California Chamber of Commerce
Founded1890
FocusBusiness advocacy, HR compliance
Location
Area served
California
Members
14,000+
Websitewww.calchamber.com

The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) is the largest broad-based business advocacy group in California. Membership represents one-quarter of the private sector jobs in California and includes firms of all sizes and companies from every industry within the state. The CalChamber provides products and services to help businesses and human resources (HR) professionals comply with both federal and state employment law. As a not-for-profit organization with roots dating to 1890, the CalChamber promotes international trade and investment to stimulate jobs.

Board of directors

The members of the CalChamber's Board of Directors are elected by the CalChamber's members and are ranking executives in their organizations, representing many of the state's leading firms and industries, as well as the small business segment.

Jennifer Barrera has served as President and CEO of CalChamber since October 1, 2021.[1]

History

The CalChamber is a prominent business organization in California with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Its origins can be traced directly to the California State Board of Trade, which received its official incorporation on February 20, 1890, following three years of operation as a voluntary entity. During its early years, the organization primarily focused on promoting immigration to California, a mission closely aligned with the goals of the State Board of Trade. To achieve this objective, the State Board of Trade engaged in the publication and dissemination of statistical and descriptive information pertaining to California's growth and its various products.

Recognizing the need for a more effective means of advancing the state's business interests, the California State Board of Trade merged with two other key entities in 1910: the Manufacturers and Producers Association of California and the California Promotion Committee. This amalgamation resulted in the establishment of a new, unified organization known as the California Development Board. The California Development Board inherited and pursued the goals of its predecessor organizations. It continued to actively promote immigration to California, a primary focus of the original State Board of Trade. Simultaneously, it fostered a sense of pride in products made in California, mirroring the mission of the Manufacturers and Producers Association, and disseminated information about the state, akin to the activities of the California Promotion Committee.

To better address the complexities of fostering a favorable business environment in a rapidly growing state, the California Development Board underwent another pivotal merger in 1921. This time, it combined forces with the California Industries Association, resulting in the formation of a new entity known as the California Development Association, Commerce, and Industry. In September 1929, this organization underwent a significant transformation when it officially incorporated as the California State Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture, and Industry.

In 1972, the Board of Directors made a strategic decision to adopt a shorter and more streamlined name, thus rebranding the organization as the California Chamber of Commerce, which remains a significant force in California's business landscape..[2]

Advocacy projects

Among other positions, the Chamber advocates against increases in unemployment insurance costs[3] and taxes.[4]

Job Killers

Each year, the CalChamber releases a list of "job killer" bills to identify legislation that will, in the chamber's view, hurt economic and job growth in California. [8]♙.[5] The CalChamber tracks the bills throughout the rest of the legislative session and works to educate legislators about the serious consequences these bills will have on the state. Updates on the "job killers" appear on its website.

  • 2023 "Job killers" - released March 30, 2023.
  • 2022: “Job Killers” - 19 job killer bills identified, 2 sent to Governor Gavin Newsom, 2 signed;
  • 2021 "job killers" - 25 job killer bills identified, 2 sent to Governor Gavin Newsom, 1 signed, 1 vetoed
  • 2020 "job killers" - 19 job killer bills identified, 2 sent to Governor Newsom , 1 signed, 1 vetoed
  • 2019 "job killers" - 31 job killer bills identified, 2 sent to Governor Newsom, 1 signed, 1 vetoed
  • 2018 "job killers" - 29 job killer bills identified, 1 sent to Governor Brown, 1 vetoed
  • 2017 "job killers" - 27 job killer bills identified, 3 sent to Governor Brown, 1 vetoed [6][7]
  • 2016 "job killers" - 24 job killer bills identified, 5 sent to Governor Brown, 1 vetoed [8][9]
  • 2015 "job killers" - 19 job killer bills identified, 3 sent to Governor Brown, 2 vetoed [10]
  • 2014 "job killers" - 27 job killer bills identified, 2 sent to Governor Brown, 2 signed [11]
  • 2013 "job killers" - 38 job killer bills identified, 1 sent to Governor Brown, 1 signed [12]
  • 2012 "job killers" - 32 job killer bills identified, 6 sent to Governor Brown, 2 vetoed [13]
  • 2011 "job killers" - 30 job killer bills identified, 5 sent to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., 4 vetoed
  • 2010 "job killers" - 43 job killer bills identified, 12 sent to Governor Schwarzenegger, 10 vetoed [14]
  • 2009 "job killers" - 33 job killer bills identified, 6 sent to Governor Schwarzenegger, 6 vetoed
  • 2008 "job killers" - 39 job killer bills identified, 10 sent to Governor Schwarzenegger, 9 vetoed
  • 2007 "job killers" - 30 job killer bills identified, 12 sent to Governor Schwarzenegger, 12 vetoed
  • 2006 "job killers" - 40 job killer bills identified, 11 sent to Governor Schwarzenegger, 9 vetoed
  • 2005 "job killers" - 45 job killer bills identified, 8 sent to Governor Schwarzenegger, 7 vetoed
  • 2004 "job killers" - 23 job killer bills identified; 10 sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, 10 vetoed

References

  1. ↑ CalChamber. "Jennifer Barrera". Advocacy - California Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  2. ↑ California: Triumph of the Entrepreneurial Spirit, 1989 Windsor Publications, Inc., page 240.
  3. ↑ Sacramento Business Journal, May 27, 2011
  4. ↑ Dougherty, The Outlook | By Conor. "States Look to Expand the Tax Net to Services". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  5. ↑ Sacramento Business Journal, May 26, 2011
  6. ↑ Gordon Webster blog in The Business Journal, November 6, 2017
  7. ↑ Who were the winners — and the big loser — of California's legislative session? Katy Murphy, Bay Area News Group, October 16, 2017
  8. ↑ Dan Walters in The Sacramento Bee, October 3, 2016
  9. ↑ George Lurie in The Business Journal, October 19, 2016
  10. ↑ Dan Walters in The Sacramento Bee, November 19, 2015
  11. ↑ Orange County Business Council, April 22, 2014
  12. ↑ Los Angeles Times, September 22, 2013
  13. ↑ The Sacramento Bee, April 12, 2012
  14. ↑ The Orange County Register, May 17, 2010
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