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JEDE COVID-19 Midweek Update - October 14, 2020, Edition

Major Announcements

  • California Fire Update:  The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services released the update below regarding the California Fire situation.

  • Small Businesses in California Need Financial Relief Now: California Matters has published a guest editorial, Small Businesses in California Need Financial Relief Now.  The guest editorial was written by Josh Reeves, founder and CEO of Gusto; Pat Fong Kushida, president and CEO of the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce; Julian Cañete, president and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce; and Edwin Lombard, president and CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce.  https://calmatters.org/commentary/my-turn/2020/10/small-businesses-in-california-need-financial-relief-now/   The primary recommendation in the guest editorial is for the state to establish its own Paycheck Protection-type program, which prioritizes “those left out of the federal program, specifically minority-owned businesses, sole proprietorships and businesses with fewer than 50 employees.”

  • Amusement Park Protocols:  According to news reports, Governor Newsom announced that he is sending a team to Florida to evaluate COVID-19 protocols being used at amusement parks, including Disneyworld.  https://www.ocregister.com/?returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ocregister.com%2F2020%2F10%2F12%2Fnewsoms-team-heading-to-disney-world-to-inspect-reopening-protocols%2F%3FclearUserState%3Dtrue

  • Indigenous Peoples’ Day:  Governor Newsom issued a proclamation declaring October 12, 2020, as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day" in the State of California. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/10/12/governor-newsom-issues-proclamation-declaring-indigenous-peoples-day-10-12-20/  Among other statements, the executive order states, “In the spirit of reconciliation and reexamination, I encourage all Californians today to take time to celebrate Indigenous peoples rather than the forces that tried, and failed, to eradicate them. Let us reflect on how their resistance and persistence has shaped California for the better.”

  • Income Disparities and COVID-19:  The Post Carbon Institute (PCI) released an NPR interview with Chuck Collins, Director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies, in which he discusses income disparities in America and how these disparities have grown during the pandemic.  Mr. Collins is also a PCI board member:

"So even during a pandemic, we're seeing these extreme inequalities of income and wealth were the preexisting condition that we entered the pandemic with and that the wealthy are getting wealthier and everyone else is becoming more insecure."

  • Podcast on How Businesses Can Work Within the State’s COVID-19 Tiered Blueprint:  The California Chamber of Commerce has released a podcast providing an in-depth overview on the state’s COVID-19 tier framework, what it means for employers, and how to adapt for long-term success.   The podcast features CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw.  https://advocacy.calchamber.com/2020/10/08/covid-19-moving-between-tiers/

  • Budgeting for Justice: Participatory Budgeting as a Means of Advancing Racial Equity in California:  The Advancement Project California released a report, Budgeting for Justice: Participatory Budgeting as a Means of Advancing Racial Equity in California. The report is intended to provide a framework for understanding participatory budgeting (PB) through a racial equity lens and highlights opportunities to organize and advocate for PB.  The report also provides recommendations on how to use PB to redress exclusionary patterns of economic development, imbalances in political power, and the potential negative effects of need- and color-blind policies.  https://www.advancementprojectca.org/tools-we-use/publications/budgeting-for-justice-participatory-budgeting-as-a-means-of-advancing-racial-equity-in-california?emci=9fab8aae-620d-eb11-96f5-00155d03affc&emdi=5c56ee19-820d-eb11-96f5-00155d03affc&ceid=10079884

  • Winning on Equity Working Group:  PolicyLink announced the launch of the Winning on Equity Working Group, which is dedicated to “fighting for a more just nation and building infrastructure that ensures the equity movement has the money, data, visibility, and power to accelerate sweeping change in the nation’s systems, institutions, and policies. Rather than define a new agenda, this group will advance the work of movement leaders and build greater alignment among equity efforts nationwide. Initial issues include:  understanding shared priorities across the equity movement; developing a digital space where movement leaders can find one another and align their work; and analyzing the current flow of resources dedicated to structural change.

