ELECTION NOTICE

The CADEM Business and Professional Caucus held elections for officers at the Caucus meeting during the May 2023 California Democratic Party Convention. The following officers were elected:
Chair
Vice-Chair South
Vice-Chair North
Secretary
Treasurer

The officers are
Chair – Cecile Bendavid
Vice – Chair South – Renay Grace Rodriguez
Vice-Chair North – Brigette Hunley
Secretary – Janet Foster
Treasurer – Judith Walters

Andrew Lachman, Parliamentarian.
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Business and Professionals Caucus Recommendations to the Platform Committee

Thanks to the hard work and efforts of the Business & Professionals Platform Committee, which has been chaired by Omar Hashwi, the Caucus today made eight recommendations to the CADEM Platform Committee to update and amend the California Democratic Party Platform to help small businesses:

  1. CADEM pledges to support increased investment in small business and entrepreneurship infrastructure such as mentorship, after-school care, and workforce development, particularly for women, people of color, and those with limited access to entrepreneurship experience.
  2. CADEM pledges to promote and expand access to underserved groups of color who don’t have access to capital through Community Development Financial Institutions and micro-loan programs.
  3. CADEM pledges to promote and guarantee low-interest small business loans to provide the seed capital to launch and expand job-creating small businesses and provide for the growth of already successful businesses. 
  4. CADEM pledges to support an Equitable Preparedness Strategy and Response for future pandemics or crises.
  5. CADEM pledges to support a 58-county strategy as we move forward in rebuilding after the pandemic and in our preparations for the future, including support for rural business, which is a vital component to help ensure equitable resources for all of our citizens.
  6. CADEM pledges to support policies that protect businesses from organized retail crime and vandalism. 
  7. CADEM pledges to support efforts to protect small and medium sized businesses from cyber attacks.
  8. CADEM pledges to support the separation of retail and investment banking to free capital for loans to businesses and individuals.

At the hearing several Caucus officers spoke in support of these recommendations: Chair Bendavid was the very first to speak! Other officers testifying included Treasurer Judith Walters, Secretary Sharky Laguana, and Parliamentarian Andrew Lachman. Our lead for the Platform Committee Omar Hashwi spoke, as did several other caucus members, including State Assembly candidate Bilal Mahmood. Thank you everyone for all your hard work, and taking the time on a weekend to support small businesses, workers, and families in California.

POLL: CA Small Businesses Support Vaccine Mandates

New opinion polling from Small Business Majority reveals that small businesses in California are facing setbacks from the current surge in COVID-19 cases, and they’re supportive of proposals to mandate vaccinations and testing at places of business that will help ensure local economies can stay open safely.

  • Sixty-one percent support a state mandate requiring certain public-facing businesses like restaurants, theaters and gyms to require customers to provide proof of vaccination and/or a recent negative COVID-19 test.
  • The majority (59%) of small businesses with employees would support a state law requiring businesses to mandate vaccinations and/or weekly testing for employees.
  • Nearly half of small businesses in California (47%) already require all or some of their employees to be vaccinated, and another quarter (24%) are considering doing so.
  • Three in 10 (29%) already require proof of vaccination from some or all of their customers, and another 11% are considering requiring it.

    Learn More Here

California Rebuilding Fund

Small businesses are critical for an inclusive and equitable economic recovery. That is why we’re glad California is supporting the small businesses that make up the backbone of our economy. The California Rebuilding Fund will help close the funding gap. Learn more: www.CALoanFund.org

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