Trade Unites and Divides Germany and China
At a trade fair, Chinese and German leaders underscored their common interests but also pressed each other on tricky issues such as intellectual property rights and the export of technology to China. The New York Times, April 24, 2012
Tide Turns on Border Crossing
Net migration from Mexico has plummeted to zero thanks to changing demographic and economic conditions on both sides of the border, a new study says, even as political battles over illegal immigration heat up and the issue heads to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2012
U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Solar Cells Fuel Debate About Green Jobs
Some domestic solar manufacturers praised the recent import levy as a victory for job creation, but an analysis of the industry suggests the duty may actually be a job killer. Los Angeles Times, April 23, 2012
AB 1543 (Alejo) JOB KILLER: Public Contracts: Buy American Unconstitutional Limit on International Trade. Increases the cost of state contracts and reinstates a requirement already struck down by California courts by prohibiting state and local governments from contracting with many businesses that use component parts and materials from other countries in construction projects and to manufacture goods.
AB 2012 (Perez): Economic Development This bill requires that the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development serve as the state agency primarily responsible for international trade and investment activities in the state, and, in that capacity, authorize that agency to carry out the powers and duties described above.
AB 2113 (Hueso) JOB CREATOR: Vehicles: Enhanced Driver License Enhanced Driver License. Encourages international trade and tourism by authorizing the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue enhanced driver licenses to U.S. citizens to expedite legal traffic at the border.
AB 2217 (Pan) JOB KILLER: Call Centers: Relocation Targeted Burden on Companies with Call Centers. Discourages businesses from even locating a call center in California by requiring the business to adhere to overreaching mandates.
AB 2287 (Swanson): Bar Pilotage: Rates Bar Pilot Pay Raise. Increases costs to businesses shipping through the San Francisco Port by giving shipping pilots a huge unwarranted pay raise. All other shipping pilots’ wages are determined by market forces not the Legislature.
AJR 26 (Wieckowski): U.S. Visa Waiver Program : Poland This measure would call upon the President of the United States to lift the restrictions currently in place that prevent the Republic of Poland from being admitted to the Visa Waiver Program.
SB 1193 (Steinberg) - Human Trafficking: Public Posting Requirements This bill would require specified businesses and other establishments to post a notice that is at least 81/2 inches by 11 inches in size that contains information related to slavery and human trafficking, including information related to specified nonprofit organizations that provide services in support of the elimination of slavery and human trafficking.
SB 1465 (Yee): Export Financing Advisory Board This bill would create the Export Financing Advisory Board within
the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to advise the Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, and the California Pollution Control Financing Authority (authority) on trends and opportunities in export financing.
SJR 16 (Vargas): Calexico West Port of Entry This measure would state that the Legislature declares its support for a private-public partnership to renovate and expand the Calexico West Port of Entry. This measure would also urge Congress to enact guiding legislation to authorize private-public partnerships such as the one proposed for the expansion of the Calexico West Port of Entry.
California STEP The California State Trade and Export Promotion (California STEP) project combines a network of state, federal, private and non-profit trade promotion organizations in California to facilitate export promotion activities, serving targeted industries, to drive exports for small businesses
California Coalition
for Free Trade
A broad-based group of companies and business organizations working to secure a national free trade agenda. Join or Learn More
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