State Regulations and the Threat to Small Business

by Henrietta “Etta” Waterfield, former Santa Maria Planning Commissioner, Candidate for the 33rd Assembly District seat

California was once the world’s sixth largest economy—now California’s unemployment continues to rise as other states are pulling themselves out of the recession.

How could this happen? It’s simple: Sacramento is full of politicians, not people who understand business. Need proof? State regulations cost California $493 billion and 3.8 million jobs annually in collateral damage. That’s according to a state mandated report, available at the California State Business Advocate’s website.

For example, the state’s un-elected bureaucrats on the Air Resources Board recently instituted an expensive new diesel fuel regulation that requires the owners of almost 1 million trucks and busses to replace the engines and/or install expensive new equipment.

Will it help clear the air? That’s hard to say. But with the economy in a continued slump, it will ensure that California has fewer businesses, fewer jobs, and less tax revenue for our already out-of-balance state budget.

Similarly, AB32 requires the state roll back carbon emissions to their 1990 level, while it severely punishes businesses that cannot comply. Limit emissions to the 1990 level? I want to see Sacramento limit its budget to its own 1990 level —then we can talk.

The fact is, Sacramento continues to raise taxes to keep their budget “balanced” and special projects funded—while they pile business-destroying regulations onto the businesses that bring in their revenue.

Our legislators need to consider the cost of their actions. As they pile on restrictions aimed at guiding the state to a better future, they ignore that damage inflicted on California businesses and families. When these things are considered, it is no wonder that Sacramento politicians cost the state $493 billion and 3.8 million jobs annually.

I have been working in economic development since the early 1990s. Even during the hard economic times with the recession of the early ‘90s, I could still work with businesses and local and state governments to bring jobs to California.

This recession is different; jobs are leaving California because the regulatory environment is too burdensome. Sacramento continues to pile regulations onto how businesses are run—and Sacramento runs them into the ground.

As soon as I get into office, I will call for an immediate moratorium on all new business regulations—this is the only way to save California business and turn California golden again. I believe that California is worth fighting for—and that’s exactly what I’ll do in the Assembly.

Republican economic growth expert Etta Waterfield has spent the past decade improving the Central Coast’s economy and business climate. As the Economic Developer for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, Etta has worked to attract new businesses and foster favorable economic conditions in the area. She also served for the past six years on the Santa Maria Planning Commission.

Her service led Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee to name Etta Waterfield the 2009 “Woman of the Year” for the 33rd Assembly District. Blakeslee praised her stating that she possesses an “energy and a grace that inspire people to work with her.”

Visit Etta on the web here.