  • IMF Makes the Case for Public Investment:  The International Monetary Fund released its transcript of the October 2020 Fiscal Monitor Press Briefing.  https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/10/14/tr101420-transcript-of-the-october-2020-fiscal-monitor-press-briefing Among other statements regarding the current status of the global economy, Vitor Gaspar, Director of the IMF Fiscal Affairs Department states:

“Finally, the Fiscal Monitor makes the case for public investment. The relevant macroeconomic context includes very low interest rates, high precautionary savings, weak private investment, and a gradual erosion of the public capital stock over time. But the novel argument in the Fiscal Monitor relates to uncertainty. The Fiscal Monitor shows that investment multipliers are particularly high when macroeconomic uncertainty is elevated, as it is now. The Fiscal Monitor specifically estimates that the 1% of GDP increasing public investment in advanced and emerging markets has the potential to, within two years, push up GDP by 2.7%, private investment by 10%, and most importantly to create between 20 and 33 million jobs directly and indirectly.”
 

TRACKING FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS IMPACTING COVID-19 AND ADDRESSING ECONOMIC INEQUALITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

  • US Congress Asked to Pass Stimulus Package:  Secretary Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Meadows sent a letter to the Members of the US House and Senate advocating for a stimulus package.  https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1150

  • CARB Meeting on October 22:  The California Air Resources Board is holding a hearing on Thursday, October 22, 2020.  https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/ma102220?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery   Among other items, the Board will hear:

    • 20-11-1: Public Meeting to Consider Proposed Research Contract with the University of California, Berkeley, Titled "Total Exposure to Air Pollutants and Noise in Disadvantaged Communities"

    • 20-11-6: Public Meeting to Consider an Update on Race, Equity, and the California Air Resources Board's Activities

    • 20-11-4: Public Meeting to Hear an Informational Update on Next-Generation Heavy-Duty Vehicle Enforcement

    • 20-11-5: Public Meeting to Hear an Informational Update on the Implementation of the San Joaquin Valley PM2.5 State Implementation Plan

CURRENT GUIDANCE ON COVID-19 AND FIRE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY ACTIONS

[This is a “quick-source” section that includes new and previously provided information.]

  • Blueprint for a Safer Economy:  Businesses can check out the status of the reopening of their county through the Blueprint for a Safer Economy (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID19CountyMonitoringOverview.aspx). This is the state’s four tier reopening plan.  Tier 1 (purple) has the most restrictions and Tier 4 (yellow) has the fewest. 

  • List of Activities Authorized Under Each Tier: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Dimmer-Framework-August_2020.pdf 

  • Updated Stay-at Home Order:  https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/8-28-20_Order-Plan-Reducing-COVID19-Adjusting-Permitted-Sectors-Signed.pdf

  • Updated Industry Guidance:  https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/  This includes updated guidelines for nail salons and playgrounds.

  • Shop Safe Shop Local:  GO-Biz is leading a campaign to remind Californians to shop local and help small businesses prepare for the business realities of COVID-19.  The #ShopSafeShopLocal website highlights free / discounted resources to help small businesses get digital, find e-commerce tools, learn more about industry guidance, locate small business centers, and access PPE.  https://business.ca.gov/shopsafeshoplocal/

  • Safely Making Web Platform:  California manufacturers who produce PPE, including face masks and gloves, can advertise their wares on https://www.safelymakingca.org/.  The website is a joint effort by the California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA) and the State of California.  A manufacturer does not have to be a member of CMTA to participate.  To apply, manufacturers should complete this form.  At his September 9, 2020, press conference, Governor Newsom announced that the web platform currently included 450 California manufacturers.  

  • Equity Metric Added to Blueprint for Re-Opening:  The Blueprint for a Safer Economy has been expanded to include a health equity metric.  This information will be used in combination with the county’s case rate and test positivity rates to determine a county's tier. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/CaliforniaHealthEquityMetric.aspx   The purpose of this new metric reflects the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on certain population groups, including rates of hospitalizations and death.  The health equity metric and requirements became effective October 6, 2020. 

  • Free Disaster-related Legal Services for Wildfire Survivors:  Governor Newsom announced a new program to provide free disaster-related legal services for qualifying wildfire survivors in Butte, Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.  This program is a partnership between the state, FEMA, and the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.  To access resources, survivors should call the disaster legal services hotline at (888) 382-3406. Help is available in several languages.  http://www.oesnews.com/free-legal-help-available-for-disaster-survivors/.

  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance for Individuals and Businesses Impacted by Fires:  The Employment Development Department is accepting Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance applications for workers, business owners and self-employed individuals who lost their jobs or businesses or had their work hours substantially reduced as a result of the wildfires that began in several California counties on August 14, 2020.  https://www.edd.ca.gov/About_EDD/pdf/news-20-43.pdf   Individuals can receive up to $450 per week in benefits for a maximum period of 27 weeks.  Applications can be submitted through this webpage:  https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/UI_Online.htm  The deadline for filing for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits has been extended to November 30, 2020.

