About CalABC and CalABC Progress:

Much progress has been made by the California Automotive Business Coalition (CalABC) on your behalf. As most of you are aware, we have successfully completed the transition from the Automotive Repair Coalition (ARC) to CalABC, broadening the influence of the organization while providing more services to a much larger spectrum of the state’s aftermarket. Our ability to promote our interests in both the political arena and in our financial well-being comes from our increasing number of members.

Just to highlight a few of the successful accomplishments the Coalition has delivered this past year:

• A 500 % increase in career technical education (CTE) budget for both high school and junior colleges statewide, ensuring a well trained workforce for the future;
  
  
• Reform of the smog check program to support industry’s expectations for a profitable return on their investments;
  
  
• Creation of a Political Action Committee (PAC) to support those elected officials who understand our issues;
  
  
• Reform of the workers compensation system resulting in a significant reduction in premiums for employers;
  
  
• Participation in CA Small Business Day through our membership in the California Small Business Association.
  We are preparing to deal with some rather interesting policy challenges that we already know will surface in this coming year such as:
  
  
• Mandated health benefits for all employees;
  
  
• Revision of the State’s Implementation Program (SIP) for Smog Check as required by federal law;
  
  
• Working with a new BAR chief;
  
  
• Educating the new legislators elected in November as a result of term limits, who will be considering bills that will directly impact the profitability of industry.

We want to thank all who have worked so hard to make the new CalABC the kind of organization that truly represents this great industry. A very special thanks to the Executive Board of Directors and our staff who have gone above and beyond the call