(NewsUSA) - The second AI+ Expo took place in Washington, D.C., from June 2-4, 2025, and served as a stark reminder of the lightning pace of AI development, according to Ylli Bajraktari, president of the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP).

The event was sponsored by SCSP, a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI). More than 15,000 attendees represented a vital cross-section of innovators, policy-makers, and leaders coming together to discuss and brainstorm the challenges of maintaining America's national security and economic vitality with help from cutting-edge AI technology.

Some key features of the AI+ Expo included:

-Challenging Competitions. The AI+ Expo's Drone Arena hosted the first U.S. military drone competition held in Washington, including not only military teams, but also high school and college students. Attendees looking to bend their brains signed up for an on-site hackathon that challenged the boundaries of AI problem-solving.

-Meeting and Mingling. The AI+ Careers Stage featured professional discussions about AI-related jobs. The accompanying Talent Marketplace allowed professionals in the public and private sectors to network one-on-one about the future of AI-related jobs and the impact of AI on the workforce and workplace. Job-seekers looking to pursue new careers in AI found opportunities to connect with potential employers.

-Expert Insights. Eight stages, special event rooms, and other venues provided the forums for experts to share vital insights about the future of technology and the impact on American security and success over the three-day conference.

-Books and Demos. The Expo exhibition floor was a celebration of American ingenuity, with more than 160 participants sharing the latest in AI technology. In addition, a dedicated bookstore space hosted book talks, signings, discussions, and Q&As.

Concurrently with the AI+Expo, SCSP hosted The Exchange: Advancing the Legacy of Innovation and National Security. Panelists discussed ways to advance collaboration in AI and other technology across platforms to improve national security. The SCSP Exchanges were inspired by Dr. Ash Carter, the 25th Secretary of Defense, whose pioneering work initiated a transformational change across the U.S. government.

To watch the AI+Expo, visit SCSP's YouTube and to learn more about SCSP, visit scsp.ai.

(Gene Lanzoni, Head of Enterprise Content, Guardian) - For many people, the term “well-being” may bring to mind a quiet walk outdoors or a trip to the gym. In fact, according to this year’s Mind, Body, and Wallet® report from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), most Americans (93%) say that physical and mental health are essential or very important to their overall well-being. Safety and security and healthy relationships also rank highly as key factors impacting their wellness.

When it comes to how people achieve their wellness goals, financial health plays an important role. Put simply, when individuals have poor financial health, it’s often much harder for them to achieve their mental and physical health goals. For example, rising healthcare costs mean many Americans are skipping routine or preventive doctors’ appointments, and market uncertainty can lead to stress around retirement planning.

Given the importance of financial health to supporting overall well-being, it’s especially concerning that a significant number of Americans are struggling with their finances. The same Guardian report found that only 30% of Americans say they have good financial health—a significant drop from 44% in 2022 and an all-time low in the 14-year history of the report.

In sum, financial wellness is about more than building wealth. By lowering stress and freeing up time to attend to physical and mental wellness needs, good financial health can help improve overall well-being in countless ways.

So how can you help support your financial wellness in order to pursue your mental and physical well-being goals? Here are a few ways to get started.

• Take a closer look at the benefits you already have: If you’re currently working, your employer might offer benefits that can help with your financial health. Take the time to learn about these options, especially non-health insurance offerings. For example, life and disability insurance can provide financial confidence in case the unexpected happens. Supplemental health plans like accident, critical illness, cancer, or hospital indemnity insurance can give you extra support by paying a cash benefit directly to you for getting preventive care or if you are hospitalized. Talking to your HR team is a great first step to understanding what’s available and making sure you’re taking full advantage of these resources.
• Start planning for your future today: Having a clear retirement savings plan can help reduce unnecessary stress. To build this plan, begin by reviewing the savings you already have, then assess your current expenses and how they might change in retirement. Don’t forget to account for inflation. Once you have a basic idea of your retirement income needs, you can develop or adjust your savings plan to fill any gaps. This might mean putting more money into your retirement account or adding new products like annuities to your savings strategy. The sooner you start, the better prepared you’ll be for a happy and secure retirement.
• Connect with a financial professional: By working with a financial professional, you can access the tools, solutions, and advice needed to plan for today and the future. Financial professionals can help you develop a plan to support your short- and long-term financial goals. With the support of a financial professional, you can feel more confident in your financial wellness and empowered to achieve your broader wellness goals.

