The Leading Voice of Business
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TUNE IN TODAY TO OCBC'S HEALTH CARE FORUM, NO TO HOUSING FEE RE-INCREASE, COVID-19 VACCINE INGREDIENTS AND FREE TOOLS AND MORE!
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
TODAY! JOIN OCBC'S 2021 VIRTUAL HEALTH CARE FORUM:
- Don't miss OCBC's Health Care Forum today at 8:30 a.m.! Join us virtually to hear leading health care experts discuss key insights on the resilience and transformation of health care, address health equity issues and vaccine hesitancy, the next big thing in health care and much more. Register now!
OC OVERLOOKED BY PUC TO HELP CLOSE DIGITAL DIVIDE--MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER:
- As tele-work, tele-health, and tele-education trends continue, access to reliable and affordable broadband internet service is critical to businesses and residents. OCBC is active in discussions with Orange and LA County leaders about how to help close the digital divide via better public-private partnerships, streamlining barriers and lower fees for new internet deployment, and addressing affordability challenges. But the State must step up its support for Southern California. While OC is primed to receive funds from the $6 million for broadband Gov. Newsom recently budgeted, or the $100 million for CA in the federal infrastructure bill, OCBC is calling on the CA Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to adequately fund OC to work on these issues. In a recent grant cycle, PUC plans to award only a small amount of funding to LA County, but OC—America’s sixth largest county by population--has received nothing to date. Jennifer Ward is leading OCBC’s efforts to right this wrong. Contact her to learn more or get involved in OCBC's regional broadband activities.
OCBC NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR TURNING RED TAPE INTO RED CARPET AWARDS:
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Do you know of a public agency policy, program or leader that is cutting through red tape, eliminating barriers to economic growth and supporting a resilient OC? OCBC can honor them at the 11th Annual Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards on Nov. 4! The Awards recognize the tireless work of local agencies and governments, including cities, special districts, educational institutions and more. Learn more and submit your nomination. For questions, please contact Connor Medina.
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BUSINESS COMMUNITY STANDS READY TO GET MORE EMPLOYEES VACCINATED
According to this op-ed that recently appeared in the Sacramento Business Journal, the business community is ready to step up, but CA must remove barriers to create a safe harbor that will allow employers to follow the governor’s lead:
- Ensure employers are not penalized through relief on liability issues, including workplace discrimination and privacy laws.
- Provide legal clarity on the ability to require vaccination while the vaccines are authorized via the Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization.
- Make it possible to enforce these provisions by clarity on retention of employee health care information.
- Provide tax credits or full reimbursement for the cost of increased testing from the billions the state is receiving in federal assistance.
- Remove incentives for employees to remain unvaccinated, including extended paid sick leave for unvaccinated individuals.
- Protect our workers who enforce masking or vaccination requirements through sentencing enhancements for assault and harassment, especially in retail and other settings.
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COVID-19 VACCINE INGREDIENTS:
- mRNA – mRNA builds antibodies against COVID-19. mRNA vaccines will not alter your DNA. mRNA vaccines never enter the nucleus of the cell, where our DNA is stored.
- Lipids – Their main role is to protect the mRNA and to help deliver the mRNA to the cells.
- Salts – Helps balance the acidity in your body.
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Sugar – Helps the molecules maintain their shape during freezing.
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FREE TOOLS FOR BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO HELP PROMOTE VACCINES:
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SANTA ANA LOOKING TO RE-INCREASE HOUSING FEES:
- Last year OCBC supported Santa Ana's decision to reduce the amount charged to developers under their Housing Opportunity Ordinance to pay a fee in-lieu of building mandated affordable housing. Now the City is re-considering increasing that fee again, and OCBC joins business and housing leaders in urging the Council not to raise costs on badly needed development, especially since while the fee was higher from 2016 to 2019, not one permit was pulled in Santa Ana.
OCBC, STATEWIDE BUSINESS ORGS ASK GOVERNOR, AG TO SUPPORT BIZ COMMUNITY:
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OCBC and numerous business groups statewide have asked the Governor to address major liability issues that prevent businesses from implementing additional vaccine requirements, protect workers enforcing mask and vaccine requirements and other requests to assist businesses using mask mandates or further proof of vaccines from customers. OCBC and partners also asked the Attorney General urging for clarity on vaccine mandates for employees and students and other critically needed protections.
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COX KEEPS THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED:
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Cox Communications is working with local schools and libraries to help provide internet service through the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program. The ECF program is open to students, educational staff and library patrons who would otherwise lack a sufficient connection to the internet for remote learning and remote library services. Funds are available through ECF will for schools and libraries in need of an internet connection. Learn more.
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IMPLICIT BIAS WORKSHOP:
- Join OC Human Relations on Sept. 27 for a a six-hour training and personal exploration about the perceptions we make of others. Learn key implicit bias concepts, how the influence of bias may affect interactions and decision-making, and effective interpersonal approaches to minimize and begin exploring and addressing implicit biases. Register here.
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TODAY! 2021 SUMMER RECEPTION: BREAKTHROUGH:
- Join California Women Lead at 5:30 p.m. for a virtual event honoring the fearless women who continue to fight for the safety of our communities. The evening promises inspiring words, a chance to reconnect, and a special live Mariachi performance from an award-winning singer! View the list of honorees and grab your ticket here!
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS |
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EVENTS
TODAY! Health Care Forum
August 17 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
LEA Reception
August 31 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Formerly “Latino Educational Attainment,” LEA is now “Leading Educational Attainment for Families” as the program has expanded to meet the needs of Orange County’s ever-growing ethnic diversity. LEA changes the lives of hundreds of families every year by educating and empowering them to be active in their child’s educational attainment. Join OCBC virtually on August 31 to celebrate 17 years of helping these families succeed! Register for free here. Thank you title sponsor, SoCalGas.
2021 Orange County Community Indicators Report Rollout
September 16 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Join OCBC virtually for the release of the 2021-22 Community Indicators Report that tracks the region’s health, prosperity, and where the county is performing and making progress. Hear from Dr. Wallace Walrod, OCBC's Chief Economic Advisor, on a broad range of robust, data-rich reports that track issues of importance on a regular basis.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS*
September 2 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager to register.
*OCBC Committee meetings are an exclusive benefit offered to OCBC members.
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NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY! |
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Join OCBC and connect with the most influential companies and top executives actively engaged in creating a pro-business environment and prosperous economy. Hundreds of Orange County's leading businesses, cities and non-profit organizations represent an elite group from every industry cluster. But we need YOUR VOICE! For more info, contact Natalie Rubalcava, OCBC Chief Operating Officer.
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