North Bay Business Journal

Editorial cartoon: Budget surplus

State chamber says marijuana legalization would hurt business

Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, not only would legalize pot use in California but create a legal quagmire for employers by compromising workplace safety and establishing a new class of protected workers in the state, according to a legal analysis by the California Chamber of Commerce.

Commentary: The five critical phases of selling a business

Remember the story about the chicken and pig that walk past a diner advertising “bacon and eggs” for breakfast? The chicken enthusiastically endorses the menu. The pig replies, “For you it’s all in a day’s work. For me it’s total commitment.”

Commentary: California needs a business climate that supports everyone

California is No. 1 at something: the worst place in America to do business, a ranking it’s held since CEO magazine began surveying CEOs in 2005. Not only does California’s business climate rank worse than every other state, but California ranks far below the national average in every category tested, from taxes to regulations, to workplace quality to living environment. In only one sub-category, Arts & Culture (ranked lowest in importance to CEOs), California surpasses the national average.

Letters to the Editor: Sutter Hospital

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Tuesday considered the proposal for a new Sutter hospital near the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. The following letters were submitted in support of the project.

Commentary: Jobs and Prosperity Project: Economic and civic vitality

What do voting, jobs and prosperity have in common? It turns out a lot. And as we try to cut the 10.4 percent unemployment that is persisting in Sonoma County, we all can benefit from knowing what those connections are.

Commentary: Go ahead, be a heretic about energy and living

What has Seth Godin’s new book “Tribes,” a visit to South Africa and the Tiny House movement got to do with energy conservation in the home? The short answer is everything.

Letter to the Editor: Sutter Hospital project right location, good for economy

As a local resident and business owner, I want to add my voice in support of the new Sutter hospital that is being presented for your approval.

Commentary: Highly charged political atmosphere has implications for business

As we approach November mid-term elections, heated political discussions in the workplace may be difficult to avoid, if you do not have a clear policy in place. On a daily basis, via the Internet, social networking and traditional media channels, we are confronted with examples of everyday citizens freely voicing their opinions more than ever before.

Commentary: Market crash reveals flaws in 401(k) retirement system

A number of studies done by life insurance companies only confirm and quantify the obvious – baby boomers of all ages believe there is a retirement crisis in America. Although the real estate and stock market crashes of the last few years brought the problem into the open, this malaise had been bubbling under the surface for quite some time.