"A functioning democracy requires a well-informed constituency. The demise of newspapers will mean many lost jobs, and will leave many communities without local journalism."
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- Assemblymember Blanca Rubio during her presentation of AB 323 before the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.
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Media Mentions
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L.A. Might Cancel Real Estate Projects Tied to City Hall Corruption
Los Angeles Times
August 7
L.A. Breweries, Wineries Say They Should be Allowed to Reopen if Restaurants Can
August 5
Bill to Support Local News, Backed by Dodd, Heads to Committee
August 11
August 12
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VICA University Offers Insights into Virtual Event Planning
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On Wednesday, VICA staff hosted a special VICA University Webinar exploring the ins and outs of planning a major event that is entirely online. During the webinar, VICA staff detailed the step-by-step process behind our 2020 Hall of Fame virtual event, explaining how to find the right virtual platform to recreate key aspects of our in-person events. VICA also discussed potential problems, such as guests losing internet connection or lack of familiarity with new online platforms, that must be accounted for. VICA hopes that the success of our 2020 Hall of Fame can help other businesses and organizations navigate the world of virtual events.
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| | Senator Bob Hertzberg inducts the 2020 Board of Directors |
VICA's 2021 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.
For more information on the 2021 Board of Directors guidelines, click here.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating on the board in 2021, please click on the nomination form below and submit to Jessica@vica.com. If you don't want to serve on the board, but are interested in serving as a committee chair, please let us know that on the nomination form. Applications are due by Friday, September 18.
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Vote No on Prop 21 - Costly Rent Control Measures
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 VICA opposes Proposition 21, which would repeal provisions of the Costa Hawkins rental housing laws and allow local governments to impose strict rent control measures. The proposed changes laid out would effectively raise the cost of constructing new housing -- housing that is desperately needed to alleviate our state's severe shortage. Slowing, or completely halting, housing developments would also lead to job loss in the construction sector, adding on to the devastating economic impact already brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prop 21 is not a real solution to the housing crisis, but only way to divert the attention from the real change that needs to happen. |
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: 
- Has been an active VICA member and is actively engaged in the organization currently.
- Has significant and long-term involvement in philanthropic and community/public serve organizations or a significant record in that area.
- Is a role model as a community leader
All Nominee forms must be submitted via email to Cathy@vica.com by Friday, September 18, 2020.
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Urge State Legislature to Protect Local Journalism
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 VICA supports Assembly Bill 323 (Rubio), which would extend AB 5 exemptions for California newspapers for two years. This extension is vital to stabilize operations in the post-COVID environment and would prioritize newspaper outlets for state agency public outreach. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, newspapers were operating under extreme financial pressure, and the recent loss of advertising has created an industry crisis that the Legislature cannot ignore. More than a dozen California newspapers have suspended operations or closed in the last six months alone. AB 323 will help to sustain the news industry, thus helping our businesses to reach customers and recovery swiftly. California's newspapers are our critical partners in rebuilding the local and state economy, which is why we urge the Legislature to provide this crucial relief.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
9 to 10 AM
ONLINE NETWORKING EVENT
No Politics | No Program | Just Networking
Register now to receive event details and connect with other leaders in the Valley's business community!
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VICA member Cowe Communications Celebrates 5th Anniversary and Rebranding Launch
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Women-owned and led business and brand development firm, celebrates their five-year anniversary by revealing their very own rebrand. Cowe Communications, formerly known as Cowe Consulting, is ecstatic to not only be expanding their team and their service offerings, but they are also introducing the world to their newly acquired domain: www.cowe.com.
Led by Miri Rossitto and Nicola Staples, Cowe Communications has had quite the transformation in their five years. "We opened in 2015 with a goal to be the best business consultants. Very quickly we noticed that our clients needed assistance executing the strategies that we were developing. Solutions are what we live for and our team decided to pivot the company. Now, we can not only design and develop powerful business and marketing strategies, but we can execute and publicize them too!" - Miri Rossitto.
Cowe Communications is a full-service business and brand development firm. Their mission is to help organizations determine short and long-term goals, to design and implement business strategies that assist in surpassing those goals and to promote sustainable growth thereby ensuring a successful and thriving company. The team at Cowe Communications is driven to make positive impacts all over the world. Find out more at www.cowe.com.
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NEW DATE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
9:30 to 11:30 AM
Virtual Event
Don't miss our Annual Congressional Breakfast, a unique opportunity to engage with federal elected officials in a casual setting, right from your home.
A Remo virtual login will be provided prior to the event.
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Land Use (8/11)
Sponsored by The Garland
- Kome Ajise, Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), presented on the latest updates of SCAG's "Connect SoCal Plan."
- Anthony Dedousis, Policy and Research Director at Abundant Housing L.A., presented on their L.A. City Housing Element Proposal, the FAIR Plan.
- The committee recommended to support AB 2323 (Friedman): CEQA Exemptions.
- The committee recommended to support AB 3279 (Friedman): CEQA Administrative and Judicial Procedures.
- The committee recommended to support, with concerns, SB 1299 (Portantino): the Re-zoning of Idle Retail Sites.
- The committee recommended to oppose AB 2231 (Kalra): Defining De minimis for Public Works Projects.
Labor and Employment (8/12)
Sponsored by Sun Hill Properties / Hilton Universal City
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Officials presented on updates to County rules and health orders related to COVID-19.
- The committee recommended to oppose AB 3056 (Gonzalez): Regulations to Warehouse Distribution Centers.
- The committee recommended to support, if amended, SB 2999 (Low): Bereavement Leave.
- The committee recommended to oppose AB 685 (Reyes): Employer Notification Requirements for COVID-19 Exposure.
Energy, Environment, Manufacturing and Utilities (8/13)
Sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
- Kristen Pawling (Los Angeles County Office of Sustainability) presented on the County's Sustainability Plan Annual Progress Report.
- Dominique Hargreaves, Los Angeles City Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, provided updates on the L.A. City Green New Deal and Sustainability Progress during COVID-19.
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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 cathy@vica.com or
call (818) 817-0545.
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