The Senator Reports

November 5th, 2009

Improving California’s Business Climate
By Senator Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad)

My priority in the Legislature is addressing California’s business climate. The state’s unemployment is at a 70-year high of 12.2%, with an estimated 2.2 million Californians without a job. Our state hasn’t seen numbers like this since the Great Depression.

A study administered by the Governor’s office shows the total cost of California’s over-the-top regulation as $493 billion, the equivalent to $134,122 for every small business in California during 1997. I don’t know about other business owners, but when my family owned Pine Tree Lumber in Escondido, we sure couldn’t afford $134,122 in state regulation costs.

If you’re a business owner and have examples of ridiculous regulatory requirements, I would like to hear about them and take your stories to Sacramento. It’s time lawmakers see first hand the regulatory nightmare imposed on our state’s job creators. In the meantime, I will fight against legislation that inhibits business growth and champion legislation that reduces burdensome regulations. Contact me at: senator.wyland@sen.ca.gov or (760) 931-2455.

Senator Mark Wyland represents the people of the 38th Senate District, which includes cities in north San Diego County and the south Orange County cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Senator Mark Wyland
1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 105
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.931.2455 Office
email: senator.wyland@sen.ca.gov

Finding Ways to Reduce Regulation
By Assemblyman Martin Garrick

Last week the Senate and Assembly’s Select Committees on Improving State Government held the first of many meetings throughout the state on how to reform California’s lawmaking process. The bi-partisan committees are tasked with evaluating major proposals to reform the Legislature and its broken budget system.

Thus far, the committees have discussed ideas such as performance based budgeting, reducing the number of bills introduced, and finding ways to streamline government operations.

There is no question about the need for reform in state government. However, we must ensure that any reforms truly address the root of the state’s problems – wasteful spending on programs we cannot afford. Furthermore, these hearings should not be used as an excuse to find ways to eliminate important taxpayer protections like the two-thirds vote requirement for passing a budget and raising taxes.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and ideas on this and any issue facing our state. If you have ideas on how we can reform state government, please contact my district office at (760) 929-7998.

Assemblyman Martin Garrick serves the communities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Vista, and portions of San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside as the Assemblyman for the 74th District.