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According to a recent Public Policy Institute of California survey, 40% of Los Angeles County <br />residents earning less than $40,000 per year have had trouble paying some kind of bill as a <br />result of COVID-19. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of these Los Angeles County low-income <br />residents report cutting back on food. Increasing the cost of groceries and other essentials <br />would only compound these already -concerning statistics. <br />Extra pay mandates could also harm the very workers they are intended to help. Higher costs <br />could force grocers to reduce the number of workers, available hours, and even store locations. <br />In addition, extra pay mandates could make it more difficult for many grocers to stay afloat, <br />especially independent grocers, small markets, ethnic grocers and grocery stores in <br />disadvantaged communities already struggling to keep their doors open. Most grocers operate <br />with thin margins, even during the pandemic. Shutting down grocery stores will result in <br />increased food insecurity and food deserts, especially in low-income and disadvantaged <br />neighborhoods. <br />These ordinances are rushed and not adequately researched. We urge our local elected leaders <br />to pause the vote on any local extra pay ordinance until you complete a full analysis of the <br />costs, impacts on local families and our community, and input from local businesses. <br />Additional, extra pay mandates will not make grocery workers any safer. <br />Sincerely, <br />Ron Fong, President & CEO <br />California Grocers Association <br />Robert Rivinius, President <br />Family Business Association of California <br />Elizabeth Graham, Executive Director <br />California Fuels & Convenience Alliance <br />Jay King, President <br />California Black Chamber of Commerce <br />Jeremy Harris, President & CEO <br />Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce <br />Maria S. Salinas, President & CEO <br />Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce <br />Stuart Waldman, President <br />Valley Industry & Commerce Association <br />Tracy Hernandez, Founding CEO <br />Los Angeles County Business Federation <br />(LA BizFed) <br />Faith Bautista, Chief Executive Officer <br />National Diversity Coalition <br />Doug Kessler, Executive Director <br />Si Se Puede Foundation of Fresno, Kern, <br />Kings and Tulare Counties <br />Rachel Michelin, President & CEO <br />California Retailers Association <br />Ruben Smith, Chairman of the Board <br />Latino Food Industry Association <br />Robert C. Lapsley, President <br />California Business Roundtable <br />Pat Fong Kushida, President & CEO <br />CalAsian Chamber of Commerce <br />Julian Canete, President & CEO <br />California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce <br />Ruben Guerra, Chairman & CEO <br />The Latin Business Association <br />Lucy Dunn, President & CEO <br />Orange County Business Council <br />Bill Manis, President & CEO <br />San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership <br />Adam Ruiz, Chair <br />Southwest California Legislative Council <br />Cindy Roth, President & CEO <br />Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce <br />