California Assembly Bill ACR118 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: ACR 118AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 6, 2014 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Logue MARCH 6, 2014 Relative to  California Tradesmen Day   the California Small Businesses Highway  . LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 118, as amended, Logue.  California Tradesmen Day.   California Small Businesses Highway.  This measure would  recognize September 20, 2014, as California Tradesmen Day   designate a specified portion of State Highway Route 99 in Sacramento and Sutter Counties as the California Small Businesses Highway. The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering the cost, to erect those signs  . Fiscal committee:  no   yes  .  WHEREAS, The month of June is celebrated as California Small Business Month, in recognition of the tremendous contributions small businesses make to the economic strength of our nation and state; and   WHEREAS, The nation's 28 million small businesses are the job creation engine of the American economy, responsible for one-half of all private sector jobs, and the source of roughly 70 percent of all new jobs in the last decade; and   WHEREAS, California is home to three and one-half million of these small businesses, accounting for 99 percent of the state's employers and 52 percent of the state's workforce, and producing more than one-half of California's gross domestic product; and   WHEREAS, California is home to the most innovative and competitive businesses in the world, placing the state consistently among the top 10 economies in the world; and   WHEREAS, California's small businesses are critical to the economic health of the state because small businesses are innovative forces in the marketplace and are among the most likely to take risks to create new technologies and industries; and   WHEREAS, A commitment to small businesses and support for small-scale private-sector job creators are among the most promising strategies to enhance California's human capital, expand job opportunities, and increase the state's competitive advantage in the global marketplace; and   WHEREAS, It is appropriate to recognize the important role of small businesses in California's economy by dedicating a portion of State Highway 99 as the California Small Businesses Highway; now, therefore, be it   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the portion of State Highway Route 99 between State Highway Route 5 in Sacramento County and State Highway Route 20 in Yuba City is hereby designated as the California Small Businesses Highway; and be it further   Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of appropriate signs consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost, to erect those signs; and be it further   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Director of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.   WHEREAS, California Tradesmen Day is recognized each year on the third Friday in September; and   WHEREAS, California Tradesmen Day is intended to be a day when the nation pauses to thank skilled workers, such as auto mechanics, roofers, bricklayers, welders, plumbers, woodworkers, electricians, carpenters, and others; and   WHEREAS, It is a day for people to find ways to show appreciation and gratitude to tradesmen by holding celebrations, recognition events, and activities throughout the country; and   WHEREAS, By 2030, 79 million tradesmen will retire with only 41 million new workers replacing them; and   WHEREAS, Most vacated jobs will require training and expertise our young people are lacking. Only 6 percent of high school students consider a career in the trades; and   WHEREAS, These trends could mean trouble for a rebounding America. Without the appreciation of tradesmen and encouraging young adults to enter the trades, homes will not be built, roofs will not get fixed, and plumbing will not be repaired; and   WHEREAS, California Tradesmen Day celebrates the hardworking men and women who help ensure that the necessities of daily life remain operational and serve as an important element in making our economy function efficiently; now, therefore, be it   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes September 20, 2014, as California Tradesmen Day, urges citizens to offer their support to professional tradesmen, and encourages bringing more attention to the skilled-labor gap and the employment opportunities for skilled tradesmen.