California Politics and Industry News
Forbes: Why More Academic Institutions Are Now Betting On The Trades
To read the Forbes article discussing how architectural design for schools is increasingly focused on skilled trades CLICK HERE.
CalMatters — Vomiting, cramps and lethargy: As heat rises, California kids are sweltering in schools with no air conditioning
Article Author: Alejandra Reyes-Velarde"An estimated 1 in 5 schools has no air conditioning and another 10% need repair. Underfunded schools struggle to keep classrooms cool as heat waves intensify." CLICK HERE to read the CalMatters article.
Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act Update
The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act released this update:We received notice today that the California Supreme Court will be scheduling oral arguments on May 8 to hear the lawsuit brought by the governor and Legislature to remove the...
CalMatters Article — “Power is never having to say ‘no.’ How California Democrats kill bills without voting against them”
Cal Matters: "Democrats in California’s Assembly and Senate rarely vote against bills, yet few seem willing to discuss their voting records, as well as the controversial practice of declining to vote instead of saying “no.” Click HERE to view the full...
California Air Resources Board: Advanced Clean Fleets Reporting Update
SACRAMENTO -- Fleet owners subject to California Air Resources Board’s (CARB’s) medium and heavy-duty vehicle regulations must report annually to meet regulatory requirements. The reporting deadline is February 1, 2024. WHO IS IMPACTED?The Advanced Clean...
CAL SMACNA Member Silicon Valley Mechanical Earns SNIPS Honor
Silicon Valley Mechanical has been recognized as SNIPS' 2023 Sheet Metal Fabrication Contractor of the Year, read the full story HERE.
“The Air We Breathe” | Sunday on 60 Minutes
Watch The Air We Breathe on 60 Minutes this Sunday: "With a new strain of COVID on the rise and flu season just getting started, CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook spotlights how lessons from the pandemic about the quality of indoor air...
California Foundation for Commerce & Education Releases UI Study
The California Foundation for Commerce & Education (CFCE) released a study by Michael Bernick and Douglas J. Holmes entitled Improving the Safety Net: Reforming an Unemployment Insurance Program to Serve the Jobless and Preserve Job Creation. CLICK...
Poor air filtration in schools is driving absences and tanking productivity, but the fix is simple
By SOPHIE ROSENBLUM - MICHAEL BAILEYAs summer break releases students from schools across the country, we have an opportunity to fit classrooms with a simple and cost-effective solution to reduce skyrocketing absenteeism and address tanking American...
Los Angeles Times — California bill calls for violence prevention plan, security; opponents say it hurts small businesses
BY ANDREW J. CAMPASo much blood was strewn across the Santa Clara Valley light rail work yard in San Jose that state Sen. Dave Cortese placed booties over his work shoes to inspect the scene.Concerns churned in Cortese’s mind hours after the May 26, 2021,...
Gavin Newsom Unveils Multibillion-Dollar Plan to Fund Housing for Mentally Ill
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday unveiled his plan to build housing for people with mental illness and addiction using $4.68 billion in new bond funding and some existing revenue from the state’s mental health services tax. CLICK HERE to continue...
COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Relief Grant Program Goes Live and is NOW Taking Applications
The application window is now open for the California Small Business and Nonprofit COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) Relief Grant Program to reimburse small businesses up to $50k for SPSL payroll spent between January 1, 2022 and December 31,...
Los Angeles Times — “Newsom’s Budget Math Doesn’t Add Up”
"SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has sent the Legislature a proposed state budget that is unrealistic and spews red ink..." CLICK HERE to continue reading.
SMACNA Launches WeAreWhatWeBreathe.com: A Comprehensive Indoor Quality Resource Hub
This week SMACNA launched a brand-new IAQ resource hub that was created and developed in coordination with CAL SMACNA to support contractors work in IAQ and ventilation in schools and commercial buildings. This website WeAreWhatWeBreathe.com was purposely...
Independent Project Analysis (IPA) — Quantifying the Value of Union Labor in Construction Projects
The Independent Project Analysis (IPA) finalized this study in December of 2022 which expands on an earlier 2008 study that found that union labor is more productive than open shop labor and projects that employed union labor cost less, despite the higher...