Business News

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – JT Couture is proud to announce its grand opening on Sunday, Nov. 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The public is invited to enjoy a special tour of the new store, located at 14465 Lakeshore Blvd.

The store’s mantra is “Style your life!” and one can find a great variety of unique items from gourmet food products to home decor to specialty gifts.

The grand opening event also will include a vintage car show, light snacks and product samplings.

Proprietors Jim and Jennifer Totten also own JT Auto Glass, which serves Lake, Mendocino, and Sonoma counties but has its shop on 4274 Old Highway 53 in Clearlake.

The Tottens were proud to bring another business to the downtown Clearlake area.

“We feel this city offers a great location and opportunity for business owners and we are so excited to bring this boutique to the people of Lake County,” they said.

Details: Written by: Editor; Published: 28 October 2014

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture will host a listening session on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Updated Proposed Rules for Produce Safety, Preventive Controls for Human Food, and Preventative Controls for Animal Food on Thursday, Nov. 6, in Sacramento.

The listening session will be held at the Hyatt Regency, 1209 L St, Sacramento, and is scheduled as follows:

– Updated Proposed Rule for Produce Safety from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.;
– Updated Proposed Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food from 10:30 a.m. to noon;
– and the Updated Proposed Rule for Preventative Controls for Animal Food from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

The FDA FSMA was signed into law by President Obama on Jan. 4, 2011. It aims to ensure that the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus of federal regulators from responding to contamination to preventing it. On Sept. 29, 2014, FDA issued the updated proposed rules for comment.

The purpose of the listening session is to provide industry with an overview of the updated proposed rules, solicit comments, respond to questions, and inform the public about the rulemaking process.

Invited speakers include: Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture; and Michael Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods & Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

The listening session is sponsored by the California Certified Organic Farmers, California Citrus Mutual, California Farm Bureau Federation, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Grain & Feed Association and Western Growers Association.

For more information about the FSMA listening sessions, including agenda and registration, visit: www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/fsma .

Due to limited space you must preregister; there is no cost for registration.

Details: Written by: Editor; Published: 18 October 2014

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Board of Equalization Member George Runner will host a telephone town hall for restaurant owners at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 10 a.m.

The event, co-hosted by the California Restaurant Association, will provide specific information on tax issues important to the dining and beverage industry.

“Restaurants play a vital role in California’s economy, providing more than one million jobs across the state,” said Runner. “To be successful, restaurant owners need to understand California’s complicated tax laws. As their elected taxpayer advocate, I want to hear their concerns and answer their questions.”

Those wishing to participate may register online at www.boe.ca.gov/townhall or by calling 916-445-3032.

Individuals who preregister will receive a telephone call at the start of the event inviting them to connect to the town hall.

Among the many tax challenges facing restaurant owners, caterers and food truck operators are the “80/80 rule,” tax rates for hot and cold food, food sold “to-go,” tips and gratuity charges, beverage sales, employee meals and complimentary food and beverages.

Further information on these and other relevant tax issues is available at www.boe.ca.gov/restaurants .

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization.

For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner .

Details: Written by: Editor; Published: 17 October 2014

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

Total revenues for the third month of Fiscal Year 2014-15 were $9.8 billion, coming in above Budget Act estimates by $671.4 million, or 7.4 percent.

“Driven by an upswing in consumer activity and job growth, September revenues beat projections by more than $670 million,” said Chiang. “If we remain disciplined in paying down the State’s debt, building a healthy reserve, and tackling the $64 billion unfunded liability associated with providing health benefits to our retired public workforce, Californians will have longer to enjoy this newfound prosperity.”

The state closed the first quarter (July 1 – Sept. 30) of its fiscal year with $21.8 billion in total revenues, beating estimates by $533.2 million, or 2.5 percent.

Income tax collections for the month of September came in $350.6 million, or 6.1 percent, above estimates.

Corporate tax receipts came in $173.7 million, or 18.5 percent, above estimates.

Sales taxes similarly outpaced estimates by $228.6 million, or 12.4 percent, for the month.

As of Sept. 30, the general fund accumulated outstanding loans of $13.4 billion, which was down $2.4 billion from what the state expected to need by the end of its first fiscal quarter.

This total was financed by $10.6 billion of borrowing from internal state funds and $2.8 billion of borrowing from banks and other outside investors.