To learn more, visit https://www.guardianlife.com/reports/mind-body-wallet.

Disclaimer

Guardian’s Group Insurance products are underwritten and issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY.  Products are not available in all states.

Material discussed is meant for general informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, medical, or financial advice. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents and employees do not provide tax, legal, medical or finance advice. Consult your tax, legal, medical or finance professional regarding your individual situation.

Guardian® is a registered trademark of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Copyright© 2025 The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. All rights reserved.

8108285.1 (06/2027)

(Jane Kamensky & John Bridgeland) - On July 4, 2025, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello hosted its 63rd annual immigration and naturalization ceremony, swearing in 74 new American citizens from 40 countries across five continents. Their stories remind us of the promise of the Declaration of Independence we celebrate in this 249th anniversary year.

Jefferson would have approved. The ability to leave one's country and join another was, he wrote in 1817, a "natural right, like that of our right to life, liberty, … and the pursuit of happiness” he enumerated in the Declaration decades before.

Keynote speaker Ken Burns captured the spirit of the day by noting that in 1776 -- when kings ruled in France and Britain, a Czarina in St. Petersburg, an emperor in China, a Sultan in Constantinople, and a Shogun in Japan -- men in Philadelphia envisioned a system and wrote words in a Declaration that "turned the world upside down." And out of the Revolutionary War, Burns said, America "came to be about the noblest aspirations of humankind."

Judge John Charles Thomas, the first Black American appointed to Virginia's Supreme Court, declaimed the Declaration's preamble to a roaring crowd. Judge Michael Urbanski noted these new citizens were taking the same oath new Americans had pledged since President Jefferson signed the Naturalization Act of 1802.

Like many American leaders since, Jefferson believed immigration made our country stronger, fairer, richer, and truer to its ideals.

A young woman recounted fleeing Afghanistan in 2020 for “safety, freedom and dignity.” A 35-year-old woman from Peru said she waited decades, like so many others, to become an American. An Irishman became a U.S. citizen “to have my voice count as a parent, neighbor and citizen.” An older woman from Syria simply danced with joy.

As those who witness naturalization ceremonies know, they are powerful reminders to Americans born in this country of why we should value it. In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson said to new citizens in Philadelphia: “if some of us have forgotten what America believed in, you…imported in your own hearts a renewal of the belief…. If I have in any degree forgotten what America was intended for, I will thank God if you will remind me.”

In the century that preceded the Declaration of Independence, almost everyone in the 13 American colonies – whether of European or African descent – had arrived there from someplace else, often within two generations or less. Even Native Americans uprooted often, sometimes in response to European migrations. Since 1776, the United States has constantly been reborn by drawing in populations from around the world, breathing life into the country's motto, e pluribus unum.

As America moves into the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, we ought to learn more about our country's plural origin story, and the ways we became one, born from many. Our founding ideals have endured the test of time precisely because of the recommitment we saw on Jefferson's mountaintop on July 4: a ceremony that spurred us all to renew our oath. Our new and varied fellow Americans breathe fresh life into those ancient ideals and remind us of the relevance they hold for our world today and for future generations.

To learn more about the Declaration of Independence, download these materials at Declaration Book Club.

(NewsUSA) - “Moscow Nights Return” by Beth H. Macy

After years in semi-retirement, Cold War spy Elda Ainsworth is sent by the American government to extract her friend Korinna Federov, a Russian translator for the Kremlin. KGB operative Anatoly Petrov’s mission is to eliminate Korinna, thus ensuring the covert activities of both the American and Russian presidents are kept secret.

The delicate balance of peace is on the line as Elda squares off against Anatoly in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase across Russia and Europe. Alone against the power and resources of the Kremlin, are Elda’s wits and skills enough to save Korinna and win one for America in the new Cold War?

“Moscow Nights Return” is the first book in a gripping series of spy thrillers that bring alive flawed characters who operate in this clandestine world of international espionage. The fifth book in the Moscow Nights series will be released in the fall. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4fnlRuN.

“Falling Angels: A Maxx King Thriller” by John H. Thomas

In the explosive finale of the Maxx King trilogy, former Army Ranger Maxx King, a cybersecurity expert, faces a conspiracy that could end humanity. From Seattle’s secret labs to Beijing’s frenetic streets and Afghanistan’s war-torn mountains, Maxx and his team of allies — fierce Gabby, steadfast Andres and loyal Glen — hunt a rogue ex-DARPA scientist, traitor CIA operatives, and an Iranian physicist wielding technology that could trigger chaos on a cataclysmic scale.

