CalChamber Identifies First ‘Job Killer’ Bill Of 2019
The California Chamber of Commerce today identified the first “job killer” bill of 2019. Each year, CalChamber labels proposed bills it considers detrimental to business and employment as “job killers,” and advocates for changes as the legislative process unfolds. The first such legislation this year is Assembly Bill 51, which would “prohibit arbitration of labor and employment claims as a condition of employment,” according to CalChamber, which contends it would significantly increase employers’ litigation costs. The bill’s author, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego, responded to CalChamber’s job killer label with this statement: “By barring workers from standing up for their rights on the job, the Chamber of Commerce is playing the role of the real job killer. AB 51 protects workers when corporations discriminate, tolerate sexual harassment, or engage in wage theft. It’s a shame the Chamber continues to view workers as a the problem and not the solution.” AB 51 is scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee this Wednesday, March 6. Click here to keep up with CalChamber’s job killers list.
Signal Hill Election Takes Place Tomorrow
Signal Hill’s municipal election, which includes a race for two city council seats and measures that would align its future elections with the state’s, takes place tomorrow, March 5. For more information about council candidates, read the Business Journal’s recent story on the topic here. For additional information, click here.
Long Beach City College Leaders Honored For Sustainability Efforts
Two Long Beach City College (LBCC) executives were recently honored for “excellence in energy and sustainability” by the California Community Colleges (CCC) Board of Governors. LBCC Vice President of Business Services Marlene Drinkwine was named the 2018 Sustainability Champion for her work in devising an “integrated energy master plan” designed to exceed the requirements of the Assembly Bill 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act. Medhanie Ephrem, the college’s interim director of facilities, received recognition for optimizing energy systems and retrofitting light fixtures with LEDs. “We commend these community college leaders who are improving energy and environmental sustainability on their campuses,” CCC Board of Governors President Tom Epstein stated. “Achieving climate goals is a top state priority and we encourage community colleges to take aggressive action consistent with those goals.”
Police Department Announces New Commanders And Other Staff Changes
Lieutenant Donald Mauk, a 25-year veteran of the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD), and Lieutenant Melvin McGuire, a 22-year veteran of LBPD, are being promoted to the position of commander. Mauk has worked in a variety of roles for LBPD, including as a member of the department’s hostage negotiation team and as interim jail administrator. As a lieutenant, Mauk worked on gangs and violent crimes, and most recently focused on robberies and homicides. McGuire has served the department as a juvenile gang detective, background investigator, administrative sergeant for the patrol bureau and internal affairs division, and most recently as a South Division patrol lieutenant. More details on the effect these promotions have on the department’s commander rotations are available here.