Daily Business Report: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023
How California got tough on guns
By Ben Christopher | CalMatters
The modern American gun debate began in 1967, when 30 protesting members of the Black Panther Party marched into the California Capitol with loaded handguns, shotguns and rifles. In California there were few restrictions on carrying loaded weapons in public.
That soon changed. The Panthers’ efforts to “police the police” already had led Republican Assemblyman Don Mulford to propose legislation to ban the “open carry” of loaded firearms within California cities and towns. After the Panthers showed up in the Capitol, his bill sailed through and was signed by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan. It’s hard to say which now seems more unlikely: that two dozen revolutionaries could legally stroll into the state Assembly chamber with semi-automatic rifles, or that a Republican governor would champion stricter gun control.
In the years since, California’s progressive politicians have layered on restrictions while gun owners and manufacturers continue to try to find their way out of them. And every new mass shooting reignites the debate.
It’s a debate that’s been raging since Gov. Gavin Newsom took office. In his inaugural speech, the governor denounced “a gun lobby willing to sacrifice the lives of our children to line their pockets.” Meanwhile, a National Rifle Association spokesman predicted the Trump-altered Supreme Court meant “winter may very well be coming for gun laws in California.”
As Newsom and Democrats in the Legislature continue to push California gun restrictions to the legal limit, gun rights activists are pushing that legal limit back through the courts. In the last two years, California’s ban on assault weapons, on high-capacity magazines and on rifle purchases by adults under the age of 21 have all been slapped down by conservative judges. The first two were rescued on appeal and the last is still pending.
Top Photo: Pistols and bullets laying on a table. (Courtesy CalMatters)
Board of Supervisors to set taxation rates
for cannabis businesses in unincorporated area
The County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to set taxation rates for existing cannabis businesses in the unincorporated area. The action only applies to the unincorporated area of the county, where five licensed cannabis businesses currently exist.
The new tax will apply to both medical and recreational operations and will be assessed based on the type of cannabis business. Cultivation businesses will be taxed based on square footage of growing area and lighting method, and all other types of cannabis businesses will be taxed based on a percentage of gross income.
Supervisors voted in favor of imposing a 2 percent tax on all retail sales of cannabis products in the unincorporated area.
Legislation re-introduced to place sacred
tribal land into Pala Band tribal trust
Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) and Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52) re-introduced legislation to place 700 acres of sacred land into a Pala Band of Mission Indians tribal trust. The property includes the remaining portion of San Diego County’s Gregory Mountain that is not on the existing Pala Reservation. In 2019, Pala Band Chairman Robert Smith testified to Congress that the land was historically occupied by Native peoples and is a site of an ancestral village, rock art paintings and ancient artifacts.
Realtors group hosts annual
New Laws and Industry Outlook
The Greater San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR) is hosting its annual New Laws and Industry Outlook event on Monday, Jan. 30 to educate local real estate professionals about recently enacted laws, legislative proposals, and other key issues shaping the industry in the new year. Taking place at the recently renovated Town and Country Resort in Mission Valley, the event will feature speakers and panelists from the California Association of Realtors along with some of the region’s top policymakers.
Guests will have the opportunity to attend interactive breakout sessions led by industry experts on topics such as housing affordability and tenant policies, commercial real estate, accessory dwelling units, state compliance, disclosure forms, and much more.
The event will also serve as the installation of SDAR’s 2023 Board of Directors and President Frank Powell. Powell is a co-founder and owner of Powell Brothers Realty.
The event is from 7:30 ro 12:30 p.m. Cost is $49. For event registration and details, visit www.sdar.com/newlaws
Top Eating Places by Yelp
Three eating places in San Diego and one in Carlsbad have made Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat list. They are Beyer Deli, Baba Kabob, and Mike’s Red Tacos — all in San Diego, and GONZO!, in Carlsbad.
Beyer Deli: Catering, Fresh cut Deli Sandwiches and Salads.
Baba Kabob: Mediterranean, Afghan, Halal
Mike’s Red Tacos: Tacos
GONZO! Retro-themed ramen restaurant serving Japanese tapas with sake and local beers. Casual quick service, order first, grab a table inside or outside at the patio. All-inclusive, kids and dogs friendly. Located in the Carlsbad Village Faire.