The clock is ticking. Betrayals sting like shrapnel. In a pulse-pounding showdown, he must outmaneuver a killer who never misses, averting global catastrophe and saving the woman he loves.

“Falling Angels” is a merciless thriller packed with loyalty, betrayal and unbreakable spirit. This Maxx King saga finale grips readers with relentless suspense and gut-wrenching emotion. Jack Slater and Matthew Reilly fans will love this: one rule applies when facing a world-ending conspiracy — don’t blink. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4jUOKki.

“Homo Idioticus: Why We Are Stupid and What to Do About It” by Cezary Pietrasik

We are not Homo sapiens or Homo economicus; we are Homo idioticus.

- IQs in developed countries have been declining since 1995

- 10% of Americans use their phones during sex

- 40% of Americans reject the theory of evolution

- Nearly 40% of the world’s population has not completed high school

- 86% of American teens cannot differentiate between fact and opinion

“Homo Idioticus” explores the paradox of human intelligence and irrationality, delving into the roots of this idiocy, from biology to societal norms to systemic flaws, using vivid historical and modern examples to illustrate our follies.

With humor, compelling anecdotes and a clear sense of urgency, “Homo Idioticus” challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human behavior by providing a profound exploration of how humans can be their own worst enemies — and how we, both individually and collectively, can fight back. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3ZAfSy3.

“High Flight: A Pilot's Journey Through Life” by Richard Hess

Richard Hess, born John Patrick Aliano, began life in a typical middle-class household. His parents divorced when he was just a toddler, and after his mom remarried, she gave him her new husband's surname, further distancing him from his paternal roots. Growing up on New York's mean streets with an abusive stepfather taught Richard grit at a very early age.

This grit followed him into the United States Air Force, which became his surrogate patriarch for the next 28 years. During his service, Richard learned to leave his scars behind. Now, after 50 years of marriage, raising three kids, fighting in nine war zones and traveling to countless countries, he's gained a certain perspective on life.

Richard's years spent as a military pilot, airline captain and businessman have given him an education in life, love and faith — an education that begs to be shared. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3FZEMAr.

(NewsUSA) - A medida que volvemos a hacer viajes, cocinar en el patio y pasar tiempo con los amigos y familiares este verano, el COVID-19 sigue siendo algo a lo que debemos prestar atención. Aunque el virus ya no ocupe los titulares, no ha desaparecido. De hecho, en cada uno de los últimos cuatro años, los casos de COVID-19 han aumentado en julio y agosto (en inglés).

¿Por qué sucede esto? El calor del verano suele invitar a las reuniones en espacios interiores y eventos en lugares con aire acondicionado, más viajes y más tiempo cerca de otras personas. Estas son algunas de las razones por las que el virus tiene más oportunidades de propagarse.

Aunque un caso leve de COVID-19 puede sentirse como un resfriado fuerte para algunas personas, en muchas otras puede causar problemas de salud graves, hospitalización o incluso la muerte. Los médicos afirman que casi 3 de cada 4 adultos en los Estados Unidos están con riesgo de enfermarse gravemente a causa del COVID-19. Esto incluye a personas con afecciones de salud comunes como enfermedades cardíacas, diabetes, cáncer, asma y otros problemas pulmonares. Incluso los adultos mayores de 50 años tienen más probabilidades de enfermarse de gravedad suficiente como para necesitar atención médica.

Las vacunas siguen siendo una defensa fuerte contra el COVID-19, pero puede que no protejan completamente a todas las personas, especialmente a quienes tienen otras afecciones de salud. Y esté alguien vacunado o no, es importante estar preparado y saber que existen tratamientos antivirales que pueden ayudar.

¿Qué son los antivirales?

Los medicamentos antivirales pueden ayudar a tu cuerpo a combatir el virus. Pueden evitar que los síntomas empeoren y prevenir una enfermedad más grave, reduciendo así la posibilidad de ser hospitalizado o morir por el COVID-19. Funcionan mejor si se toman dentro de los cinco días después de que comienzan los primeros síntomas. Por eso, actuar con rapidez es muy importante.

Muchas personas que podrían beneficiarse del tratamiento no saben que lo pueden recibir o no saben cómo encontrarlo rápidamente. Esto puede causar demoras, lo que hace que el medicamento sea menos eficaz.

