Articles

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

This Week

After getting a budget signed and everyone back on the payroll, the emphasis this week was committee hearings to meet this week’s second house policy committee deadline.  Next week will be less busy than the previous two as the legislature winds down for summer recess on July 15. It is the first time in recent memory there has been a summer recess since the budget is normally hanging in the balance.

By David Kalb, President of Capitol Services, Inc.

You likely won’t know them, hear about them or see them, but CSLB investigators are waiting to ‘sting’ criminals pretending to be contractors in CA. As State budgets are impacted by reductions across the board, SWIFT agents are allying with local law enforcement in their efforts to protect consumer and contractor alike from damages caused by fraudulent criminal activity…

From Stephanie DeHerrera, Organizing Director, Oakland Builders Alliance

The Oakland building community can celebrate a victory this week as the Oakland Builders Alliance’s initiative to extend existing entitlements to December 31, 2012 was approved by the Oakland City Council Tuesday night.

By Sam K. Abdulaziz, & Bruce D. Rudman, Abdulaziz, Grossbart & Rudman

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2011. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and other purposes.

The rate will increase to 55.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2011. This is an increase of 4.5 cents from the 51 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2011, as set forth in Revenue Procedure 2010-51.

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

Within a 24 hour window, the legislature passed a budget, sent it the Governor and it was vetoed; a physical altercation occurred on the floor of the Assembly over the use of the word “mafia;” and a former republican leader of the Assembly was cited for DUI. You can’t make this stuff up.

By David Kalb, President of Capitol Services, Inc.
 
It’s nice to know people benefit regularly from our back and forth. Helping contractors overcome challenges is one of the primary goals of this Q&A.  Readers also know where to find answers they need when questions come up. This contractor’s first inquiry may provide significant help to others looking to increase the reach of their business. Another contractor helps illustrate that what works in California isn’t always applicable over the state border…
 

from the State Compensation Insurance Fund Safety Newsletter, June 2011

Your hands and fingers are the most valuable tools on the job. In construction work, you use them for every job you do. While your hand and fingers are probably the most used part of your body, they are also the most neglected.

Online registration is now under way for PCBC® 2011, which will take place June 22-24 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Homebuilding industry professionals and members of the press can register or learn more about the Show by visiting www.pcbc.com.