Westlake Village, CA - One of Ventura County's major job providers, Haas Automation of Oxnard, has decided against continuing their planned expansion in Ventura County, citing California's unstable tax and regulatory environment.

“In his State of the State message, Governor Jerry Brown talked about turning around California’s economy. While some positive signs are on the horizon, bureaucrats throughout the state continue to restrict recovery by imposing their overbearing new regulations,” said Ernie Villegas, Assembly Member Jeff Gorell’s District Director. “Excessive regulation is chasing major employers out of the state and discouraging the ones who do stay from expanding their operations to provide new jobs.”

"Regulatory reform is one of Mr. Gorell’s top priorities,” Villegas noted. Assemblyman Gorell’s office will introduce legislation this year to delay the implementation of new rainwater regulations by the State Water Control Board that will cost both local government and local businesses millions of dollars every year to implement without adequate science or procedures to warrant the costs.

While we don’t yet know if this legislation will change Haas Automation’s decision, Gorell’s Assembly office has been meeting with stakeholders throughout the county to listen to their concerns and to develop proactive solutions to the burdensome costs of over-regulation. Our office is also in communication with Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom's office. The Lt. Governor has expressed real concern for keeping businesses in California when confronting these issues. Assemblyman Gorell looks forward to working with the Lt. Governor in any way possible to find solutions to these regulatory problems.

Assembly Member Jeff Gorell is currently serving with the Navy in Afghanistan, but is looking forward to returning home to Camarillo and to his job with the legislature in about two months. When he returns, he will be continuing his legislative focus on streamlining government, establishing priorities in state finance, and reducing the regulatory roadblocks to our state's economic recovery.