“Algunas personas piensan que si ya se vacunaron o se sienten saludables, no necesitan tratamiento”, dijo Karyne Jones, presidenta y directora ejecutiva de NCBA, Inc. y convocante de CVEEP. “Pero eso no siempre es cierto. El COVID-19 aún puede causar enfermedad grave en muchas personas. Saber cuándo tomar antivirales y cómo obtenerlos puede ayudar a salvar vidas”.

Lo que puedes hacer ahora

Si te encuentras en el grupo de mayor riesgo de presentar complicaciones a causa del COVID-19, aquí hay algunos pasos que puedes dar para mantenerte seguro:

Conoce tu riesgo de enfermarte gravemente: Si tienes 50 años o más, o si tienes asma, cáncer, diabetes, una enfermedad cardíaca u otra afección de salud, es posible que tengas mayor riesgo de presentar una enfermedad grave por el COVID-19.

Habla con tu proveedor de atención médica: Pregunta si te convendría un tratamiento antiviral y dónde conseguirlo.

No esperes si comienzas a sentirte mal: Los antivirales funcionan mejor cuando se toman temprano, especialmente dentro de los primeros días después de que aparecen los síntomas.

El COVID-19 aún está presente, pero contamos con las herramientas para combatirlo. Estar preparado, mantenerse alerta y actuar con rapidez son las mejores formas de proteger tu salud y disfrutar del verano.

Para obtener más información, visita https://cveep.org/es/.

(NewsUSA) - As we get back to summer travel, cookouts, and time with friends and family, COVID-19 is still something to watch out for. While the virus may not be making big headlines, it hasn’t gone away. In fact, in each of the last four years, COVID-19 rates have gone up in July and August.

Why does this happen? The summer heat often means more indoor get-togethers and events in air-conditioned spaces, more travel, and more time spent around other people. These are just a few of the things that give the virus more chances to spread.

While a mild case of COVID-19 may feel like a bad cold for some, it can lead to serious health issues, hospitalization, or even death for many others. Doctors say nearly 3 out of 4 U.S. adults are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. This includes people with common health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, asthma and other lung problems. Even adults over age 50 have a greater chance of getting sick enough to need medical care.

Vaccines are still a strong defense against COVID-19. But they may not fully protect everyone, especially those with other health issues. And whether someone’s vaccinated or not, it’s important to be prepared and know that there are antiviral treatments that can help.

What Are Antivirals?

Antiviral medicines can help your body fight off the virus. They can help stop symptoms from getting worse and prevent more serious illness, lowering the chance of going to the hospital or dying from COVID-19. They work best if you take them within five days after the first symptoms start. So, acting fast is very important.

Many people who could benefit from treatment don’t know they can get it or don’t know how to find it quickly. This can cause delays, which makes the medicine less helpful.

“Some people think that if they got the vaccine or feel healthy, they don’t need treatment,” said Karyne Jones, President and CEO of NCBA, Inc. and co-convener of CVEEP. “But that’s not always true. COVID-19 can still cause serious illness for many people. Knowing when to take antivirals, and how to get them, can help save lives.”

What You Can Do Now

If you are more likely to have problems from COVID-19, here are a few steps you can take to stay safe:

Know your chance of getting very sick: If you’re age 50 or older—or have asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or another health issue—you may be more likely to get very ill from COVID-19.

Talk to your healthcare provider: Ask if you might be someone who would benefit from an antiviral treatment and where to get it.
Don’t wait if you start to feel sick: Antivirals work best when taken early, especially within a few days of symptoms.

COVID-19 is still around, but we have tools to fight it. Being ready, staying alert, and acting quickly are the best ways to protect your health and enjoy your summer.

To learn more, visit cveep.org.

(NewsUSA) - The path to a sustainable energy future hinges not only on wind, solar, and battery storage systems—but also on the skilled individuals who build, maintain, and operate them. A diverse, well-trained workforce is essential to the future of clean energy. Yet, too often, investments focus exclusively on technology, overlooking the people who make these innovations possible.

Clean energy currently provides direct, indirect, and induced good-paying jobs for approximately 1.4 million Americans. Roles such as wind turbine technicians and solar installers rank among the fastest-growing careers in the nation. Consider the case of wind turbine technicians: these professionals install, maintain, and repair turbines, ensuring energy continues to flow with minimal downtime. Entry into the field requires no prior degree or experience, and a starting salary between $45,000 and $65,000 is achievable after just 6–8 weeks of basic safety and technical training, followed by on-the-job training for in-field application of skills. These facts underscore the clean energy sector’s capacity to offer accessible and upwardly mobile careers, often times in rural and disadvantaged areas.

