VICA Weekly: CA Treasurer John Chiang Joins VICA Members for VICA After Dark

April 13, 2018

In This Issue

New Members

Renewing Members

Calendar

Hot Issues

Member Messages

"Stuart [Waldman] was a bright young man way back then, and now he's a mature,

middle-aged man."

- California State Treasurer,

John Chiang at VICA's

After Dark Event (4/9)

New Members

_____________________

VICA Welcomes Our New Members

AECOM

International School of Los Angeles

Members

VICA Thanks our Renewing Members

_________________

Platinum Member

(1979)

______________________

Bronze Member

(2003)

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Van Nuys Airport Industrial Center

(2002)

Calendar

The Week Ahead

Government Affairs Committee

Wednesday, April 18

Noon to 2 p.m.

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170

Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

_____________________

Save the Date

Victory for Victims

Dignity Health

Saturday, April 21

Click here for Flyer

Leaders Forum with Antonio Villaraigosa

Monday, April 23

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hilton Universal City

555 Universal Hollywood Dr.,

Universal City

Click here to RSVP

Sunday Brunch and Fashion Show

New Directions for Youth

Sunday, April 29

9 to 11 a.m.

Click here for Flyer

Hot Issues

Water

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California agreed to take on approximately two-thirds of the $17 billion cost of the Delta tunnels project, which involves construction of two 40-foot-wide, 35-mile-long pipes. VICA has advocated in support of the California Water Fix and urged MWD's board to move forward with the project.

Education

California students moved closer to the national averages in reading and math, continuing a trend of generally slow but steady improvement on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Homelessness

L.A. County is launching a pilot program to pay property owners to put houses for homeless people in their backyards. Officials hope it could be a fast and inexpensive way to house the most stable homeless individuals.

Infrastructure
The White House announced a new effort to speed environmental reviews for major infrastructure projects. President Trump has made shortening the timetable to get approvals for projects a key focus of his infrastructure reform plans.

Federal Deficit
The nation's deficit will top $1 trillion by 2020 and its debt burden within a decade will approach rates not seen since the aftermath of World War II, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Regional Economy

Southern California's weekly wages have hit record highs as workers get more hours. The average weekly wage at private employers in L.A. and Orange counties was a record-high $955.30.

Transportation

The Los Angeles City Council approved up to $4.9 billion to for an elevated train that will whisk passengers in and out of LAX's central terminal area. Service is expected to begin in March 2023.

National Security

Gov. Brown agreed to increase California National Guard operations along the state's border with Mexico, insisting personnel will not be used to support any immigration enforcement.

International Trade

An analysis by the Brookings Institution finds that California and the West Coast have the most jobs on the line in the potential trade war between Washington and Beijing.

Housing

On Wednesday, the L.A. City Council approved two important ordinances that will help produce critical housing units for the city's homeless population. VICA advocated in support of both the Permanent Supportive Housing and Interim Motel Conversion ordinances.

California State Treasurer John Chiang Joins VICA Members for VICA After Dark

On Monday, California State Treasurer John Chiang joined VICA members for an After Dark at


	CA Treasurer John Chiang and Presenting Sponsor Pegi Matsuda ( Valley Presbyterian Hospital )

Valley Presbyterian Hospital. The Treasurer discussed the importance of helping small businesses succeed in California, noting that full compliance with taxes and regulatory issues could be daunting for small businesses. He recounted a story of an immigrant family who built their small business and achieved the American dream, only to have that threatened because they failed to realize one type of tax had not been paid for years. Chiang also spoke about the importance of getting the basics - education, healthcare, and job creation - done right, rather than focusing on high profile but less foundational issues. Our thanks to presenting sponsor Valley Presbyterian Hospital for hosting, and to our members for joining us.

Click here to see more photos.

Monday, April 23, 2018

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Hilton Universal City

555 Universal Hollywood Dr., Universal City

Antonio Villaraigosa

Gubernatorial Candidate

VICA's Leaders Forum offers members the opportunity to connect with political and in dustry leaders in a setting that allows for discussion and networking. Lunch is included for this event.

Sponsorships still available! Please contact Helene for more details.

RSVP here today!

Support More Efficient and Rapid

Emergency Responses

VICA supports Assembly Bill 1795 (Gipson), which would authorize a local emergency medical services agency to allow paramedics to transport individuals with mental health conditions to a behavioral health facility or sobering center rather than a hospital's emergency department. This will allow emergency departments to truly serve as a rapid response to medical emergencies by shortening long wait times and decongesting emergency departments.

Currently, patients with a mental health condition who are under the care of a paramedic must be transported to a hospital with an emergency department. Although hospitals may be well-equipped to handle trauma, disasters, or emergency physical health conditions, they are not as well-equipped to serve patients who have mental health care needs or substance abuse problems. Patients experiencing mental health emergencies should be treated in a behavioral health facility or sobering center where medically-trained personnel, including nurses and psychiatrists, can provide specialized intensive crisis services and treatments. AB 1795 will ensure that trained paramedics have the option to direct a person to a behavioral health facility or sobering center and help all patients receive timely and appropriate care.

Click here to support Assembly Bill 1795.

Leave Everyday Life Behind and

Escape to Tuscany!

Known for its beautiful landscapes, its rich artistic legacy and vast influence on high culture, Tuscany is widely regarded as the true birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and has been home to some of the most influential people in the history of art and science. Visitors to Tuscany come for many reasons. Many come in search of fine art, others to explore the extraordinary countryside with charming medieval hill towns and sweeping hillsides full of vineyards. Join us as we explore the endless opportunities that Tuscany has to offer.

November 7-14, 2018

Early-Bird Special!

(if reserved by April 27)

$2,299

8 days, 6 nights including hotels, meals, day trips, and round trip airfare from

Los Angeles.

Click here to email Jessica Yasukochi for more details and reservations.

For more information click here.

WITH THE GREATER SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Wednesday - Thursday, MAY 23-24, 2018

Visit with your local legislator and discuss issues of concern for your region. The cost for the trip is $125, which includes CalChamber Capitol Summit registration, reception, breakfast, lunch and group transportation between the airport and Capitol (if at similar times). The cost of the flight and hotel are not included. There is an additional VICA delegation dinner available Wednesday night for $65.

Sacramento Advocacy Trips are reserved for members of VICA.

Download the flyer and agenda here.

RSVP here today!

Committee Reports

Special Joint Land Use - Transportation Committee (4/10)

Hosted by The Garland

The Land Use and Transportation committee convened for a special joint meeting to discuss housing development, transit-oriented communities and regional planning. Special guests included Marco Anderson from the Southern California Association of Governments, Matt Glesne from the Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Wells Lawson from Metro, and Mark Vallianatos from Abundant Housing L.A.

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International Trade Committee (4/12)

Hosted by Tseng College, California State University, Northridge

Chinese Consul General Zhang Ping joined the committee to discuss Chinese-California trade, recent tariffs, and protection of intellectual property.

Vartan Djihanian, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discussed the recent tariffs proposed by the U.S. Trade Representative.

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.

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.