Daily Business Report: February 28, 2024
Gavin Newsom faces another recall attempt.
Will it do any better than 2021?
By Alexei Koseff | CalMatters
Here we go again: Conservative activists who worked on the failed recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom in 20-21 have launched another attempt, arguing that conditions in California only worsened in the two-and-a-half years since then as Newsom’s attention shifted to national politics.
Rescue California, one of the main political committees behind the 2021 recall, announced that it was pursuing a campaign to remove Newsom from the governor’s office before he terms out in early 2027.
“We’ve got to do it again, because he’s a better governor when he’s under a microscope,” Anne Dunsmore, a fundraiser and campaign manager for Rescue California, told CalMatters. “We cannot do this trajectory for three more years.”
Newsom defeated the 2021 recall, which was fueled by anger over his response to the coronavirus pandemic, by nearly 24 percentage points. Then he won a second term a year later by almost the same margin, suggesting overwhelmingly liberal California voters have little appetite to toss the governor.
But Dunsmore said she has been frustrated to watch Newsom tout California’s success in the national media and become a surrogate for other Democratic candidates across the country when the state is losing population, smash-and-grab robberies are out of control and there is a high rate of homelessness among veterans.
Prominent California Democrats immediately circled the wagons, dismissing the recall petition as political gamesmanship by Republicans. In a fundraising email, Newsom asked supporters to help him keep “some anti-science, anti-woman far-right conspiracy theorist from becoming governor of California.”
Photo: Recall Newsom volunteer Pat Miller holds up a sign during petition signing event at SaveMart in Sacramento on Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters)
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California Competes Tax Credit applications will open Monday
Starting on Monday, March 4, applications will open for the Cal Competes Tax Credit. Up to $164 million in tax credits is available to companies looking to expand or retain jobs in California over the next five years.
Awards from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) are based on several factors:
- Number of jobs created or retained in California
- Anticipated amount of new capital investments
- Overall economic benefit to the state
- Opportunities for future growth and expansion
All businesses are encouraged to watch GO-Biz’s recorded webinar before beginning the application process.
San Diego Regional EDC’s team is also available, free of charge, to San Diego companies in need of assistance. Contact EDC
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Strategic targets surpassed in SDSU’s memorable four-year journey
By Jeff Ristine | SDSU
San Diego State University celebrated a growing list of achievements in the fourth year of a five-year strategic plan, and President Adela de la Torre used the occasion to disclose an extraordinary $5 million gift to the SDSU Black Resource Center.
Nearly 200 faculty, staff and students gathered in a reception Monday at Montezuma Hall in Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union as de la Torre stated the strategic plan, “We Rise We Defy,” has reached 75 percent of its goals in less than four years.
De la Torre also reported a $5 million gift from brothers Ron Dong and Lloyd Dong Jr. to the Black Resource Center. The center will be renamed in honor of Gus and Emma Thompson and their importance in the Dong family history.
San Diego federal judge rules California’s
ban on club-like weapons is unconstitutional
A federal judge in San Diego has struck down a California law banning possession of club-like weapons, reversing his previous ruling from 2021 that reluctantly upheld the prohibition on billy clubs, batons and similar blunt objects.
U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez declared Friday that the prohibition “unconstitutionally infringes the Second Amendment rights of American citizens” and enjoined the state from enforcing the law.
Weapons such as billy clubs have been outlawed in some form or other in California since at least 1917, with exceptions for law enforcement officers and some state-licensed security guards.
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Northrop Grumman’s new edge
software gives warfighters a decisive advantage
Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully demonstrated new software that can receive, display and share critical situational awareness data using handheld devices without a connection to a cloud server. This next-generation technology delivers resilient information to protect our warfighters in support of Joint All-Domain Command and Control.
- Current systems require data to be relayed to and from a cloud server outside of the battlespace, which leaves units in the field vulnerable if the connection is lost; with combat edge processing software, devices in the field can take over and continue working within seconds to securely distribute critical information needed for mission success.
- The combat edge software is highly adaptable, providing a decisive advantage in the most complex environments.
- The software’s modular design is rapidly upgradable, affordable and easily integrates with many current proprietary or commercial hardware solutions.
