ARTICLE
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at noon EST, America turned the page of the past and moved us forward into a New Dawn with the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States. Joseph R. Biden was sworn in, shortly after Kamala Harris took the oath as the Vice President. The former U.S. senator from California is the first Black person and the first person of South Asian descent elected to the vice presidency and will become the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in the United States government. President Biden, on his third attempt to become president, was sworn in amidst a tense atmosphere. Today’s inauguration evoked the 1861 inauguration of Lincoln, who was secretly transported to Washington to avoid assassins on the eve of the Civil War, and also Roosevelt's inauguration in 1945, when he opted for a small, secure ceremony at the White House in the waning months of World War II. There is no question that we are a politically divided country. The maelstrom and January 6th attack on our democracy at our nation’s Capitol and Congressional offices was more than just a worrisome sight that shocked not only the nation but the entire world. It was a horrible scene that reflects poorly on America. It does not matter your political leanings to recognize that violence and heinous acts should never be tolerated in our country. Every four years we have a tradition where a new president takes us in a new direction. The symbolism was striking yesterday: the very moment former President Trump disappeared into the doorway of Air Force One, Biden stepped out of the Blair House, the traditional guest lodging for presidents-in-waiting, and into his motorcade for the short ride to church. Trump did adhere to one tradition and left a note for Biden in the Oval Office, and of this writing, according to the White House, they did not release its contents. Biden is eager to start his presidency off strong, with an ambitious first 100 days that includes a push to speed up the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations for anxious Americans and pass a $1.9 trillion virus relief package. On day one, he also planned to send an immigration proposal to Capitol Hill that will create an eight-year path to citizenship for immigrants living in the country illegally. He also planned a 10-day blitz of executive orders on matters that don't require congressional approval — a mix of substantive and symbolic steps to unwind the Trump years. Among the planned steps: rescinding travel restrictions on people from several predominantly Muslim countries, rejoining the Paris climate accord, issuing a mask mandate for those on federal property, and ordering agencies to figure out how to reunite children separated from their families after crossing the border, all while the horror of COVID-19 continues. What does this mean to us on California’s Central Coast, where 78% of registered voters selected the Biden–Harris presidential ticket as their clear choice to lead our country for the next four years? It is also clear that Santa Cruz County and California are politically dark blue, where now the White House, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives join California as a Democratically controlled administration and legislature. Many of the new administration’s policy platforms mirror California’s — noted above — and Biden will use his executive powers to reverse Trump’s policies. The careful balance is how the new Congress will react to the changes proposed by Biden’s administration. Silicon Valley Business Journal, who's in partnership with The New York Times, lays out ten issues that the Biden Administration must do to ‘right’ the economy. These ten items include: fixing the economy, tackling big tech, rethinking taxes, countering China, reassessing trade, overseeing finance, helping small business, easing household debt, reimagining energy, and repairing transportation. You can read the advice here: Biz Journal -- NY Times and the Biden Administration In regard to the immediate interest to the business community, there are potential changes in tax law, rolling back on the 2017 Trump Administration tax plan, as well as another stimulus package targeting small businesses. Small companies employ roughly half of America’s non-government workers, and an estimated 400,000 have permanently closed since the pandemic took hold. Biden has called for $15 billion in direct grants to at least 1 million of the hardest-hit small businesses — that would be up to $15,000 per recipient — and a $35 billion federal investment in state and local financing programs. He is also seeking 14 weeks of paid caregiving and sick leave for workers during the coronavirus crisis, with the government footing the bill for organizations with fewer than 500 employees. These funding plans will require quick action by Congress in the first 100 days of the Biden Presidency. All of these action steps will have their own strategies both domestically and internationally in carving out a Biden agenda that matches the depth of COVID-19 and getting a vaccine plan that works for America. The road ahead for America is filled with the words of our new President — his tone yesterday struck a chord reminiscent of the past in its civility and message of hope and inspiration. Biden stated: This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward. And, we must meet this moment as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you, we will not fail. We have never, ever, ever failed in America when we have acted together. And so today, at this time and in this place, let us start afresh. All of us, let us listen to one another. Hear one another. See one another.” Biden concluded his thirty-minute speech with a promise of hope, faith, and trust: “And together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear. Of unity, not division. Of light, not darkness. An American story of decency and dignity. Of love and of healing. Of greatness and of goodness. May this be the story that guides us. The story that inspires us. The story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history. We met the moment. That democracy and hope, truth and justice, did not die on our watch but thrived. That our America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world. That is what we owe our forebearers, one another, and generations to follow. So, with purpose and resolve we turn to the tasks of our time. Sustained by faith. Driven by conviction. And, devoted to one another and to this country we love with all our hearts. May God bless America and may God protect our troops. Thank you, America.”
