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Serving the San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, San Fernando, and Santa Clarita
Valley Industry & Commerce Association || vica.com
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- VICA Board Meets with Mayor Karen Bass
- VICA Continues Strong Advocacy Efforts
- VICA PAC Endorsements and Ballot Measures
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“As on-the-ground connectors and experts in community safety, we look forward to being a part of the continued discussions to work towards meaningful and comprehensive solutions to the retail theft crisis. Probation's role in balancing accountability, while providing opportunities and services, is a key nexus to comprehensively addressing the issues facing our communities.”
Chief Probation Officers of California President Kelly Vernon
A statement in response to retail theft legislation announced by Speaker Rivas and Assemblymember Zbur
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VICA Board Engages with Mayor Karen Bass on Selection of New LAPD Chief | |
From Left to Right: VICA Immediate Past Chair Victor Berrellez (US Bank), LA City Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Brian Williams, LA Deputy Mayor for Business and Economic Development Rachel Freeman, LA Mayor Karen Bass, VICA Chairman Lupita Sanchez Cornejo (AT&T), VICA President Stuart Waldman, VICA Vice Chair Mark Davis (Sun Hill Properties - Hilton Universal City), and VICA Vice Chair Darnell Tyler (Comcast NBCUniversal) | |
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On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with VICA as part of her "Listening Tour," fostering a robust dialogue with our Board of Directors about the selection of a new Chief for the Los Angeles Police Department following Chief Michael Moore's announced departure. VICA's Board of Directors actively participated in this crucial conversation, posing insightful questions and providing statements that underscored essential considerations for appointing the next police chief. This discussion highlighted VICA's commitment to contributing valuable perspectives in shaping the future of law enforcement leadership in Los Angeles.
By actively engaging with Mayor Bass, VICA's Board has made a significant contribution to the collective effort to identify a new LAPD Chief who will uphold public safety and address the unique needs and concerns for our diverse Los Angeles community.
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VICA continued our advocacy efforts with a week that was dedicated to addressing issues at both the County and Federal levels. | |
VICA Seeks Amendments to LA County's Proposed Short-Term Rental Ordinance | |
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In VICA's ongoing commitment to enhance the economic opportunities of Los Angeles County, VICA and the Central City Association (CCA) recently signed onto a joint letter directed to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proposing key amendments to the current home-sharing ordinance in an effort to align with our county's strategic objectives, including extensions of home share permitting, lowering registration fees, and preserving coastal access.
These recommendations are part of our strategic vision to enhance Los Angeles County's economic landscape and community quality of life through responsible and inclusive tourism policies. By fostering a more accessible and sustainable home-share environment, we aim to achieve mutual benefits for our residents, visitors, and the broader community. VICA and CCA remain steadfast in their continued efforts to support these vital endeavors.
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VICA Urges California Congressional Delegation to Protect Innovation, Oppose "March-in Rights" | |
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On Wednesday, VICA sent letters to the California Congressional Delegation expressing significant concerns about the Bayh-Dole Act and the Biden Administration's proposed changes to "march-in rights", emphasizing the adverse economic impacts on the pharmaceutical industry and the broader healthcare sector.
VICA learned of a bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letter that was in circulation and led by Senator Coon (D-DE), Senator Tillis (R-NC), and Representative Auchinclose (D-MA). This letter urgently requested that the President reconsider the proposed changes, and our stance highlighted the crucial role of the Bayh-Dole Act in maintaining American innovation as a global leader.
We urged Members of the Delegation to sign onto this critical letter, as the draft framework for these "march-in rights" will hamstring U.S. innovation to the advantage of our competitors and adversaries.
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VICA PAC 2024 Voter Guide | |
The VICA PAC Committee has made the following endorsements: | |
Board of Supervisors, District 5 | | |
LA City Council, District 2 | | |
LA City Council, District 4 | | |
LA City Council, District 6 | | |
LA City Council, District 12 | | |
The VICA Board of Directors has taken the following positions for the March 5 Ballot Measures | |
Proposition 1 (State Measure): Allocates funding for construction, expansion, and renovation of treatment facilities, supportive housing units, and outpatient services. | |
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Healthy Streets LA (City Measure): Requires the city to prioritize street improvement measures including concept maps for connected networks of pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicle routes | |
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VICA is Looking for 2024 Board and Committee Sponsors | |
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VICA is looking for members to host or sponsor our board meetings and committee meetings in the upcoming year. If your company can accommodate 20-40 individuals and provide breakfast or lunch, we have a committee opportunity for you!
As a host, you'll have the chance to extend a warm welcome, promote your organization and site, and be featured on each agenda with table cards throughout the meetings.
You can host/sponsor the entire committee for the year, or you can host/sponsor 1 meeting for the year, including the VICA Board Meetings.
Unable to host? Please consider sponsoring a meeting at the VICA office. As a sponsor, you'll provide meals for committee meetings while having your logo displayed on the meetings' agendas and table cards.
For details and available committee meetings, please visit the link below.
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VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members! | | |
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Premier Partner
Silver Member
Renewing Members
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VICA's State Officeholders Dinner provides guests a rare opportunity for Valley business leaders to connect and engage with state officeholders in a casual, fun for all format. VICA will provide cocktails, appetizers, and dinner for each attendee and great opportunities to network and speak with elected officials.
State Officeholders Dinner
Friday, March 8, 2024
5:30 - 9:00 PM
Soundstage 15 at Universal Studios Hollywood
VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsors Comcast NBCUniversal, Amazon, and Kaiser Permanente, and Co-Sponsors AT&T, PhRMA, SoCalGas, and Southwest Airlines
Click the "Register Here" Button to Register, or Click the "Sponsor This Event" Button to support VICA's State Officeholders Dinner!
