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April 2013

www.TulareChamber.org

Published date: Mar. 30, 2013

Update the
our voice. No one works for free and I doubt that this will be a labor of love 6 months down the road. Keep your eyes out for fun advertising opportunities. I think right now this would be the Nina Akin ideal place to put your business message; where President/CEO better and when better to show support? Right now they are setting up a classified division; something like a local Craigs list you can utilize to sell your items without costing an arm and leg! Get on board Tulare, everyone go to the website www.tularevoice.com and Like them, sign up, add to your favorites, do whatever it takes to tell the investors they made the right choice and a wise decision!! Thank you Tulare!!!!!

Save the Date:

Get Ready For Cars On K Coming April 6, 2013 Applications are at www.tularechamber.org Cruise night April 5th at A & W on J street

Presidents Message
The Tulare Voice is BACK!!!!!! WWW.TULAREVOICE.COM
I couldnt be more excited to see that the Tulare Voice is back. I have been in constant communication with Philip Smith as to when this was going to happen! What a coup for Tulare to finally have our own Voice again. I know there are a handful of investors and I thank you all for making this happen. Julie Fernandez, one of the most validated reporters I know is back and everyone applauds that catch! For years when I worked at the International Agri-Center we waited for the Tulare Voice to come out to see what was going on in our community! We could never figure out who the mole was but there was one and I am sure he or she will be popping their little head up again to share the inside information in our new Tulare Voice. I look forward to having our local news finally available for us to read. I am excited about everyone getting involved and helping the reporters by sending information to them via the website. There is a place on the www.tularevoice. com website where you can submit information and with verification remain anonymous. This will then be at the discretion of the editors as to whether or not it will make the on-line news. Tell them your news; give them enough to talk about to have a section to cover the news in every area of our community. It can only get better! But lets get serious now, Tulare you have to support this effort. After the excitement wears off we need to keep supporting the Tulare Voice and its people. Its the only venue we have that will provide us with the activities that are going on in our community. Advertising will be a key element in the survival of

2013 Officers
Chairman of the Board Citizens Business Bank
Immediate Past Chair Kohler & Clark Screw Products, Inc

Philip Smith

Simone Frazier
Chair Elect Land O Lakes

Lets WORK together Tulare!

Lets say youve been out of work for a while and all of a sudden a job opportunity comes up. Great! Or, is it? The household has adjusted to the drop in take-home that occurred when you went on unemployment. Both kids moved back in because they lost their jobs. Theyve picked up some part-time work that at least covers cell phones and gas. Your spouse is working temporarily for someone who prefers to avoid such minor details as: social security, income tax, disabilityor even a checking account for that matter. During the time youve been on unemployment there really hasnt been any indication that the government is actually going to stop sending money so, maybe you dont really want to go to work after all. You might just get laid off again and then you would have to go through that hassle with the unemployment office all over Laugh if you want to, but this is really happening here in our community. Over the last few months, Ive spoken with the owners of an agricultural equipment dealership, a harvesting service and an electrical contracting firm; theyre all saying the same thing. They have offered unemployed people jobs and their offers have been declined. I know there are vast numbers of people looking desperately for work. I also know that every situation is different. There may have been some element of the compensation offered or the nature of the work required that was unacceptable to the applicants. However, it is the representation of the business owners I spoke with that they pay competitively and that nothing extraordinary was requested of these applicants. When asked why they were choosing to decline the job, applicants reportedly said things like I can make almost as much on unemployment or I can do better picking up cash jobs on the side. In looking for possible solutions I contacted the Public Affairs Office of the Employment Development Department to find out if they had encountered similar situations. While the representatives I spoke with were both very helpful and responded promptly they were not able to address this issue. Patti Roberts, EDD Communications Manager indicated that their role was purely operational and that her agency did not make policy decisions. She did recommend however that both employers and job seekers may request assistance at local EDD offices. Since most of the eligibility and disbursement efforts are now handled on-line, the local agency offices are better able to accommodate unique situations. My next call was to Ken Hernandez, CEO and President of HR Mobile Services, Inc. of Visalia. He indicated that he had made observations similar to those reported by the three business owners. Between what theyre making on unemployment and what their spouse or significant other bring home they can make it work, their lifestyle has adjusted to the reduced income level. People are reluctant to explore new career opportunities and prefer to get by on government assistance until they get the perfect offer. To date, Ken hasnt been able to come up with a cure for this malady. Has this extended recession resulted in a cultural shift away from the lauded American work ethic? Unemployment insurance is intended to be a financial safety net to support displaced workers while they seek other employment or pursue an alternative career path. If I should lose my job tomorrow, my family and I are going to be very thankful for that safety net. In the situations described however, what started as temporary assistance Philip Smith appears to have become Vice President, anything but temporary. Citizens I know we need jobs Business Bank in Tulare; we also need people to step forward and accept those jobs that are available. Unfortunately, I didnt find any answers, so Im asking our Chamber of Commerce newsletter readers to put their thinking caps on. Lets see if, together, we can find ways to get our community back to work. Lets encourage people to keep looking for work and to think about alternative careers. Lets cooperate with our industry competitors (I know most of you get along just fine) to share talent and keep one more person off unemployment. Lets WORK together Tulare!

