Should pressure washing companies be licensed???

[Henry Bockman 14]

I'd like to run a poll and get as many people as possible to vote.

Think about it for a minute, we work with pretty extreme pressure, temperatures, and some pretty nasty chemicals to do our jobs.

Take into consideration that some deck strippers are rated at 13 on the Ph scale.

Some of the acids we use are rated at 1 or 2 on the Ph scale.

Think about the amount of damage that 4,000 PSI can cause in inexperienced hands to wood, siding and concrete.

Should'nt there be some type of protection for consumers against these extremes?

I honestly believe that pressure washing should have it's own government codes (Cage ect) We have those now!

We should have our own insurance codes. We have those now I heard!

Wouldn't the next logical step to make pressure washing a recognized industry be some type of licensing requirements? This will also help to seperate us from companies that are working for extra cash on weekends, and to help raise the bar and protect consumers.

I vote yes, pressure washing companies should be licensed.

[Jim Gamble 20]

Jim, you and I have had this conversation before, you know what I'm going to say, so don't take offense. And for everybody else, Jim is far more conservative than his posts reveal.

Your state is bankrupt. Your state is the most perfect example of why over regulation and excessive taxation is a FAILING proposition.

Is your water cleaner. No. Is your air cleaner (cleaner than it was in 1970, but no cleaner than any other state even with your excessive emissions requirements)

Are your roads better with your higher taxation? No. The roads in California are beginning to look like Mexico.

Aren't your property taxes the same as mine? Then why isn't Nevada bankrupt? You pay many times more state income tax than we pay, (Nevada has zero, not even a corporate income tax)

Why not change the conversation and tell us the devastation your state has experienced because of the nimrod politicians who levy the fines and make the laws?

How about the I.O.U's your state workers have had to take for pay? Eliminate the wasteful inspectors and redundant government agencies and get back in the black!

I don't understand why we, as business owners, can't understand the simple principal that the goal of government is to TAKE AWAY what you (you being 1 voter) earn and give it to a bunch of other non-business owners who have many votes (and that includes your employees). This ensures RE-ELECTION and perpetuates class ENVY!

They take this away from us via fees, taxes, fines, and levies. They use the media to plant seeds of fear in everyone's head (voters) i.e. "the public needs to be "protected" from unscrupulous contractors" and "the government needs to "regulate" all these chemicals" (that you, the consumer can buy legally).

Bottom line is this. Business regulates itself. Bad work can only continue as long as there is no one there to do a better job for a lower price. It's just plain old economic law.

If a contractor's goal is to raise prices by lobbying government to HELP you raise prices through more regulation then you are a **** poor contractor who can't compete on a level field and should have your a** beaten and should be thrown out of town. (Not a reference to you Jim, I know you have fought against the regs in the past)

Whew.... I just don't understand why so many people can be duped by the government charade.

Tony, you ARE THE MAN !!!!! As far as the state, don't worry, your state and others is not far behind.

There is one thing that was on the PBS that I saw the other day. Because of the storm water restrictions in regards to settlement, the Bay Authorities in 1970 estimated in 2010 that the bay would be so filled in that it would be a good size river by now. Instead, the bay is actually BIGGER AND CLEANER than is was in 1970. Since ALL storm water enters the BAY, they have seen marked improvements in the Bay. They still have along way to go, but with the population being over twice the size then in 1970, the pollution has kept up with the increase of population when it comes to the bay.

So in Short form, all of these restrictions are helping when it comes to the bay. The question is..... Is there a better way to accomplish the same thing?

[tonyshelton 112]

Tony, you ARE THE MAN !!!!! As far as the state, don't worry, your state and others is not far behind.

There is one thing that was on the PBS that I saw the other day. Because of the storm water restrictions in regards to settlement, the Bay Authorities in 1970 estimated in 2010 that the bay would be so filled in that it would be a good size river by now. Instead, the bay is actually BIGGER AND CLEANER than is was in 1970. Since ALL storm water enters the BAY, they have seen marked improvements in the Bay. They still have along way to go, but with the population being over twice the size then in 1970, the pollution has kept up with the increase of population when it comes to the bay.

So in Short form, all of these restrictions are helping when it comes to the bay. The question is..... Is there a better way to accomplish the same thing?

The restrictions were initially made on businesses because large construction and manufacturing plants were using the local waterways as a free dumping ground. Even so, with the government always looking for a way to take in more money they started the NPDES program which basically says "if you pay us enough, you can pollute with a permit".

NPDES is set up specifically for point-source polution such as manufacturing plants or construction sites.

Why is there no permitting for cosmetic cleaning? Because there's just not enough money in it to bother with and it is too difficult to implement. On the other hand, there is always the looming threat of fines to bring in more money.

It's time we stood up with one voice and demand the common sense reign and fight for cosmetic cleaning up to xxxxxxx gallons per year be completely exempt.