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Confirmed Elected Officials | |
Attorney General Rob Bonta | |
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Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva | |
Senator Maria Elena Durazo | |
Assemblymember Miguel Santiago | |
Assemblymember Marie Waldron | |
Assemblymember Josh Hoover | |
Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo | |
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur | |
Assemblymember Laura Friedman | |
Assemblymember PIlar Schiavo | |
Board of Equalization Member Antonio Vazquez | |
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Sacramento Advocacy Days
Tuesday, February 27 I All Day
Tuesday, March 19 | All Day
Wednesday, April 10 | All Day
VICA's regular advocacy trips to the State Capitol are crucial for ensuring that the voice of the business community is heard by legislators.
These members-only trips allow attendees to interact directly with statewide elected officials, discussing the issues that are vital to our members. Join VICA in Sacramento for one of our monthly advocacy trips, and don't miss this opportunity to have your voice heard on how legislation affects your company/organization!
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ACCESS D.C. 2024
March 12, 2024 - March 14, 2024
Washington, D.C.
ACCESS D.C. is the region’s largest annual advocacy trip, connecting more than 200 business and civic leaders with federal lawmakers on issues ranging from immigration and education to transportation and health care.
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Program Agenda
Tuesday, March 12:
- VICA Delegation Day (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM) - MUST REGISTER THROUGH VICA TO JOIN THE VICA DAY
- Lunch with Congressman Brad Sherman in the House Members' Dining Room (12:30 PM)
- Welcome Reception (5:00 PM - 6:30 PM)
Wednesday, March 13:
- Breakfast Program with Keynote elected officials/admin (8:00 am - 11:25 AM)
- Delegation Photo (11:25 AM - 11:40 AM)
- Team Assembly, discussion of talking points (11:40 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Delegation Meetings on the Hill (12:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
- Evening Reception with Congressmembers (5:30 PM - 7:00 PM)
Thursday, March 14:
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Breakfast Closing Reception and Speakers (8:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
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Delegation Meetings (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
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Government Affairs Committee
Wednesday, February 21
Noon to 2:00 PM
RSVP
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Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast
Friday, April 26
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
RSVP
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Healthcare Committee
Tuesday, March 5
Noon to 2:00 PM
At the VICA office
RSVP
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Sports, Entertainment, Tourism, & Hospitality Committee
Tuesday, March 6
8:30 to 10:30 AM
At the VICA Office
RSVP
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Energy, Environment, Manufacturing, & Utilities Committee
Tuesday, March 7
Noon to 2:00 PM
At the VICA Office
RSVP
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Transportation Committee
Tuesday, March 12
8:30 to 10:30 AM
Hosted by The Garland
RSVP
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Build Up Towards Fight over PAGA
Business and labor are gearing up to go head-to-head on California's ballot measures, with both sides releasing duel reports this week extolling the virtues and sins of the state's Private Attorneys General Act, which major employers' groups such as the California Chamber of Commerce are campaigning to repeal on the November ballot. Labor groups favor the law because it bulks up capacity for the state Labor Commissioner's Office, while attorneys enjoy the legal fees carried with cases that are brought on behalf of workers. Business groups say this law enriches lawyers and brings significant costs to employers over technical violations.
California on Hook for COVID Spending
California took the unprecedented step in spring 2020 to move thousands of homeless residents into hotels to protect them from the COVID pandemic, believing the federal government would foot a large chunk of the cost. Now, following what California officials say is an abrupt about-face from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, cities and counties suddenly are on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars they expected FEMA to cover.
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California Unveils Plan to Target Retail Theft
California lawmakers on Thursday announced plans for legislation to tackle retail theft by creating new penalties, requiring online sellers to report the source of their products and mandating crime data collection. The bill co-authored by Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, does not touch Proposition 47, the 2014 ballot initiative that sets a threshold of $950 for misdemeanor shoplifting. Rivas said he's addressing retail theft, which is a top priority for him, leading to the creation of the Legislature's Select Committee on Retail Theft.
Buying Hotels Looks Like a Bad Bet
Hotel purchases across California plunged last year, a sign that investors believe the weakness in the lodging sectors has yet to run its course. Measured by dollar amount, statewide hotel purchase activity plummeted 56% in 2023 - tumbling by 60% in Southern California and down 48% in Northern California. The decline in sales activity is a result of hotel buyers staying on the sidelines at a time of economic uncertainty and murky prospects for the lodging sector.
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Andrew Maissian
Exact Sciences
Market Development Leader
Exact Sciences Corp. is a molecular diagnostics company based in Madison, Wisconsin specializing in the detection of early stage cancers.
Our mission at Exact Sciences is to eradicate cancer and the suffering it causes — through tests that help prevent it, detection that finds it earlier, and guidance for its successful treatment.
Getting ahead of cancer is crucial no matter where people are in their cancer experience. From earlier cancer detection to treatment guidance and monitoring, we are helping people get the answers they need to make more informed decisions across the cancer continuum.
With a leading portfolio of products for earlier detection and treatment guidance, we help people face the most challenging decisions with confidence.
Our dedication to taking on the impossible fuels everything we do. We are continuously innovating, combining scientific rigor with an open-minded approach to deliver the next big thing.
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VICA members can sign up for this event at the VIA's member rate | |
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Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!
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 yoko@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.
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ABOUT VICA
Presenting the business perspective on behalf of employers in the
San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas,
Hidden Hills, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.
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