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Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board, is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and influential clean air and climate regulators in the United States. In 2006, California adopted AB 32, also known as the Global Warming Solutions Act, which laid the foundation for a cap-and-trade program that sets lower limits on companies' greenhouse gas emissions and allows those who emit less than their cap to sell permits to those who exceed their limits. The first state auction of emissions permits will be held Wednesday.

The election analysis is still rolling in, but one thing is crystal clear after yesterday’s voting across the nation – and closer to home: Business faces some critical challenges as well as opportunities in the months ahead on many fronts and must stay engaged at all levels of government to make our voice heard. Below is a quick snapshot of how BizFed’s slate of CA and LA County ballot measures fared ~ Voters backed BizFed’s positions on ONLY 3 of 8 measures;

The LA City Council is moving forward with proposals for a variety of new taxes for consideration for the March 2013 ballot – including a newly proposed half-cent sales tax increase.The Council today directed the CAO to draft proposed resolutions for potential ballot measures - to help balance the city’s projected $215M+ budget shortfall - including:

·A half-cent sales tax increase citywide (would raise approx. $220M/year)

·A $39 per-parcel annual tax to fund city parks and park programs and maintenance (would raise approx. $30M/year)