News
Chamber Positions on State and Local Ballot Measures for the November 2020 General Election
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Ballot Measure Voter Guide for November 3, 2020 ElectionStatewide Ballot MeasuresProposition 15: Increases Funding Sources for Public Schools, Community Colleges, and Local Government Services by Changing Tax Assessment of Commercial and Industrial Property. Would amend the CA State Constitution to require commercial and industrial properties, except those zoned as commercial agriculture, to be taxed based on their market value. If passed, the measure would be one of
LA County COVID-19 Community Equity Fund - Grant Opportunity
The LA County Department of Health Services and the LA County Department of Public Health in partnership with Community Partners will be launching the LA County COVID-19 Community Equity Fund are launching to serve communities disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is more information. The County COVID-19 Community Equity Fund will form partnerships with selected grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs) that possess cultural and linguistic expertise and their community’s trust
Payroll Tax Defferal - IRS Guidelines
The U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidelines to President Donald Trump’s payroll tax deferral executive order. President Trump signed an executive order on August 8 calling for a deferral of employees’ portion of the Social Security payroll tax from September 1 through December 31, 2020. The executive order applies to the 6.2% Social Security payroll tax normally deducted from an employee’s pay and would affect workers whose biweekly pay is less than $4,000 on a
Governor Newsom Signs Statewide COVID-19 Tenant and Landlord Protection Legislation
Governor Newsom Signs Statewide COVID-19 Tenant and Landlord Protection LegislationUnder the legislation, no tenant can be evicted before February 1, 2021 as a result of rent owed due to a COVID-19 related hardship accrued between March 4 – August 31, 2020, if the tenant provides a declaration of hardship according to the legislation's timelines.For a COVID-19 related hardship that accrues between September 1, 2020 – January 31, 2021, tenants must also pay at least 25 percent of the rent due to avoid
CARES Act: Coronavirus Relief Fund
CARES Act: Coronavirus Relief FundOn July 14, 2020, the Long Beach City Council approved a spending plan for the City’s Coronavirus Relief Fund allocation from the State of California. The general framework for funding prioritizes COVID-19 emergency response costs, community support, and business recovery and resiliency programs.The City Council approved $6,750,000 in funding to support transition grants for small businesses and non-profits, supplies and technology for economic recovery, economic
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City of Long Beach Open Streets Initiative
On Tuesday May 19, 2020 the Long Beach City Council approved the Open Streets initiative which will make it possible to temporarily re-purpose some of our public spaces –think sidewalks, off-street parking and, large parking lots– into safe spaces for physically distanced retail, dining, and potentially even entertainment. The Chamber, along with other businesses and business associations were pleased to support this initiative and were grateful to the Mayor and Councilmembers for bringing it forward for
Long Beach Area Chamber Urges Congress to Provide Further Funding for COVID-19 Aid Package
The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce urged Congress to include additional emergency support in the next coronavirus aid package for 501(c)(6) organizations, such as trade and professional associations. This was request was to mitigate the financial impact of the crisis for all business organizations. The Chamber request $25 billion in aid for these associations that face financial losses from canceled conferences and events; eligibility for associations to access small business interruption loans that
Long Beach Area Chamber Releases Annual Vote Record Holding Elected Officials Accountable
Long Beach Area Chamber Releases Annual Vote Record Holding Elected Officials AccountableThe Chamber Releases Annual Vote Record on How State Elected Officials Voted with Business in Long Beach. The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce focused its efforts in 2019 on 61 potential state laws, the most in this decade, that may have impacted the Long Beach area business community in one form or another. The Chamber’s Government Affairs Council (GAC) met monthly to discuss and work together to support or oppose