Manufacturers Urge Governor Davis and Legislature Not to Forget a Critical Piece of State’s Budget Puzzle - Economic Growth
California Needs Jobs, Jobs and More Jobs
Sacramento, CA- -
Sacramento, CA -- The California Manufacturers & Technology Association sent a letter to Governor Gray Davis and legislative leaders today urging that 12 economic stimulus actions be taken as part of solution to the state’s budget crisis.
“California’s budget crisis cannot be solved without a growing economy that creates new jobs and revenues to fund essential state programs and services,” said CMTA president Jack Stewart. “A positive economic climate that produces a growing revenue base is the kind of structural reform that will reduce the need for future spending cuts and increased taxes and fees.”
“California’s budget and the programs it funds are dependent on increased revenues from a growing economy. We have lost more than 283,000 manufacturing jobs since January, 2001. That’s a lot of California workers who have gone from being taxpayers to being tax users,” explained Stewart.
Without taking immediate action to revitalize California’s economic engine and create an atmosphere where manufacturers can compete in the global marketplace, California’s economic future is in jeopardy.
The twelve CMTA reforms include
Workers’ Compensation reforms that will eliminate at least $6 billion in system costs -- cost savings must be verified by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau
Extend the Manufacturers Investment Tax Credit with no restrictions
Restore Direct Access for large energy users and reduce the current exit fee for direct access and self-generation customers
Prohibit majority vote (Sinclair) fees
Provide flextime for California employers and employees by restoring the 40 hour work week standard
Place a 24 month moratorium on new or expanded regulatory fees
Establish a constitutionally mandated budget spending cap tied to inflation and population growth
Enact unemployment insurance reforms that include an earnings and time eligible test and eliminate benefits for part time and temporary workers
Implement reforms to eliminate unfair competition law (UCL) abuse
Mandate that the net operating loss (NOL) carry forward be permanently reinstated at 100% of the federal allowance beginning July 1, 2004
Ensure that funding dedicated to transportation infrastructure is not diverted to other spending priorities
Suspend paid family medical leave until manufacturing employment is expanded to 1,850,000 jobs