Art Clark

Vice Chair of Membership Tulare Adult School

Marie Pinto

Vice Chair of Finance M. Green & Co.

Crystal Cota

Patrick Isherwood
Vice Chair of Governmental Affairs

2013 Board
Tulare Regional Medical Center

Sherri Bakke

Linda Nogues
Bacome Insurance Manuel Ortiz Ag Real Estate

International Agri-Center

Kerissa Postma-Chapman Crystal Cota

M. Green & Co. Valley Business Bank

Manuel Ortiz, Jr. Keith Reynolds

TAE Inc.

Melissa Freitas Shea Gowin

Gowin Green

Ronald Smith
Sterling & Smith Funeral Homes

Lonnie Tiesiera
Will Tiesiera Ford-Mercury, Inc.

Legal Counsel Horswill, Mederos, & Soares

Dennis Mederos

Golden State Paint & Body

Mike Watson

Professional Staff
President / CEO

Nina Akin

Sherry Carson
Office Manager Information Coordinator

Linda Howarth

is the official monthly publication of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce 220 E. Tulare Ave. P.O. Box 1435 Tulare, CA 93275-1435 686-1547 email: info@tularechamber.org web: www.tularechamber.org For advertising information call: Jennifer Guinn (559) 735-3235 the update is published in partnership with the Tulare Advance-Register

the update

PERMIT NO. 232 TULARE, CA

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

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March 30, 2013

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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Tulare Advance-Register

