by the El Reportero staff
If you are a small business in San Francisco owner and hire returning veterans and ex-offenders, you could be earning a tax break, announced Mayor Gavin Newsom during his 2nd Inaugural Address.
The plan is part of a new unveiling legislation that would provide a payroll tax credit to employers who hire disadvantage workers by amending the local Enterprise Zone program.
“We ask a lot of local businesses in San Francisco paid sick leave, our health access plan, our local minimum wage,” said Mayor Newsom “It is great to be here today offering something in return, as well as providing new incentives for work to those who need it most.”
Under the local Enterprise Program, employers located within the boundaries of the Enterprise Zone (EZ) may be eligible for a local payroll tax credit if they hire new workers from targeted groups.
The new legislation updates San Francisco’s program and makes the geographical boundaries of the local EZ consistent with the expanded boundaries of the state-approved EZ. The legislation also conforms the local defi nition of “qualified employee” to the state’s more expansive defi nition.
The expanded definition includes:
- Someone who is receiving California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) benefits.
- Someone who is receiving Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) benefits.
- Someone who is an economically disadvantaged individual 14 years of age or older – a dislocated worker.
- A disabled individual or service-connected dis- abled veteran.
- A Vietnam Veteran or veteran recently separated an ex-offender.
- A recipient of, or eligible for, Public Assistance (AFDC, SSI, Food Stamps).
- A Native American, Native Samoan, Native Hawaiian or member of another group of Native American descent.
The local Enterprise Zone program is a credit against the San Francisco Payroll Expense Tax for new jobs created on or after January 1, 1992. The San Francisco Enterprise Zone program focuses exclusively on the payroll tax credit and includes the following areas: Hunters Point/South Bayshore; Chinatown; Financial District; Mission; Mission Bay; Potrero Hill; South of Market; Tenderloin; North Beach; Civic Center; and Western Addition.
California Governor makes appointments
Marisela Montes, 54, of Gold River, has been appointed deputy director of the division of adult institutions for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Since 2007, she has been senior advisor to the Division of Adult Institutions for CDCR. From 2006 to 2007, Montes was chief deputy secretary of Adult Programs at CDCR.
She previously served as deputy director for administration at the Department of Transportation from 1999 to 2006 and chief of correctional planning and research at CDCR from 1998 to 1999.
This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $142,428. Montes is registered decline-to-state party affi liation.
Richard Figueroa, 49, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB).
He has served on the board since 2003. Figueroa has been a deputy cabinet secretary in the Office of the Governor since January 2008 and a health policy advisor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger since 2006.
Luis Agurto, Sr., 57, of Antioch, has been appointed to the Structural Pest Control Board. Since 1986, he has owned Pestec, a family-owned pest control business. Agurto has been a licensed pest control operator since 1986. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Agurto is a Republican.
