Governor Signs Bill Banning Local Soda Taxes For 12 Years
Gov. Jerry Brown yesterday signed legislation, Assembly Bill 1838, banning local taxes on groceries, specifically related to soda taxation. An accompanying statement from the governor said that four cities are considering passing taxes on soda to combat over-consumption of sugar by children. He noted that in response, the beverage industry has circulated an initiative to raise the approval threshold for taxes from 50% to two-thirds majority “on all topics in all 482 cities [in California].” Passing Assembly Bill 1838 was a compromise to encourage the industry to withdraw its initiative.
Disposable Food Packaging Ban Advances In Assembly
A bill that would require food service facilities in California by 2021 to stop using disposable food service packaging unless more than 75% of it is made of recyclable or compostable material is making its way through the state assembly after passing in the senate in late May. The bill, which the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) opposes, passed the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources this week. CalChamber argues that the bill’s requirements are not feasible by 2021 and that it would increase costs for state agencies and restaurants.
Incomes Increased In May
Personal income increased 0.4%, or $60 billion, in May, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today. Disposable personal income increased $63.2 billion (0.4%) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increase $27.8 billion (0.2%). Real PCE decreased less than 0.1%, while PCE price index, excluding food and energy, increased $1.4 billion (0.2%). June figures are set to be released on July 31.
Architecture Firm Wins Top Award For Long Beach Development
Irvine-based KTGY Architecture + Planning won the Gold Nugget Grand Award for best senior housing community for its 78-unit, 10-story project at 810 Pine Ave. in Long Beach. The firm received another Gold Nugget Grand Award for a single-family housing project in Costa Mesa and 12 Gold Nugget Merit Awards for various housing projects throughout Southern California. This is the 55th year of the Gold Nugget Awards, “the largest and most prestigious competition of its kind in the nation,” according to a KTGY press release.
Local Design-Build Firm Celebrates 30 Years
Long Beach-based design-build firm Zieba Builders, Inc. celebrated its 30th anniversary this month. The company provides residential remodeling services in coastal communities, and has earned multiple awards, including Best of Houzz.com in Design and Client Satisfaction in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017. The firm specializes in renovating and remodeling historic homes, and boasts three decades of experience in working with the City of Long Beach’s zoning and permitting department, according to a statement from Zieba.