LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. asks Los Angeles business leaders to stand with him on two major priorities for 2012: passing his balanced budget plan and persuading the legislature to enact his 12-point pension reform proposal.

VAN NUYS, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), Chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee to be keynote speaker at the University of Southern California (USC) this Friday, January 27 at 12 noon in the Ronald Tutor Campus Center, Rosen Family Theatre, Room 227.

TALAHASSEE, Fla. /Florida Newswire/ — The American economy is sustained by business owners large and small who invested their money because they saw the potential of our great nation. Companies from around the world should continue flocking here, but instead they are being deterred by a nation facing a trillion dollar deficit and a federal government with an insatiable appetite for more debt and intrusion into the lives of its citizens.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that businesses are beginning to take advantage of the City’s Central Market/Tenderloin Payroll Expense Tax Exclusion.

LAKE FOREST, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Professional Community Management of California, Inc. (PCM) and Associa announced the promotion of Michelle Thomson to Regional Director of West Coast Associa Services.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Mayor Edwin Lee on Wednesday announced that San Francisco received the 2012 Sustainable Transport Award from the Institute for Transportation and Developmental Policy, for the City’s innovative parking management system and cycling and public space improvements.

KIRKLAND, Wash., Jan. 26, 2012 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Long-term care insurance is subsidized, in effect, by Uncle Sam. ‘For many people, a large part of their premium cost is deductible on their federal tax return,’ says Denise Gott, National Sales Manager and Chairman of the Board of LTC Financial Partners, LLC (LTCFP). ‘That doesn’t make coverage free, but it makes it more affordable for millions.’ LTCFP is one of the nation’s largest and most experienced agencies specializing in long-term care insurance.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — As part of his ongoing efforts to spur job creation, streamline regulations and boost renewable energy, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today released a package of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reforms that will simplify and expedite the approval process for key job-creating projects in California.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Mayor Edwin M. Lee on Tuesday announced that he will make $1.5 million dollars immediately available to small businesses in San Francisco through the City’s successful Small Business Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to support business expansion and job creation.

HOUSTON, Texas, Jan. 25, 2012 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Inspired by the 2012 national elections, Whiteflash, leading retailer of ideal diamonds and fine jewelry, is running another installment of their own democratic elections. By casting your vote between two top engagement ring settings in their collection you will be entered to win one for yourself.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — MCT Trading, Inc. (MCT), a recognized leader in mortgage pipeline hedging and risk management services, announced that its COO, Phil Rasori, has again been named to National Mortgage Professional magazine’s Top 40 Most Influential Mortgage Professionals Under 40 list for 2011.

NEW YORK, N.Y., Jan. 25, 2012 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — James Allen, a leading online bridal jewelry retailer, has announced the giveaway of a one-a-kind diamond and ruby encrusted iPhone case and iPhone 4S on their Facebook page.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. /Florida Newswire/ — Governor Rick Scott today joined business, military, veteran and workforce leaders during the annual Florida National Guard Day at the Capitol to launch a year-long effort aimed at connecting returning National Guardsmen and other veterans with job openings as Florida’s economy continues to improve.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced on Monday that six newly improved BusinessSource Centers are reopening across Los Angeles. The BusinessSource Centers are part of the Mayor’s strategy to create a healthy environment for job creation in Los Angeles.

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ — EnviroIngenuity today announced its vertical farming division, which is developing vertical farming processes in Southern California to enable individuals and communities to grow their own food in urban areas.

NEW YORK, N.Y., Jan. 24, 2012 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — What happens when a global superpower imposes its social conventions and political practices on a smaller, less ‘civilized’ nation? ‘Utopia Limited,’ Gilbert and Sullivan’s shockingly relevant satire of imperialism and globalization, tackles this question in a fresh new edition by the Blue Hill Troupe, April 20-28, 2012 at El Teatro of El Museo del Barrio (1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street).