Monterey County Business, Economy & Jobs Digest

A coalition of timber businesses filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the embattled Pacific Gas & Electric Co., alleging $225 million in damages caused by the 2021 Dixie Fire.

A California Republican’s bill would exempt low and middle income wildfire victims from solar panels requirements on rebuilt homes that didn’t have them when they burned down.

The Carmel Chamber of Commerce announced Kati Enea has been appointed as the new executive director.

Anti-tax groups in California have qualified a measure for the November ballot that would make raising state and local taxes much more difficult. It’s a showdown that’s been building for nearly five decades.

Not filling open positions in state government, cutting a school facilities program and several climate initiatives, delaying funding for public transit — these are some of the first steps that California officials plan to take to deal with a looming multibillion-dollar budget deficit.

Captains of fishing boats on the California coast are bracing for salmon fishing to be severely restricted — or possibly canceled for a second year.

According to emails obtained by CalMatters Capitol reporter Jeanne Kuang in response to a public records request, a range of employers have been trying to figure out if they must pay $20 ever since the law was signed late last September.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials ordered an April 8 close to the commercial season to citing the risk of fishing gear entanglement by migrating humpback whales.

The Highway 68 Coalition suit against the County of Monterey over operation of the Laguna Seca Raceway has been settled.

Joby Aviation announced it will be delivering the second and third of three aircraft produced at its Pilot Production Line in Marina as part of a contract with the U.S. Air Force.

Joby Aviation purchased a factory in Ohio for the manufacture of parts for the company's assembly line in Marina.

The consumer price index shows services are mostly responsible for persistent inflation, but prices for food and other goods in California remain high.

The Business Council takes over management of the Monterey and San Benito Small Business Administration Centers from previous contract holder Cal Coastal on April 1.

Republicans want to scrap the law, accusing Gov. Gavin Newsom of corruption in dealings with a Panera Bread franchisee who is a major campaign donor. McDonald’s franchisees are funding a committee that is attacking Democrats who supported the law and are seeking local office in the primary.

On March 1, the California Public Utilities Commission gave approval for driverless taxi company Waymo to expand service into Los Angeles and San Mateo counties.

Joby Aviation completed three of five stages of the Federal Aviation Administration process in its quest to produce the first certified all-electric commercial aircraft.

California State University students have officially created the largest undergraduate student union in United States history. The union vote passed with 97% of CSU students workers voting yes.

Logistics has been an economic lifeline for the Inland Empire for decades. Now that the industry is hitting a downturn, the region is feeling the pain.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office projects the 2024-25 shortfall at $73 billion, putting more pressure on legislators and the governor to find savings.

One of the biggest properties on Cannery Row has a new identity, after several years dark. Tipsy Putt soft opened in the former Cannery Row Brewing Company.

California’s latest Master Plan for Aging underscores the need for policies to address the challenges aging populations face. But it fails to portray the realities for older adults in rural areas, who are at greater risk of poverty.

Members of the California Faculty Association approve a two-year agreement that the union and administration hammered out after a strike last month that lasted one day.

Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Monica Lal will be adding to her repertoire with her appointment to the California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

When and if California legalizes sports gambling, the policy should honor the laws established in partnership with tribes decades ago, says Assemblyman James Ramos.

For the first time in decades, California is tightening its rules on workplace exposure to lead, a poisonous metal that can wreak havoc throughout the body.

Coalitions on opposite sides put out competing studies on the little-known Private Attorneys General Act, which allows employees to file class-action lawsuits over some labor law violations.

Carmel Unified School District’s governing board approved Sharon Ofek as the district’s new superintendent. Ofek’s contract runs until June 30, 2026 and starts her base salary at $285,000 a year.

A roundtable convened by Monterey Bay Economic Partnership and Rep. Jimmy Panetta explored broadband and cellular service in Big Sur. The panel covered strategies to foster the build-out of critical broadband infrastructure.

The Seaside City Council will consider implementing new signs and additional lighting to better welcome, inform and enlighten folks.

The San Pedro ports had a busy January as they rebounded from last year’s labor troubles and picked up cargo redirected because of Suez and Panama canal troubles.

The new downtown Santa Cruz restaurant from Sugo partners Marco Paoletti and Andrea Loporcaro has opened in the space that used to be Café Mare.

As agents hunt for business in Southern California's slow real estate market, some are trying out new ways of tracking down leads. Others are quitting the industry.