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"The consensus in D.C. is that we need an infrastructure program, but the other consensus in D.C. is that nobody can agree how to pay for it."
- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
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Advocating for Valley Transit, Education, and Infrastructure in Washington D.C.
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The VICA delegation with Congressmember Brad Sherman in the Members Dining Room
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| The VICA delegation in front of the U.S. Capitol |
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This week, VICA joined the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, local elected officials, and other business groups for the annual Access D.C. advocacy trip. On Monday, the VICA members met with senior staff from the office of Congressmember Tony Cárdenas and Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Chief of Staff. The VICA delegation then had lunch with Congressmember Brad Sherman. Later, VICA met with newly elected Congressmember Katie Hill and the executive director of the California Congressional Delegation.
Newly elected Congressmember Gil Cisneros and Congressmember Brad Sherman joined the Access D.C. delegation for the trip's opening dinner.
On Tuesday, the day began with a speech from Senator Dianne Feinsten on homelessness, fire and water in California. Afterwards, Access D.C. attendees split into teams to advocate for issues important to Los Angeles businesses. VICA members advocated for increased federal funding for the housing and homelessness crisis, healthcare, increased infrastructure spending, and discussed new energy technologies. Members met with Congressmembers Lou Correa, Jimmy Gomez, Katie Hill, and Linda Sanchez, as well as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. The delegation also met with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador C.J. Mahoney and staff from the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development. Attendees concluded the evening with a reception at the Mexican Cultural Institute with Mexican Ambassador Martha Bárcena.
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VICA President Stuart Waldman introduces Congressmember Katie Hill |
On Wednesday, the delegation met with Congressmember Eric Swalwell and staff from the offices of Senators Dianne Feinstein, Rob Portman, and Minority Leader Charles Schumer. VICA also met with staff from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Department of Commerce.
Throughout the trip, hot topics of discussion included the regional economy, the census, transportation, homelessness, and education.
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Tuesday, April 2, 2019
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Hosted at:
Vitello's Restaurant
4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City
Los Angeles Councilmember David E. Ryu
Join VICA at our upcoming After Dark, featuring Los Angeles City Councilmember David E. Ryu. Attendees will 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 available.
Co-Sponsored by California State University, Northridge and Sheppard Mullin
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Spotlight on VICA Leadership
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Rafael De La Rosa is a Co-Chair of VICA's Education Committee.
De La Rosa is the Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations for California State University, Northridge (CSUN). In this capacity, he promotes and advances CSUN priorities by working with elected officials, state leaders, coalition partners, and community stakeholders. Prior to working at CSUN, Rafael was the Director of Government Relations for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and also previously worked as a Legislative Assistant on Capitol Hill for Congressman Brad Sherman.
How is VICA valuable to you or your organization?
VICA is a trusted partner in our community and a convener of so many different and talented organizations. VICA has a long history of getting things done and doing so through thoughtful consensus and remarkable leadership. VICA has helped CSUN amplify our voice on many issues but most notably issues pertaining to transportation such as mobilizing our students and elected officials around passage of Measure M.
Why should members consider becoming more involved with the Education Committee?
Our communities and children thrive when we stay active and participate in the betterment of their lives. Advocacy works in much of the same way - you have to participate! VICA Education Committee brings together every organization, business group and public sector partner with the sole goal of improving the lives and outcomes of children. Whether it is early childhood education, K-12, community college or higher education the VICA Education Committee is here to get things done.
The Education Committee will meet on May 2.
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Learn more about VICA committees by clicking
here.
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Join us as VICA continues its tradition by inducting a few of the Valley's remarkable business and community leaders into the San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame. We are looking forward to celebrating Valley businesses and 70 years of VICA service.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Sheraton Universal Hotel
333 Universal Hollywood Dr., Universal City
Reception 5:30-6:45pm
Awards 6:45-7:45 p.m. |
Dinner 7:45-9:00 p.m.
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Oppose 'Ban the Box' Policy on Rental Housing
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VICA opposes Assembly Bill 53 (Jones-Sawyer), which would prohibit landlords or management companies from running a criminal background check on a prospective tenant until after they have successfully passed the first stage of the application process. AB 53 also would set limits on how criminal history can be used when considering whether to deny a tenant.
Under Fair Housing Laws, landlords already have a duty to make sure that their application process does not discriminate against prospective tenants. AB 53 will exacerbate our current housing crisis by forcing landlords to leave units vacant while they work through an extended and more complicated application process.
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Click here to send a letter to the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee urging them to vote no on AB 53.
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City Council Proposes to Restrict Employee Scheduling, Hours and Opportunities
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VICA has expressed concerns with regard to the City Council's proposal to require employers to schedule their employees' shifts at least two weeks in advance. The proposed requirements would apply to any retailer with over 300 employees across the entire company. Restrictive scheduling would impose an onerous burden on retail employers when they have to react to normal business circumstances. For example, an employer may require additional staff when an employee calls in sick.
Restrictive scheduling hurts the people it purportedly helps, and the advantages of flexible shifts works both ways. For example, a business employing students on a part-time basis works with their employees to prepare a schedule that is suitable for both the business and the employee. Students often don't know what their class schedule will be until a week or two before the start of classes, and a flexible employer will work with their employees to juggle other commitments and priorities.
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Click
here to read the full press release
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Committee Report
Transportation Committee (03/12)
Hosted by The Garland
- The committee heard a presentation on congestion based pricing in LA County from Tham Nguyen (Metro).
- Peter Carter and Cory Zelmer (Metro) presented to the committee on the Sepulveda transit corridor project.
- The committee also heard a presentation from Naresh Amatya (Southern California Association of Governments), on SCAG's 2020 - 2045 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy.
- The committee recommended opposing Senate Bill 319 (Moorlach).
Healthcare Committee (03/14)
Hosted by Valley Presbyterian Hospital
- Dr. Jonathan Grein, Director of Hospital Epidemiology (Cedars-Sinai), presented to the committee on the hospital's special pathogen response team.
- The committee recommended to oppose Senate Bill 567 (Caballero), and support Assembly Bill 890 (Wood).
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Join Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley's Chair Jessica Yasukochi (VICA) as her guest. To RSVP please contact jessica@vica.com
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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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