Veterans also play a particularly vital role in this transition, comprising 9% of the clean energy workforce—a figure higher than the average for other industries. With leadership, discipline, and technical expertise developed through service, veterans are uniquely positioned to succeed in clean energy roles.

Despite clean energy jobs now outpacing fossil fuel roles nearly three to one, continued progress depends on sustained investment in workforce development. Scaling training programs across a range of skills—from welding and electrical work to trouble-shooting and project management—is essential. Prioritizing underserved populations, including veterans, women, rural communities, and traditional energy workers, will help ensure that the energy transition is both equitable and robust.

Federal and state leaders are elevating workforce development as a national priority, especially for skilled trades. Earlier this year, the White House issued executive orders elevating programming for career and technical education and directing federal agencies to expand pathways to high-paying trade jobs of the future. And at the state level, workforce development remains a key policy focus, with bipartisan support for expanding career and technical education programs.

Strengthening the clean energy workforce is about more than meeting job demand. It is a catalyst for regional revitalization, economic opportunity, and enhanced national competitiveness. The clean energy future is not a distant goal—it is being realized now, through the efforts of skilled technicians, engineers, and project managers across the country. To power that future, bold alignment across policy, education, and industry is required—not just in support of equipment, but in support of the people who make it all possible.

(NewsUSA) - Our nation’s power grid – the network that brings electricity from where it’s generated to where it’s used – is severely outdated. Most of America’s transmission lines are more than 50 years old, and date back to the 1950-60s. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given our power grid a D+ grade. As we use more electronics, build new factories, and continue to grow AI data centers, our electricity demand increases. But our outdated grid cannot keep up.

When the grid fails, it’s not just an inconvenience. Blackouts mean straining hospitals, fire departments, and police, as well as safety threats and lack of heating and cooling during extreme weather. Recent tornados and high winds across the central US this year have shown how a weak grid can leave communities without power for days. Expanded transmission strengthens the grid against extreme weather by creating alternative pathways for electricity to move, giving us the flexibility to handle emergencies by moving electricity from where it’s available to where it’s needed most.

Energy storage also plays a critical role. When used as a transmission and distribution asset, storage can relieve congestion on overloaded lines, provide backup during outages, and reduce the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades. By storing electricity during periods of low demand and discharging it when demand spikes or outages occur, storage supports grid stability and enhances resilience.

More transmission also improves efficiency by easing power transfer between regions to meet demand. When power can’t move easily between regions, areas with high demand cannot access cheaper power, leaving households and businesses with higher bills. Expanded transmission networks are the backbone of a strong, affordable, and reliable energy system, letting us tap into the cheapest sources of power. New transmission also makes it easier to bring new resources online, presenting an all-of-the-above opportunity for various energy sources to serve consumers across the country. 

Building new or expanded transmission lines not only increases reliability and resiliency, it creates good-paying jobs. Over one million Americans are currently employed in transmission, distribution and storage. Expanding transmission will create jobs in construction, maintenance, and operation. Reliable transmission also attracts manufacturing and new businesses, creating economic growth and job opportunities.

Today, building new transmission lines is slow and complicated, often tangled in red tape between states and regions. We need to update the rules so projects can move forward quickly and fairly. A stronger grid means fewer blackouts, lower bills, and more jobs. It’s a win for families, businesses, and our entire economy. Let’s invest in America’s future by investing in the power network we all depend on.

(NewsUSA) - Family Meals Nurture Civility and Connection at the Table

Whether it’s laughing over spaghetti or tackling tough conversations, family meals offer more than just food. They foster connection. Now, new research released today by the FMI Foundation, substantiates that family meals also promote something our world desperately needs – increased civility. According to the report, family meals create opportunities to model civil discussions among those gathered around the table. The shared meal offers a safe space for families to share day-to-day struggles and successes while learning to disagree respectfully and support each other.

In April 2025, the FMI Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers research, education, and resources related to health and well-being, surveyed approximately 1,000 adult grocery shoppers from throughout the U.S. Of these, just over half responded that family meals help them feel more connected. The 2025 Staying Strong with Family Meals Barometer Survey found that sharing a meal impacts our ability to be civil. Additionally, 66% of respondents agreed that a meal together promotes more civil conversation.

