California’s leadership on environmental issues is not new — the state has been at the forefront of the fight to combat climate change for decades. The business community has been an active participant in this push, with companies here developing innovative green technologies and taking initiative to reduce waste of their own accord. While there has been pushback by some businesses against strict laws governing pollution in California, the state’s forward-looking mindset has served it well in many regards — early adopter status gives companies a competitive advantage as regulators and industries nationally and globally often emulate programs piloted here. In the wake of an October report by the United Nations studying the increasingly dramatic impact global warming will have on communities worldwide, the need for California’s environmental leadership is only increasing. Government entities are stepping up, but those initiatives and regulations need to be fortified with action by the business community. That doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to profits, however. There’s incredible opportunity in the environmental business world. From packaging manufacturers to agribusiness outfits, business in California — and Los Angeles in particular — is finding ways to turn green initiatives to its advantage. Take a look at our special Environmental Business report starting on page 9 for more on the region’s efforts to find solutions — and profits — in clean energy and less wasteful products…The Los Angeles Unified School District’s decision to put a per-square-foot property tax measure on the upcoming June ballot has prompted strong opposition from local business leaders and organizations. Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Maria Salinas wrote last week in a post on the organization’s website that the proposition, dubbed Measure EE, was bad for business. Salinas, who was careful to strike all the right notes about the chamber’s support of educational initiatives, said the property tax would hit local companies hard. The chamber’s objection seems largely based on the fact that the measure levies a tax based on square footage instead of on a parcel basis, which would hit commercial and multifamily properties harder than residential. The sentiment is one echoed by the Los Angeles County Business Federation, which minced no words in a more vociferous note to members on its website earlier this month titled: “ACTION ALERT: Vote NO on Measure EE!! LAUSD needs reform more than new money!” The ballot initiative is looking to help mitigate a funding shortfall at local public schools, and proponents say the $0.16-per-square-foot tax would raise some $500 million a year to help fund district operations…If Opening Day for the Los Angeles Dodgers was a harbinger for the season, and you’re a fan of gameday souvenirs, I have three words of advice: Buy bleacher tickets. The Boys in Blue launched an almost comical number of homeruns (eight) in their first game of the season Thursday, a 12-5 shellacking of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The absence of Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw seemed immaterial, and if the team’s offense can continue to perform the way it did on Opening Day, a third-consecutive World Series trip could be in the cards…Lastly, I wanted to note the leadership change at the Business Journal, which was announced in a story on page 1. Scott Robson is taking the reigns as editor of the paper and, after six months holding that position in an interim role, I’m settling into my new role as deputy editor. Our cover story should give you ample background on Scott and his journalism chops, so I won’t repeat that information here. But I would like to add that we in the newsroom are all looking forward to working with him in the coming months, and I urge everyone in the Los Angeles business community to take some time to reach out and give Scott a warm welcome.