Consumer Product Draft Regulations Need Economic Impact Analysis - Today

A sweeping state proposal to regulate chemicals in California consumer products should include a peer-reviewed economic analysis, according to the California Chamber of Commerce. The regulation also should include a more defined set of obligations for those businesses that eventually are regulated by the state Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and eliminate the requirement that they respond to public comments on documents those businesses provide to the agency, the CalChamber said. DTSC has argued that it will be in a better position to calculate the economic impacts and elaborate on what it wants from regulated businesses once implementation is underway. Draft Too Vague The CalChamber, in a letter commenting on the draft green chemistry regulations the DTSC released January 29, pointed out that a state law adopted in 2011 requires that an economic impact analysis be done before adoption of the final regulation, not afterwards as the department has proposed to do. DTSC has, draft after draft, refused to narrow the list of chemicals it may choose to regulate or to define how it will select chemicals from that list and identify product categories for regulation, the CalChamber said in its comment letter. If DTSC cannot now determine the range of economic impacts the draft regulation might have, the CalChamber said, it is an indication that the draft proposal is too vague to be implemented, as the business community has argued from the beginning. The 2011 law was supported by the CalChamber as a regulatory reform that requires an economic analysis of all major regulations at the beginning of the regulatory process, thus providing more transparency and better data on which to base selection of the most cost-effective regulatory alternative (SB 617-Calderon; D-Montebello; Chapter 496). Department Reasoning Faulty In response to concerns voiced by legislators in October 2012, DTSC Director Deborah Raphael said the department would conduct a thorough economic analysis when it selected the priority products to be subject to regulation. Raphael said that the DTSC-proposed regulations establish a process only and do not impose any duties on any business in California, so therefore the economic impact of the regulations cannot be known until implementation has begun. The CalChamber pointed out that other regulations, such as the California Environmental Quality Act, set forth a process without imposing an automatic duty on a business. The CalChamber wholeheartedly disagrees with the implied view of the DTSC that if the economic impact cannot be assessed with certainty, or if the regulation merely proposes a process, a regulatory agency can skip this step altogether or at least wait until implementation is already underway before conducting its analysis. The CalChamber asked the DTSC to conduct a meaningful, peer-reviewed economic impact analysis of the proposed regulations before submitting them to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). OAL reviews regulations to be sure they are clear, necessary, legally valid, and available to the public, as required by the states administrative procedure law, before sending the rules on to the Secretary of State to be published in the California Code of Regulations. Compliance Tools First In addition, the CalChamber argued in its comments that the DTSC should fulfill its statutory obligation and provide manufacturers, distributors and retailers with adequate compliance tools up front. Without such tools, the first group of regulated entities effectively become guinea pigs who will be subject to whims of the department while it figures out what it wants through trial and error, the CalChamber commented. Therefore, those first regulated businesses will be subject to higher costs, more burdensome information requests and greater uncertainty than those regulated in the future. If DTSC believes that compliance tools cannot be provided up front, the CalChamber said, the department should build a review and revision period into the regulations, and commit to taking the time to create those tools and add necessary details to the regulations once the first round of compliance concludes. Lastly, final regulations should include penalty relief so the first group of regulated entities can collaborate with the DTSC to fill out the details of the program without fear of possible financial penalties or formal declarations of being out of compliance, the CalChamber said. Eliminate Onerous Burden The CalChamber also called for eliminating the requirement for businesses to respond to public comments on draft reports the businesses must submit to the DTSC as part of the regulatory process. The requirement would impose a unique, substantial and inappropriate burden on businesses, the CalChamber said. It should be the responsibility of the DTSC to use its scientific expertise and understanding of industry concerns in weighing the business reports against public comments and other feedback when determining the necessary and appropriate regulatory response, the CalChamber said. To see the letter dated 2/28/13 that CalChamber sent to DTSC go to www.calchamber.com and in the search box type: Letter to Department of Toxic Substances Control.

Legislature Targets Business for Higher Property Taxes

Less than six months after Proposition 30 raised taxes by $7 billion, the Legislature is proposing higher taxes on business property, including a reassessment even when property doesnt change hands. The proposal, AB 188 (Ammiano; D-San Francisco), has been identified by the California Chamber of Commerce as a job killer. AB 188 unfairly targets commercial property by redefining change of ownership so such property is reassessed more frequently, which ultimately will lead to higher property taxes that will be passed on to tenants, consumers, and potentially employees. AB 188 completely alters the definition of change of ownership for commercial property for the purpose of increasing property taxes. Proposition 13 Currently, under Proposition 13, commercial property is reassessed only when there is an actual change of ownership in the entity that owns the property. That is, another entity or person has acquired at least 50% of the ownership interest of the entity that owns that property and therefore has a controlling interest in the property. This is the most common-sense interpretation of Proposition 13s requirements. It creates a bright line to determine when property ownership has changed, and is consistent with the underlying purpose of Proposition 13, which intended to provide property owners certainty and stability about the amount of property taxes dueon sale and thereafter. Change of Ownership AB 188 drastically alters the definition of change of ownership under Proposition 13 by dictating that a change of ownership occurs whenever 100% of the ownership interests in the legal entity that owns the commercial property are sold within a three-year period, regardless of whether any person or entity actually obtains control through direct or indirect ownership of at least 50% of the voting stock or ownership interest in the entity owning the property. This new definition that merely focuses on ownership rather than control will subject commercial property, especially property held by publicly traded corporations, to continuing reassessment that will at some point result in higher property taxesthe obvious intent of this legislation. However, given that a reassessment could be triggered under this definition on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis, the revenue gain anticipated by AB 188 is vastly overstated, as the market value of commercial property does not change within such a short time frame. AB 188 will provide a tool for harassing commercial property owners with constant reassessments, and an overwhelming workload for county assessors. Detrimental Impacts Ultimately, increasing property taxes for commercial property will have detrimental impacts on the general public, including small businesses, apartment residents, employees and consumers. Any higher taxes imposed on companies that own commercial property likely

