Daily Business Report-Oct. 8, 2018
Carl DeMaio, chairman of the Yes on 6 Gas Tax Repeal campaign, and supporters in front of a DMV office. (Photo courtesy of Reform California-Yes on 6)
Commentary
Misleading title hamstrings
gas-tax repeal measure
By Dan Walters | CALmatters
California neglected maintenance of its highway and road network for decades. But last year, the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown finally enacted a stiff increase in gas taxes and automotive fees to catch up, even though polls indicated that most Californians didn’t want to pay more.
Despite its unpopularity, it was the right thing to do. But almost immediately, a campaign was launched by anti-tax conservatives and the state Republican Party to repeal the $5-plus billion-a-year package, resulting in Proposition 6 on the November ballot. The GOP hoped it would encourage its voters to cast ballots and help the party save a half-dozen Republican congressional seats considered to be vulnerable.
The Public Policy Institute of California recentlt released a new poll indicating that despite the previous opposition to the new taxes, the repeal measure is favored by just 39 percent of likely voters, while 52 percent are opposed.
So does that mean that Californians have changed their minds? Perhaps not.
The repeal proposal received what can only be described as a hostile official ballot title from Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office.
Instead of describing it as a repeal of gas taxes, the official title is “Eliminates certain road repair and transportation funding. Requires certain fuel taxes and vehicle fees to be approved by the electorate.”
PPIC’s survey team read that title as it polled nearly 1,000 Californians, deemed to be a cross-section of likely voters by party, ideology, ethnicity, geographic location and other factors.
Although Democrats were less likely than Republicans to vote for Proposition 6, the gap wasn’t as wide as one might have expected. The rather slanted title, which didn’t say it was a repeal, probably had something to do with it.
That theory is bolstered by responses to a more generic question. “When asked a more general question about repealing the recent increases, likely voters are divided (50 percent favor, 46 percent oppose),” PPIC said.
When Becerra released the title, repeal proponents sued, and a Superior Court judge declared that it was misleading. Judge Timothy Frawley ordered the opening passage rewritten to declare that the measure “repeals recently enacted gas and diesel taxes and vehicle registration fees.”
However, the state court of appeal overturned Frawley, saying the complete description, which included the taxes to be repealed, was accurate enough, and noting that state law gives the attorney general “considerable latitude” in drafting the official description.
It appears, therefore, that had respondents in the PPIC poll been given a fuller description of Proposition 6, rather than just the brief title, the results would have been much different.
Given that situation, it falls on proponents of Proposition 6 to make their case to voters. Last week, as the PPIC poll surfaced, the backers released their first television ad “to ensure that California voters know a yes vote on Proposition 6 repeals the gas tax.”
The ad describes the tax package as another burden on families struggling to pay their bills that politicians passed “to cover their budget deficit, not fix our roads.”
It could be an effective message, because the PPIC poll indicates that support is strongest among lower-income immigrant voters with children to support.
However, the opposition is a powerful coalition of business, labor unions and other interest groups. The coalition is likely to have much more money to drive home its point that Proposition 6 would deprive California motorists of much-needed roadway repairs.
That’s a very valid contention, even if it hinges on a very misleading ballot title.
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SDSU CIBER program receives
grant to advance global business
The Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University announced that its Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) received a federal grant of more than $1.25 million to be disbursed over the next four years. Combined with matching funds contributed by SDSU, this will equal roughly $630,000 annually.
With this designation as a national center of excellence, SDSU CIBER is one of only 15 centers nationwide and one of two located in California. Its activities include providing grants to fund faculty research and opportunities for students to study abroad; outreach and development programs for the business community; training programs for language and business faculty from institutions across the country; and a variety of innovative activities which impact interdisciplinary education in the U.S. and further the CIBER mandate to enhance U.S. business competitiveness worldwide.
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South County EDC launches
new career training program
South County Economic Development Council is presenting a new career training program to Chula Vista residents at no cost through a grant from the Chula Vista Charitable Foundation. The “I Can See My Future” training program opens up a pathway to the optical industry for those looking to begin or continue their career.
“I Can See My Future” is a 75-hour training program that starts in November 2018 and ends in May 2019. Participants will attend one time a week for 3.5 hours on either Thursday mornings at South County EDC/South County Career Center or Thursday evenings at Southwestern Community College. The mandatory orientation session will take place on Thursday, Oct. 25 and will be at South County EDC/South County Career Center located at 1111 Bay Blvd., Ste. E Chula Vista 91911. Participants have the option of joining the morning program orientation, which starts at 8:30 a.m. to noon or the evening program orientation, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Call (619) 424-5143 for more information,
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Law Library Foundation
Gives Bernard E. Witkin Awards
The San Diego Law Library Foundation has held the annual Bernard E. Witkin Awards to honor members of the San Diego legal community for civic leadership and excellence in the practice of the law, adjudication of the law, legal education, and the advancement of access to justice. The monies raised by the Oct. 4 event further the library’s efforts to be the premier community center for legal information.
