Amended in Assembly May 6, 2014

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 118

Introduced by Assembly Member Logue

March 6, 2014

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 118—Relative to begin delete California Tradesmen Day end delete begin insert the California Small Businesses Highway end insert .

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 118, as amended, Logue. begin delete California Tradesmen Day. end delete begin insert California Small Businesses Highway. end insert

This measure would begin delete recognize September 20, 2014, as California Tradesmen Day end delete begin insert 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 end insert .

Fiscal committee:  begin delete no end delete begin insert yes end insert .

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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WHEREAS, California Tradesmen Day is recognized each year
on the third Friday in September; and

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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

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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

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WHEREAS, By 2030, 79 million tradesmen will retire with
only 41 million new workers replacing them; and

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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