Business and Economy Plank

General Preamble

Ventura County Democrats are dedicated to a robust free-enterprise economy that creates jobs and economic opportunity for all as well as the tax base for the programs and policies we champion.  We are committed to growing the middle class and therefore growing the state economy.

To grow jobs and assure a prosperous future for all Californians, Ventura County Democrats will:

Statement of Principles

• Support the research, development and implementation of green electrical generation and transportation technologies;
  

• Support the development of “green” businesses, particularly in agribusiness, innovative and effective recycling and other waste disposal methods, and sustainable use of natural resources (including soil, water and air) and that support reduced dependence on harmful fertilizers and pesticides;
  

• Support the California High Speed Rail Project to stimulate technology and job growth; 
  

• 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 existing businesses; 
  

• Support the expansion of existing community banks and credit unions;
  

• Support the right of all employees to organize, select a bargaining representative of their choice, work in a safe environment and be free from intimidation and retaliation tactics;
  

• Oppose privatization of essential government services and the outsourcing of public sector jobs;
  

• Continue to support and fund job retraining and vocational rehabilitation programs to meet the employment needs of California's changing economy;
  

• Oppose new and unfair trade agreements and renegotiate existing agreements; and
  

• Support “buy local” laws and initiatives that promote the growth of the California economy.

Statement in Support of Specified Actions by Government Agencies

• Support the development of programs by Cities, Counties, States, and Federal Agencies to provide greater contracting opportunities to small businesses;
  

• We support direct lending programs to small businesses by government agencies;
  

• Defend consumer banking free choice by supporting legislation eliminating out of network Automated Teller Machine (ATM) fees;
  

• Support legislative initiatives to help distressed homeowners facing foreclosure to stay in their homes;
  

• Support state investigations and fully fund prosecutions of private lender and mortgage broker abuses;
  

• Support employers staying in California by offering competitive incentives and tax breaks; and
  

• Support the adoption of a Universal Single-Payer Health Care system so that employers will not have to bear the cost burden of healthcare.