February 25, 2019

In This Issue
"[Stuart Waldman] is a big money baller, big shot caller."

- State Senator Holly Mitchell describes VICA President Stuart Waldman

Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members
____________________

PREMIER PARTNER

(1992)

PLATINUM MEMBER

(1985)

SILVER MEMBER

(1998)

BRONZE MEMBER
(2015)

__________________

Association of Independent Commercial Producers
(2005)

Blissful Sleep
(2016)

Corporate Impressions
(2013)

Greer-Dailey
(2012)

Independent Studio Services
(2011)

Kramar's Iron & Metal
(2016)

Pacific Coast Civil
(2009)

Ruth's Chris Steak House
(2018)

Walter Mosher
(2014)
__________________

VICA Welcomes Our New Members
__________________

Coalition for Enhanced Marine Resources

Firefly Systems

Klink Campaigns
 
Calendar

The Week Ahead

New Member Breakfast
Wednesday, Feb. 27 
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Save The Date

Aviation Committee
Hosted by Aeroplex Aerolease
Wednesday, Mar. 6
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Aeroplex Aerolease
7943 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Entertainment Committee
Thursday, Mar. 7
8:30 to 10:00 a.m. 
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, 
Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Access D.C.
Monday, Mar. 11 to Wednesday, Mar. 13
Washington D.C.
Click here to RSVP

Transportation Committee
Hosted by The Garland
Tuesday, Mar. 12
8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The Garland
4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood
Click here to RSVP

Healthcare Committee
Hosted by Valley Presbyterian Hospital
Thursday, Mar. 14
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Valley Presbyterian Hospital
15107 Vanowen St., Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP


Hot Issues 

Roadkill
A new bill seeks to legalize the salvage and consumption of roadkill by changing state law and the Fish and Game Code to allow drivers of vehicles that kill an animal to retroactively apply for a wildlife salvage permit within 24 hours of the collision.

DMV
The Department of Motor Vehicles has gone through two directors in just over a month as the agency struggles to register licenses.The governor has launched a strike team to fix the department, but has yet to name a permanent director for the embattled  agency.

Board of Equalization
The State Board of Equalization could be snuffed out for good if the Legislature moves forward with a pair of bills to kill what is left of the tax agency. Completely eliminating the agency will require a constitutional amendment.  

CA GOP
The state GOP selected a new chair to lead the party in the wake of their historic defeats in the 2018 midterm elections. Jessica Patterson, the new party chair, is the first woman to lead the state party and aims to make the party relevant again through increased inclusivity.

Water
Competing interests will have to balance environmental concerns with an increasing demand for water in order for the state to capture more water with the VICA supported Delta Tunnel project

Plastics
If passed, a new bill would require the state to reduce or recycle 75 percent of single-use plastic packaging and products by 2030 and require manufacturers to ensure that all packaging sold or distributed in California is recyclable or compostable by 2030.



State Officials Join VICA for 2019 State Officeholders Dinner
VICA Board Member Steve Nissen (Comcast NBCUniversal) emcee's VICA's State Officeholders Dinner

Board of Equalization Member Mike Schaefer, Assemblymember Marc Levine, Senator Holly Mitchell and Steve Nissen (Comcast NBCUniversal) play 'Is That a Law?'
Last Friday, VICA members and their guests met with state elected officials during VICA's 2019 State Officeholders Dinner at Universal Studios Hollywood's Sound Stage 29. Leaders throughout California came together to take part in one of VICA's most popular events. 
 
Members had a unique opportunity to connect with state legislators during the reception and dinner. During dinner, elected officials participated in exciting new games, including VICA Feud where Senator Maria Elena Durazo, Assemblymember Miguel Santiago and Board of Equalization Member Antonio Vazquez went head-to-head against Assemblymembers Laura Friedman, Tim Grayson and Blanca Rubio to determine bragging rights in Sacramento as the VICA Feud winner.
 
Throughout the night, State Officeholders played lightning rounds of questions and analyzed drawings created by our Little Picassos from the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley.  
 
VICA Immediate Past Chair Coby King (High Point Strategies) and Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager-Dove analyze Lil Picasso drawings from the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley


Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymembers Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Luz Rivas also battled students from El Camino Real Charter High School for an Academic Decathlon. Although it was a tight competition, the El Camino team demonstrated why they are the reigning national Academic Decathlon champions.  
 