Here is what happened just last year in the pesticide industry.

The pesticide companies had been playing both sides. While the MSDS labels and instructions state that the chems can't be put in the "waters of the us" or "storm drain". They held a COMPLETE exemption from the EPA. Tree huggers took them to court and the pesticide companies holding hands with their friend the EPA (imagine that) went to bat against the tree huggers in court.

The tree huggers won this time..

PESTICIDES people - THE EPA WENT TO COURT TO FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT OF COMPANIES TO ALLOW PESTICIDE RUNOFF INTO THE STORM DRAIN!!!!!!!

If the EPA will fight to allow PESTICIDES in the BAY then why in the world is it so inconceivable that we can't get cosmetic cleaning exempted?????????????

Look up the decision. It was in the 6th circuit court of appeals.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

There is a point to be made here since this part is deceiving in its implications about taxes in this specific case.

Aren't your property taxes the same as mine? Then why isn't Nevada bankrupt? You pay many times more state income tax than we pay, (Nevada has zero, not even a corporate income tax)

Nevada does not require personal income tax from its residents and corporate taxes are offset by the CASINO'S.

NGCB (Nevada Gaming Control Board) takes a hefty taxation from gambling profits and those are substantial enough that they help to cover the states expenses not including revenues generated by Gaming/non-gaming cards and health cards. These are required to be obtained by anyone employed in the state in various trades and professions. These are the equivalent of a business license for the employed.

FYI, I worked in many casinos in vegas and lived there for close to 10 years, got to know some pretty influential people and learn many of the facts concerning revenue generation. It's a well oiled machine and no I can't tell you how to win any better than the next person.

Rod!~

Edited February 14, 2010 by Beth n Rod

[tonyshelton 112]

There is a point to be made here since this part is deceiving in its implications about taxes in this specific case.

Nevada does not require personal income tax from its residents and corporate taxes are offset by the CASINO'S.

NGCB (Nevada Gaming Control Board) takes a hefty taxation from gambling profits and those are substantial enough that they help to cover the states expenses not including revenues generated by Gaming/non-gaming cards and health cards. These are required to be obtained by anyone employed in the state in various trades and professions. These are the equivalent of a business license for the employed.

FYI, I worked in many casinos in vegas and lived there for close to 10 years, got to know some pretty influential people and learn many of the facts concerning revenue generation. It's a well oiled machine and no I can't tell you how to win any better than the next person.

Rod!~

Rod Casinos are an industry just like car manufacturing is in Michgan, oil refining in Texas, tourism in Florida and logging in Oregon.

It's up to each state FIND the industry that is bringing in the cash and WORK WITH that industry to collect taxes on revenue and operate within it's means.

The casino tax in Las Vegas is NOT excessive. Every year the teachers unions and a bunch of other crying liberals with their hands out try to get the taxes raised. The legislature is more than happy to do that, but the governor won't play ball. He knows it could be the death of our state.

Nevada knows how to walk that line and stand up to the whining workers unions and teachers unions that could bring this state down like they have California and Michigan. You see, if you overtax (and over regulate) your best producers THEY WILL LEAVE!

Most of these Casinos couldn't give a crap about being here in Las Vegas. They are making more money in China right now. For every Casino here in Las Vegas, there are at least two sister casinos in places like China and the middle east. They could leave this state a ghost town in no time and we couldn't do anything about it.

This state has taken a desert area with nothing to offer and turned it into a revenue generating machine. And Rod, things have changed since you left. There are no longer any "non-gaming" licenses to work or "background checks" to work in various industries. They were declared unconstitutional in 2007. There are still "gaming" and "health" cards for people who work in casinos around money and for people who serve food and work in the health industry. This is mostly to make sure they have been screened and don't have anything contagious. And the cost for the most expensive one is $20.00/yr.

I don't think my post was misleading. I think our state has a maverick attitude and our taxes stay low because we conservatives still remain in control. Unlike California which has committed fiscal suicide by letting its liberal policies buy programs it's revenue can't pay for.

Here, take a look at our governor telling the teacher's unions where to stick it.

[Jim Gamble 20]

Tony, It is a fact California was the richest state in the union until the Enron and other companies took advantage off loop wholes in California law and bleed California dry from Electricity. For hours, some business had no electricity. Google, Intel, New Motors INC and others threaten to leave if these outages did not stop. These outages was costing Intel Millions alone.

Before this happened, California was the 6th largest economy in the WORLD ! Now we are the eighth. Nevada is not even in the top 300.