  • SBA Fire Disaster Assistance:  The US Small Business Administration has opened a virtual Business Recovery Center and virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center.  The centers are available Mondays – Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and can be accessed through this email (FOCWAssistance@sba.gov) or (916) 735-1500.  These services are only available for the California disaster declaration as a result of the wildfires that began Aug. 14, 2020, and not for COVID-19-related assistance.

  • NEW - Disaster CalFresh Funding:  The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services announced a new disaster program for individuals and families impacted by the wildfires.  According to the announcement, a family of four with a monthly income up to $2,893 per month, after taking disaster-related expenses into consideration, may be eligible to receive up to $646 in food benefits through the Disaster CalFresh Program. 

    • The program is available to individuals who live or work in Lake, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Yolo counties on August 14, 2020 AND at least one member of the household experienced at least one of the following between August 14-September 12 as a direct result of the wildfires:

      • At least one person in the household was not getting regular CalFresh food benefits

      • Money was spent because of the wildfire or related power outage

      • Money was lost from work because of the wildfire

      • Money was spent because of damage to a home or business.

    • Households already receiving regular CalFresh food benefits are not eligible to receive Disaster CalFresh food benefits.

    • Information is available at www.cdss.ca.gov/disastercalfresh. Clients may also reach their local county social services office by calling 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD) for more information.

  • Tracking UI Benefits:  The California Employment Development Department (EDD) launched identity verification technology to help address the backlog of unprocessed unemployment benefit applications, including the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.  Daily updates are available through EDD’s new:

UPDATES ON COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS 

[This is a “quick-source” section that includes new and previously provided information.]

  • CA Small Business Loans Addressing the Wildfires:  The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services received updates from the US Small Business Administration on small businesses that are utilizing the two federal disaster loan programs, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program (closed to new applicants).

Wildfire - SBA Disaster Assistance

CA Loans (EIDL) Approved

18

Dollar Amount of CA Loans (EIDL) Approved      

$1,637,500

CA Home Loans Approved

179

Dollar Amount of CA Home Loans Approved

$19,952,600

Total Dollars Approved

$1,637,500

Great Plates Delivered

Meals served as of 10/08

12,837,447

Individuals Served as of 10/08*

50,487

Food Providers Contracted as of 10/08*

769

*Data received from Great Plates Data Portal updated twice per week. 

 

 

 

 

 

DATA, SURVEYS, AND ANALYSES

  • California Women’s Well-Being Index:  The California Budget and Policy Center released a California Women’s Well-Being Index, which provides a breakdown of women’s well-being statewide and by all 58 counties, plus information by race and ethnicity.  https://calbudgetcenter.org/resources/womens-well-being-index/ Among other findings, the Women’s Well-Being Index states: 

    • Nearly 40% of women in California earn low wages.

    • 52.6% of Latinx women earn low wages – nearly double the rate for white women in California (27.5%).

    • 45.9% of women in Santa Clara County earn low wages (highest rate in the state).

    • The median earnings for Latinx women working full-time, year-round were just 42 cents for every dollar earned by white men in California.

  • Unemployment Among Young Adults:  The Aspen Institute released a new report, Voices from the Field: Engaging Employers to Connect Young Adults to Good Fit Employment.  The report is based on a business engagement survey, which was fielded to workforce professionals in Cleveland, Indianapolis and Philadelphia.  https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/voices-from-the-field-engaging-employers-to-connect-young-adults-to-good-fit-employment/  The survey tried to discover more information about the quality and quantity of the engagement between workforce development professionals and the businesses they intend to serve.  According to the report, while a majority (more than 80%) of survey respondents report regularly asking for basic information about a job opening, such as the starting wage, benefits, and schedule, substantially fewer respondents noted that they engage employers around a company’s employment practices and how new employees are supported at work: 

    • The majority of respondents reported never, almost never, or sometimes asking questions about the composition of businesses’ workforce in relation to gender (83.7%), age (79.0%), and race or ethnicity (78.2%).

    • 58.6% of respondents reported never, almost never, or sometimes asking questions about whether employers can support scheduling so that young workers can attend classes and complete an education program.

