California Supreme Court is likely to create confusion among employers when it comes to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement’s “Enforcement Policies and Interpretations Manual,” according to a blog post by the California Chamber of Commerce. The manual interprets state labor laws and guides enforcement of those laws. In a March 5 ruling, the Supreme Court found the manual’s interpretation of overtime calculation procedures to be invalid. This is the second time the court has found flaw with the manual, leaving employers, who are required to follow its guidelines, to wonder if they will be subjected to penalties or damages in future court cases.
Middle Market Business Confidence At An All-Time High
During the first quarter of 2018, the RSM U.S. Middle Market Business Index reached a new all-time high, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The index is meant to reflect business conditions and provide “a statistically significant measure of the health and outlook for these businesses.” Almost 70% of businesses surveyed said the economy improved during the first quarter, and 73% expect continued economic improvement over the next six months. The chamber cited tax reform as the leading cause of middle market executive optimism.
County Unemployment Rate Remains Stable
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County remained unchanged in February at a rate of 4.5%, according to the Employment Development Department. The state employment rate was 4.3%, down from 4.4% in January. The City of Long Beach had a 4.6% unemployment rate. These figures are seasonally adjusted. Nine county industries posted job gains, with information and leisure and hospitality leading the gains.
California State University, Long Beach Named A “College That Pays You Back.”
College admissions services company The Princeton Review is including California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), in its annual guide, “Colleges That Pay You Back: The 200 Schools That Give You the Best Bang for Your Tuition Buck.” CSULB and San Diego State University are the only two California State University campuses on the list. The Princeton Review chose the schools based on an analysis of academics, financial aid offerings and career services, among other factors.