The fact is that it is well documented that California's economy directly affects the rest of the nation. California was the first to go into the Recession because of the electric wholesale power play. I remember President Bush being asked what are you going to do with this Enron thing " Stealing BILLIONS OF DOLLARS from California" if it makes California go into a recession? Bush responded that it was Not the nations problem. That he was not going after a company in Texas. That California would not bring down the USA economy. HE WAS STUPID AND WRONG. It was a matter of time before the rest of the nation followed the 6 largest economy into the red. Now Nevada feels it to because Californians are not Gambling AS MUCH. Your housing is suffering as much or more then the rest of the nation. If you compare SF housing pricing to Las Vegas, SF is a better investment. SF housing has not falling, but actually increased.

GOOD NEWS though, California housing prices was up in some counties as reported last night on the news. They are building New housing again and would not do that if there was not any BANK qualified buyers. Permits are on the rise to build 300 homes for this year in my city alone. 600 homes is the limit. 2 years ago, less then 0 to 40 homes was permitted.

These are all good signs, though I think it is only temporary. One more year, then we should be out of this. California will take time to heal. Tightening of the belt on spending is a must. Some schools need financing while others are doing fine. Roads are being rebuilt, new freeways are being created. A new Tunnel is being built from Orinda to SF. BART is being expanded. Muni tunnel is has begun from the finacial district to china town. A 2 billon dollar expansion. New fire trucks with New fire Stations. Though some of the poorer cities are having to lay off police and limit services and even went bankrupted.

You keep saying companies are leaving California and I am sure that some small companies had to leave to get cheaper labor in order to compete with China, but that has always been that way, yet business still thrive and chose to stay, why?...... Could it be the opportunity, could it be the ability to be " In Tune" with some of the youngest and smartest minds in the USA? I am talking about Stanford, UCLA, Berkeley, UC Davis, UCSF, St Mary's? Why doesn't Nevada have just 3 of these WELL RESPECTED Universities if Nevada is so good and California is so bad? How come they are not leaving but thriving? Companies regularly visit these campus's for input on their products and hire from these Univ.

California does not relay on tourisms or Gambling to make the state run. California is well diversified, from oil to mining, from defense contracts to computers, from education to imports, from fishing to tourism. The list goes on and on.

California is expensive, but anything is expensive when compared to the option of having another Corp paying your share of taxes.

So does California have problems....yes. But show me one state that does not.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

The casino tax in Las Vegas is NOT excessive.

Sorry but you are mistaken here. Having worked as a casino auditor, accounting supervisor and computer data management, I was privy to insider knowledge of the financial aspects within these casinos and with the NGCB being the states equivalent of the IRS there are stringent requirements to be met in order to comply with the percentages of profits from gambling to be paid to them.

While I stated before that what you posted may have been misleading, I don't think it was intentional, just an awareness of behind the scenes you didn't have. It is possible, that since I left, they have restructured the rates allowing the casinos more time with the money in the bank to gain interest before payment is due. There was much talk going on in the board rooms at the time about getting the system changed cause of leaner times which back then they saw coming.

Teachers unions are always being problematic but they are barking up the wrong tree. They should be after taxing the police department as they so heavily policing the multitude of school zones and collect so many fines for speeding (2+ mph OTL when I was there) and most zones were 15mph-25mph. Impossible I know, but they are one of the best equipped in the US as law enforcement goes.

The police dept. makes a great deal off this revenue generating system and having learned all the other roads to get around town and avoid the strip, and as we both know, it is convoluted with school zones and the kicker is...they are all closed campuses which means once the kids are in school, the zones are unnecessary until school lets out.

Last I heard from a friend of mine before he moved out of there was that it was getting ridiculous to get around in vegas. The bus system still sucks.

I was part of the accounting team at the stardust to set up an NGCB set of auditing principles for a planned Atlantic city location at the time. They had problems with the zoning and it never went forward. They had just finished the new tower and from what I gleaned recently, they dropped it and built a new one. Go figure.

I gotta wonder how the Chinese like it that we have invaded them with casinos and probably send money back here?

Glad to hear they finally got rid of the non-gaming cards.

[tonyshelton 112]

Rod, I think you are saying the "regulations" are excessive instead of the tax "rates" on the Casinos. I tend to agree. The system of regulation is excessive, but it is primarily because Casinos are almost 100% cash businesses. Without tight regulation the ability to collect taxes and fees would be comprimised. The gross gaming revenue tax is 6.75% + 1% for the enforcement of the regulations. I don't think that is excessive. Do you? The point is, Nevada is not raping it's producers like some states do when they land corporations that prosper.

I'm not sure where your friend was living out here, but in 8 years of up to 8 delivery vans running routes through neighborhoods picking up dry cleaning all day long 4-5 days per week we had less than 10 moving violations between all the variety of drivers and vans. Only 2 of those were in school zones.You are right the school zone tickets are high. Usually $350-500 for 5 mph over. But we have a system here that allows a lawyer to get your ticket reduced to a parking violation over and over again so your insurance isn't effected. If your normal fine is $300 the lawyer charges $50.00 and gets your fine reduced to $250.00 or less - (sometimes down to $50.00) It's a good system and keeps the insurance companies from jacking up prices all over the place like they do in other states.

