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No Furniture Is as Expensive as a Government Bureau

By Ted Owen

The early take on 2009 is a wait-and-see scenario. Waiting to see what the administration’s stimulus program will look like and who or what will be included.

I generally feel like I am sitting in the seat of my race car waiting for the starting gun to go off so I can race down the track toward my goals.

The problem of stimulating the economy is a tough one because no matter what plan is being brought forward, it doesn’t include every worker or business. Far too many people are left out of the equation.

Tax cuts for 95 percent of the taxpayers, not 100 percent; checks for $300 to Social Security recipients, seniors only not everyone on Supplemental Security Income; tax rebates for small businesses, but not all small businesses, and the list goes on. Everyone needs to be included, despite the income level.

My idea is for the president to sign an executive order for payroll agents across the land to withhold federal taxes in March and November from everyone who is employed, giving each person a cash infusion, the amount based on their income bracket. That would include everyone and, at the same time, save some money.

Savings would occur by not having to cut millions of government checks, sending letters to everyone saying who would or would not get a check and postage in the millions could be used for something else. But sometimes when things make sense, they don’t get supported.

There is an old saying that goes something like this: “There is no furniture as expensive as a government bureau.” I would say that is right on point.

When the starting gun is fired, I hope business and government are on the same page.

North County Items

In other news:

– Every city in the north has announced cuts in personnel and budgets, and now even the county’s most financially well off community, Carlsbad, has announced a $5.3 million cut in its new budget due to an expectation of less sales tax revenue. The real difference in Carlsbad is that the city plans for the future, even though it has nearly $50 million in its general fund reserve.

– Solana Beach has stepped up to become the third city in the state to offer solar energy system financing. The city is taking advantage of Assembly Bill 811, passed last summer, which authorizes cities and counties to offer long-term payment options for homeowners and business owners. The city will bring on a consultant to set up the program by mid-2009. Systems range from $25,000 to the sky is virtually the limit, depending on the size of the unit. The county has more than 6,000 systems. Most experts agree that cost has been a tall hurdle, but with cities and counties stepping up, more will come on line.

– La Quinta-based KSL Resorts is planning a new luxury condo/hotel on the Encinitas-Carlsbad boundary line. The original plan approved by the California Coastal Commission in 2006 called for 130 units. Since that approval, KSL has bought three lots adjacent to the site, including the location of Davina’s Cabo Grill & Cantina restaurant. Now, the firm has a 7.3-acre parcel and is hoping to increase the project to 200-250 units. The $200 million project is projected as a five-star facility, similar to Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. The application process will begin soon.

– Legoland California is seeking to build a hotel on its theme park site. The 250-room hotel would help create a multi-day destination, allowing visitors to stay at the park while visiting the region. The hotel would include decorative features utilizing Lego building blocks. The two-stage plan calls for a three-story complex to be built on the park’s recreational vehicle and bus parking lots. In addition, hotel plans call for a 14,000-square-foot restaurant, 11,000 square feet of retail stores, a 6,400-square-foot lounge, an outdoor pool and a water play area for kids.

– Minneapolis-based Medtronic has acquired Carlsbad-based Ablation Frontiers, a medical device company specializing in atrial fibrillation devices to help stem the heart from pumping too much blood with an irregular rhythm. The deal is worth $250 million and is expected to close by April.

Ted Owen is the president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.

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