VICA Vice Chair Ross Pendergraft ( Leavitt Insurance Group), Marilyn Koziatek ( Granada Hills Charter School), Assemblymember Luz Rivas, VICA Board member Natasha Fooman ( California Financial Service Providers Association), Andres Molina ( WSP USA), and VICA President Stuart Waldman.

Last Tuesday, VICA headed to Sacramento to continue advocating on issues important to the business community. The VICA delegation urged legislators to support legislation that would help expedite housing construction throughout the state; support investing in the remodeling of existing and new facilities at the University of California; and support a bill that would allow ten cities to participate in a pilot program that would attract visitors and investment by  permitting the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption until 4 a.m.

VICA members met with Attorney General Xavier Becerra to discuss making improvements

to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as well as reforming the Private Attorneys General Act. 

The delegation also voiced opposition to allowing school districts to deny a new or renewing charter school; opposition to  an unnecessary labeling law that would mandate warning labels on many sugar-sweetened beverages sold in California; and opposition to a bill that would require state regulatory agencies to adopt strict state environmental regulations in response to changes to federal standards.

 

Thank you to Attorney General Xavier Becerra for meeting with our VICA members. Our thanks for the following legislators for meeting with VICA: Senators Mike Morrell and Anthony Portantino, and Assemblymembers Heath Flora, Vince Fong, Chris Holden, Marc Levine, and Luz Rivas. Thank you to the staff of Senator Galgiani for meeting with VICA.

VICA will return to Sacramento for it's last advocacy trip on  August 21! 

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Airtel Plaza Hotel

7277 Valjean Ave.,  Van Nuys

Assemblymember Christy Smith

Join VICA for our upcoming After Dark, featuring California State Assemblymember Christy Smith. Attendees enjoy hosted drinks and appetizers as they meet and interact with other prominent business leaders from the community.  VICA After Darks are complimentary to VICA members.

Sponsorships are still available - email [email protected] or call the 

VICA Office at (818) 817-0545

Non-members who are interested in attending are encouraged to contact Cathy @vica.com.

Support Funding Program for Affordable Housing Construction

VICA supports Senate Bill 5 (Beall), which  would allow local agencies to use property tax revenue from the Education Revenue  Augmentation Fund to pay for affordable housing and related infrastructure projects. California is facing an unprecedented housing crisis, which has

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

11:30 - 2 P.M.

BURBANK AIRPORT MARRIOTT - 2500 N. HOLLYWOOD WAY, BURBANK

Support Tax Credits for Property Owners Who Accept Section 8 Vouchers

VICA supports Senate Bill 521 (Portantino), which would create a tax credit for property owners

who rent units to Section 8 voucher recipients. 

Current law allows for various tax credits for property owners, including the Gross Premiums Tax, the Personal Income Tax Law, and the Corporation Tax Law. State tax credits are also available to assist with costs related to construction, rehabilitation, or the purchase of low-income housing. However, there are currently no tax credits for property owners who accept Section 8 vouchers.  For the voucher program to realize its full potential, the program must appeal to a wider variety of landlords. SB 521 provides a much better approach by providing incentives rather than a punitive mandate. SB 521 will encourage more housing development, particularly affordable housing, as more property owners would be keen to participate in the Section 8 program.

VICA is Hiring!

VICA is currently looking for two individuals to join our dynamic team. The two positions are:

Membership Manager: VICA is looking for a Membership Manager to help recruit new members, retain existing members, sell sponsorships and advertising and develop a strong membership program and ambassador committee. This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated professional who wants to facilitate participation and networking in the most influential business community in the Valley. 

Legislative Affairs Associate: VICA is looking for a Legislative Affairs Associate to support the legislative affairs team's advocacy efforts for business at the local, state, and federal level. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate to work in a fast-paced environment on a wide range of policy issues, with opportunities to learn, grow, and gain valuable networks and experience.

If you or anyone you know would like to work for the most influential business group in the Valley, email a resume and cover letter to  [email protected]  

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 [email protected]  or 

call (818) 817-0545.