How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Business News
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
State Fund’s Earthquake Safety Resource Center, available at SafeAtWorkCA.com, provides materials to help employers and employees learn what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.
Visitors will find preparedness checklists, information on what to do in specific situations, and tips on how to prepare their workplace for an earthquake.
We’re also encouraging all Californians to join the Great California ShakeOut on Thursday, Oct. 17, to practice the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” method, proven to be the best way to protect yourself during an earthquake.
“Given the recent earthquakes in the Bay area, we’d like to remind California businesses of the importance of preparing your workplace and your employees for the next event,” said State Fund Senior Vice President of Safety and Health Services Lauren Mayfield. “We’ve recently added to the resources at SafeAtWorkCA.com to help keep California workers safe before, during, and after an earthquake.”
To find free, comprehensive workplace safety resources, including the new Earthquake Resource Center, visit https://safeatworkca.com/.
For more information about State Fund, visit https://www.statefundca.com/.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Food and Agriculture
Agricultural operations can apply for up to $100,000 for projects that involve improvements to irrigation systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save water.
Projects funded through SWEEP commonly include elements such as soil, plant or weather sensors; micro-irrigation systems; pump retrofits or replacements; renewable energy; and variable frequency drives – among others.
Applications are due Monday, December 16, 2019 at 5 p.m. CDFA will hold three no-cost workshops to provide information on program requirements and the application process. Webinar participation is available, but applicants are encouraged to attend in person.
SWEEP application workshops:
Willows – Monday, Oct. 28
2 to 4 p.m.
Glenn County Office of Education
311 South Villa Ave.
Register for webinar participation at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1423354487948559883
Modesto – Tuesday, Oct. 29
10 a.m. to noon
Stanislaus County Agricultural Center
Harvest Hall, Room DE
3800 Cornucopia WayRegister for webinar participation at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3882162654329651469
Bakersfield – Wednesday, Oct. 30
9 to 11 a.m.
University of California Cooperative Extension
1031 S. Mount Vernon Ave.
Register for webinar participation at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6168234245452706317
Potential applicants should review the application materials posted on the SWEEP webpage at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep .
A list of CDFA-contracted technical assistance providers is also available on the SWEEP webpage.
These organizations are available to provide no-cost application assistance to farmers who would like to apply for a SWEEP award.
This round of SWEEP is authorized by the Budget Act of 2018 and funded through the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (SB-5).
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
For years, cannabis farmers have been wanting to secure the same protections and transparency the California wine industry implemented decades ago.
On Oct. 12, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Sen. McGuire’s bill – SB 185 – which establishes for the first time in history, appellation protections for cannabis.
Now law, SB 185 expands the prohibitions already in statute on improperly using county names for cannabis products to include appellation protection based on specific geographic regions and/or using any similar sounding name of appellations on the product label.
“This law will prevent cannabis manufacturers from claiming, for example, their product is grown in the emerald triangle, when in fact it was grown in Sacramento. The law takes into account the critical ingredients to a successful appellation designation such as geographic location, soil types, farming techniques and microclimates,” Sen. McGuire said. “Customers have come to expect truth in labeling in wine and this critical bill ensures manufacturers market products that meet similar appellation requirements with Cannabis.”
SB 185 was endorsed by Secretary of State Padilla, the California State Association of Counties, Humboldt County Growers Alliance and the California Cannabis Industry Association.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The agency has also upgraded the rating on the state's outstanding lease debt, its outstanding appropriation debt and outstanding school fund apportionment lease revenue bonds.
According to the agency, the upgrade "recognizes the state government's disciplined approach to managing revenue growth indicated by its use of surplus funds to build reserves and pay down long-term liabilities."
“While Washington balloons the national debt to pay for tax cuts for the rich, California is showing that it is possible to take bold action to tackle the affordability crisis, climate change, and other challenges all while living within our means,” said Gov. Newsom. “We are advancing progressive values while growing our rainy day fund, paying down pension liabilities and eliminating our state’s wall of debt.”
In August, Fitch Ratings also upgraded the state’s credit rating, writing that California has improved its ability to weather an economic downturn.
The 2019 Budget Act signed by the governor made a series of investments in expanding the state’s financial security.
The budget will end the year with total reserves of $19.2 billion, of which $16.5 billion is in the Rainy Day Fund, $1.4 billion in the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties, $900 million in the Safety Net Reserve and nearly $400 million in the Public School System Stabilization Account.
The budget makes an extra payment of $9 billion over the next four years to pay down unfunded pension liabilities. This includes $3 billion to CalPERS and $2.9 billion to CalSTRS on behalf of the state, and $3.15 billion to CalSTRS and CalPERS on behalf of schools.
The budget invests $4.5 billion to eliminate the Wall of Debt and reverses the decade-old deferral undertaken during the last recession.
The budget prioritizes one-time investments, with 88 percent of new expenditures being temporary rather than ongoing. This addresses the affordability crisis facing Californians while minimizing ongoing commitments to avoid putting the state at fiscal disadvantage in the future.