Articles

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant  ata.

from Kevin J. Pedrotti, Legislative Advocate for the Golden State Builders Exchanges

Mid-year Budget Fixes

The Senate began the process of approving several bills to close the current year budget this week. It is anticipated that on Monday, the Senate will act on the gas tax swap. Actual bill language is still being developed. It appears for the at least the near term, the 3% withholding proposal on independent contractors has been put to the side. It could come back into play in July during the 2010-2011 budget negotiations.

from Steve Sands, Registrar, Contractors State License Board
February 9, 2010

Good news, bad news
Eureka Times-Standard
2/8/10
To unlicensed and dishonest contractors, who take advantage of people's need in times of crises to make money off hard luck. While to some, the recent state sting operation to find such contractors may have seemed like overkill, such efforts may have saved you or people you know and love thousands of dollars for shoddy work, performed by people not qualified in the first place.

from J. Kevin Pedrotti, Legislative Advocate for the Golden State Builders Exchanges

from Ted Schwartz, Safety/Training Manager, HR Ideas

President Barack Obama's proposed 2011 budget would boost spending to combat workers safety issues and the protection of workers in the workplace amongst other priorities. These budget consideration will not only increase the federal government’s oversight of labor violations but also put more OSHA inspectors in the field. Separate legislation is currently being considered to in some cases, almost double OSHA fines.

By David Kalb, President of Capitol Services, Inc.
 
When your company holds multiple licenses which one do you use to bid a job? If you choose incorrectly another contractor will likely find reason to protest the award.  Visit the CSLB and meet the newest Board members…
 

By David W. Floren, Esq.

My annual drive to Yosemite National Park from the San Francisco Bay Area takes me through a place called Chinese Camp in Tuolemne County. Chinese Camp was a mining town back in 1849 and now is called a “census-designated place” with a population of less than 200. As I found out, no place is too small for a mechanic’s lien dispute.

Is my company required to post the Form 300 beginning February 1?

If your company had 10 or fewer employees at all times during the last calendar year, your company does not need to keep Cal/OSHA injury and illness records.

This exemption also applies if your company’s Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code is included in Table 1 of Article 2 of the regulations adopted by California’s Division of Labor Statistics and Research and enforced by Cal/OSHA.