Cetera to acquire Securian
Financial’s retail wealth business
SAN DIEGO — Cetera Financial Group (Cetera), one of America’s largest networks of financial professionals, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the retail wealth business of Securian Financial Group Inc. Under the agreement, Cetera will acquire certain assets related to Securian Financial Services Inc. – Securian Financial’s broker-dealer, registered investment adviser and insurance agency – as well as the equity of Securian Trust Company, NA. Cetera is located at Located at: 655 W. Broadway, 11th floor, San Diego.
Three Sharp hospital win Press Ganey awards
SAN DIEGO — Three Sharp hospitals were among this year’s Press Ganey honorees. Sharp Coronado Hospital won the Guardian of Excellence for Patient Experience Award. Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns won the Pinnacle of Excellence for Physician Engagement Award. Sharp Memorial Hospital won the Pinnacle of Excellence for Physician Engagement Award.
Youth transitioning out of foster
care see increased support
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to accept recommendations from Child Welfare Services (CWS) to increase funding to support foster youth for up to three years as they transition out of care. The vote provided $2.7 million in state funding over the next three fiscal years for housing and wraparound services for young adults 18 to 25 years old.
Maestro Dobel Tequila in partnership
with professional golfer John Rahm
SAN DIEGO — Maestro Dobel Tequila, creator of the world’s first Cristalino and the official Tequila of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions, announces a multi-year partnership with global golf superstar Jon Rahm. Both Rahm and Maestro Dobel share a deep respect and commitment to the mastery of their respective crafts and are proud to announce their partnership at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, where Rahm earned his first PGA Tour tournament win in 2017.
Juno Diagnostics to participate at
Precision Medicine World Conference
SAN DIEGO — Juno Diagnostics, a company focused on bringing vital health information to patients by improving access, affordability, and transparency, announced it will participate at the Precision Medicine World Conference held Jan. 25-27 in Santa Clara. Dr. Mathias Ehrich, chief medical officer and co-founder at Juno Diagnostics, will present a company overview on Friday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m. Todd Whitson, executive president of business development and commercial operations, will also be attending.
Foundation Fighting Blindness to host PRPH2
and Associated Retinal Diseases Workshop
SAN DIEGO – The Foundation Fighting Blindness, the world’s leading organization committed to finding treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, in partnership with the Nixon Visions Foundation and the Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego, will host the free in-person PRPH2 and Associated Retinal Diseases Workshop on March 29–31, 2023, at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in San Diego. Registration information can be found at www.FightingBlindness.org/PRPH2Workshop.
PetDx appoints Alejandro Bernal
as its new president and CEO
SAN DIEGO — PetDx – The Liquid Biopsy Company for Pets, announced that Alejandro Bernal, DVM, has been appointed as its new president and chief executive officer. An experienced industry executive, Bernal will succeed PetDx founder Daniel S. Grosu, M,D, who will continue in his role as chairman of the board. Prior to joining PetDx, Bernal was the president of Mars Veterinary Health International and Global Diagnostics.
Speakeasy Co. raises $6.8 million led by InvestBev
SAN DIEGO — Speakeasy Co., a leading e-commerce platform for alcohol brands, has received funding for its third seed round, with $6.8 million raised. The fundraise was led by
InvestBev, a leading investment firm in the industry, with an impressive portfolio including clients such as Siempre Tequila and Fyllo. Following two successful funding rounds in 2020 and 2021, Speakeasy has raised a total of $9.8 million to date. Since the most recent investment, Speakeasy has grown to nearly 300 partners on the platform, including notable brands such as WhistlePig, Tesla Tequila, Stoli Group, and Jägermeister.
MedImpact achieves HITRUST certification
SAN DIEGO— MedImpact, the independent pharmacy benefit manager and health solutions company, announced that its systems and platforms have earned HITRUST Risk-based, 2-year Certification, the highest level of information protection and compliance assurance. The achievement puts MedImpact in an elite group of organizations worldwide that have earned HITRUST certification and validates that MedImpact is meeting key compliance requirements across a wide range of industry standards and frameworks, as well as federal and state regulations.
Insigneo adds Jim Jiao to its growing network
SAN DIEGO – Insigneo, a leading provider of financial services, announced the affiliation of Jim Jiao as a financial adviser based in San Diego. Jiao brings over 30 years of experience in the financial industry. He has been an Independent Registered Investment Advisor since 2015, and from 1997 to 2015 he held several positions at Merrill Lynch as an international wealth management adviser, regional sales manager, as well as branch manager and complex director covering the international wealth management business in the Southwestern U.S. Market.
