Tenants Group Meeting To Discuss Rent Control Initiative
Using Facebook, a group called the Long Beach Tenants Union has announced its first annual general meeting. The January 10 meeting will focus on a campaign to place a rent control initiative on the November 2018 ballot.
Filing Period For City Election Closes January 12
The filing period to run in the April 10 municipal election closes January 12 at 5 p.m. There is a $220 filing fee. Candidates must be registered voters in the City of Long Beach, and council candidates must have lived in their district for at least 30 days. This year’s election is for mayor, odd-numbered council districts, city attorney, city auditor and city prosecutor. Click here for more information.
Seventy-Five Percent Of Construction Firms To Expand Payrolls
Seventy-five percent of construction firms are going to expand their payrolls in 2018, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Optimism about economic conditions related to tax and regulatory reform are behind the payroll expansion plans, according to the organization’s annual outlook on the construction industry.
Business Tax Credit Application Period Opens
California Competes Tax Credit applications are being accepted now through January 22. The income tax credit is available to businesses that want to stay in, relocate to or expand in California. Gov. Brown created the tax credit in 2013, which has since allocated nearly $623 billion to 865 companies. For more information or to apply, click here.
City of Long Beach Reports Lowest Murder Rate Since The 1960s
In 2017, the murder rate in the City of Long Beach dropped by 33.3% from the previous year, making it the lowest since officials started tracking crime in 1968. As of December 31, 22 murders were recorded, as opposed to the 33 in 2016. The Long Beach Police Department also reported a 42.1% reduction in gang-related murders from 2016. Overall crime statistics for 2017 have not been released.