Plan Calls for Making S.D. More Job-Friendly
Arguing that bureaucratic bungling and regulatory excess are forcing many local companies to leave town, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Coronado) urged area government officials Friday to make the county a “friendlier” place to do business by cutting unnecessary red tape.
Hunter, along with a panel of business, government and labor leaders, presented an 11-point plan that is designed to safeguard well-paid, blue-collar jobs.
Titan Corp. President Gene W. Ray, who helped draft the 11-point plan, used the press conference to announce that San Diego-based Titan will locate a new subsidiary--along with an estimated 30 to 40 new jobs--in Denver. Ray linked the decision to increased bureaucratic red tape in San Diego as well as “incentives” offered by Colorado’s development agencies.
“I can’t think of a single business leader who wants to leave San Diego,” Ray said. “But (excessive regulation) erodes your profit . . . .”
Hunter’s 11-point plan is the latest in a string of statewide actions designed to make California a less daunting place to do business.
Earlier this week, Gov. Pete Wilson appointed Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce President Lee Grissom executive director of the new California Council on Competitiveness. The task force is charged with finding ways to streamline and examine the state’s tax structure.
In December, a city of San Diego task force warned that the local economy will continue to stagnate unless dramatic steps are taken to make San Diego a more attractive place to do business.
The City Council is scheduled to review the task force’s 85 specific recommendations later this month. Many of the recommendations made by Hunter’s group are contained in the council task force report.
Recommendations include:
* Reduce from eight years to four months the time it takes to process applications to develop real estate subdivisions.
* Cut the time involved to move a building or expansion permit.
* Make it easier for manufacturing companies on the waterfront to remain in San Diego by modifying state laws that force the San Diego Unified Port District to charge commercial rates for port-owned property.
