Campaign to Encourage US Tourism Launches
Residents of Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom are getting a taste of the United States' first-ever marketing campaign to try and stave off declining tourism. San Francisco Chronicle, May 1, 2012
U.S., Japan Still Mulling Regional Trade Pact: Obama
President Barack Obama voiced support on Monday for Japan joining talks with the United States and eight other countries on a free trade agreement in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region, but said no final decision had been made. Reuters, May 1, 2012
Is Congress about to trip up trade relations with Russia?
At the end of 2011, Russia was invited to join the [WTO], a decision that the United States fully supported. The Russian parliament will ratify Russia's membership by this summer, after which Russia will become the latest member of the organization. Foreign Policy, April 30, 2012
The California Chamber of Commerce
Council for International Trade Presents An International Forum
WHEN: Monday afternoon, May 21st
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
LOCATION: California Chamber of Commerce
1215 K Street, 14th Floor
Sacramento, California 95814
TOPIC / SPEAKER:
California’s Role in International Trade and Investment
Featuring Mike Rossi, Senior Advisor for Jobs and Economic Development, Office of the Governor
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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