See Job Killers/4

Government Affairs Committee Meeting

The Tulare Chamber invites all citizens to their Government Affairs Committee meeting the 2nd Monday of each month, 12:00PM at Apple Annies. The April 8th speaker will be Tom Barcellos. He was just presented with the 2013 Farmer of the Year by Tulare Kiwanis. The awards luncheon was held Tuesday, March 19. Tom is the owner of Barcellos Farms and T-Bar Dairy in Tipton and a partner in White Gold Dairy and LGT Harvesting. Tom runs a large dairy operation and a custom farming business and employs two of his son-in-laws in the family operations. Tom is an innovator and a progressive farmer and dairyman who has donated countless hours of time, resources, and funds to support agriculture and many worthwhile causes.

Circles of Excellence
A program of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce
Directors Circle
International Agri Center Land O Lakes Valley Business Bank

Presidents Circle
J.D. Heiskell & Company Lagomarsino Group Res-Com Pest Control Saputo Cheese USA, Inc Southern California Gas Company Tulare Advance Register Tulare Outlet Center Tulare Regional Medical Center

Ambassadors Circle
Acclaim Auto & Truck Accessories

Bank of the Sierra Citizens Business Bank College of the Sequoias Horswill, Mederos & Soares Ruan Transportation Corporation Sturgeon & Beck, Inc. Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino TF Tire & Service Will Tiesiera Ford-Mercury, Inc.

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize these members who have gone above and beyond membership investment in 2013. Their support is instrumental in the growth of the Chamber.

tulare chamber the update

Tulare Advance-Register

MEMBER NEWS
October 2013. I nformation and Application Open House Friday, April 5 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm, Visalia Campus  EdD in Organizational Leadership application deadline for the Fall 2013 cohort is April 1 scholarship opportunities are in place. A  pplication and Financial Aid Workshop Thursday, March 14 at 5:30pm, Visalia Campus  Anyone interested in attending these events can rsvp via email: ahamilto@ brandman.edu Common Core Beginning in Fall 2013, Brandman will embed the common core into the curriculum for our credential students so that they will enter the teaching profession prepared. Partnering with you An important element of the conversation last week focused on getting feedback from the local leaders at the table as to how the university can assist them, and I extend that to you. From that conversation came some ideas about how our doctoral students can partner with organizations/school districts in problem solving as they take on real and current issues for their Transformational Change Projects this year or dissertation topics in the following years. As well, we have resources related to teaching technology that may be a great fit for you; Brandman has experts within the university that have already worked on special projects for school districts in other parts of the state, so there is plenty of opportunity to capitalize on we have accomplished and apply it locally as needed. The most important idea that I wish to impart with you is that we are here to be your partner. We are always looking for ways in which to collaborate with other educators and leaders in our community. If you have an idea, please feel most welcomed to share it with us. Often I find that from ideas and great conversations come great new ventures! Brandman University 649 S. County Center Dr. Visalia, CA 93277 T 559.625.4436 F 559.625.0254
A Member of the Chapman University System

April 2013 page 3

March 30, 2013

Member News
Premier Real Estate recently announced their 2012 top agents and award recipients at their annual awards banquet held at the Tachi Hotel and Casino. The Overall Top Agent award was presented to Cara Dierkes-Ray of Tulare. Top Agent awards were presented to Gloria Gomar of Tulare and Mark Lanier of Fresno. Top HUD Agent was presented to Nick Trujillo of Fresno. The Bruce Dierkes Memorial Award, recognizing an associate that continues to Think Purple, was presented to Marcos Padilla of Tulare. The Shining Star Award was given to Josh Cox of Tulare. These agents are outstanding sales professionals and continue to contribute to the success of Premier Real Estate. said Blain Dierkes, Broker/Owner. All of our agents that are here with us have made Premier Real Estate what it is today, a company with dedicated professionals ready and willing to serve our clients. I am thankful to have such a devoted group representing Premier Real Estate. For more information on the real estate services of Premier Real Estate, please call 684-1400 or visit their website at www.premierrealestate.net.

