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In honor of equality and progress, and in support of our LGBT employees and customers, U.S. Bank is proud to introduce the LGBT design debit card coming in 2017.

Designs can be submitted now through January 31. The public will vote for their favorites, and the top 3 designers will be awarded cash prizes. The top design (and card) will launch in May 2017 – just in time for Pride month in June. Spread the word!

Click here to learn more and submit designs.

On March 7th, Los Angeles is expected to face one of the most dangerous ballot initiatives ever to impact our city.
 
Measure S (also known as the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative), a poorly written housing ban, driven by Michael Weinstein to protect his view of the Hollywood sign, is mixture of half-truths, bad math, and outright deceptive statements that would make L.A.’s housing crisis—already one of the least affordable cities in the nation—even worse.
 
L.A.’s planning system needs to be fixed but Measure S goes too far.
 
According to economic experts, in a written report, Measure S will:

• destroy as many as 12,000 jobs, and cost workers over $640 million in lost wages every year
• eliminate $1.9 billion in economic activity  every year and could drive our city back into recession
• raise costs on renters by $10.6 million every year
• cost taxpayers $70 million every year, enough for 1,000 police officers or firefighters
• block the building of hospitals, fire stations, and public transit
• prevent the city from implementing recently passed laws to increase affordable housing and build housing for the homeless

 
That’s why the Los Angeles Times said Measure S is “a recipe for higher housing costs, more homelessness and greater inequality.”
 
The largest coalition in L.A. history – many who usually don’t work together – have come together to oppose Measure S because it will eliminate tens of thousands of jobs, stop badly needed affordable and homeless housing, and cost taxpayers over $70 million a year in lost revenue needed for police, firefighters, and other vital city services.
 
Visit www.GoesTooFar.com to learn more about Measure S and join the coalition!
 
We hope to count on you to help protect L.A. jobs and homes by joining our coalition to oppose Measure S and by voting no on March 7. 

As of 1/1/17 Salaried Exempt employees must earn at least 2 times the minimum wage of $10.50 to continue their Exempt status. This means anyone earning less than $43,680 must submit a timecard and is now overtime eligible.
 
Under California law, employers must pay employees overtime unless they fall under an exemption, such as certain administrative, executive, or professional jobs.

​In California, an “exempt” employee must generally be:

• Paid a monthly salary equivalent to not less than two times the California minimum wage for full-time employment; and
• Engaged in work which is primarily intellectual, managerial, or creative, and which requires exercise of discretion and independent judgment.

Employee exemptions under California Law

• California Executive Exemption
• California Administrative Exemption
• California Professional Exemption
• California Outside Sales Exemption

As of January 1, 2017, the West Hollywood sales tax rate fell from 9.00% to 8.75%.  The reduction occurred because of the expiration of the temporary ¼ cent sales tax increase that State voters approved as part of Prop 30 in 2012.
 
However, on July 1, 2017, the West Hollywood sales tax rate will increase from 8.75% to 9.25%, because Measure M (the Countywide transportation measure passed in November) will take effect.
 
If County voters approve the Homeless Services ¼ cent sales tax increase on the March 2017 ballot the sales tax rate would increase by another ¼ cent on July 1st, for a total of 9.5%.

Per California Assembly bill (2016 CA AB 1732) and beginning on March 1, 2017, all single-user toilet facilities in any business establishment, place of public accommodation, or government agency are required to be identified as all-gender toilet facilities. Additionally, inspectors, building officials, or other local officials responsible for code enforcement may inspect for compliance. A “single-user toilet facility” is a bathroom with no more than one water closet (toilet) and one urinal with a locking mechanism controlled by the user.

According to the law, the California restroom signage required (per Title 24 of the California Building Code) must be placed in doorways leading to a public restroom and must be identified by a geometric symbol centered horizontally on the door at a centered height of 60 inches above the floor. Unisex restrooms are identified by the designate 12-inch circle with a 12-inch triangle superimposed on it. The color of the triangle must contrast with that of the circle, which must contrast with the color of the door (see California Building Code 11B-703.7.2.6.3). California law also requires that two signs be posted to identify a restroom open to the public.
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Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the standard text sign such as “Women” and “Men” is required along with the California geometric sign installed per the standards described just above.