Long Beach To Use $100,000 Grant For Job Growth Programs
The City of Long Beach has been awarded a $100,000 grant for entrepreneurship and job growth programming as a participant in the City Accelerator, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities. Long Beach was one of five cities across the nation selected for the program. Long Beach’s plan builds upon the city’s Economic Blueprint to “map our local entrepreneurial system, identify growth strategies and support local talent,” Mayor Robert Garcia stated. Local business, education and nonprofit leaders are spearheading the effort, including: John Molina, Pacific6 Enterprises; Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, the Los Angeles Local Initiatives Support Corporation; Dr. Wade Martin, the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at California State University, Long Beach; John Keisler, Long Beach Economic Development Department; and Nick Schultz, Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network.
Reminder: Hearing August 7 For Proposed City Charter Amendments
The next hearing to discuss five proposed amendments to the Long Beach City Charter is scheduled for August 7, 3 p.m., City Hall. If placed on the November ballot, the amendments would allow the mayor and city councilmembers to serve three terms rather than two and get rid of what is referred to as the “term limits loophole” for write-in candidates; create a citizens’ redistricting commission to reconfigure the council districts every 10 years; give the city auditor authority to conduct performance reviews of city entities; consolidate the water and gas departments under a utilities commission; and form an ethics commission of residents to ensure government officials are following the city’s ethics laws. State law requires that three public hearings take place over a 60-day period to allow for public comment and recommendations for proposed changes.
Court Rules Funds Can’t Be Withheld From California Sanctuary Cities
In a 2-1 decision, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district judge’s ruling that stated President Donald Trump could not withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities and counties in California. The ruling explained that only congress, not the president, has the power to put conditions on federal funds. The Long Beach City Council passed a sanctuary city policy, the Long Beach Values Act, in March.
New Warning Label Regulations Kick In August 30
New Proposition 65 requirements to place warning labels on products containing certain chemicals go into effect August 30. New labeling regulations are meant to alert consumers when chemicals contained in a product are linked to cancer or reproductive toxicity. Companies will have the option to provide a full warning or an abbreviated version. The new regulations also “clarify the responsibility between manufacturers, retailers and others in the supply chain to provide warnings,” according to the California Chamber of Commerce. The state maintains and publishes a list of harmful chemicals.