Today, VICA hosted another informative and exciting Newsmaker Connection with the Cal State Northridge Center for Geospatial Science and Technology. Dr. Regan Maas presented on the San Fernando Valley Community of Interest analysis and explained the socioeconomics and economic disparities in our Valley.

She stated that, "the San Fernando Valley has unique internal connectivity as well as external connectivity," and explained the ways that the Valley can be studied distinctly from the rest of Los Angeles County. For example, the East still lags behind the west of the Valley in terms of higher education, median household income, and poverty, but there have been improvements over the last decades. Data like this can show us where more advocacy and representation can be helpful.

After Dr. Maas gave her thoughtful presentation, VICA's President, Stuart Waldman, shared insight into the City redistricting process as it currently stands. Stuart reiterated that VICA will continue to be active to preserve Valley interests, fighting for representation of the Valley as a whole.

Thank you to Dr. Maas for sharing your insights into the redistricting process, and thank you very much to our presenting sponsor, State Farm, for making the Newsmaker Connection possible. We look forward to continued collaborations with the CSUN Center for Geospatial Science and Technology!

The Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission voted to move forward with one map that adheres to VICA's Redistricting Principles that VICA staff, members and the San Fernando Valley Redistricting Coalition and its partners have been pushing for the last year.

The map advanced is not without issues that we hope to address in the coming weeks. If you wish to make a comment on the map, please email: redistricting.lacity@lacity.org

Last week, the VICA Board voted to support the District NoHo Project, and this week, VICA is taking action by writing letters to ensure this project breaks ground. The District NoHo Project will turn a 15-acre under-utilized parking field into a street grid that will revitalize the local economy and create thousands of jobs in the construction, hospitality, and business sectors. The development will bring a community of over 1,500 residential units, 20% of which will be deed-restricted affordable units. Additionally, it will generate property and business tax revenue for our communities, while infusing the Arts District neighborhood with a vibrant, new housing community that will support the many exceptional businesses that make NoHo such a great place to live.

District NoHo is a destination deeply rooted in transit and accessibility, and this development project will reinforce our region's investment in our region's growing transportation network. Currently, the location serves as the main Metro connection between North Hollywood and the Greater Los Angeles region. Through the creation of a vibrant, healthy, and mobile community and the fostering of economic growth near transit, this critical infrastructure will enhance Metro ridership by creating an exciting destination in the San Fernando Valley.

A development of this scale in the heart of the NoHo Arts District will celebrate and enhance the flourishing arts community through static and digital artwork, landmarks, flexible open space, and a performing arts pavilion. VICA will continue to advocate for this comprehensive, thoughtful, and transformative project that will positively impact our entire region.

VICA reached out this week to four California Congressmembers this week to express our concern about a number of bills pending before the U.S. House of Representatives - H.R. 3826, H.R. 3816, and H.R. 3849, and H.R. 3825. Taken together, this legislative "package" that recently passed the House Judiciary Committee could have a detrimental impact on California's technology sector, which employs more than 1.8 million individuals and has an estimated economic impact of nearly $520 billion on California's economy.

For workers and consumers, we are very concerned that passage of this package would suppress wage growth and negatively impact consumers. For example, H.R. 3816, the American Choice and Innovation Online Act, would result in separate rules for online marketplaces than those that govern brick and mortar businesses, creating a highly inequitable landscape for small businesses, especially for African American, Latino, veteran, and women owned small businesses that are already struggling. Each one of these bills will likely result in unintended and avoidable consequences.

For California and its technology sector, this package could have a significant and irreversible impact on companies, workers, and consumers alike. VICA will continue to fight against these bills to ensure that our leaders do what's right for California

VICA President Stuart Waldman spoke to the Los Angeles City Council this week on behalf of all VICA members to express concerns with a uniform and codified COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Stuart emphasized that it is important for the City to work with the business community to ensure that these requirements don't encumber operations, and urged the City to not apply any vaccine requirements on outdoor venues.

VICA and the business community want to avoid the piecemeal approach that leaves room for costly litigation and competition from different enforcement strategies. A comprehensive, thoughtful, and universal mandate in the City will remove these risks associated with enforcing common sense vaccination and testing requirements.

