January 19, 2018

In This Issue
"The Olympics, two NFL teams, and George Lucas all know L.A. is the future - so should Amazon."

- Mayor Eric Garcetti
VICA Thanks our Renewing Members


Silver Member
Since 2005



AV Masters 
·
Fiona Hutton & Associates 
·
Golden State Gateway Coalition
·
Holiday Inn Express, North Hollywood
 · 
Lainer Investments
·  
Moss Group 
·
Northridge Hospital Medical Center
·
Walter W. Mosher

Calendar

The Week Ahead

Sacramento Advocacy Trip
Wed., Jan 24
All Day
Sacramento, CA
Click here to RSVP


Ambassador Committee
Wed., Jan 24
8:30 to 10 am
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP


Save the Date


Education Committee
Sponsored by Woodbury University
Thurs. Feb 1
8:30 to 10 am
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP


Sacramento Advocacy Trip
Tues., Feb. 6
All Day
Sacramento, CA
Click  here to RSVP


Labor and Employment Committee
Wed. Feb 7
8:30 to 10 am
Hosted by: Hilton Universal City
555 Universal Hollywood Drive
Click  here to RSVP


Environment, Energy & Utilities Committee
Sponsored by Metropolitan Water District
Thurs. Feb 8
Noon - 1:30 pm
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP


Land Use Committee
Tues. Feb 13
8 to 10 am
Hosted by:  The Garland
4222 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood
Click  here to RSVP


View VICA's 2018 Event Calendar
HERE 

Hot Issues 

Water
Gov. Brown is working on a plan to scale back a $17 billion proposal to build two massive tunnels to make it easier to move water from Northern California to the south. VICA has advocated in support of this project and the California WaterFix to ensure a reliable supply of water for Southern California. 


Infrastructure
The White House is finalizing its long-awaited infrastructure plan, which would push most of the financing of projects to private investment and state and local taxpayers. President Trump may preview the plan in his Jan. 30 State of the Union address. VICA looks forward to leveraging federal funds to improve Southern California's infrastructure. 


Education
Despite significant criticisms by the U.S. Department of Education, California will likely make clarifications but no substantial changes to the state's plan for complying with the federal law that requires states to improve low-achieving schools.


Shutdown
Congress is heading toward the first shutdown in more than four years. Though House Republicans voted Thursday night to keep the government open, it's unclear what can clear the Senate's supermajority threshold.


Politics
California Democrats are worried that the inclusion of a question about citizenship on the next U.S. census could result in an undercount that could cost the state billions of dollars in federal funding and the loss of a seat in Congress.


Tourism
A new report proposes a host of options for how to mitigate traffic in and around Griffith Park, including that the city create a second Hollywood sign facing the San Fernando Valley that would be more easily accessible to visitors.


Economic Development
Amazon announced that Los Angeles and 19 other places are the finalists for the $5-billion second headquarters the giant online retailer plans to build. Los Angeles is the only finalist west of the Rocky Mountains. VICA supported the Los Angeles bid, and is excited that the City is among the finalists. 

ICYMI: California State Legislature This Week
Ban on Modified Hydrofluoric Acid Would Cost Thousands of Jobs
Access DC
VICA Welcomes Increased Transparency at LAUSD
Committee Report
Government Affairs Committee (1/17)
Hosted by Providence Tarzana Medical Center
  • Joao Silverstein, Treasurer of the UCBA Trade Association, updated the committee on progress implementing state and local regulations for cannabis businesses. 
  • Marc Joffe, senior policy analyst at the Reason Foundation, highlighted the benefits and risks of federal tax reform, including the impact on California families and the national debt.
  • The committee also heard from David Meza (Southern California Gas Company) about the negative impacts of a proposed CPUC moratorium on new natural gas connections. 
  • The committee recommended to support two ballot measures, which will protect SB 1 revenue for transportation purposes, and delay the effective date of ballot measures until after the Secretary of State files the vote.
Member Messages:
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