"America is a nation of builders. We built the Empire State Building in just 1 year -- is it not a disgrace that it can now take 10 years just to get a permit approved for a simple road?"
- President Trump at the
State of the Union
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Congratulations
on your Promotion!
Elizabeth Hawley
Legislative Affairs Director
Thank you for all your contributions and we look forward to seeing you excel further with VICA!
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VICA Thanks our Renewing Members
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(2014)
_____________________
(1996)
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California Independent Petroleum Association
(2014)
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Corporate Impressions LA, Inc.
(2013)
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Exceptional Minds
(2015)
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Gonzalez Strategic Affairs
(2016)
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IMT Capital
(2017)
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Sony Pictures Entertainment
(2007)
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Spindler Engineering
(1995)
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ICYMI: Harmful Bills Fail to
Move Forward in Legislature
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This week was the deadline for two-year bills to pass out of their house of origin. VICA was pleased that several harmful bills were defeated, including AB 5, which would have required employers to offer additional hours to existing employees before hiring any new part-time workers. AB 319, which would have banned plastic bottle caps which are not tethered to the bottle, also died, saving manufacturers, retailers and consumers a serious increase in cost without any benefit to the environment. SB 705 also failed to garner enough votes on the Senate floor, protecting restaurants' right to use hygienic and affordable polystyrene food to-go containers. Finally, the failure of AB 1506 to move forward, halted the expansion of rent control in newer buildings. Unfortunately, a couple of positive bills for business also stalled, but VICA will continue to advocate for reform to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) to stop trial attorneys from shaking down businesses, and flexible scheduling to better reflect work patterns of today's world.
Make sure your voice is heard: bring VICA your issues by emailing
elizabeth@vica.com, and don't miss your chance to speak directly to our legislators at VICA's Sacramento Advocacy Days. The next dates are on February 6 and March 20 - see the
full list of dates here.
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Assembly District 45 Forum
Join VICA for a special Newsmaker Connection as the top candidates for Assembly District 45 gather to discuss issues affecting businesses across the San Fernando Valley. This special Election Forum will provide members with the unique opportunity to meet, listen and speak with the AD45 contenders.
February 26, 2018
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
VICA Office- 16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Jesse Gabriel
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Tricia Robbins Kasson
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Dennis P. Zine
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Yes on Prop. 69: Safeguard Our Dollars
and Fix Our Roads
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Local businesses and consumers rely on a fully operating, diverse transportation system to connect to goods and service providers. Proposition 69, which will be on the June ballot, is a critically important measure that will help ensure our state's infrastructure needs are adequately addressed. Last week, the VICA Board of Directors voted to support Prop. 69, officially known as the Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment. A companion to last year's Senate Bill 1 (Beall), Prop. 69 will restrict the spending of new vehicle taxes and fees to transportation purposes only.
VICA strongly supported SB 1, the California Road Repair and Accountability Act, a statewide funding and expenditure plan to repair, enhance and build California's transportation infrastructure. Prop. 69 provides constitutional protections for the revenues generated under SB 1, banning lawmakers from diverting new funds away from transportation efforts and funneling money instead to their pet projects.
California cannot afford to further delay the maintenance, rehabilitation, and growth of our transportation infrastructure. VICA looks forward to engaging voters on the importance of passing Prop. 69 to keep our legislators accountable and ensure they fulfil the promises of SB 1.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2018
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The Globe Theatre at
Universal Studios Hollywood
Don't miss this opportunity for Valley business leaders to connect with state lawmakers in an informal and fun setting, during our Annual State Officeholders Dinner.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
(as of 2/2)
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SENATOR
Ben Allen
Bob Hertzberg
Holly Mitchell
Josh Newman
Henry Stern
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
Fiona Ma
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ASSEMBLYMEMBERS
Dante Acosta
Jim Cooper
Heath Flora
Vince Fong
Jim Frazier
Laura Friedman
Mike Gipson
Tim Grayson
Miguel Santiago
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Valley Businesses at Risk with Proposed Moratorium on New Natural Gas Connections
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On February 8, California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to consider a proposal that would impact businesses across the state by placing a moratorium on new natural gas connections. Businesses located in the San Fernando Valley would feel the biggest impact from this moratorium. For many businesses, natural gas is the only viable option for energy, especially for restaurants and manufacturers. San Fernando Valley businesses provide good
paying jobs, help boost our economy, and depend on natural gas to conduct their daily operations. Preventing new gas connections would discourage businesses owners from expanding their operations in the Valley. VICA is calling on the California Public Utilities Commission to continue allowing new gas connections and to continue allowing natural gas to be available to customers as an affordable energy choice.
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Join more than 200 civic and business leaders for the region's premier advocacy trip to the nation's capitol. Attendees will meet with Congress and senior Administration officials on priorities important to Southern California.
Join the VICA delegation for exclusive advocacy meetings, briefings, lunch with a member of Congress, and an optional VICA dinner.
DATES:
Tuesday March 13 - Thursday March 16
CONFERENCE HOTEL:
JW Marriott · Group rate available
Early Bird registration fee: $750
(before February 13)
Registration fee after February 13: $850
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Committee Report
Education Committee- 02/01/2018
Sponsored by Woodbury University
- Jeff Dunn, Director of Legislative Affairs at LAUSD, discussed the proposed full funding of the Local Control Funding Formula for K-12 schools and its impact in LAUSD.
- Dr. Bob Miller, Vice Chancellor of Finance at the LA Community College District, presented on Gov. Brown's proposal to change community college funding, as well as to create an online community college.
- Francesca Vega, Director of Government Relations at CSUN, discussed the proposed budgets for the California State University and University of California systems.
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Member Messages:
Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!
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VICA members can promote their business, events and news in VICA Weekly. Member messages are available for $50 per week or $175 for four weeks. Messages are text-based and may not contain more than 70 words. A logo may be added for an additional $5 per week.
For more information or to schedule your member message, contact
Helene@vica.com
or
call (818) 817-0545.
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