This year’s recipients:
• David Casey Jr.: The Practice of Law
• Desirée A. Bruce-Lyle: The Adjudication of the Law
• Margaret A. Dalton, Esq.: Legal Education
• The Human Trafficing Collaborative of the Lawyers Club of San Diego: The Advancement of Access to Justice.
David Casey Jr. is CaseyGerry’s managing partner.A third-generation attorney, he is past president of the American Association of Trial Lawyers (now known as the American Association for Justice) and has been lauded with numerous professional accolades throughout his career.
Desirée A. Bruce-Lyle was appointed by Gov. Gray Davis in April 2001. Her assignments have included Criminal Court, Drug Court, Juvenile Delinquency, Prop 36 Court, Superior Court Appellate Panel, AB 109 Post Judgment Courts, and Veterans Treatment Court.
Attorney Margaret A. Dalton is associate dean and professor of law at University of San Diego School of Law. Previously, Dalton served as faculty director, clinical and placement education, including overseeing the Legal Clinics, which provide law students with critical legal skills training while providing free legal services.
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SOHO debuts new Marston Family tribute exhibit:
‘The Marston Legacy: Progress and Preservation’
A permanent exhibit called “The Marston Legacy: Progress and Preservation,” about the forward-thinking and lasting contributions of one of the region’s leading families, will be presented in their handsome former home, the 1905 Marston House Museum in Balboa Park, and opens on Friday, Oct. 26.
Marston’s department store founder, visionary civic leader, and philanthropist George W. Marston set a high bar for the city and his progressive family as he reached for the greater good, helping to create what are today’s favorite parks and open spaces, like Presidio Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and the San Diego YMCA, among other treasured public assets that we take for granted today. After arriving in San Diego by ship in 1870 to offer seven decades of public service, Marston advocated for growth that complemented the region’s rich natural environment.
The new exhibit, which unfolds against the furnished, domestic backdrop of one of California’s finest examples of Arts and Crafts architecture, also highlights the significant and not as well-known accomplishments of his family, wife, Anna Gunn Marston, their children, and grandchildren. The impact of this socially and politically engaged family resonates to this day with fellow citizens concerned about the future of historic Balboa Park and other significant public landmarks, schools and universities, social and economic opportunities, immigration, and preserving what’s historically authentic about San Diego.
The public is invited to the opening reception on October 25 from 4 to 6pm. Guests will enjoy elegant hors d’oeuvres and a champagne bar topped off with the Marston’s store Tea Room’s signature coconut cream pie. Tickets are $40 for SOHO members, $50 for non-members, and must be purchased in advance. (ticketing info here)
Opening Reception
Thursday, Oct. 25: 4-6 p.m.
Hors d’oeuvres and champagne bar
Marston House Museum & Gardens
3525 Seventh Ave., San Diego 92103
The Marston Legacy: Progress & Preservation, the exhibition
Friday, Oct. 25: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Marston House Museum & Gardens
Terrace Talks for Progress & Preservation
Saturday, Oct. 26: 11a.m.-12:30 p.m.
A conversation with San Diego journalists Roger Showley and Welton Jones at the Marston House.
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Personnel Announcements
Kari McFall joins Carrier Johnson + Culture
Kari McFall has joined architecture firm Carrier Johnson + Culture as director of business development. Known for her leadership and knowledge in the construction and real estate sectors, McFall is expected to make major contributions in strategic planning, client management, and expanding portfolios into new geographic locations for the firm.
McFall’s 20+ year career spans a diverse portfolio of projects including office, hospitality, multi-family, industrial, and property acquisition. She began her career with Reno Contracting in 1997 and most recently was the senior director of business development for the Weiland Corporation.
Her professional goals are to understand and support the needs and aspiration of clients, provide top-notch solutions through multiple avenues, and build the absolute best team to execute the solutions in a harmonious environment.
McFall serves on the EDC/SW Board, Bannister House Board, YMCA Board, and the AGC Build and Serve Committee.
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Joyce Bergen joins Oster and Associates
Joyce Bergen has joined advertising and public relations agency Oster and Associates as director of business development.
Bergen, a Chicago native, attended Western Illinois University, where she focused on business administration and management. With over three decades of broadcast radio sales experience, most recently spending the past 20 years at KFMB stations – 100.7 KFM-BFM, she is well-versed in consumer broadcast and digital advertising.
Bergen joined Oster and Associates due in large part to long-term relationships that she built with key staff members and the agency’s long history in the community. She shares the company’s passion to help grow and guide the burgeoning cannabis industry in California and beyond.
In addition to her lengthy professional accomplishments, Bergen is a long-time supporter of Susan G. Komen San Diego. She also enjoys live music, fine food and wine as well as exploring San Diego’s many diverse neighborhoods.
