From left to right: Brandon Matson (TACC), Ben Allen (26th District State Senator), Jack Walser (TACC and Walser’s), Rob Van Lingen (TACC and Van Lingen Towing), and Donna Duperron (TACC).
A TACC delegation traveled to Sacramento this past week to advocate for members’ interests at the state capitol. The delegation met with several South Bay legislators and staff representatives to discuss legislative proposals up for consideration. The visit was timely as the Legislature is rapidly moving towards the House of Origin deadline, which occurs on June 3rd and requires for all bills to be passed out of the house in which they were introduced.
At the forefront of the policy discussion was TACC’s dissatisfaction with the abbreviated manner in which state policymakers passed a minimum wage increase last month to $15 an hour without any input from the business community. In addition, TACC expressed its strong opposition to Senate Bill 878, which would mandate employers in the retail, grocery, or restaurant workplace to provide a 21-day work schedule and then face penalties and litigation if the employer changes the schedule with less than seven days’ notice, even when the change is at the request of the employee. Another problematic bill, Senate Bill 1387, which would create uncertainty for businesses in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and would shift local control by adding three additional state-appointed positions to the SCAQMD, rounded out the discussion.
From left to right: Brandon Matson (TACC), Donna Duperron (TACC), David Hadley (66th District Assembly Member), Jack Walser (TACC and Walser’s), and Rob Van Lingen (TACC and Van Lingen Towing).
TACC’s advocacy trip to Sacramento is an annual tradition. The trip is open to all members who are in good standing and have an interest in public policy and business advocacy. To get involved with TACC advocacy, check out the Governmental Affairs Policy (GAP) program.
by Brandon Matson
Brandon is the Governmental Affairs Coordinator for the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce. His primary responsibilities include facilitating the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Policy (GAP) group, planning Chamber events with legislators, and facilitating the Chamber's Political Action Committee (PAC). Feel free to contact him at any time.