Jim, I give up on you man. You're telling me that the reason your state is broke is because it paid too much for electricity????????? Maybe Bush was smarter than you think he is and was just simply going to let your state go bankrupt (as it should) and let survival of the fittest prevail. The politicians in California AREN't FIT to run a state. (And the includes the politicians on the BENCH who legislate the ignorance that has destroyed California.

Keep on getting your housing information from the local news Jim. We've had this conversation before. The "news" told us last year the housing bubble problem was over and foreclosures were subsiding. It was all an "Obama" cheering piece which means nothing now that a year later foreclosures are up 30%!!!

You Wrote:

These are all good signs, though I think it is only temporary. One more year, then we should be out of this. California will take time to heal. Tightening of the belt on spending is a must. Some schools need financing while others are doing fine. Roads are being rebuilt, new freeways are being created. A new Tunnel is being built from Orinda to SF. BART is being expanded. Muni tunnel is has begun from the finacial district to china town. A 2 billon dollar expansion. New fire trucks with New fire Stations. Though some of the poorer cities are having to lay off police and limit services and even went bankrupted.

How is this a good sign? The only thing "good" about this is the claim that "JOBS" have been "CREATED" in the construction industry with these projects. A "good sign" that your politicians have learned their lesson would be an immediate stop of ALL expansion and a 40% DECREASE in spending at ALL levels until the crisis is over. It's simply pandering to the Union Vote to claim taking money from taxpaying citizens to create jobs for construction workers is "good" when the state is broke.

You also said:

You keep saying companies are leaving California and I am sure that some small companies had to leave to get cheaper labor in order to compete with China,

You mean like these "small businesses" ??:

• Alza Corp. in 2007 eliminated about 600 jobs in drug R&D while also exiting its Mountain View, Calif., HQ. At the time the company said that its 1,200-person Vacaville facility will continue to operate. But the Vacaville Reporter on Oct. 23, 2009 revealed that the plant is being offered for sale by J&J, its parent company. It's unclear if more layoffs are in the facility's future.
  
• American AVK, a producer of fire hydrants and other water-related products, moved from Fresno to Minden, Nevada.
  
• American Racing moved its auto-wheel production to Mexico, ending most of its 47-year operation in California.
  
• Apple Computer has expanded in other states, most recently with a $1 billion facility planned for North Carolina.
  
• Audix Corporation relocated from Redwood City, Calif., and to accommodate growth moved to a 78,000-square-foot facility in Wilson, Oregon.
  
• Apria Healthcare Group of Lake Forest is shifting jobs from California to Overland Park, Kansas, a K.C. suburb.
  
• Assurant Inc. cut 325 jobs in Orange County and consolidated positions in Georgia, Ohio and South Carolina.
  
• Automobile Club of Southern California placed 1,100 jobs in Texas.
  
• Barefoot Motors, a small "green" manufacturer, moved from Sonoma and will grow in Ashland, Oregon.
  
• Bild Industries Inc., which specializes in business news, directories and market reports, moved to Post Falls, Idaho, from Van Nuys, a part of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.
  
• Bill Miller Engineering, Ltd., suffering under the "hostile business climate" in California and Los Angeles County, moved from Harbor City to Carson City, Nevada.
  
• BPI Labs, which formulates, manufactures, and fills personal care products for the health and beauty industry, relocated from Sacramento to Evanston, Wyoming, a move the company's owner called "very successful . . . . It felt good and I’ve never looked back.”
  
• Buck Knives after 62 years in San Diego moved to Post Falls, Idaho.
  
• California Casualty Group left San Mateo for Colorado, cutting operating costs to remain competitive.
  
• Checks To-Go moved to Utah where workers' comp rates helped make the troubled company healthier.
  
• Chivaroli & Associates, a healthcare-related insurance service based in Westlake Village, Calif., moved a regional office to Spokane, Washington.
  
• CoreSite, A Carlyle Company, is delaying a Santa Clara project while it expands its data center in Reston, Virginia.
  
• Creators Syndicate may flee L.A. because it operates like a “banana republic.”
  
• Creel Printing Left Costa Mesa for Las Vegas and SoCal loses 60 more jobs.
  
• Dassault Falcon looked at building an aircraft services facility in Riverside County but instead located in Reno.
  
• DaVita Inc. moved its HQ from Los Angeles to Denver; expects to see millions of dollars in savings over time.
  
• Denny’s Corp. – the large restaurant chain – once had its headquarters in La Mirada, later in Irvine, Calif, and then moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina. In fairness, I note the move occurred in the early 1990s. However it's noteworthy because the company was founded in California and its growth over time created HQ jobs in another state.
  
