Daily Business Report-June 24, 2019
Chart courtesy of San Diego Workforce Partnership
San Diego County Unemployment
rate drops to 2.8 percent in May
The unemployment rate in the San Diego County was 2.8 percent in May, down from a revised 3.0 percent in April, and unchanged compared with the year-ago estimate of 2.8 percent, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 3.5 percent for California and 3.4 percent for the nation during the same period.
BBB warns Comic-Con International
fans to be wary of badge scams
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning Comic-Con fans eager to get into the San Diego Convention Center for the July 18-21 event to be wary of potential scalpers. Unfortunately, these third-party ticket sellers may sell fake badges and leave some in costume with nowhere to go.
If Comic-Con aficionados are considering buying a ticket from an unofficial seller through a third-party site such as Craigslist, Ebay or showticket.com, they should be aware Comic-Con does not give third-parties permission to change or alter the registration information on a badge. One of the most pervasive scams BBB has found over the years is the reselling scam in which a scammer claims they bought a badge but can no longer attend the convention. They try to resell their badges which they never purchased, claiming they can change the name on the registration information. A key factor for consumers to remember is Comic-Con provides a refund at the buyer’s request, making it unnecessary to resell a ticket.
San Diego International Airport
relocates cell phone waiting lot
To support ongoing airport improvements, San Diego International Airport is relocating its cell phone waiting lot just northwest of its current location, closer to the terminals. The new lot location will be effective today.
A complimentary customer-service amenity offered by the airport, drivers may park for free in the cell phone lot for up to 60 minutes while they wait for the call that their loved ones have landed in San Diego. Featuring 85-spaces, the cell phone lot is a popular benefit for drivers accessing the airport.
The cell phone lot is located east of the Airport Authority Administration Building on Harbor Drive. It will be accessible via a traffic light at Liberator Way.
UCSD ranked high for prolific research output
The University of California San Diego ranked 4th among public research universities in the United States in this year’s annual ranking of high-quality scientific research papers by the journal Nature. In the Nature Index 2019 Annual Tables, the campus ranked 22nd in the world out of 500 institutions and 9th among U.S. universities. The ranking are based on research results by UC San Diego faculty, students, staff and campus affiliates published in 82 high-quality, scientific journals in 2018.
Teradata celebrates 40 years
Teradata celebrated its 40th-anniversary after moving its headquarters to San Diego in 2018 and now employs more than 1,100 locally. Based on a research assessment conducted by EDC, Teradata’s economic impact on the region’s economy is an estimated $345 million. The company plans to add 350 more jobs by the end of this year. (Union-Tribune)
Appointments:
Caroline Siegel Singh appointed to state commission
Caroline Siegel Singh, 20, of San Diego, has been appointed to the California Student Aid Commission by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Siegel Singh has been a student at the University of California, San Diego since 2016 and has been president of the University of California Student Association and vice president of external affairs of the Associated Students of the University of California, San Diego since 2018. She was a senator for the Associated Students of the University of California, San Diego from 2017 to 2018. The position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Siegel Singh is a Democrat.
James Madaffer named to Colorado River Board of California
James Madaffer, 59, of San Diego, has been appointed to the Colorado River Board of California. Madaffer has been president of Madaffer Enterprises since 2009. He was publisher at Mission Publishing Group LLC from 1994 to 2014. Madaffer was a member of the San Diego City Council from 2000 to 2008. He served as chief of staff to San Diego City Council member Judy McCarty from 1993 to 2000. He is chair of the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors and a member of the Lambda Alpha International Land Economics Foundation and San Diego Rotary Club 33. The position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Madaffer is registered without party preference.
Legislation:
Senate approves phone cost increase bill
The cost of phones will rise by as much as 80 cents a month per line under legislation approved by the Senate on Thursday. The purpose: an upgraded 911 system. One Republican who is termed out voted for it, along with 28 Democrats. One Democrat did not vote, and one voted against it. Both are in swing districts. Expect Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign it. Gov. Jerry Brown declined to push for the tax last year.
Bill would restrict bogus medical exemptions on vaccinations
Despite harsh testimony and a day of protests by anti-vax advocates, the Assembly Health Committee gave its blessing to legislation to restrict bogus medical exemptions given to parents seeking to avoid having their children vaccinated.
Senate Bill 276 by Democratic Sen. Richard Pan of Sacramento would require public health authorities to review exemptions issued by doctors who grant more than five per year. Exemptions would be reviewed at public schools with an immunization rate of less than 95 percent.
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Fireworks from Cabrillo National Monument
People who want to see 13 or more fireworks shows on the Fourth of July — from one spot —
are invited to Cabrillo National Monument. Cabrillo National Monument Foundation is charging visitors $50 per vehicle (up to 10 people) to view the fireworks from that high perch on the tip of Point Loma. Viewing will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are available at www.cnmf.org or at the Visitors Center. (Foundation members pay $40 per vehicle.)