The night concluded with a close round of 'Is That a Law?' where Assemblymember Marc Levine, Senator Holly Mitchell and Board of Equalization Member Mike Schaefer went up against VICA Chair Lisa Gritzner (LG Strategies), and Assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer and Christy Smith to see who could tell the difference between real legal statutes and fake laws thought up by VICA staff.
 
The 2019 State Officeholders Dinner was presented by Comcast NBCUniversal and co-sponsored by 21st Century Fox, FivePoint, Health Net, Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Police Protective League and Providence St. Joseph Health.
 
Thank you to our sponsors and members who attended this event. 

Board of Equalization Member Mike Schaefer, Assemblymember Marc Levine, Senator Holly Mitchell, VICA Board Member Steve Nissen ( Comcast NBCUniversal ), Assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer and Christy Smith, and VICA Chair Lisa Gritzner ( LG Strategies )

Click here to see more photos from the event.
Spotlight on VICA Committee Leadership
Marilyn Koziatek is Chair of VICA's Education Committee.

Marilyn is the Director of Communications and Development at Granada Hills Charter School ( GHCS).  GHCS is among the largest independent charter schools in the United States and touts a record of excellence and high achievement in public education. Considered one of the best high schools in the San Fernando Valley, GHCS is the six-time national champion of the United States Academic Decathlon and is expanding to serve students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade beginning in August 2019.

How is VICA valuable to you or your organization?
Being involved in VICA provides important resources for our school by introducing businesses leaders to our world-class programs like engineering and computer science. Our high school students intern with VICA during the annual Business Forecast conference, giving them valuable skills. VICA also gives our school an influential voice in advocating for policies and legislation in all levels of government.

Why should members consider becoming more involved with the Education Committee?
VICA's Education Committee creates a partnership between the worlds of business and education to the benefit of the students in the San Fernando Valley. The committee allows us to advocate for the pressing issues facing public education and keeps our members informed about the ever-changing legislative and political landscape of early education, K-12 and higher education. 

The Education Committee's next meeting is on May 2.
Click here to RSVP to the next Education Committee Meeting.
 
Learn more about VICA committees by clicking here.


Los Angeles County Supervisor 
Sheila Kuehl
3rd Supervisorial District

Friday, March 22, 2019
11:30 - 1:30 p.m. 
Sportsmen's Lodge 
Starlight Room
12833 Ventura Blvd., 
Studio City

On March 22, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl will discuss the Woosley Fire and its aftermath. Supervisor Kuehl will take time to answer members' questions and give members an overview of what to expect in 2019.

Co-sponsored by  Metro and Mission Community Hospital.

Sponsorships are available - email Helene@vica.com or call (818) 817 0545.

VICA Advocates for Consistent Straw Policies Across City, County and State
On Tuesday, VICA attended the Los Angeles City Council Energy Committee to express concerns with regard to the plastic straws ordinance the city is considering. We urged city councilmembers to implement a policy that is consistent with policies that have been implemented by LA County and the state. Businesses are already required to comply with a number of regulations. Having a different policy at the city, county and state will cause confusion for a number of business owners and their employees. As the city continues to work on this ordinance, VICA will push for a policy that is consistent with existing plastic straws policies and work to ensure the city educates businesses on new regulations through a public awareness campaign. 

For more information, contact  Armando@vica.com


Last Chance to Register
Access D.C.

Monday, March 11th - Wednesday, March 13th

Join more than 200 civic and business leaders for the region's premier advocacy trip to the nation's capitol. Attendees will meet with members of Congress and senior Administration officials on priorities important to Southern California.

Register with VICA for an extra day of meetings and a private lunch in the Members' Dining Room with Representative Brad Sherman.

This trip is in conjunction with the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and other business groups.

Registration fee : $950

Click here to reserve your spot for Access D.C.
Committee Report
Government Affairs Committe (2/20)
Hosted by Penny Lane Centers
  • Adam D.H. Grant (Alpert Barr & Grant) gave a presentation on developments in California consumer privacy law.
  • The committee also heard from Rebecca Lienhard (Tierra del Sol Foundation) on reimbursement rates for organizations serving adults with developmental disabilities. 
  • The committee recommended to support increased funding to support Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to oppose Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 (Aguiar-Curry).
Member Messages:
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 Helene@vica.com  or 
call (818) 817-0545.