News & Insights
We’re changing the narrative of the manufacturing industry one story at a time. CMTA’s award-winning storytelling team showcases California’s 30,000 manufacturers by uplifting the voices of our makers. Find industry news and the stories from those “Making California” below.
Manufacturing Minute: California’s First New Steel Mill in 50 Years Begins Construction
This week's Manufacturing Minute brings attention to significant developments in steel manufacturing, electrical products, and workers' compensation solutions for California manufacturers. https://youtu.be/8VbyGGXGdgk Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in...
Porsche Consulting Joins CMTA’s Member Network
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Porsche Consulting to the organization in March. The consulting firm is a leading management consultancy from Germany with offices located around the world. It...
Schneider Electric Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Schneider Electric to the organization today. Schneider Electric is a global industrial technology leader and a powerhouse of energy distribution, industrial...
Largest Flexible Packaging Manufacturer for Produce Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Emerald Packaging to the organization today. For 60 years, Emerald Packaging has been reinventing produce packaging and is the largest flexible packaging...
As Seen On TV: Women in Manufacturing California-Made Products
California-made products were recently featured on ABC10, CBS Sacramento, and Fox40, highlighting the creativity and innovation driving the state’s manufacturing industry. These TV segments lead up to CMTA’s 4th Annual Women MakingCA Conference on Thursday, March 13,...
Leading Developer in Energy Storage Solutions Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Convergent Energy and Power (Convergent) to the organization today. Convergent is a leading provider of energy storage solutions in North America. The...
Tesla Prepares for Optimus Bot Production in California: Manufacturing Minute: Manufacturing Minute
This week's Manufacturing Minute highlights key advancements in robotics, aerospace, and AI-driven manufacturing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmJpn0xrMjQ Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in the video player above. Tesla's Optimus Bot...
Global leader in launch and space systems Rocket Lab joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Rocket Lab to the organization today. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Long Beach, Rocket Lab is a space company that designs, manufactures, assembles,...
PG&E CEO Announced as Keynote Speaker at CMTA’s Annual Membership & Board of Directors Meeting: Manufacturing Minute
This week's Manufacturing Minute highlights key developments shaping the future of manufacturing and innovation. https://youtu.be/mbhCd5z_rIA Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in the video player above. CEO of PG&E Announced as CMTA Annual...
Voltek Ace Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Voltek Ace to the organization today. “Our small and medium-sized manufacturers make up a large sector of California’s economy, with 64% of the Golden State’s...
Press Release
CMTA Announces 100% Success Against Breaker Bills in 2025 Legislative Session
Sacramento, Calif. (September 16, 2025) – Today, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association(CMTA) announced that it secured a 100% success rate on stopping all priority “Breaker” bills during the 2025 legislative session. CMTA also successfully advanced one critical “Maker” bill.
“Breaker” bills are proposals that threaten California’s manufacturing competitiveness by adding new costs, restrictions, or litigation threats that negatively impact the industry and the Californians it employs.
Breaker Bills: Defeated Threats to California Manufacturers
AB 914 (Garcia): Added new fees and regulations, increasing costs for manufacturers.
Would have authorized California Air Resources Board (CARB) to impose new fees and rules on facilities and vehicles, increasing costs across the supply chain.
AB 1018 (Bauer-Kahan): Mandated costly new audits and liability risks.
Would have required costly audits, disclosures, and oversight on automated systems, creating compliance risks for manufacturers using or developing new technologies.
AB 1331 (Elhawary): Limited workplace safety and compliance monitoring.
Would have prohibited employers from using surveillance tools in off-duty areas, complicating compliance and safety efforts.
SB 45 (Padilla): Increased packaging compliance costs.
Would have required tethered caps on beverage containers by 2027 and removed curbside recycling incentives.
SB 222 (Wiener): Drove up energy costs.
Would have allowed new lawsuits against energy companies, leading to gas price hikes of 63% and electricity increases of 55%, costing families $6,200 more annually.
SB 318 (Becker): Expanded costly air district requirements.
Would have broadened permitting obligations for facilities, slowing innovation and raising compliance costs.
SB 684 (Menjivar) & AB 1243 (Addis): Retroactive energy taxes.
Would have required energy producers to pay retroactive fees for decades of emissions, raising costs across California’s economy.
“This year, manufacturers proved once again that when we speak with a united voice, we can both grow opportunities and stop harmful policies that drive jobs and businesses out of California,” said Lance Hastings, President & CEO of CMTA.
CMTA also announced the successful passage of one “Maker” bill. “Maker” bills are legislative proposals that strengthen California’s ability to manufacture goods, expanding opportunities for innovation, investment, and good-paying jobs.
Maker Bills: Building California’s Manufacturing Future
SB 86 (McNerney): Sales and Use Tax Exclusion – Lowers upfront costs for manufacturers.
Extends the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exclusion program through 2028 and expands eligibility to include fusion energy projects. This keeps California competitive for advanced manufacturing investment and ensures communities and workers benefit.
Status: Passed, headed to the Governor’s desk.
SB 587 (Grayson): Manufacturing Tax Credit – Supports growth and expansion.