Premier Real Estate Award Winners pictured from left to right: Cara Dierkes-Ray, Marcos Padilla, Gloria Gomar, Mark Lanier and Nick Trujillo.

[ Stan Simpson, chairman emeritus of Buckman-Mitchell, Inc., in Visalia, was recently presented the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Californias highest honor in recognition of outstanding service. Simpson was presented with the Ramsden Stan Simpson Sullivan Award at the associations annual conference in Sacramento. We are very pleased to see Stans history of commitment recognized with our industrys top award, noted Cliff Dunbar, CEO of Buckman-Mitchell, Inc. He has served the independent insurance industry and our community well for many years. Simpson began working in the industry in 1964, working for his grandfather, C.T. Buckman, the founder of BuckmanMitchell. His volunteer service with the insurance industry spans 40 years, including service as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Kings/ Tulare, as a member of the statewide boards Education Committee and later as its secretary-treasurer. He served as president of Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West in 2005. Locally, Simpson served as president of the Visalia Rotary Club, as president of the Visalia Economic Development Corporation, as chairman of the Tulare County Office of Education Foundation, and as president of the College of the Sequoias Athletic Foundation. He was named Man of the Year by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce in 1995. He has served on the board of Gov. Schwarzeneggers California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley and the Fresno State University Board of Governors. Simpson is also active in the local Presbyterian Church. [ Last week the Brandman University Education Advisory Board engaged in a robust discussion with our Dean, Dr. Zeppos. I know that you expressed interest in receiving information after the meeting, so I am delighted to share these announcements and notes with you. Program Initiatives M  A in Education (emphasis areas: Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Technology, Early Childhood Leadership, Teaching and Learning, and Educational Leadership) we are offering a $120 per credit scholarship opportunity for new students enrolling between now and

[ LifeWALK - Hundreds to raise funds for Life - Tulare-Kings Right to Life is hosting their 18th Annual LifeWALK & Bazaar on Saturday, April 6th at Plaza Park, in Visalia. Registration begins at 8:30am for the 9am 2-mile Walk. There will be music, bounce house, face painting, Tricky Tray Raffle, vendors and more! Fun for the whole family! Anyone who raises $150.00 or more will receive a FREE LifeWALK T-Shirt. The Grand Prize is a 7-day Mexican Riviera Cruise for Two. Everyone welcome no matter how small! Proceeds from the Walk will be used to support TKRLs various educational programs about fetal development, abstinence, and post-abortion healing. To register, raise funds, or for more information, call (559) 732-5000 or online at www. TKRL.org <http://www.TKRL.org/> . [ Dont miss the opportunity to participate! The International Agri-Center is hosting the 21st annual California Antique Farm Equipment Show. Fun for the whole family! April 19 21, 2013. Swap meet, shopping at Antiques & Boutiques, kids area, tractor pulls, antique tractor displays.

[ Evolutions Fitness and Wellness Center, a division of Tulare Regional Medical Center announces Physically Active Community Exercise, PACE. Beginning April 16, 2013, at 6:30 a.m., Michele Stewart, Exercise Physiologist and Evolutions Fitness and Wellness Center Fitness Manager, will prepare you for walking the Tulare Outlet Center. The community walking club is free and open to the public until 7:30 a.m. Interested walkers meet at the Tulare Outlet Center Clock Tower for registration and an opportunity to earn incentive prizes. For more information about planned PACE activities contact Michele, 559.685.3804. [ The Sequoia Genealogical Society will meet on Thursday, April 4th at 7:00pm at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 494 N. Blackstone, Tulare. Kathy Burrow will discuss the Old Northwest Territory of the 18th century and the part it played in the History of the United States. A discussion of the States carved out of that territory is given and the types of records you can expect to find in these states. This area became the states of Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois in the early 1800s. The public is invited to attend. For more information please call: Jeanette Mitchell, Publicity Chairman (559) 6882264 [ Join us for an informational presentation hosted by the Society for Human Resource management (SHRM) of TulareKings. A Discussion of Employment Law Issues Our speaker will be Aimee Kircher, SPHR and Attorney-At-Law. Please join us on Tuesday, April 16th 2013. 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Visalia Holiday Inn located at 9000 W. Airport Dr. Visalia, CA 93277 Lunch is included; cost is $15 for SHRM members, $25 non-members. RSVP by Tuesday, April 9th 2013 at rsvp@shrmtularekings.org or Teresa Inglehart at 559651-2925

