Daily Business Report: Dec. 15, 2023
California gas tax revenue will
drop by $6 billion, threatening roads
By Alejandro Lazo | CalMatters
California’s funding from gas taxes will drop by nearly $6 billion in the next decade due to the state’s electric car rules and other climate programs, “likely resulting in a decline in highway conditions for drivers,” according to a new state analysis released Wednesday.
As California phases in major policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions — such as the mandates for zero-emission cars and trucks — consumers buy less gasoline and diesel, and consequently pay less taxes.
Those declines in tax dollars will be partially offset by the state’s road improvement fee, which drivers pay when they register their electric cars. But the Legislative Analyst’s Office stressed that overall the state will still see a $4.4 billion drop in funding, a 31% decline, over a decade, so the Legislature and governor must come up with substantial new funding sources.
Unless the drop is accounted for with new fees or other funding, there would be substantially less money for highway programs as well as local road maintenance, the analysts wrote. Work supporting buses, trains and other public transit options across the state also would face drops in funding.
Photo: Traffic on Highway 99 near Parkway Drive in Fresno on Feb. 25, 2023. (Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local)
___________________________________________________________________
FreeWave joins Viasat’s ELEVATE program
Carlsbad’s Viasat, a global leader in satellite communication, announced that FreeWave Technologies, an industry Internet of Things solution manufacturer, has joined its ELEVATE program. ELEVATE is a growth program, ecosystem and marketplace for ambitious IoT solution providers, connectivity wholesalers, enablers and OEMs who want to work with Viasat to use its network and footprint to scale.
As an ELEVATE partner, FreeWave will offer an ecosystem of IoT data-driven network solutions – helping customers to connect, visualize and future-proof remote operations.
___________________________________________________________________
Lori Moore joins Sanford Burnham Prebys Board of Trustees
Lori Moore, chair of the Sharp Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, has joined the board of trustees of Sanford Burnham Prebys.
Moore is a registered nurse, a fifth-generation San Diegan and a member of the Cushman family, whose philanthropic endeavors span decades.
She serves as vice president of The Cushman Foundation, which supports a wide range of community and humanitarian causes. She operates the foundation and manages its equity assets.
Moore also is a director at Cush Enterprises, a San Diego–based commercial real estate firm, and is co-manager of Selma Investments. Moore is the on-site property manager, overseeing day-to-day operations and leasing for Cush Plaza Scripps Ranch.
SDSU Mission Valley River Park open to the public
By Ryan Brothers | SDSU
Marking another major milestone in San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Mission Valley development the university held a soft opening Saturday for the brand new River Park located at SDSU Mission Valley. Attendees were able to get a first look at the completed 34-acre river park, which features multi-use recreational fields, more than four miles of walking and biking trails, a children’s play area, a fitness area and more.
Although the park is now accessible to the public, the official grand opening is scheduled for spring 2024. This timing aligns with the anticipated completion of additional park and open space areas currently undergoing construction along Murphy Canyon Creek, parallel to Interstate 15.
How to reduce your monthly internet bill
The Affordable Connectivity Program can help eligible households reduce their monthly internet bill up to $30. These households are also eligible for a one-time $100 discount when buying a laptop or tablet from participating providers. The ACP eligibility and application process has been streamlined to make it easy for qualified households to start saving on their internet bill as soon as possible.
To learn more about ACP and fill out an application, visit internetforallnow.org/applytoday or call 866-745-2805.
Eligible households include those who have a household income of $53,000 or less for a family of 4 (add $9,000 per additional family member), or those who have one or more household member who is a recipient of one of the following: Medi-Cal, CalFresh, National School Lunch Program, Pell Grant, SSI, WIC.
Plant With Purpose partners with Taking
Root to accelerate forest restoration
Canadian project developer Taking Root and San Diego nonprofit Plant With Purpose have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate the restoration of the world’s forests while improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The greatest area suitable for forest restoration is on agricultural land owned and managed by 570 million small-scale farmers around the globe. Many of these farmers are from communities most vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis.