    • 51.1% of respondents reported never, almost never, or sometimes asking questions about how long employers typically retain workers in a particular occupation.

    • 56.3% of respondents reported never, almost never, or sometimes asking questions about ways that new workers are mentored or coached at work.

  • CA Completing 2020 US Census:  The US Census Bureau maintains a website displaying information on each state’s progress in completing the 2020 Census.  According to the website, as of October 12, approximately 99.9% of individuals in housing units have responded to the US Census, including 99.9% of individuals in California housing units.  These rates do not include individuals with informal housing arrangements.  https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates/nrfu.html?utm_campaign=20200920msc20s1ccallnl&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery 

    • There are still 3 states with response rates below 99.9%, including South Dakota, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

    • On October 13, 2020, the US Supreme Court authorized the Trump Administration’s halt of the 2020 census count.  According to the US Census, October 15 will be the last day to submit census forms.  https://2020census.gov/en.html?utm_campaign=20201014chc20s1ccallrs&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery   This action struck down a lower court decision that would have required the US decennial census to continue through October 31, 2020. 

  • No Going Back:  The USC Equity Research Institute, Committee for Greater LA, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs released a report, No Going Back – Together for an Equitable and Inclusive Los Angeles.   https://dornsife.usc.edu/eri/no-going-back/  The report presents 20 guiding principles, including:

    • Address anti-Black racism in all its forms.

    • Build an economy that prioritizes those who have been left or kept behind.

    • Support the health of communities and individuals living with the trauma of systemic neglect and oppression.

    • Create housing for all and end unsheltered homelessness.

    • Insure access, mobility, and voice for immigrants regardless of status.

    • Support education access for all children and all communities.

    • Celebrate and support youth leadership and empowerment.

    • Strengthen the non-profit sector as a key part of civil society.

    • Build community power and develop accompanying metrics to hold systems accountable.

    • Align business, community, philanthropy, and government for equity.

  • US Trade in Goods and Services:  The US Census Bureau and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the US goods and services deficit was $67.1 billion in August 2020, up $3.7 billion (5.9%) from $63.4 billion in July (revised). https://www.bea.gov/news/2020/us-international-trade-goods-and-services-august-2020  Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $22.6 billion (5.7%). Exports decreased -17.6% and imports decreased -13.1% from the same period in 2019.

  • CA Trade Activity:  Beacon Economic has released its monthly analysis of California trade activity. California businesses exported $13 billion in products in August 2020, down a nominal rate of 12.3% from the prior year.  This report analyzes data released by the US Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Division.  https://beaconecon.com/publications/california-trade-report/

FALL IS CONFERENCE TIME 

[This is a “quick-source” section that includes new and previously provided information.]

  • View On-Demand:  CalAsian Resiliency & Recovery Summit: The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce hosted the California Resiliency and Recovery Summit on October 13, 2020.  The event is now available on-demand through YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFiBaS0bsj4&feature=youtu.be  The Summit was held in partnership with California State University, Sacramento and Asian/Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship.  Major Speakers included the Labor Secretary Julie Su and Assemblymembers Low, Kalra, and Muratsuchi.

  • CHCC Statewide Convention:  California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual statewide convention October 14 to 16, 2020.  This year’s theme is Momentum. 

  • California Retailers Annual Meeting:  The California Retailers Association is holding its annual meeting on October 23, 2020, beginning at 8:00 am.  The meeting will include the election of the association’s Board of Directors, a legislative and regulatory update, briefing on the November ballot initiatives, and a discussion of member priorities for the next legislative session.  https://calretailers.com/cra-annual-meeting-2020/

  • California Economic Summit:  California Forward announced the opening of registration for the 2020 California Economic Summit, which is the ninth annual gathering of private, public, and civic leaders dedicated to building an inclusive and sustainable economy.  The event will be 100% virtual with workshops and general sessions scheduled for December 3 and 4.  https://summit.caeconomy.org/registration

    • 2020 California Steward Leader Awards:  Nominations are being accepted through October 31 for the 2020 California Steward Leader Awards.  These awards will be presented at this year's California Economic Summit to individuals who have contributed significantly to the alignment of public, private, and civic sector resources toward advancing the triple bottom line of promoting economic, social and environmental progress.  https://summit.caeconomy.org/steward 

COMMEMORATING SMALL BUSINESSES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THIS FALL 

[This is a “quick-source” section that includes new and previously provided information.]

