Assemblymembers Propose Expansion Of Rent Control

Assemblymembers from Santa Monica and the Bay Area have authored a bill, AB 1506, that would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. Costa-Hawkins restricts the types of properties that are subject to rent control. The bill goes to the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee, which is chaired by one of the bill’s authors, on January 11.

 

California Ballot Measures That Could Impact Business

CALmatters, a nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture, compiled a summary of ballot issues that could impact business, including in the following areas: fuel and vehicle fees, property taxes, funds for natural resource projects, housing, cap and trade, health care, the labor code, consumer privacy, and more. Click here for the full list.

 

Companies Announce Expansion Of Employee Wages And Benefits

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has released a list of more than 75 companies that have announced employee bonuses, raises and/or increased benefits since the GOP tax plan passed in December. Click here to see the list, which includes companies such as Aflac Inc., Bank of America, JetBlue and many more.

 

Americans Positive About The Economy

Gallup’s U.S. Economic Confidence Index, released this week, revealed that Americans felt positive about the economy in 2017. The +6 confidence rating (on a scale of -100 to +100) was the first positive annual average since Gallup began tracking this metric in 2008. The figure is generated by averaging how Americans feel about economic conditions and if they feel the economy is improving or getting worse.

 

East Village Businesses Host Block Party

Six local businesses on the northeast corner of Linden Avenue and Broadway are hosting a block party tomorrow, January 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. The businesses are Brushstrokes and Beverages, Recircle Home, Susan Hammond Skin Care, Vivid Framing & Lighting, Dappers and Dames Parlour, and Unofficial: ButterScotch LBC.