YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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CAWG Appoints Natalie Collins as Interim President |
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California Association of Winegrape Growers Chairman Tom Slater announced the appointment of Natalie Collins as interim president. She replaces John Aguirre who retired after twelve years of service.
“CAWG is very happy to have Natalie in this role,” Slater said. “She has been a part of the CAWG family for many years, and her insight and dedication to the association are well received. The CAWG board of directors looks forward to working with Natalie on all issues and appreciates her contributions toward the future success of our membership.”
Collins said, “I am honored to serve as interim president and humbled by this opportunity. I look forward to continuing the legacy of strong leadership and advocacy on behalf of our growers. Winegrape growers in California today are facing unprecedented challenges, and I take seriously CAWG’s leadership role in this iconic industry.”
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Minimum Wage Increase for ALL Employees |
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The minimum wage for small employers is currently $14.00 per hour and is scheduled to increase to $15.00 on January 1, 2023. For large employers, the minimum wage is $15.00 per hour, subject to an annual increase based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. In May, Governor Newsom announced the minimum wage would be increasing to $15.50 per hour, effective January 1, 2023. This week, that announcement became official.
The minimum wage law requires that on or before August 1 of each year, the Director of the Department of Finance shall determine if the minimum wage be adjusted for inflation. That calculation could increase the minimum wage by the lesser of 3.5 percent or the rate of change in the Consumer Price Index. This week the Director determined that for the 12-month period, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 had increased by 7.9 percent compared to the 12-month period from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
Additionally, all employees will see minimum wage increased to $15.50 on January 1, 2023, regardless of the size of the employer. Basically, because the cost of living has exceeded 7%, the annual indexing must be implemented immediately for all employers and be effective the next calendar year. In short: Inflation has grown so dramatically that the increase to $15.50 is required by law for all employees.
In 2016, when the new minimum wage law was created, labor unions supported the automatic adjustment for inflation and argued, “It is essential that California increase the speed with which boosts in the minimum wage will occur, and it is essential that future increases be indexed in order to protect low-wage employees’ purchasing power.” Lawmakers generally agreed, and in part they sought to avoid the need for future legislation to adjust the minimum wage.
It is important to note that the federal minimum wage has never had an automatic adjustment for inflation. This is in part because there may be negative economic consequences such as creating a spiraling situation of inflation. As a matter of public policy, the State of California has dismissed that concern.
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Gonzalez Targets Ag Employers |
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We should expect Gonzalez to help UFW in pushing for “card check,” which essentially gives the union full control over how elections are held where employees decide whether to join a union. Governors Schwarzenegger, Brown and Newsom vetoed past card check legislation because those bills would have eliminated the secret ballot and created an opportunity for the union to manipulate the outcome of the election.
This year, UFW is at it again by sponsoring AB 2183 (Stone, D-Scotts Valley). Gonzalez stated this bill will become priority legislation for the labor federation in 2022 (an election year where Democrats will rely heavily on financial support from unions).
AB 2183 must be acted on by August 31 when the legislature adjourns the current two-year legislative session.
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California Competes Tax Credit – Apply Now |
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This year’s California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) application period is underway. CCTC is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year.
Applicants will be evaluated based on 12 factors, including:
- Number of jobs created or retained;
- Amount of investment;
- Overall economic benefit to the state;
- Opportunities for future growth and expansion.
An application guide, frequently asked questions, program regulations, and a downloadable version of the webinar presentation are available here.
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Newsom Calls for Bold Action to Move Faster Toward Climate Goals |
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Amidst worsening driven drought and wildfires across the American West, Governor Newsom last week set new targets and actions to speed progress reducing carbon pollution and reaching carbon neutrality over the next two decades.
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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: CAWG’s 2023 Grower and Leader of the Year |
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Nominations are now open for the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Awards of Excellence Program.
The Awards Program presents two awards annually: Grower of the Year and Leader of the Year. These awards are meant to spotlight exceptional people or companies who have benefitted the broader community of winegrape growers through exemplary leadership and outstanding commitment to the well-being of the winegrowing industry, California communities and the environment.
Nominations are due by September 30, 2022.
The CAWG Awards of Excellence reception will be held on Jan. 24, on opening night of the 2023 Unified Wine and Grape Symposium held in Sacramento.
NOMINATION FORMS:
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For more information and to view past award recipients, please view the CAWG website. For questions, contact Natalie Collins, Interim President.
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WHEN: Thursday, August 4 - 10:00am
Join the California Association of Winegrape Growers for their 48th Annual Business Meeting taking place virtually on Thursday, August 4th from 10:00am to 11:00am.
During this one-hour meeting, you will hear from CAWG’s leadership and advocacy teams on efforts at the state and federal levels. Aside from CAWG priorities, Andrew Cline from the California Department of Food and Agriculture will discuss initiatives to safeguard Spotted Lanternfly from the California winegrape industry.
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WHEN: Friday, August 5 - 9:00am
Join the California Association of Winegrape Growers and Wine Institute for a webinar on Friday, August 5th at 9:00am to review disaster assistance options through the recent frost designation and Emergency Relief Program.
The session will feature presentations by USDA’s Farm Service Agency on emergency loans available through the Secretarial disaster designation, as well as an update on the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) regarding the status of Phase 1 and the anticipated Phase 2 application period.
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WHEN: Friday, August 5 - 10:00am
Many times, growers qualify for funds available through relief programs, but simply don't have the bandwidth to research, compile paperwork, and apply for the assistance offered. This is where the expertise of Crop Disaster Recovery, LLC comes in!
Join the California Association of Winegrape Growers on Friday, August 5th at 10:00am to learn more about the services offered through Crop Disaster Recovery, LLC.
Crop Disaster Recovery, LLC is a Grant Acquisition Firm that specializes in helping agricultural producers obtain disaster recovery and improvement grants from Federal and State governments.
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*This is an on-demand recording, so simply enter your information to watch the webinar
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*This is an on-demand recording, so simply enter your information to watch the webinar
2022 Grape Data Tool
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In early June 2022, the West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force (WCSETF) hosted their annual Smoke Summit webinar. During this webinar leading researchers from OSU, UC Davis and WSU presented their latest findings and insights on smoke issues. Also, Tim Rinehart, USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) reviewed the efforts underway at ARS to launch a multi-million dollar research effort to address the many complicated challenges that can follow wildfire smoke events.
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CAWG PAC Event in Los Olivos |
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WHEN: Thursday, August 25 at 4:00pm
Join the CAWG PAC and our hosts Greg Gonzalez, Mike Testa, and Gregg Hibbits for a fundraiser benefiting CAWG PAC at Crossroads Estate in Los Olivos on Thursday, August 25. The event will begin at 4:00 PM and will be an evening full of networking, music, great food, excellent wine, and farm equipment demos from local vendors.
Questions:
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