On Friday, VICA called into the AQMD Board Meeting and advocated to oppose a Port Indirect Source Rule. The Ports and supply chain partners continue to favor a voluntary, cooperative approach to achieving lower emission standards rather than unnecessary oversight. Over the years, there has been exceptional air quality improvements throughout the region, and the Ports have consistently proven themselves in achieving our goals set by the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP).

The Ports have kept their promise in updating the community by providing the opportunity to provide input at the Ports quarterly CAAP stakeholder meetings. A collaborative approach also means that grant funding is available to implement CAAP. If the board approves rulemaking, this will be detrimental in achieving the necessary funding sources to help create and deploy the equipment needed to be a zero emissions Port by 2035.

VICA will always stand up for small businesses and continue to oppose unnecessary oversight.

On Thursday, VICA asked business groups for support against antitrust bills targeting the technology sector at the BizFed Advocacy Committee Meeting. We asked for coalition support so that our local business organizations can be a unified voice against these damaging antitrust bills. Each of the five bills directly hurts businesses within the technology sector that have served as the lifelines for our economy both before and during the pandemic. While open discussion regarding the regulation of businesses needs to be encouraged, the proposals within these antitrust bills will have far-reaching and devastating effects on our economy, businesses, and communities.

Technology has been a longstanding economic pillar for California, supporting millions of jobs, contributing billions to the economy, and playing a critical role during the COVID-19 crisis. California has comfortably positioned itself as a global leader in innovation, and the recent proposals in Congress have the power to disrupt the very tech ecosystem that has allowed us to grow exponentially and rise as global leaders.

Rather than passing this detrimental legislation that will hinder our recovery efforts and place unnecessary burdens on our businesses, the country needs to support the industries that remain the backbone of our local economies. VICA will continue to advocate for policies that benefit California's tech sector and sternly oppose damaging antitrust bills that threaten it.

VICA's 2022 Board of Directors nomination and selection process is underway and we want your nominations!

Board members must be able to attend regular board meetings and be prepared to vote on a wide variety of public policy issues. Board members must also attend regular committee meetings and VICA events. Additional responsibilities may include calling or writing lawmakers, attending press conferences, testifying, authoring editorials, interacting with top opinion leaders, and more.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating on the VICA Board in 2022, please don't hesitate to click on the nomination form below and submit via email at Jessica@vica.com or via fax at 818-907-7934 no later than Friday, September 3, 2021.

Renewals:

New Member:

VICA's Harmon Ballin Community Service Award annually honors an active VICA member who has made an outstanding contribution to our community through their long-term community service activities. A nominee is someone who:

All nominee forms must be submitted via email to Cathy@vica.com by Friday, September 3, 2021.

Thursday, August 19

Virtual Event

Wednesday, August 18

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

LIVE EVENT: Burbank Marriott

The U.S. added 943,000 jobs in July as a summer rush of travel and recreation spending powered the economy through surging coronavirus cases, the Labor Department reported Friday.

COVID-19 has sent LA public transit numbers plummeting. In 2020, just 213 million people used the Metro rail or bus, as opposed to 370 million the year before, according to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Pending home sales fell 1.9% last month and sales were also down 1.9% from June 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Coronavirus infections found at LAUSD schools rose steadily during the five weeks of summer school but appear to have affected a small proportion of students and staff, according to data provided to The Times.

About 41,000 Californians who get emergency unemployment benefits will stop receiving them next week..

Los Angeles' unvaccinated may soon be banned from entering a slew of indoor public spaces, as the city copes with another wave of rapidly rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations

L.A. will consider requiring vaccine proof at restaurants, gyms, indoor sporting events

L.A. gets aggressive on vaccine requirements as Delta surges. How it affects you

L.A. City Council Proposes Indoor Vaccine Mandate for Stores, Restaurants, Theaters

> Please share a brief biography and a fun fact about yourself that people would love to learn, ie: you love skydiving, you have run a marathon, you started your own business at a young age, etc. (2-3 sentences) 

> Tell us about your belief in VICA, how has VICA been most valuable for you? 

> If you were to share an experience with someone about VICA, what would that be? 

> Share with us what you believe to be the greatest accomplishment VICA has achieved?

> What was your organizations and/or your greatest accomplishment in 2020?

> Can you share what VICA has meant for you and your business during COVID?

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 cathy@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.