• DuPont Fabros Technology suspended a $270 million Santa Clara data center project in favor of one in Ashburn, Virginia.
  
• EDMO Distributors, Inc., a world-wide wholesaler of aircraft avionics, test equipment, and pilot supplies, moved its HQ from Valencia, Calif., to Spokane Valley, Wash. Since, it has built a larger headquarters in the city's Mirabeau Point community complex.
  
• Edwards Lifesciences based in Irvine will expand with 1,000 employees – not in California but in Draper, Utah.
  
• EMRISE Corp. completed its HQ move from Rancho Cucamonga to Eatontown, NJ, in May 2009. The company said the move "will result in additional annualized cost savings of approximately $1 million and facilitate improvements in operating efficiency. . . . The cost savings associated with relocating our corporate headquarters will start immediately. . . The aggregate total of these expense reductions will increase our profitability and cash flow in this and succeeding years and, over time, substantially improve our ability to further reduce our long term debt.”
  
• FallLine Corporation Left Huntington Beach, where they were being "hammered" with multiple governmental regulatory fees, for Reno, Nevada.
  
• Fidelity National Financial left Santa Barbara for Florida, spurred by California's "oppressive" business environment.
  
• Fluor Corp. moved its global headquarters from Aliso Viejo to Irving, Texas, with about 100 employees asked to relocate while the company planned to hire the same number there. In 2006, when Fluor moved into its new headquarters building, a company statement said: "The official dedication had a decidedly Texas theme" as a horseshoe was raised on the building, a time-honored Texas tradition.
  
• Foxconn Electronics, a large contract electronics maker, moved some of its Fullerton operations to Dallas.
  
• Fuel System Solutions moved its headquarters from Santa Ana to New York.
  
• Helix Wind Inc. may move its research and development, engineering, and testing departments from San Diego to "more supportive" Oregon.
  
• Hewlett-Packard, HQ'd in Palo Alto, at various times has moved jobs to Tennessee and Texas.
  
• Hino Motor Manufacturing USA moved from California to Williamstown, West Virginia, in 2007, where it now employs about 100 workers. The company has growth plans to "Raise Hino’s presence from medium-/heavy /heavy-duty trucks to all ranges of trucks" and an aggressive program to improve fuel economy and emissions. The company builds trucks under its own brand and also manufactures Toyota-branded vehicles.
  
• Intel Corporation, HQ’d in Santa Clara, has chosen to expand operations in neighboring states.
  
• Intuit of Mountain View created a customer support office (110 people) not in California but in Colorado because of lower operating costs.
  
• Intuit also located Innovative Merchant Solutions LLC in Las Vegas as part of a $1.8 million investment in Nevada.
  
• J.C. Penney closed it Sacramento call center and moved the work to five out-of-state centers.
  
• Klaussner Home Furnishings in closing its La Mirada manufacturing plant will maintain its NC and Iowa operations.
  
• Knight Protective Industries moved to Oregon "where 4-day work weeks were permitted by the state" and wanted by the employees.
  
• LCF Enterprises, which makes specialized high-end amplifiers used by researchers, medical professionals and others, moved from Camarillo, Calif., to Post Falls, Idaho.
  
• Lyn-Tron, Inc., a supplier of electronic hardware, moved from Los Angeles to Spokane, Wash. Their website has a rather California(ish) statement: "Our commitment is to maintain a manufacturing environment that is progressive and safe, where our employees are able to achieve their personal objectives, thereby adding to their quality of life and to the community in which they live."
  
• Nissan North America moved its Los Angeles headquarters to Nashville, Tenn.
  
• One2Believe, a specialty religious-toy maker, left California for East Aurora, New York.
  
• Patmont Motor Werks, Inc. (GoPed manufacturer), after being hit by California regulators for hundreds of thousands of dollars in small fines even though his company has a stellar safety record, moved to Nevada.
  
• Paragon Relocation Resources moved from Rancho Santa Margarita to Irving, Texas.
  
• Plastic Model Engineering, Inc., a custom plastic injection molder and mold manufacturer, moved from Sylmar, Calif. to the "Inland Northwest," notably Post Falls, Idaho.
  
• Precor will stop manufacturing fitness machines in California and re-open in North Carolina.
  
• Premier Inc., the largest healthcare alliance in the nation, will move its HQ from San Diego to Charlotte, involving an investment of $17.7 million and adding 300 jobs in North Carolina. The announcement was made Oct. 14, 2009.
  
• Pro Cal of South Gate, in Los Angeles County, a unit of Myers Industries, expanded its Sparks, Nev., operations to become the company’s primary West Coast production and distribution facility. Pro Cal is a plastics manufacturer of nursery containers and a big recycler.
  
• SAIC will move its headquarters east, from San Diego to McLean, Virgina, which the Washington Post called "Another Coup for Area." The announcement was made Sept. 24, 2009; it is unclear how many employees will move east in 2009 and 2010.
  