Welcome Aboard New Members

Congratulations and thank you to the following new members that invested in the Chamber during the month of February.
1003 E. Prosperity Ave., Tulare 559 684-1040

Liberty Tax Service

Tulare United Methodist Church

228 W. Kern Ave., Tulare 559 686-8523

Tule Branch Farms

14174 Ave. 232, Tulare 559 288-7443

Langston Companies
2500 S. K St., Tulare 559 688-3839

Members Renew Chamber Investment

Thank you to the following businesses and individuals who renewed their membership during the month of February.
Dennis K. Buhler, DDS Educational Employees Credit Union EMD Networking Fairfield Inn Tulare High Sierra Lumber & Supply Inc. Lewis Insurance Merle Stone Chevrolet Orosco Development Tulare Polaris Village Profile Helping One Woman, Sharon Allison

MARKETING DIGITAL AGE

overwhelming? in the

Do you nd

The City of Tulare

is looking for citizens to be on the following Boards and Commissions: Board of Public Utilities, Community Relations Commission, Library Board, Commission on Aging, Tree Committee, and the Housing & Building Appeals Board. Applications can be picked up at the City Hall, 411 E. Kern.

Still accepting vendors for the Swap Meet and Antiques & Boutiques. Please contact us at (559) 688-1030 for a contract to reserve your space today and join us for this exciting event! For additional information on attending the show, visit www.antiquefarmshow.org Check us out on Facebook and share with your friends and associates California Antique Farm Equipment ShowFacebook For questions or additional information you can contact us at (559) 688-1030! [ Always in Your Corner.. Is a beautiful evening under the stars, and a fabulous dinner to benefit the Tulare Athletic Club, Manuel Torrez Family Resource Center and Tulare Read. The dinner will be in the backyard gardens of Jimi and Tammy Valov located at 505 Chevy Chase Drive in Tulare. The dinner is Saturday, April 27th starting with a hosted Social Hour beginning at 6:00 PM, dinner will be provided by Fugazzis and will be served at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $75, please contact Cathy Mederos (559) 901-0192 or Richard Torrez (559) 9058933 to purchase tickets.

SOCIAL MEDIA PAY-PER-CLICK SYNDICATION MOBILE APPS EMAIL

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION REPUTATION MONITORING WEB DEVELOPMENT

We can help.
Call 559-735-3240 today.

page 4 March 2013

February 23, 2013

Networking Opportunities

tulare chamber the update

Tulare Advance-Register

April Calendar
Thursday, Mar. 28
6pm - 9pm Microsoft Excel Class. 220 E. Tulare Ave, Tulare Chamber of Commerce-Trade Room

Tulare Chamber Leadership Class 2013

Sunday, March 31
EASTER

Monday, April 1
April Fools Day

Wednesday, April 3 Friday, April 5

3pm - 4pm Board Meeting. Tulare Chamber Board Room 5pm - 9pm A&W Cruise Night

Saturday, April 6

10am - 3pm Cars on K Car Show. Corner of K Street and Tulare Ave. in Tulare 6pm - 11:30pm COMIX FOR KIDS

Monday, April 8

Governmental Affairs Meeting. Apple Annies, 1165 N. Blackstone Ave., Tulare 7pm - 8pm Planning commission meeting. Tulare Public Library, 491 North M St., Tulare

Tuesday, April 9

Ambassadors Lunch Meeting. 220 E. Tulare Ave. in the TRADE ROOM 12pm - 1pm Tulare Safety Council meeting. Apple Annies Restaurant, 1165 N. Blackstone 5:30pm - 6:30pm Police Citizens Complaint Review Board meeting. Tulare City Hall, 411 E. Kern Ave 6:30pm - 7:30pm Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Claude Meitzenheimer Community Center, 830 S. Blackstone.