If farmers could be incentivized to grow trees alongside their existing agricultural practices, they could play a pivotal role in climate change mitigation while restoring local ecosystems and building livelihood resilience. However, many farmers face barriers when making land use choices in favor of growing trees. Plant With Purpose and Taking Root are breaking down barriers so that farmers can access the carbon market with the shared goal of accelerating global forest restoration and improving their live
The Comparably Awards recognize Cordial with placement in 3 categories
Cordial, a marketing platform that empowers brands to fully automate their marketing strategies, has been recognized by the Comparably Awards in three categories: Best CEO, Best Company Culture and Best Company for Women. Garnering recognition in three separate categories highlights the strength of Cordial’s leadership and employees, and thus its company culture, cementing its standing as a leader in the marketing technology space.
S.D. Public Library and Gale launch high school diploma program
The San Diego Public Library has launched Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School, an accredited online diploma completion program from Gale, part of Cengage Group. This program is designed to help busy adults earn their high school diploma online at their own pace and convenience. SDPL already has two students who have graduated from the program and 10 more who are enrolled with scholarships. The library invested in Excel Adult High School to support its commitment to lifelong learning.
Notable Labs donates $60,000 to MDS Foundation
Notable Labs Ltd., a clinical stage therapeutic platform company developing predictive precision medicines for cancer patients, announced that it has donated $60,000 to the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation Inc. This donation was formally announced during the MDS Foundation 2023 Satellite Symposium at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in San Diego, which was also supported by Notable.
Blanchard and Intrepid win Bronze in Brandon Hall Group awards
Blanchard, a global pioneer in leadership development, consulting, and coaching for more than 40 years, won a coveted Brandon Hall Group award for excellence in the Best Advance in Social Learning Technology category. The SLII Collaborative Online course that won the Bronze award was created in partnership with Intrepid by VitalSource. Entries were based on these criteria: fit the need, program design, functionality, innovation, and overall measurable benefits.
Noted poets to appear at Robert Frost 150th anniversary event
Ten of the nation’s most distinguished poets will gather in San Diego March 20-25 to mark the 150th birthday of Robert Frost, America’s most iconic poet and winner of four Pulitzer Prizes for books containing such timeless works as “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” “Mending Wall,” and “The Road Not Taken.” The event is organized by the San Diego-based Robert Frost Society and the Library Foundation SD. Click for more.
BTCS Group recognized for support for small business
Inc. Business Media has unveiled the winners of its highly anticipated Power Partner Awards, a prestigious accolade celebrating commitment of B2B organizations towards supporting and nurturing the growth of small businesses. BTCS Group joins a select group of 389 companies from various sectors, all acknowledged for their pivotal roles in propelling the success of small enterprises. Click here to view the complete list.
Veteran Ink and American Tattoo Society donating free tattoos to veterans
Veteran Ink, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans by donating free tattoos and a place to share their stories, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with American Tattoo Society, one of the most awarded and highest-rated tattoo studios in the U.S. As the only on-base studio partner, American Tattoo Society focuses on being a leading tattoo resource for veterans and active-duty military. Veterans can submit their requests for a free tattoo at VeteranInk.com/ATS.
AlphaTrAI fills two senior leadership roles
AlphaTrAI – a technology-enabled solutions firm that delivers results through transformative artificial intelligence – announced the continued expansion of its executive team with the addition of Scott Ruddick as head of business development and Sami Tarazi as senior director, application development. The financial services industry veterans complement the firm’s already impressive roster of accomplished professionals.
Stem Cell Implants announces seed financing round
Stem Cell Implants Inc. announced the completion of a private round of pre-seed investment and the initiation of its seed round. The startup raised funds to kickstart its mission to advance the field of dentistry with stem cell biotechnology. “I am excited to bring the new frontier of regenerative medicine to the dental industry,” said Dr. Allan Dovigi DDS, CEO and co-founder of Stem Cell Implants. The company’s patented Pre-Osseointegrated Implant is poised to transform the industry through several key features.