Our economy cannot afford another shutdown, as many businesses would not survive limited customer flow, modified operations, and limited travel. When the Council votes again next week, VICA will fight for codified vaccine requirements that benefit - rather than harm - the region's businesses and communities.

Each year, the VICA Foundation offers three scholarships to outstanding local students with a demonstrated interest in business. We strongly encourage our members to share this opportunity with their organizations and students in our community.

A $500 scholarship to a student attending a VICA-member high school or primary education institution.

Application Deadline: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

A $1,000 Scholarship to a full time undergraduate attending a VICA member university or college.

Application Deadline: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

A $1,000 Scholarship to a full time undergraduate attending a VICA member university or college.

Application Deadline: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

On Tuesday, VICA spoke at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting to urge the Board to continue its commitment to our economy by voting no on the County Eviction Moratorium for individual and commercial tenants. Over 17 months ago, these moratoriums were created as temporary measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and VICA believes that it is critical that the County allow regular rental operations to resume.

Our County's rental housing providers continue to navigate uncertain times and are facing significant financial pressure. Given the comprehensive assistance and emergency relief provided by the government, increased vaccine availability, and economic reopening, we must create a more tailored approach to directly address the original intent of the moratorium - helping those impacted by COVID-19. Therefore, VICA urged the Board to protect housing providers and renters by lifting the moratorium for renters who do not have financial hardship due to COVID-19, by lifting commercial rent moratoriums for businesses with over 100 employees, and by lifting the rent increase freeze in the County for those without hardship declarations.

The County decided to extend the commercial moratorium for the time being, while limiting the scope of tenant protections and beginning to allow evictions for residential tenants. VICA will continue to be active in the fight to get our economy back on track!

Last week, Los Angeles County codified requirements in an updated Health Officer Order. The new Order requires operators of Mega Events to take additional steps to verify vaccination status of customers. Here are the updated requirements:

The new Health Officer Order also outlines requirements for nightclubs, lounges, bars, breweries, wineries, and distilleries that are not licensed as full-service restaurants. Here are the updated guidelines:

VICA will continue to keep our members informed of any significant changes to public health guidance that affect our businesses and community.

LIVE EVENT: Hilton Universal

Wednesday, October 6

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 12

8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Virtual Meeting

LIVE EVENT: Hilton Universal

As we move towards the end of the year, VICA is preparing its Legislative Priorities for 2022. This member-driven process depends on our members to suggest key issues on which VICA should advocate over the next year.

We need to hear your ideas for practical changes VICA can advocate for, which would help businesses recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and thrive in Los Angeles.

Don't miss this chance to submit your suggestions for VICA's 2021 Legislative Priorities! Please send your ideas by Friday, October 29th.

For more information, email Kayla@vica.com.

California's Pandemic Paid Sick Leave Law Expires, Leaving Workers with 3 Guaranteed Days Off

L.A City Council Supports Indoor Business Vaccine Rules, But Councilman Delays Vote Until Next Week

L.A City Council Takes First Vote for Vacccine Mandate

Governor Newsom signed AB 37 this week, making California the 8th state to pass a law requiring every voter to be mailed a ballot in every future election.

This week, Microsoft announced that the Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) program will expand its reach to 18 U.S. cities and 27 schools.

Biden signed a stopgap government funding bill that will avert a shutdown until early December. The bill includes funding for CA wildfires and drought emergencies.

The UC system is seeking to add 20,000 seats for students by 2030, the equivalent of a new campus, to help meet surging demand for a UC education.

A surge of students seeking remote learning has overwhelmed school programs in Los Angeles, causing teacher shortages and enrollment delays.

California's top utility regulator, CPUC President Marybel Batjer, announced she is stepping down, amid the state's battle with wildfires and power outages.

Some eviction protections expire this week, but low-income tenants who are behind on rent can apply for 100% of back and future rent to be paid off by the state.

With California's extreme drought and declining reservoir levels, the state said it will consider imposing mandatory water restrictions if dryness continues.

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.