• Scale Computing, a data-storage developer and manufacturer, is leaving Silicon Valley for Indiana.
  
• Schott Solar Inc. will close its sales and customer service office in Roseville and will relocate the office to Albuquerque, NM.
  
• SimpleTech transferred its manufacturing work from Santa Ana to Asia more than a year ago.
  
• Smiley Industries, an aerospace manufacturer, moved to Phoenix, where productivity improved.
  
• Special Devices Inc. brought 250 jobs to Mesa, Arizona, from Moorpark, Calif.
  
• StarKist headquarters is leaving San Francisco for Pittsburgh, Pa.
  
• Stasis Engineering moved from Sonoma County to West Virginia, a "friendlier business climate."
  
• Stata Corp., which specializes in data analysis and statistical software, moved from Santa Monica, California to College Station, Texas.
  
• Tapmatic, a metalworking firm whose owners were "fed up with the onerous business environment," moved from Orange County, California to Post Falls in northern Idaho.
  
• Teledesic moved to Washington state in anticipation of better capital gains.
  
• Telmar Network Technology Inc. moved from Irvine to Plano, Texas, consolidating some 150 workers there.
  
• Terremark postponed a Santa Clara project earlier this year to invest $50 million in a Culpeper, Va. project.
  
• Terumo Cardiovascular Systems is moving R&D from OC to Ann Arbor, Michigan, involving 65 jobs and $3.5 million in investments.
  
• Toyota will stop making cars in Fremont, will idle 4,700 workers, and move work to Canada and San Antonio, Texas.
  
• TTM Technologies will leave L.A. & Hayward and move to other states and China to achieve big cost savings.
  
• Twentieth Century Props of L.A. has gone out of business as film-making has moved to lower-cost states.
  
• US Press shifted work from Los Angeles and San Diego to Portland, "where union rules were almost rational."
  
• USAA Insurance closed its 625-person Sacramento campus in favor of other states.
  

YOu also said:

Could it be the opportunity, could it be the ability to be " In Tune" with some of the youngest and smartest minds in the USA? I am talking about Stanford, UCLA, Berkeley, UC Davis, UCSF, St Mary's? Why doesn't Nevada have just 3 of these WELL RESPECTED Universities if Nevada is so good and California is so bad? How come they are not leaving but thriving?

Jim, you have hit the nail on the head. Nutcases from all over the country flock to California where their nutcase tree-hugging ideas can be embraced by more nutcases in the academic world. Thank you, thank you, thank you for removing these human leeches from our state public high schools and preparing them for a life of sucking on the public teat in California. We don't have them in our state because they won't be coddled here. The truth of reality is too much for them. They choose to go west where their Utopian fantasy can continue on until their parents run out of tuition money. Please keep them there.

Keep on dreaming Jim.

The only way California will even get a short reprieve is when Obama makes all of us pay your state's bills for a little while. Even then, you'll only get a good two or three years out of it if your politicians don't make a 180 degree turnaround on the way they operate the state.

The inland areas suffer because of the stupidity of the LA/SanFran morons who have run the state into the ground.

It's too bad the great people of the farming and rural areas have had to suffer without any chance of being heard because of the "genius" of the grads of your "great" universities that now run your state.

Jim, you are part of the problem if your aren't part of the solution.

Keep dreaming.

YouTube - Beach Boys - California Dreaming

[mrwindow 14]

I vote YES but my State's not listed ...

[pressure washing LA 14]

I think it helps for commercial work.

[James 625]

California has the 8th largest Economy in the World. 50% of it's water comes from out side of the state. Southern Calf which is" Man made" gets it's water from Northern Calf.. Agriculture and farming uses 50% of all the water. Water is Calf. problem and they have been if the forefront of water conservation for a reason they don't got much and it's getting worse.

[tonyshelton 112]

Californians make their own problems with all their nutcase environmental lawsuits. You can't have pity on someone who create their own problems.

See the lunacy in red below.

Desalination plant clears final California hurdle

Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES

Thu May 14, 2009 7:27pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The biggest seawater desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere, north of San Diego, can begin construction by year's end after a six-year effort to win regulators' approval, the developer said on Thursday.

Green Business

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve permit revisions for the $300 million facility, which will produce 50 million gallons of drinking water daily, enough for 110,000 households.

That volume represents about 10 percent of the drinking water needs of San Diego County, home to roughly 3 million people in a region facing freshwater shortages due in part to a prolonged drought.

"Yesterday brought to a close the six-year regulatory process" for the plant, said Scott Maloni, a vice president for the privately held project developer, Poseidon Resources, based in Connecticut.

"We're on schedule to break ground on construction by the end of the year," said Maloni.