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at noon EST, America turned the page of the past and moved us forward into a New Dawn with the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States. Joseph R. Biden was sworn in, shortly after Kamala Harris took the oath as the Vice President. The former U.S. senator from California is the first Black person and the first person of South Asian descent elected to the vice presidency and will become the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in the United States government. President Biden, on his third attempt to become president, was sworn in amidst a tense atmosphere. Today’s inauguration evoked the 1861 inauguration of Lincoln, who was secretly transported to Washington to avoid assassins on the eve of the Civil War, and also Roosevelt's inauguration in 1945, when he opted for a small, secure ceremony at the White House in the waning months of World War II.
There is no question that we are a politically divided country. The maelstrom and January 6th attack on our democracy at our nation’s Capitol and Congressional offices was more than just a worrisome sight that shocked not only the nation but the entire world. It was a horrible scene that reflects poorly on America. It does not matter your political leanings to recognize that violence and heinous acts should never be tolerated in our country. Every four years we have a tradition where a new president takes us in a new direction. The symbolism was striking yesterday: the very moment former President Trump disappeared into the doorway of Air Force One, Biden stepped out of the Blair House, the traditional guest lodging for presidents-in-waiting, and into his motorcade for the short ride to church.
Trump did adhere to one tradition and left a note for Biden in the Oval Office, and of this writing, according to the White House, they did not release its contents.
Biden is eager to start his presidency off strong, with an ambitious first 100 days that includes a push to speed up the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations for anxious Americans and pass a $1.9 trillion virus relief package. On day one, he also planned to send an immigration proposal to Capitol Hill that will create an eight-year path to citizenship for immigrants living in the country illegally.
He also planned a 10-day blitz of executive orders on matters that don't require congressional approval — a mix of substantive and symbolic steps to unwind the Trump years. Among the planned steps: rescinding travel restrictions on people from several predominantly Muslim countries, rejoining the Paris climate accord, issuing a mask mandate for those on federal property, and ordering agencies to figure out how to reunite children separated from their families after crossing the border, all while the horror of COVID-19 continues.
What does this mean to us on California’s Central Coast, where 78% of registered voters selected the Biden–Harris presidential ticket as their clear choice to lead our country for the next four years? It is also clear that Santa Cruz County and California are politically dark blue, where now the White House, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives join California as a Democratically controlled administration and legislature.
Many of the new administration’s policy platforms mirror California’s — noted above — and Biden will use his executive powers to reverse Trump’s policies. The careful balance is how the new Congress will react to the changes proposed by Biden’s administration.
Silicon Valley Business Journal, who's in partnership with The New York Times, lays out ten issues that the Biden Administration must do to ‘right’ the economy. These ten items include: fixing the economy, tackling big tech, rethinking taxes, countering China, reassessing trade, overseeing finance, helping small business, easing household debt, reimagining energy, and repairing transportation.
You can read the advice here: Biz Journal -- NY Times and the Biden Administration
In regard to the immediate interest to the business community, there are potential changes in tax law, rolling back on the 2017 Trump Administration tax plan, as well as another stimulus package targeting small businesses. Small companies employ roughly half of America’s non-government workers, and an estimated 400,000 have permanently closed since the pandemic took hold. Biden has called for $15 billion in direct grants to at least 1 million of the hardest-hit small businesses — that would be up to $15,000 per recipient — and a $35 billion federal investment in state and local financing programs. He is also seeking 14 weeks of paid caregiving and sick leave for workers during the coronavirus crisis, with the government footing the bill for organizations with fewer than 500 employees.
These funding plans will require quick action by Congress in the first 100 days of the Biden Presidency. All of these action steps will have their own strategies both domestically and internationally in carving out a Biden agenda that matches the depth of COVID-19 and getting a vaccine plan that works for America. The road ahead for America is filled with the words of our new President — his tone yesterday struck a chord reminiscent of the past in its civility and message of hope and inspiration. Biden stated:
This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward. And, we must meet this moment as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you, we will not fail. We have never, ever, ever failed in America when we have acted together. And so today, at this time and in this place, let us start afresh. All of us, let us listen to one another. Hear one another. See one another.”
Biden concluded his thirty-minute speech with a promise of hope, faith, and trust:
“And together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear. Of unity, not division. Of light, not darkness. An American story of decency and dignity. Of love and of healing. Of greatness and of goodness. May this be the story that guides us. The story that inspires us. The story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history. We met the moment. That democracy and hope, truth and justice, did not die on our watch but thrived. That our America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world. That is what we owe our forebearers, one another, and generations to follow. So, with purpose and resolve we turn to the tasks of our time. Sustained by faith. Driven by conviction. And, devoted to one another and to this country we love with all our hearts. May God bless America and may God protect our troops. Thank you, America.”