RL NEWS Weekly Update

Three Rescued in Human Trafficking Operation

LONG BEACH — Two children and a woman were rescued this past weekend in Long Beach thanks to Operation Cross Country, a four-day humane trafficking sweep. Three people were arrested in connection to human trafficking, three were arrested for pimping and 54 people were arrested for prostitution or drug related offenses.

The Long Beach Police Department partook in the FBI headed initiative, in which 106 cites were involved, 168 children were rescued and 281 pimps were arrested.

Anyone with information can call (562) 570-7219 or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

Assembly Policy Panel OKs Response Plan To Panama Threat

SACRAMENTO – On June 24, an export-promotion and financing plan that passed its policy review on a bipartisan vote of Senate Bill 511 in the California Senate.This bill would provide small and medium-sized exporters with information and technical assistance on export opportunities and exporting techniques, as well as financial assistance in support of export transactions through the creation of an export finance office. The bill also requires the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, or GO-Biz, to convene a statewide business partnership for port trade promotion.

California used to have such an office that, according to state data, annually generated about $1.8 billion in export sales and sustained 22,000 related jobs.  Specifically, SB 511 would create the export trade office, similar to one that was eliminated years ago.

SB 511 would also require GO-Biz to convene a statewide business partnership for port trade promotion. This would include representatives from ports of entry, ocean carriers, marine terminal operators, warehouse operators, railroads, trucking companies, labor representatives and others.

The business partnership gives Go-Biz a timely opportunity to strategize ways for the state to promote increased use of California ports of entry as well as ways to increase opportunities for growth and trade activity prior to the completion of the Panama Canal’s expansion in 2015.

SB 511 will now face a review by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. A date has not been set.