Provides a new personal income tax credit for manufacturers starting in 2026, offsetting costs and incentivizing expansion in California.
Status: On hold until next year.
“By securing an important Maker bill and defeating every Breaker bill, CMTA protected California’s competitiveness and ensured manufacturers can continue to grow and thrive in our state,” continued Hastings.
CMTA will continue working with lawmakers, regulators, and industry partners to ensure California remains a state where manufacturers can thrive. For inquiries, please contact CMTA Vice President of Communications, Nina Fisher, at nfisher@cmta.net.
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About CMTA
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) has advocated for pro-growth laws and regulations before the California legislature and administrative agencies since 1918. The total output from manufacturing in California is $300 billion per year, roughly 10 percent of the total economic output of the state. Manufacturers employ 1.3 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state.
CMTA Opposes Secretive Cap-and-Trade Process
Sacramento, Calif. (September 8, 2025) – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) announced today that the state’s manufacturing sector is in strong opposition to any attempt to advance a cap-and-trade deal in the final days of the legislative session.
“California’s 34,000 manufacturers work hard to keep goods affordable, but poorly crafted policies drive up costs and make families pay more,” warned Lance Hastings, President & CEO of CMTA. “There’s no rush on cap-and-trade this year. Waiting will allow for a transparent process that leads to better outcomes for all Californians.”
Cap-and-trade is one of California’s most consequential climate policies, particularly for the state’s manufacturing industry. It directly impacts energy prices, the cost of goods and services, and the state’s economic competitiveness. The program also generates billions in funding for climate investments while providing a pathway for affordable emissions reductions.
For nearly 20 years, manufacturers have participated in and paid into California’s cap-and-trade program. They have a direct stake in any reauthorization, and CMTA continues to advocate for their voices to be heard. Yet with less than a week before the end of session, no bill language has been made public.
CMTA outlined three key concerns:
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Lack of transparency: Rewriting the backbone of California’s climate policy behind closed doors and outside the regular committee process undermines public trust and risks program durability.
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Affordability risks: Draft concepts point to higher allowance prices, restricted offsets, and weakened industrial protections, all of which would drive up compliance costs and ultimately raise prices for California families.
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Competitiveness and jobs: A rushed, costly deal would accelerate the loss of manufacturing jobs and investment to other states, undercutting California’s economy while doing little for global emissions.
“The current program is working,” Hastings said. “Any reauthorization of cap-and-trade must be workable and durable. That will take time to craft. A last-minute deal would only destabilize the program, harm families, and drive jobs out of California. Manufacturers are calling for lawmakers to slow down and get this right.”
With the current cap-and-trade program not expiring until 2030, there is no urgency to pass cap-and-trade this year. Delaying until next year allows time for a transparent, thoughtful process that includes manufacturers and other industry leaders, resulting in better policy for all Californians.
“No bill is better than a bad bill,” concluded Hastings.
For inquiries, please contact CMTA Vice President of Communications, Nina Fisher, at nfisher@cmta.net.
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About CMTA
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) has advocated for pro-growth laws and regulations before the California legislature and administrative agencies since 1918. The total output from manufacturing in California is $300 billion per year, roughly 10 percent of the total economic output of the state. Manufacturers employ 1.3 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state.
CMTA Names Nina Fisher as New Vice President of Communications
Sacramento, Calif. (September 2, 2025) – Today, the California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed Nina Krishel Fisher as the organization’s new Vice President of Communications, aiming to strengthen the voice of California manufacturers at a pivotal moment for the state’s industrial sectors. In this role, Fisher will lead CMTA’s communications strategy, media relations and public affairs initiatives, ensuring that the voice of California manufacturers is effectively represented at the state and national levels.
Fisher brings extensive experience in strategic communications, advocacy and legislative messaging. She comes to CMTA from the Office of California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, where she most recently served as Communications Director during her nearly six-year tenure in his office.
“We could not be more excited to welcome Nina to our leadership team,” said Lance Hastings, President & CEO at CMTA. “She brings not only communications expertise, but also a genuine understanding of how policy decisions affect real people and industries. Nina’s experience bridging the gap between lawmakers, industry and the public will be invaluable as we advocate for the interests of California manufacturers.”
Fisher holds a bachelor’s degree in English and political science from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, as well as a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California. She began her career in public service through the California Senate Fellows Program, then worked as a Legislative & Communications Aide before serving as Communications Director for Leader Jones.
With California’s manufacturing industry navigating regulatory changes and supply chain challenges, Fisher’s expertise in policy communication comes at a critical time for the state’s manufacturing and technology sectors.
“I am honored to join CMTA and help elevate an industry that drives innovation, creates jobs and strengthens California’s economy,” said Fisher. “I have seen firsthand the importance of effective communication in shaping policy, and I look forward to putting that expertise to work on behalf of CMTA’s members.”
For inquiries, please contact Fisher directly at nfisher@cmta.net.
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About CMTA
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) has advocated for pro-growth laws and regulations before the California legislature and administrative agencies since 1918. The total output from manufacturing in California is $300 billion per year, roughly 10 percent of the total economic output of the state. Manufacturers employ 1.3 million Californians paying wages more than $2,500 higher than other non-farm employers in the state.