Almost three-quarters of respondents agreed that family meals are a great time to have and teach respectful interactions with children and teens, and 68% agreed that frequent family meals provide a safe environment for family members to discuss thorny social issues.

The civil impact of family meals also extends to teen behavior. Numerous studies indicate that youth who routinely participate in family meals have higher grades, lower rates of drug use, delayed sexual activity, as well as reduced symptoms of depression, violence, and suicide.

“Family meals are society’s super-power to producing healthier, happier, more productive citizens,” according to David Fikes, executive director of the FMI Foundation. “Dining together with loved ones contributes to higher self-esteem, greater resilience, and improved problem-solving skills in children, and more informed, engaged, and supportive parents.

Thirty years of research and thousands of studies show that family meals provide a setting for families to address many common challenges, such as poor communication among family members, conflicting schedules, lack of time together and supporting healthier eating choices.

The Family Meals Movement is an outreach program designed to educate the public about the many benefits of family meals. It also encourages people to have just one more meal per week with loved ones.

It all starts with one meal. Learn more at www.FamilyMealsMovement.org.

(Julian Cañete, President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce) - Running a small business in California can feel like death by a thousand policies. With over 420,000 restrictions – more than triple the national average of 136,000 – on everything from notifications to duplicative permits, it’s no secret that the Golden State is massively overregulated. These regulations often impose costly compliance burdens on businesses without accomplishing the well-intentioned goals they set out to achieve. And for California’s small businesses, many of these policies can be the difference between success and failure.

We need to be clear eyed in recognizing how California’s mountain of red tape is stifling thousands of businesses that are working harder than ever to create jobs, grow our economy, and strengthen our communities. Unfortunately today, our system of overregulation is hitting small, community-rooted businesses the hardest and they simply can’t afford any new and costly regulations. That’s because adding compliance costs and administrative burdens can be debilitating, forcing entrepreneurs to spend more time navigating a labyrinth of permits and documentation rather than growing their business.

California creates impediments for entrepreneurs from the day they come up with an idea for a new business. Securing a permit to even open a business is a long and arduous process that involves navigating a maze of city, county, health, fire, signage, and industry‑specific permits – a process which can take months, or even years in extreme cases. And once you are up and running, the stack of paperwork – and bills – only gets higher. In fact, in cities like San Francisco, it can take nearly two years to get a building permit for a multi-family project, driving up costs or making developers and other businesses flee the state.

But our state’s problems with overregulation are far beyond the very clear permitting issues.

Take for example the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which was pitched as a way to give local consumers more control over their personal information and data. While well-intentioned, this law shifted the real burden onto businesses who have to pony up for sky-high compliance fees and new IT software or risk facing hefty penalties. For smaller businesses and start-ups, these costs are a knockout blow – research shows that California small businesses will bear $9 billion of the law’s in-state costs as a result of these kinds of requirements - and that’s just one example.

There are many other well-meaning, but miscalculated policies that are killing our state’s economy. This includes the annual minimum wage hikes that have already led to job cuts and certainly contributed to higher costs to consumers. There are also laws on the books that foster predatory shakedown lawsuits to force quick settlements instead of costly litigation. And now, despite progress made through last year’s much-needed reforms to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) - which curbed many of these predatory lawsuits on businesses - lawmakers are already trying to roll them back, again leaving small businesses exposed to costly, frivolous litigation. All of this is on top of existing hyper-specific state rules governing every industry that few small companies can manage, let alone keep track of.

California’s climate of overregulation is hurting our state - whether it’s our rising unemployment rates, soaring housing costs, or the mountain of red tape entrepreneurs face, it’s no wonder California continues to be ranked dead last as the worst state for business since at least 2014.

This isn’t a call to action – it’s a call to pause and rethink. Government needs to stop burdening our small businesses so that they can nurture their own California Dream, benefiting all of us through new jobs, increased economic activity, revitalized neighborhoods, and a broadened tax base to support important needed community benefits. Lawmakers must prioritize smart and sensible policies that keep our economic engine growing rather than regressing and contributing to an environment of overly strict red tape. Since the pioneer days, our state has been a bellwether for innovation and leadership, attracting eager entrepreneurs from around the world. Don’t regulate us out of existence.

Julian Cañete is the President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC), California’s premier organization dedicated to promoting the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and businesses statewide.