State Agencies Must Conduct
Evidence-Based Economic Analysis In Rulemaking Process
The California Fifth District Court of Appeal upheld a trial court ruling that final economic impact analyses used in state rulemaking must be based on evidence, according to CalChamber. The court also ruled that state agencies must address interstate economic competitiveness as part of the rulemaking process. The decision was made as part of a lawsuit brought against the California Air Resources Board by the California Trucking Association and John R. Lawson Rock & Oil, Inc. Click here to see CARB’s official statement in response to the ruling.
Positive January Jobs Report Released Today
United States Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta announced today that 200,000 new jobs were added nationwide in January, and that 2,553,000 new jobs have been created since election day 2016. The unemployment rate in January was at a 17-year low of 4.1%. Wages also grew, with a 2.9%, 12-month increase in average hourly earnings. Acosta noted that job creators have had an overwhelmingly positive response to recent tax reform.
Construction Employers Added Thousands Of Jobs In January
The Associated General Contractors of America announced today that construction employment increased by 36,000 jobs in January, bringing the total to nearly 7.1 million jobs – the highest level since August 2008. Over the last 12 months, construction employment increased 3.3%, more than double that of the total of nonfarm payroll employment, which has grown 1.5% year-over-year.
Apartment Rents Continue To Increase
Last month, the national average rental rate for apartments increased 2.8% year-over-year to $1,361 per month, according to RentCafe’s January 2018 Apartment Market Report. The report indicated that 89% of the nation’s largest cities experienced rent growth, while 9% of cities saw no change and 2% saw rent decreases. Long Beach experienced 2.4% growth, bringing the average rent to $1,860.
Broadway Corridor Revitalization Is Underway
Today, the City of Long Beach announced the beginning of the Broadway Corridor Revitalization project taking place from Alamitos to Redondo avenues. The Measure A-funded project includes traffic calming measures, improved bicycle network connections and additional parking. Construction is scheduled for completion in November.
SteelCraft Anniversary Celebration Tomorrow
SteelCraft is celebrating its one-year anniversary tomorrow with the grand opening of California Petals, a speech by Founder Kim Gros, live music and a viewing of “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” at 6 p.m. The ticketed portion of the event, Taste of SteelCraft (4-7 p.m.), offers the chance to sample fare from each of the resident vendors. The event kicks off with the grand opening of California Petals at 1 p.m., 3768 Long Beach Blvd. Click here for more information.
Not Into Football? Check Out The Aquarium’s Otter Bowl
The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting its 4th annual Otter Bowl, where its otters play with footballs made out of clams, on Super Bowl Sunday, February 4. The game runs from 4 to 5 p.m. at 100 Aquarium Way. It is free to Aquarium members and included with general admission for the public.