He said the company expects the plant to be operational by the first quarter of 2012. The project is to be built beside a power station on a coastal lagoon in the city of Carlsbad, just north of San Diego and about 90 miles south of Los Angeles.

The Carlsbad project ranks as the hemisphere's biggest, and the first of a new wave of such plants expected in California, where about 20 are in various stages of development. A Poseidon plant of similar size is about a year behind the Carlsbad plant to the north in Huntington Beach, Maloni said.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS PRESS CHALLENGE

Environmental activists who have fought the project vowed to appeal this week's decision to state water authorities.

Advocates of desalination tout its potential for limiting strain on scarce water supplies, and easing the environmental consequences of diverting freshwater from rivers and streams and pumping it long distances to urban centers.

But critics cite major environmental drawbacks -- namely the harm to marine life from intake pipes that suck water into desalination plants and from the highly concentrated brine byproduct that gets discharged back into the ocean.

Under the permit approved this week, Poseidon is required to create 55.4 acres of wetlands in Southern California as a breeding ground for fish and other organisms to offset the marine life killed by the plant's operations. The plant also must keep its brine discharge below toxic levels.

Opponents have challenged Poseidon in three lawsuits. And another agency that already granted approval, the state Coastal Commission, has said it may take a second look in light of information turned up in the water board's latest review.

Maloni said there was nothing further precluding Poseidon from proceeding to build the plant, and he expected the lawsuits to be resolved by then.

But Marco Gonzalez, a lawyer for opponents, said they would seek court orders to block construction while litigation or their appeal to the state water board was still pending.

"We will use every legal avenue to ensure that the law is followed here," he said.

Desalination is common in parts of the Middle East, but large-scale plants are rare in the Western Hemisphere.

(Editing by Bernie Woodall and Jackie Frank)

[tonyshelton 112]

Just read a little on this thread regarding licensing.

http://www.thegrimescene.com/forums/kitchen-exhaust-hood-cleaning/18974-better-watch-what-you-wish.html

I rest my case.

[Ronw 15]

We think it will help with commercial work.

[JohnF35242 14]

I would say yes as well. Although I am new, I would go through the process to get Licensed .

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

I am dancing!!! :dancing: :banana:

There is an unlicensed hack that has been advertising heavily and tearing the cr*p out of property here. They wash and seal on the same trip, use high pressure only, and tear up wood and ruin property. Over 30 BBB complaints, and multiple complaints by consumers to Maryland have been filed. We were hired to go fix one damaged deck, and the owner gave me a copy of the state's cease and desist letter. Violation of that order can lead to heavy fines and jail time. I am glad to see the state is working to protect the consumers from illegal businesses. What a refreshing thing!!!

Happy spring!

Beth

[tonyshelton 112]

Or, you guys could have just left the government out of it and a few good contractors could have grabbed him one night and gave him a good old PW enema. (40 degree tip of course - for safety - I'm not some kind of maniac!)

[cande 14]

Why does everyone look to the gov't to fix their problems? What does the contractor receive by the gov't for his license? Those wanting licensing - what they really want is the gov't to use it power to limit their competition. What ever happened to free people engaging in commerce freely? Oh no, the consumers are not smart enough for that, they need the all wise gov't to protect them. To quote Ronald Reagan, people who think this way are destined to be ruled by a master and they deserve one (paraphrase).

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Our state licensing has been around for years. It is not a federal political discussion - please don't try to make it that.

Beth

[cande 14]

Gov't license = all potential contractors are sharks and con men until they are proven not to be (i.e. they get their license). And how do they get their license?... they go the the gov't building and pay their fee. Wow, every home owner should rest easy now.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Cande,

I'm talking about physical damage you can see. And about laws that protect the consumer against those who did the damage. Are you saying we should not have that right or protection? And the hacks who cause damage should be able to get away with it?

Beth

[Celeste 341]

They do it all over North Carolina - it's very frustrating to go learn (and continue learning) about our trade, practices & best methods - then have some dipsh*t totally bastardize the industry with bad work or sub-industry pricing. I don't believe this poll mentions licensing through the government but it should in some way be REGULATED by an entity.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Gov't license = all potential contractors are sharks and con men until they are proven not to be (i.e. they get their license). And how do they get their license?... they go the the gov't building and pay their fee. Wow, every home owner should rest easy now.

I don't know how it works in your state, but if you were getting a license in ours for example, it is not just a matter of paying a fee.

You would have to complete an application with verification of some form of experience for the field you are entering.

You then get to take a crash course in contracting law. (the book is about 120 pages and includes much to do with business law and operational aspects as well)

Then you are required to take a test proving you understand it.

Upon passing the test given by a state approved facility, you are required to submit proof of insurance and pay the fee for the license. It is valid for 2 years and provided you are in good standing with no claims against your business through fault of your own, you can renew.

