Business News

Controller releases February cash update

SACRAMENTO – State Controller John Chiang on Monday released his monthly report covering California's cash balance, receipts and disbursements in February 2014.

Revenues for the month totaled $5.6 billion, surpassing estimates in the 2014-15 Governor's Budget by $968.9 million, or 20.9 percent.

“Driven by strong retail sales and personal income tax withholdings, February receipts poured in at nearly $1 billion above projections,” said Chiang. “How we conserve and invest during the upswings of California's notorious boom-or-bust revenue cycles will determine how critical programs – such as public safety and education – will weather the next economic dip. With fiscal discipline and a focus on slashing debt, we can make California more recession-resistant and prosperity a more enduring hallmark of our state.”

Income tax receipts exceeded the governor’s expectations by $721.7 million, or 45.7 percent. Corporate tax receipts came in ahead of estimates by $87.4 million, or 236.2 percent.

Sales and use taxes were $113.7 million above, or 3.9 percent, expectations in the governor's 2014-15 proposed budget.

The state ended the month with a general fund cash deficit of $14.1 billion, which was covered with both internal and external borrowing.

That figure was down from last year, when the state faced a cash deficit of $16.2 billion at the end of February 2013.

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Respirator fit testing scheduled for March 18

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A respirator fit testing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18.  

This annual testing will take place at the Lake County Farm Bureau office, located at 65 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport.  

The testing will be performed by State Compensation Insurance Fund (State Fund) qualified staff and is being organized by the Lake County Farm Bureau.  

According to the State Fund Web site, respirators that have tight-fitting facepieces are not one-size-fits-all.

These facepieces must form a proper seal around the wearer’s face in order to prevent contaminated air from leaking into the facepiece. Therefore, fit testing is required before initial use and at least annually for all employees who are required to wear respirators with a tight-fitting facepiece.

Preregistration is required and the following criteria are necessary: all employees must receive medical clearance to wear a respirator and employees must bring a current medical certificate to the fit test; when registering for the test, you must provide the manufacture name and model number of the respirator; employees must be clean shaven (free of facial hair where the mask touches the face to ensure adequate fit); and employees must bring their own respirator to the fit testing.

Preregistration is required by March 13. Fees for the fit test are $10 for Farm Bureau members and $25 for non-Farm Bureau members. To register, please call the Lake County Farm Bureau office at 707-263-0911.

For more information, contact Lake County Farm Bureau Executive Director Claudia Street, at 707-263-0911. 

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GO-Biz to host regional workshops on how businesses can apply for ‘California Competes’ Tax Credit

Join the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) for a workshop on the new California Competes Tax Credit.

Small, medium and large businesses are encouraged to attend the workshop and receive instruction on how to apply for this new tax credit available from the state.

The California Competes program provides upwards of $180 million in tax credits over the next two years for businesses of all sizes that want to expand or relocate to California.

Come and learn how your business can apply for new tax credits from the state. Additional details regarding the California Competes Tax Credit can be found here or for questions call GO-Biz at (916) 322-0694. Register below for the workshop in your area.

Webinar

Northern California

  • Wednesday, March 19, 9 to 10 a.m., New City Hall, 915 I St., Council Chambers, Sacramento; register at http://bit.ly/1cf6x33 .
  • Wednesday, March 19, 5 to 6 p.m., Redding Council Chambers, 777 E. Cypress Ave., Redding; register at http://bit.ly/1cf7591 .
  • Thursday, March 20, 9 to 10 a.m., city of Fairfield, 2490 Hilborn Road No. 108; register at http://bit.ly/1ifKRCd .

Bay Area

  • Thursday, March 20, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Oakland City Hall, Council Chamber, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza; register at http://bit.ly/1fKTuan .
  • Friday, March 28, 10 to 11 a.m., 235 Montgomery St., Ste. 760, San Francisco; register at http://bit.ly/1jY1h3U .

GO-Biz serves as California’s office for economic development and offers a range of services to business owners.

Those services include attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, important informational briefings and much more.

For more information visit www.business.ca.gov or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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'Pre-Prom Party' planned for March 15

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown Florist & Gifts, recipient of this year's Stars of Lake County Award for Small Business of the Year is pleased to announce that it will host this year's “Pre-Prom Party” on Saturday, March 15.

The party will be held from noon to 5 p.m at the shop, which is located at 21037 Calistoga St. No. 1, across the street from Middletown High School.

Rent a tux from them for prom and support the school at the same time.

Come see the next generation in floral corsages and boutonnières, and fashions, with lights, bling and feathers.

There is a huge selection of tuxedos styles and colors to choose from. See a sampling of prom dresses from the Barn Door Boutique and Rack City, both located in downtown Middletown on Highway 175.

After viewing their newest products your will be treated to pizza, soda and cookies in the parking lot by Mt. St. Helena Pizza while supplies last.

Sign up for pre registration for a small down payment of $10, which will be donated to Sober Grad.

Enter drawings for prizes, including free flowers, corsages, boutonnières and prom night dinner.

For more information call Middletown Florist & Gifts at 707-987-9500.

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Written by: Editor