The Tulare Leadership had their annual Trip to our State Capitol in Sacramento in March 5, 6, 2013. For wred carpet for our class and brought them to the senate floor. Her staff also arranged for them to meet with other elected officials and the California Chamber of Commerce brought in their lobbyist to share with them some of the issues that the Chambers address daily in defense for business. They also went to the California Great Center. This is the one of the Highlights for the Leadership class to see firsthand our elected officials in action. Pictured Left to right Manuel Ortiz Jr., Bryce Gowin, Jarod Boatman, Ruth Medlin, Brandon Ormonde, Donna Marie Sonnichsen, Debbie Thrasher, Assemblywoman Connie Conway, Luis Nevarez, Ashley Vanderpoel, Julie Christianson , Patty Rocha, Tammy Weyker, Art Clark, Charlene Dawson.

Monday, April 15
TAX DAY

Wednesday, April 17

4pm - 5pm Tulare Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting. 220 E. Tulare Ave., Tulare Chamber office

Thursday, April 18

6pm - 7pm Community Game Night Bingo. Twin Oaks Assisted Living Center, 999 North M St.

Monday, April 22

7pm - 8pm Planning commission meeting. Tulare Public Library, 491 North M St., Tulare

Paula Adair, Director of Curriculum, Tulare City School District and Mark Thompson, Vice Principal at Mulcahy enjoying the mixer.

Terry Brazil and Melissa Kaminski, Tulare Chamber Ambassadors

Tuesday, April 23

6pm - 9pm Microsoft Power Point. 220 E. Tulare Ave, Tulare Chamber of Commerce-Trade Room

Tulare Boys & Girls Club host the March Mixer

Thank you to Tulare Boys & Girls Club for hosting our March mixer! Lynn DoddsDirector of Development, Galen QuenzerCOO and Ty Davis-Director hosted a wonderful mixer along with the children. With the help of the children guided tours were provided to all. Everyone walked away with the knowledge of the importance of having the Boys and Girls Club in our community. The Boys & Girls Club is located at 948 N. H St. You can support the organization by attending Comix 4 Kidz to be held April 6th. For information call Debra at 592-4074 or visit www.bgcsequoias.org

Wednesday, April 24

9am - 1pm Veterans Opportunity Day. Veterans Memorial Building 9am - 1pm Veterans Opportunity Day 2013. 1771 E. Tulare Ave., Tulare

Sunday, May 5

CINCO DE MAYO

Monday, May 6

Computer classes at the Chamber

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce is offering computer classes for you and your employees to help improve your basic skills in MicroSoft Office Professional and Social Networking Facebook, Twitter, blogs and Web sites. Christopher Leach will be teaching the classes. He is a computer teacher at West Hills College and is highly qualified to teach at many levels from beginner to advanced. Please take this opportunity to learn or advance your skills in these areas. $20.00 per class. Thursday, April 18 Create your own Facebook account. Learn the differences in all their applications. Thursday, May 23 Adobe Illustrator basics Thursday, June 20 Microsoft Office Publisher Create professional flyers and pamphlets Thursday, July 25 Create your own Twitter account and learn how it works Thursday, Aug. 22 Create your professional LinkedIn account Thursday, Sept. 19 Microsoft Office Excel
Classes are subject to change, by participation and requests. Call the Chamber for more information 686-1547.

7pm - 8pm Planning commission meeting. Tulare Public Library, 491 North M St., Tulare

Job Killers

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will be passed on to tenants, including businesses and apartment renters, through higher rents. The increased costs could result in reduced employee benefits, workforce reductions, or even higher prices for consumers. The proposed definition of change of ownership under AB 188 will trigger reporting requirements for multiple own-

ers of these entities. Despite the percentage of ownership acquired, an individual or entity must report the change in ownership or face a penalty of up to 20% of the assessed fair market value of the commercial property. A penalty for failure to file a statement is imposed even if the county assessor ultimately determines no change of ownership has occurred. This duplicative and onerous reporting requirement that AB 188 seeks to impose creates a potentially unfair monetary trap for a minority owner

in a company who is unaware that a 100% change of ownership has even taken place within the previous three years.

The CalChamber will continue to add legislation to the job killer list as bills are amended or new language is introduced. For more information on past job killers, visit www.calchamber.com/jobkillers.