 

·         Latino Heritage Month:  Governor Newsom issued a proclamation declaring September 15 to October 15, 2020, as Latino Heritage Month in the State of California.  https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/09/15/governor-newsom-issues-proclamation-declaring-latino-heritage-month-9-15-20/

 

 

·         October is Manufacturing Month:  National Manufacturing Day 2020 was on Friday, October 2, 2020.  Here in California, we recognize that manufacturing is too important for a single day, so we celebrate October as Manufacturing Month! 

 

o   California Manufacturing Technology Consulting has its own webpage up. https://www.cmtc.com/mfgmonthca2020-0?utm_campaign=COVID-19&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=93629311&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--MaRRjQYI8xf2J57yeDFwlRuBvSFtk3e89zg32RxcCHcYfp8hrZGg6Jfse053wOVP6_2JtPWDEXtrH8UXJk1K89xoAqw&utm_content=93629311&utm_source=hs_email

 

o   California Manufacturing and Technology Association has prepared a toolkit (https://www.creatorswanted.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MFG-Day-Host-Toolkit-2020.pdf) and is also tracking events (https://creatorswanted.org/find-events/).

 

o   US Census Bureau prepared a special Manufacturing Day webpage:  https://www.census.gov/topics/business-economy/manufacturing-day.html

 

o   Social Media Tips:  Use the hashtag #MFGDay20 and #MakingCA.  Don’t forget to add your manufacturing partners, such as @cmta and @cmtc, as well as other service providers and elected officials who support manufacturing throughout the year.  Some good suggestions include @AsmCevantes (JEDE Committee Chair) and @IsabelCGuzman (California Small Business Advocate).

 

o   NEW - The US Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office is celebrating National Nanotechnology Day (10/9/2020) by sharing images from beyond the visual range of the human eye to show how this tiny technology is shaping big manufacturing breakthroughs.  https://www.energy.gov/eere/amo/articles/nanotechnology-major-manufacturing-advances-very-small-scale

 

·         October is Women Business-Owner Month:  If your organization is planning events that you think the small business community should know about – send Ben and I an email:  benjamin.warheit@asm.ca.gov and toni.symonds@asm.ca.gov.  We would love to help spread the word. 

 

  • The California Women’s Business Centers Network will be holding a special event commemorating October as Women’s Small Business Month on October 30, 2020, from noon to 1:00 pm.  This inaugural event of the California Women’s Business Centers Network will feature California Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, and California State Small Business Advocate Isabel Guzman will serve as the emcee.  Registration information:  http://californiawbc.org/women-shaping-the-new-economy/

 

 

·         October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month:  The US Department of Labor will lead the commemoration of October 2020 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  This year’s theme is the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Economic and business development organizations are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to hold events and activities highlighting and honoring the contributions of our other-abled workers to the success of our communities and economy.   https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/odep/odep20201001

 

·         October is California Farmers and Farmworkers Month:  Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring October 2020, as California Farmers and Farmworkers Month.  https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/10/08/governor-newsom-issues-proclamation-declaring-california-farmers-and-farmworkers-month/

 

·         November is Native American Heritage Month:  The US celebrates Native American Heritage Month in November.  There are many ways to support our Native American entrepreneurs.  Here are a few ideas from California’s Native American Day in September, which included a three-day symposium with virtual exhibits (https://californianativeamericanday.com/virtual-exhibitors/) and virtual vendors (https://californianativeamericanday.com/virtual-vendors/).  #BuyIndian California is also accepting pre-orders for “Protect Native Culture” car plates.

 

 

·         National Apprenticeship Week is November 8 to 14:  The US Department of Labor announced that the sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week will occur from November 8 through 14, 2020.  According to the announcement, National Apprenticeship Week is a “nationwide celebration that gives businesses, communities, and educators the opportunity to highlight their apprenticeship programs and apprentices, and demonstrate the value apprenticeship programs offer businesses, careers seekers, and the community as a whole. https://www.apprenticeship.gov/national-apprenticeship-week  The weeklong initiative will focus on themes and industries in which apprenticeships are making a significant difference for American workers, including technology, healthcare, financial services, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and more.”  https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20201007

 

FREE WEBINARS

 

JEDE maintains a list of on-demand webinars on our website.  You can access this list at https://ajed.assembly.ca.gov/content/demand-webinars-available-24-7.  Webinars cover a range of topics, including federal disaster programs, marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and accessing international markets.

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