SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Juan Arambula (D - Fresno), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy, and Assemblyman Johan Klehs (D - San Leandro), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation, will complete a three-month examination of California's Enterprise Zone Program on Tuesday, March 14, 2006, when the Committees commence their fourth and final hearing in a series examining the Program.

The California Enterprise Zone Program was established in 1984 with the intent of stimulating business and industrial growth in depressed areas of the state by relaxing regulatory controls that impede private investment and providing employment opportunities for all Californians. The Program, which is targeted to specific geographic areas throughout the state, provides tax credits and deductions to businesses for hiring low-income and difficult to employ individuals and for investing in economically depressed areas of the state.

HEARING DATE:	Tuesday, March 14, 2006
HEARING TIME:	9:00 A.M.
HEARING LOCATION:	State Capitol, Room 447

The Program has been marked for examination because of the size of the Program, the cost to the state from foregone tax revenues and abuses in the administration of the Program in certain areas. Additionally, nearly half of the designated zones will expire in October 2006, prompting this timely review.

The agenda includes various stakeholders to allow all public interests have a chance to voice their concerns. Stakeholders scheduled to testify include representatives from tax reform groups, industry representatives, social welfare advocates, and tax consultants.

The Committees will hear bills on California's Enterprise Zone Program later in the legislative year.