SALINAS, Calif.- A state-bashing battle between two governors gets heated and it involves our very own Governor Jerry Brown.
"It's not a serious story guys, you take a little radio ad and all you guys run like lap dogs to report it. Doesn't even (unintelligible) a burp, it's barely a fart," said Governor Jerry Brown.
That's our governor responding to a radio ad from fellow Governor Rick Perry, that's playing here in California. In the ad, the Texas leader is trying to steal business from the Golden State.
"Building a business is tough, but I hear building a business in California is next to impossible," said Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Perry's new radio ad campaign is aiming to poach California businesses to move to the Lone Star state. He credits the state's low taxes, fair legal system and sensible regulations.
We posted this story on our Facebook page and included a link, so you can listen to the complete ad and the conversation got started. Eric Van Hagen said "I can definitely say that running a business in California isn't impossible, but it sure isn't cheap, or easy to do. For small business owners like me, there are many more factors working against you, then for you."
Coleen Dunham said, "running a business of any size, especially a small one, in California is beyond difficult. If California doesn't want businesses moving out, they should try being a little more business friendly as opposed to the welfare friendly that they are now."
So just how hard is it for business owners here in California? According to Forbes list of Best States for Business, California is ranked in the bottom ten and the US Chamber of Commerce said on average it cost 30% more to do business in California than in other states in the west.
So in light of Governor Perry's radio ad, we wanted to find out what some of our local business owners think about setting up shop here in California. Opinions definitely depend on who you talk with when it comes to regulations as a business owner. But on Tuesday night, Central Coast News was at the Salinas City Council meeting, where we spoke with the owners of Banker's Casino to get their take on this debate that has people talking.
"California is getting very tough to do business, with other states coming in with less taxes and more opportunity, it does raise an eyebrow. I do have many, many friends that are investing money in Texas now because they're saying California is tough," said Banker's Casino co-owner Sal Jimenez.
Jimenez said ever since they opened about three years ago, it's been tough to deal with all the rules from the Department of Justice covering gambling to regulation from the city of Salinas. Some other businesses we spoke with disagree, saying a lot of regulations have protected them over the years, against lawsuits.
On Tuesday, ironically enough Banker's Casino went to Salinas City Council asking to be allowed to add off-track horse betting and a couple more tables to it's card room. They're getting both, allowing them to bring in more money. But the city is also trying to figure out how to get larger cut of the money the casino is bringing in, by charging them higher fees or possibly even a tax to operate. The city hasn't come up with a plan yet. But making sure the casino stays successful is a big priority.
"The reason I voted on this issue is because I look at it as economic development, however you feel about gambling or whatever, we need to keep people working," said Salinas Councilmember Tony Barrera.
Barrera is also responding to a statement by a citizen regarding the possibility of a conflict of interest in the ongoing Banker's Casino discussion. Barrera and Councilmember Gloria De La Rosa said they both had a campaign donation from Banker's Casino in the past. Casino co-owner Sal Jimenez said through a separate business, he also gave money to Councilmember Jose Castaneda in the past.
The Fair Political Practices Commission said they're not doing anything wrong, because they were elected. If they were appointed, the commission said it's possible there could be a conflict of interest.
