Hawthorne Press Tribune Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - April 6, 2017 El Camino College Celebrates Women of Distinction 2017 Six successful women were honored last month at the 2017 El Camino College Women of Distinction Ceremony. The accomplishments of these award winners will be featured on the El Camino College Women’s Wall of Fame (in the Schauerman Library) throughout the year. Pictured from left are the 2017 ECC Women of Distinction: Chandra Shaw, Naomi McElvain, Dena P. Maloney (ECC Superintendent/ President), Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga, Teresa Palos, Alexis Estwick, and Ann Patterson. (Photo courtesy of El Camino College) Is the Region Really at Full Employment? By Rob McCarthy consecutive year, more residents left than Matthew Fienup looks at the same jobs moved into the state, according to census data as other economists, yet he’s convinced data. This economist is predicting the exodus something is missing. The Southern over the next two years will be even greater. California-based economist is suspicious about California has outperformed the U.S. the supposed strength of the job market and economy for a long time. That’s due to a the state’s economy. He’s not convinced it’s “rich endowment” that includes abundant accurate. “We see California and the U.S. natural resources, exceptional climate and well below potential,” he said. geographic location, and a legacy of creative That view puts him at odds with other and technical innovation. But, “the growth economists who believe the region is at premium that California enjoys over the “full employment” and that the economy is Nation is shrinking,” Fienup says. strong. Fiend, who calls himself a “contrarian” on such points, has released an early-2017 economic report with implications for South “Decades of policy experimentation Bay employers and employees. One of his are having an effect... In addition, findings is California’s economy is slipping growth in state revenues has declined and the state is losing its tax revenue and in recent months.” people. “Decades of policy experimentation are having an effect,” he wrote. “In addition, The university economist says the growth in state revenues has declined in recent regulatory rollbacks and tax-code changes months.” He cites an unfriendly business proposed by President Trump could help environment, heavy regulation and tax levels the local economy, but he’s not confident for restraining California’s mighty economy. either about Congress passing any significant State leaders like to say it’s the sixth largest legislation soon. “We do not believe that the in the world, while others say it’s the 11th reforms discussed and Tweeted about by the biggest because of high business costs. Trump Administration are actually likely to Other economists see unemployment implemented,” he wrote in a summary of hovering near five percent and call that full quarterly report, which is posted at the Cal employment. Fienup disagrees with their Lutheran Center for Economic Studies and optimistic assessment or that anyone who Research website. wants a job can find one. What he calls Rolling back regulations and changing “labor market participation”--the number the tax code would be good places for of Californians actively working or looking federal policymakers to start, Fineup thinks. for a job--is at the lowest level since 1978, California would be less likely to benefit even he says. He believes scores of Americans if “D.C. did get its act together” because have stopped looking for work. Some are the President lost the popular vote here by on extended unemployment or have gone on a 2-to-1 margin. Even on the national level, disability and disappeared from the weekly Fineup is telling business leaders he doesn’t jobs survey. think the Trump effect will make that much People continue to leave California for jobs of a difference. and opportunities elsewhere. For the 25th Governor Jerry Brown has told the new President that California will ignore any regulatory rollback that weakens the state’s greenhouse emissions standards, considered the toughest in the nation. Trump on March 28 issued an executive order that overturned Obama-era restrictions on coal-burning at U.S. power plants. Brown vowed earlier this year to keep our tough emission standards in place through the next four years. It’s both a direct challenge to the new President and a potential loss of federal money, which the state badly needs. By comparison, the data presented in the 2017 early forecast shows the U.S. economy lagging compared to 1947-2007. The growth rate over that 60-year period was twice the current rate, the authors note. This economy could not withstand a “significant external shock,” Fineup warns, despite record stock market prices. Making matters worse, Governor Brown and lawmakers are facing their first budget deficit in five years. It’s possible that President Trump wouldn’t include California in any windfall of federal money from a jobs program or infrastructure buildup. Sacramento depends on federal dollars for Medicaid recipients. Local police and law enforcement agencies are funded in part by the Department of Justice. The White House says it will withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities that don’t enforce federal immigrant policies under the Trump administration. Money needed for the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act could be on the chopping block too. Trump lost the popular vote here, so a political payback is a real possibility. The “Trump effect” here could have a different meaning than what supporters and pro-business groups expected after the November election. “Early signs indicate that Trump might actually try to stick it to California,” Fienup warns. • Inside This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals.......................5 Calendar...............................2 Classifieds............................3 Community Briefs...............3 Hawthorne Happenings....3 Legals............................2, 6-7 Pets........................................8 Police Reports.....................2 Sports....................................4 Weekend Forecast Friday Partly Cloudy 64˚/57˚ Saturday Partly Cloudy 62˚/51˚ Sunday Sunny 64˚/51˚ The Weekly Newspaper of Hawthorne
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