Despite the cold temperature and rain, corporate executives and small business owners gathered into the Roseville Maidu Community Center to air their frustration about the state’s costly and inconsistent regulations.
Sponsored by Placer County’s lawmakers – Senator Dave Cox and Assemblyman Roger Niello – the hearing was held to collect input from employers on the various state regulations that hinder their expansion opportunities.
“Jobs are critical for individuals, their families and our state’s economy,” said Senator Dave Cox.
Assemblyman Roger Niello added, “Government should get out of the way so employers can grow and hire employees.”
Among the participants was the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SureWest Communications – Steve Oldham. Armed with statistics, Oldham compared California’s onerous regulations in explaining his company’s decision to expand in Kansas rather than in California.
“It costs us significantly more to do business in California than in Kansas but the rates we charge our customers are the same. California’s uncompromising overtime law alone costs our company $275,000 for flexibility many employees prefer. In Kansas, it doesn’t cost us a penny to allow our employees to work 4/10 schedules.”
Oldham added, “Our internal comparison study found that the differences in pay, premiums and mandated business processes result in higher labor and labor-related costs for employees in California and create a disincentive for creating new positions in California.”
Other compelling testimony came from Jim Williams, CEO of Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners, Inc. Williams spoke eloquently about the rigid overtime laws and meal and rest period policies.
“My employees are adults. They know when to eat their lunch and when to take a break. They don’t need a law to tell them when to eat.”
Williams went on to explain his company’s lengthy efforts to provide 4/10 schedules to accommodate employees’ child care and other personal needs. After incurring the expense of legal advice, the inflexibility of the law ultimately forced him to return everyone back to regular office hours.
Roseville Chamber Executive Officer Wendy Gerig and other businesses reiterated similar comments.
“The business community must unite to voice its concerns with the state’s costly regulations. It is only with a united voice that the needs of employers and its employees will be addressed by the Democrat majority in the Legislature,” Cox concluded.