The overall objective of this is to make sure you as a new business person can succeed in your endeavors by helping you to make a more binding contract and avoid losses by defaults created by unqualified contracts. It helps the contractor and protects the contractee!

In the past, it was just that easy to obtain a license as you have postulated is the case in your state.

In regard to your opinion of licensing...Put yourself in the shoes of a client who got burned by an unlicensed contractor and either received shoddy work and/or got ripped off.

I think your view of business responsibility and customer perceptions could use some improvement after that statement.

Rod!~

[tonyshelton 112]

I am dancing!!! :dancing: :banana:

There is an unlicensed hack that has been advertising heavily and tearing the cr*p out of property here. They wash and seal on the same trip, use high pressure only, and tear up wood and ruin property. Over 30 BBB complaints, and multiple complaints by consumers to Maryland have been filed. We were hired to go fix one damaged deck, and the owner gave me a copy of the state's cease and desist letter. Violation of that order can lead to heavy fines and jail time. I am glad to see the state is working to protect the consumers from illegal businesses. What a refreshing thing!!!

Happy spring!

Beth

30 BBB complaints. How many didn't bother to complain? Hundreds? Thousands over the years? These guys seem to have gotten away with this for a long time, all the while "unlicensed". What did they get a "cease and desist" for? Were they told to "cease and desist" from doing shoddy work? I don't think so. They were most certainly told to cease and desist from operating and advertising without a license.

So now what? They will go down and pay their bribe to the state and all the sudden become "legitimate" hacks. Poof! It's a miracle.

They have gotten by for who knows how long, obviously without insurance or a license, while year after year you paid.

I think I'd be dancing in anger and counting up all the money I had to pay over the past few years while this guy put it in his pocket. How is that a refreshing thought?

I'd be dancing in anger that all this guy got was a lousy "cease and desist" letter after who knows how many years of operation while you doled out money to insurance companies and the state.

In a few weeks he will spend money and get workers comp and pay the government for official permission to "hack" and the world will be a wonderful place again.

You can't protect consumers against their own stupidity. (Me included)

There was a poll done a while back for one of the newspapers regarding air conditioning work. Over half the respondents said they would hire an unlicensed contractor if it would save them money. I would too. I haven't had a licensed HVAC contractor in my home in years. If I get screwed that's my own fault. It's my choice. I have a feeling most of those 30 bbb complaints are from those who rolled the dice and lost.

A much better alternative would be to start a simple bulletin board that homeowners can find under tags like "bad pressure washing" or "deck damage", etc where they can personally give their stories and NAME the companies they have had problems with. To keep your competition from posting fake problems each post could require a scan of the receipt for the work.

The government can't and won't monitor shoddy work. They will however take your money in exchange for allowing you to do shoddy work with their permission.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Tony,

If they do get a license (betting they do not) then if they have complaints filed against them, they can lose that license and face fines and jail time. They are accountable. (at least here in MD) The consumer is protected by a guarantee fund. The contractor will have to shape up and do better. it's a good thing provided you don't aspire to remain a hack. I do not see nearly as many bad licensed contractors here as I do unlicensed ones. Other states may be different.

We do make it a point to urge consumers to check licensing and also the BBB to see how companies rate.

Beth

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

All this anti-government andtidisestablishmentarism talk is nonsense.

Tony, I find your arguments arbitrary in addition to being unsound business advice for anyone looking into starting up a business and wanting to do it right only to find questionable information (furthering the confusion and inadvertantly supporting the illegitimate operators which damage the reputation for the rest of us in the interim) being posted by those whose remarks can be construed to mean that it is not worth doing it LEGALLY!

You are already contesting the information regarding a recent cease and desist order relevant to a contractor here and postulating that it is in essence a wasted effort. To what end? I find you a weak position on this one and personally, not one that I would like my customers reading and drawing a negative conclusion from. Every action is the first in a series of steps that leads to results. This order is the first that will provide documentation to support the actions which if necessitated to lead to the conviction(s) if this company does not change it's ways.

Licensing does not prevent shoddy work or bad business practices, but it does protect the consumer by providing information about the company in order to gain remedy. Without it, they are anonymous for the most part and very hard to find when things go wrong. Do you disagree?

The point you may not have noticed while focusing on presenting your case against the benefits of licensing, is that those who continue to operate in the shadows never change.

We can argue all the potential possibilities regarding numerous instances where licensing may or may not have helped but overall, we should take it upon ourselves to demonstrate that when people decide to operate a business in a manner that is detracting from our industry as any respectable trade that they will be turned in and forced out of business unless they change their unacceptable practices.

This is the message we should be sending and by setting the example, others will follow.

But as long as there are others who think like you and continue to argue against legitimate business practices, nothing will change.

All in all, if we as an industry are not part of the solution, we are perpetuating the problem when allowing this kind of mindset to continue.

Think about it.

Rod!~

Edited March 26, 2010 by Beth n Rod