Across the U.S., small-business lending has been stuck in a slow, grinding recovery behind most other types of business and consumer loans. At the end of the first quarter, banks held $585 billion in loans to small businesses, up 1% from last September but still 18% less than the peak of $711 billion in 2008, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
California is one of the most expensive states for businesses to operate, mainly because of high pay and related labor costs, says a new report commissioned by an arm of the state Chamber of Commerce..
Many cities and states are in the same rusty boat, having put off investing in bridges, wastewater systems, dams and other public works that need regular maintenance and upgrades. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates the country would have to spend $3.6 trillion to get the nation’s infrastructure in decent working order by 2020.
PG&E residential customers can expect a 5.8 percent increase in their gas and electricity bills starting in September after approval by state regulators Thursday of the utility’s request for rate hikes.
Developing more startup companies based on UC Davis inventions has been a goal of Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi since she took over at Davis in 2009.
The state would exempt Tesla Motors Inc. from some of its toughest environmental regulations as part of an incentive package being discussed with the automaker to build a massive battery factory in California, a key state senator said..
The governing board of the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, comprised mostly of insurance industry representatives, voted to file an advisory rate of $2.86 per $100 of payroll, 11 percent more than the industry’s premium average as of July 1.
California businesses on average have 19 percent higher operating costs per job than businesses in the rest of the country, according to a study released by the California Foundation for Commerce and Education. Business operating costs in California are on average 16% higher than for firms in large industrial states, and are 10% higher than the average of Western states.
With almost no debate, the state Assembly on Monday unanimously approved a nearly half-a-billion dollar potential tax credit for Northrop Grumman Corp. should it win a new Air Force bomber contract and build the aircraft in California.
The Golden State sets the gold standard for innovation and access to capital, and its economy is turning around. But “golden” could also describe the state’s costs of living and doing business.
The Thumbtack.com Small Business Friendliness Survey is an annual, nationwide survey that asks ownerCoperators of small businesses about what it’s like to do business where they live. The survey aims to learn what creates a healthy, vibrant local business environment by asking the ownerCoperators of small businesses themselves about these issues. This year we use the survey data to grade 38 states and 82 metropolitan regions according to their performance along various metrics.
Local business owners and statewide business organizations are stepping up opposition to a state bill that would allow workers to file liens against their employers over claims of unpaid wages.
As I travel throughout California, I’ve been surprised by just how many heads begin to nod when I mention to crowds the damage being done by a legal system that is truly out of control. Abusive lawsuits exploiting legal loopholes have impacted far more people than I expected to meet around the state. – See more at: http://www.flashreport.org/blog/2014/08/07/new-reformers-needed-to-curb-the-lawsuit-abuse-killing-jobs-in-california/#sthash.7uuL2k7s.dpuf
“California’s most inexpensive markets are on par with the most expensive metro areas in places like Texas, while California’s most expensive markets are quickly approaching median prices of $1 million,” wrote study co-author Jordan Levine. “That is well beyond the reach of the average Californian.”
That is pushing growing numbers of workers — especially middle-income workers — to leave California for places where they may be better able to buy a house, Levine says.
Sacramento is still getting a bad rap for business friendliness. An annual Thumbtack.com survey ranked Sacramento at the very bottom of 82 major metros for support from local government. Shocker: California didn’t fare well, either.