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October 18, 2009 (San Diego) -- On Monday, October 19, members of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy, including Chairperson V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), Marty Block (D-San Diego) and Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista) will hold a hearing and press conference in San Diego. Both focus on small business development during the recession and state efforts to support small businesses during the economic recovery.
A centerpiece of the 12:15 p.m. press conference will be SB 66, authored by Senator Curren Price and co-authored by Assemblymembers Block and Pérez. The bill reinstates the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, providing a lifeline for hundreds of small businesses throughout the state who rely upon this program for financial assistance, technical help, and educational services.
This program was shut down during the last round of budget cuts. Without a legislative fix, small businesses could be denied access to federal Small Business Association loans, as well as to lines of credit and loans from private banks.
The press conference will serve as a springboard for a public hearing by the Assembly Jobs Committee that will begin at 1 p.m. The hearing is the third in a series being held by the Committee to thoroughly examine the state’s Enterprise Zone program and to ensure it is meeting the needs of local communities during this time of recession. The hearing will focus on small business development, workforce training, and methods for measuring effectiveness. The hearing features three panels – workforce training and jobs; evaluation and measuring success; and small business development – followed by a public comment period.
“Enterprise Zones are a key element to California’s economy. It is important that the economy is our focus and we work to create jobs and opportunities for small businesses,” said Assemblymember Salas.
"Of the estimated three million small businesses in California, one million alone employ countless personnel and provide for the economic growth and stability California desperately needs,” stated Assemblymember Marty Block. “This hearing will allow us to determine how better to help small business which will ultimately help each and every one of us."
“Economic recovery is the number one priority of the Jobs Committee,” said Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez. “Even though the state is limited in its resources, we still have a responsibility to continually support local recovery efforts by assessing and improving the tools available to us. On Monday we will highlight some of those efforts so far, and continue to examine others.”
Members of the business community, labor, local government, workforce development, redevelopment and other community stakeholders are invited to attend.
DATE: Monday, October 19, 2009
TIME: Press Conference: 12:30 – 12:50 p.m.
Legislative Hearing: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Jacob Center – 404 Euclid Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114
Confirmed Speakers, Press Conference:
Assemblymember Marty Block (D-San Diego), Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), chair, Assembly Jobs Committee; Senator Curren Price (D-Los Angeles); Marvin Groner, California Southern Small Business Development Corporation;
Confirmed Speakers, Legislative Hearing:
Brian McMahon, Executive Director, Employment Training Panel; Murtaza Baxamusa, Research Director, Center on Policy Initiatives; Carrie Portis, Executive Director, San Francisco Works; Vicky Lovell, Senior Policy Analyst, California Budget Project; Lydia Moreno, Executive Director, San Diego Enterprise Zone; Michael Bolden, Political and Legislative Advocate, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Darren Solomon, Regional Director, Pacific Community Ventures; Jim Euphrat, Tax Manager, Government Relations & Business Planning, NASSCO; Samuel D. Bornstein, Professor, Kean University School of Business, Union NJ; Daniel Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Calexico-County Enterprise Zone
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