Look for your Action Alert telling the Air Board “No” to higher gas prices
Welcome to the November 4-8 edition of the NFIB California Main Street Minute from your small-business advocacy team in Sacramento.
It’s Finally Here
- Election Day is tomorrow, November 5.
- State Director John Kabateck offered a final thought in a news release commenting on the Thursday (October 31) release of NFIB’s monthly Jobs Report.
- “There is no rest for the small business weary. The record high in uncertainty across the nation is more pronounced in California, because when an anti-small-business Legislature is not putting its kicks in, a bureaucracy like the California Air Resources Board is,” said Kabateck, referring to next week’s board meeting almost certain to raise gas prices even higher. “Voters will have a chance to shape their certainty and the direction of Main Street by choosing the most pro-small business candidates and issues on the ballot.”
- We will have some initial reaction from Tuesday night’s results in the E-Newsletter to the membership on Thursday, November 7. Our endorsements of candidates and positions on ballot initiatives can be read at NFIB California 2024 Small Business Election Central.
Tell Air Board “No” to Higher Gas Prices
- NFIB members are asked to use their Action Alert sent to them on Friday to let the California Air Resources Board know of your concerns. Send an email to Grassroots Manager Taylor Criddle if you have not received your Action Alert.
- “On Nov. 8 the board — 12 of 16 members appointed by the governor — is poised to vote on proposed updates to California’s low-carbon fuel standards, which seek to reduce transportation emissions and air pollution, but will also likely lead to an increase in gas prices,” reports CalMatters in a story that included legislative Republicans’ attempts to stop the increase.
- Check out last week’s Main Street Minute for more information on the CARB meeting at this article, Speak Out on Higher Gas Taxes.
- Whatever regulation CARB comes up with cannot be changed by the Legislature or governor. The battle is now. The meeting is this Friday.
Calendar
- November 5, General Election Day
- November 8 CARB hearing on Low Carbon Fuel Standard amendments
- November 30, National Shop Small Business Saturday Campaign
- December 2, a new Legislature for the 2025-2026 session convenes for organizational purposes and to collect a per diem before adjourning for the rest of the month.
- January 6, the 2025-2026 session of the California State Legislature opens for regular business.
National
Highlights from NFIB Federal Government Relations Principal Josselin Castillo’s weekly report
- NFIB’s Research Center released the October Jobs Report, which shows that 53% of small business owners reported hiring or trying to hire in October.
- NFIB released Episode 47 of the “Small Business Rundown” podcast, featuring NFIB Senior National Political Director Sharon Sussin and National Political Analyst Jim Ellis discussing the key battleground races and top issues.
- The Small Business Legal Center is waiting for a judge in Texas to rule in NFIB’s lawsuit challenging the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s new overtime rule. While the judge has set a hearing for Friday, November 8, SBLC is preparing for a worst-case scenario. The new overtime rule, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, will make millions more workers eligible for overtime pay by increasing the salary threshold for the executive, administrative, and professional (EAP) exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act to $58,656 per year (or $1,128 per week). NFIB’s November 6 webinar will cover the overtime rule and other DOL updates, including tip credit and nursing mother rules. Register here.
- Beneficial Ownership:
- Compliance Resources: The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) new rule on Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) took effect as of January 1, 2024. This rule requires corporations, LLCs, or similar entities with 20 or fewer employees and $5 million or less in gross receipts or sales, as reflected in the previous year’s federal tax return, to report their beneficial ownership information to FinCEN. Businesses will have one year (until January 1, 2025) to file if the business was formed before January 1, 2024.
- BOI fact sheet containing up-to-date and pertinent information concerning the rule.
- NFIB BOI landing page with information about filing details.
- NEW PODCAST: NFIB expert Beth Milito and attorney Caleb Kruckenberg provide a legal update on the new beneficial ownership registry requirement and what it means for small business owners as deadline to file approaches.
- Contact SBLC with BOI questions — [email protected].
Next Main Street Minute November 11.
