from Damon R. Conklin, Director of Government Affairs, Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange
Greetings,
The California Budget Center issued a briefing on What Are CA’s State Budget Reserves and How Can they be Used During the Covid-19 Crisis?That quantify deposits in four reserve accounts, describes conditions under which they may be withdrawn (up to 50% for the first budget year) and for what purposes; reports there is $16.5 billion in Budget Stabilization Account; $900 million in Safety Net Reserves, and “around$100 million” in Special Fund of Economic Certainties.
CalOSHA Releases New Construction Standards
Cal/OSHA has just published guidance for COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Construction, which can be found on their Cal/OSHA Coronavirus webpage. It contains links to applicable Title 8 regulations, educational materials, fact sheets, model written plans and programs, and other helpful resources. Please visit DIR’s webpage often, as they continue to add and update guidance and resources regularly.
What Will the Future Hold for the Construction Industry?
President Trump and Democrats have restarted discussions on a multi-trillion dollar infrastructure plan, with the President tweeting this past week that “With interest rates for the United States being at ZERO, this is the time do our decades long awaited Infrastructure Bill.
State Legislature Returns to Capitol Next Week
The Assembly will gavel in on Monday morning – but will not meet in the usual crowded floor session – and the committee hearings will be short and perfunctory with limits on the number of lobbyists, media and general public admitted. Please attached the restrictions and guidelines released from the Speaker’s Office.
The Senate is delaying their return for a week (May 11 or later) as they implement plans to permit remote voting. Here too, there is disagreement – as the Assembly has concluded that remote voting is not permissible under California law.
Given that both houses are adopting different rules governing public testimony and bills are required to go through each chamber…there will likely be lawsuits. Among many things Prop 54 requires that the legislature ensure that the public can follow proceedings and not limit public debate. Article from Politico alludes to this: https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/04/30/assembly-leaders-fear-remote-voting-could-lead-to-laws-being-overturned-1281578
Again, anything sent to the Governor’s desk could be candidate for a legal challenge violating the right to attend open and public proceedings.
Always glad to see collective efforts to keep attorneys employed.
Best,
Damon R. Conklin
Director of Government Affairs
Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange
5370 Elvas Avenue ǀ Sacramento, CA 95819
Telephone: 916.442.8991 ǀ Cell: 916.290.3400
Email: dconklin@srbx.org ǀ www.srbx.org