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Oceanside Leadership Academy wins ‘Outstanding Chamber Program Award’
The Oceanside Chambe of Commerce’s “Oceanside Leadership Academy” progrm was recognized with an Outstanding Chamber Program Award at the Western Association of Chamber Executives annual conference on Feb. 7 in Garden Grove. The program has graduated a total of 62 participants so far. Several of Oceanside’s leading employers including Frontwave Credit Union, Genentech, Hydranautics, TrueCare, Arrowood Golf Course, and the City of Oceanside are using Oceanside Leadership Academy as a professional development opportunity for their staff.
San Diego Angel Conference announces quarterfinalists
San Diego Angel Conference at University of San Diego has selected 27 company quarterfinalists who will move forward to compete for a chance to win seed funding at SDAC’s signature conference on May 9 at USD. A total of 101 companies applied for SDAC VI, hoping to land $200,000 in angel investment or attract investors interested in funding additional companies, receive mentoring, and build enduring professional and investor connections. Click here to view the quarterfinalists.
Jaymie Bradford joins Water Authority as assistant general manager
Jaymie Bradford, the former executive vice president and chief operating officer at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, has joined the San Diego County Water Authority as assistant general manager overseeing the agency’s external affairs.In her new position, Bradford plays a key role in shaping the Water Authority’s outreah, education, and advocacy efforts.
Cox Charities to award $100,000 in grants to San Diego nonprofits
Local nonprofit organizations with programs focused on Youth and Education (K-12 STEAM focus), conservation and sustainability, digital equity or military and veterans are encouraged to apply for a Cox Charities Community Grant now through March 15. A titak if $100,000 will be awarded to nonprofits in San Diego County. Click here to apply for a Cox Charities Community Grant.
Bench International and Deloitte launch Life Sciences Tech Innovation Award
Bench International, a global leader in life sciences executive recruitment, collaborates with Deloitte Consulting LLP to launch the inaugural “Bench and Deloitte Life Sciences Tech Innovation Award.” This prestigious accolade recognizes outstanding women in life sciences and health care, highlighting their exceptional contributions to these fields. Finalists have been selected and online voting is now open. Click here to cast your vote by March 5.
Airgain announces new asset tracking solution
Airgain Inc., a leading provider of wireless connectivity solutions that creates and delivers embedded components, external antennas, and integrated systems across the globe, announced a new program where it will provide customers who purchase the Lenovo ThinkEdge SE360 V2 Servers the option of purchasing Airgain’s cellular-based AT6 Asset Tracker. These devices will fit inside a dedicated compartment built into the server with only minimal installation.
AirHop joins Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform ecosystem
AirHop Communications, a provider of AI-powered automation and optimization solutions for 4G and 5G Radio Access Networks (RAN), announced they have joined the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP) Ecosystem. The collaboration enables the integration of AirHop’s AI-powered RAN automation and optimization Auptim rApps with Ericsson’s Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) and non-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC).
MiraCosta College celebrates student success at Donor Scholar Celebration
MiraCosta College held its annual Donor Scholar Celebration on Friday, Feb. 23. which honored the academic accomplishments of more than 556 students and the generous contributions of donors who provided $575,000 in scholarships. This remarkable achievement equates to an average of just over $1,000 per student, underscoring the college’s commitment to making higher education accessible and affordable.
James Halliday joins NTC Foundation as VP and chief advancement officer
NTC Foundation, the nonprofit overseeing the development of 26 buildings in Arts District Liberty Station, welcomed the new vice president and chief advancement officer, James Halliday, along with five new board directors – Lesley Harrington, Neisha Hernandez, Sally Preston, Jean Thomas, and Jennifer Wolfe. Before joining the NTC Foundation team, Halliday served at a variety of different nonprofit organizations in San Diego including his most recent position as executive director for A Reason To Survive (ARTS).
Live Well San Diego honors Learn4Life High Schools
Live Well San Diego has selected Learn4Life High Schools to join its exclusive network of community partners as an education provider. Live Well San Diego is a vision for a region that is Building Better Health, Living Safely and Thriving, and unites organizations that understand how to work together to address the diverse needs of our youth. San Diego County Board of Supervisors has issued a proclamation declaring Feb. 29 as “Learn4Life Day” in San Diego County.
