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CALED In Action
By Christopher Bestwick
The California Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and
the Economy held an informational hearing on February 9, 2005 to discuss
“The Business Climate for Growth and Development of the California Economy.”
Wayne Schell, President and CEO of the California Association for Local
Economic Development (CALED), was the first to testify, providing an
overview of the California business climate.
Speaking before the committee, which includes Juan Arambula (chairman)
and Guy Houston (vice-chair), Schell discussed the government’s job
with respect to the economy, whose role is to “influence business investment
and location decisions with infrastructure, incentives, services, investment,
regulation and marketing.”
Schell further mentioned many of the troubles that are inhibiting the economy, most notably some of the highest energy and workers comp costs in the nation that help make California the second most expensive place in the United States for overall business costs. Schell went a step further and shared possible solutions to these problems including a state economic development strategy.
Concluding with numerous possible solutions, Schell stressed perception is reality and “the state must turn around the reputation of being inhospitable to business… raising taxes, creating new fees, sunseting business tax credits and exemptions send a very clear signal: take your jobs elsewhere.” In closing he urged the committee to remember “the word ‘permit’ should not mean to prohibit!”
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