VICA Weekly
Valley Industry & Commerce Association
Friday, January 14
In This Issue
  • Quote of the Week
  • VICA Supports Tax Exemptions
  • Looking for Interns!
  • Members
  • Sepulveda Transit Corridor
  • VICA Opposes AB 1400
  • VICA Job Opening
  • Committee Recap
  • Upcoming Events
  • VICA Supports Eldercare Project
  • VICA in the News
  • Hot News
  • Member Messages
"The whole government, in terms of housing, wildfire, environment, is pointed toward building more downtown-oriented housing. It's better for equity, it's better for inclusion, and it's better for the environment."
Jason Elliott
Governor Newsom's Top Housing Advisor
VICA Speaks In Support of Tax Exemptions
This week, VICA submitted letters and spoke to the Assembly Revenue and Tax Committee in support of Assembly Bill 365 (O'Donnell), which would exempt the purchase of new and used zero-emission drayage trucks from the state sales and use tax.

As we all have seen in recent headlines, California's port efficiency is critical to the state and national economy, and an estimated 300,000 drayage trucks are responsible for keeping these ports moving. However, with new regulations that require zero-emission drayage trucks by 2045, our ports could see dramatic operational changes. Despite advancements in clean truck technology, new zero-emission drayage trucks can cost $350,000 as compared to their $50,000 used diesel counterparts. This steep price tag is subject to about $80,000 in federal, state, and local taxes and fees. AB 365 would lessen this tax burden, shielding purchasers of new and used zero-emission trucks from at least a portion of the costs. Unless the state offsets the cost of zero-emissions drayage trucks through AB 365, it will be nearly impossible for small fleets to transition to cleaner technology.

With VICA's support, AB 365 passed through the Assembly Revenue and Tax Committee. We will continue to monitor this critical legislation.
All internships will be remote until further notice. For more information or to apply, please visit:

Members
VICA Thanks Our New and Renewing Members
VICA's Transportation Committee Chooses Sepulveda Transit Corridor Alignment
Building on VICA's longstanding support of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, the VICA Transportation Committee voted on a recommended alignment for the project, supporting options 3, 5, and 6. VICA has always been a strong advocate for transportation projects that improve the Valley's connectivity with the rest of the Los Angeles region. The Sepulveda Transit Corridor will provide a high quality transit service that effectively serves the large and growing travel demand between housing and major employment centers of the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. For a transit system to be a competitive travel option that attracts riders, it needs to increase speed, frequency, capacity, and reliability while providing convenient connections to existing and planned transit. The Sepulveda Transit Corridor will do just that.

In order to jumpstart our advocacy work on this critical project, VICA President Stuart Waldman spoke in support of options 3, 5, and 6 at the Metro scoping meeting on Wednesday evening. We will continue to actively comment on this project so that the Valley's voice is heard!
VICA Calls In Opposition to AB 1400 Single Payer Healthcare
This week, VICA called into the Assembly Health Committee to express the Valley business community's opposition to AB 1400, a plan for single-payer healthcare in the state of California.

The California Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) reports that a single-payer system in California will require more than $210 billion in the first year of the program to sustain the infrastructure. The LAO further noted that the systems cost will increase to $250 billion in subsequent years. Additionally, the report predicted a net shortfall of $42 billion in the first full year of implementation, even with a 12% payroll tax on employers and employees. The LAO expects a 16% tax will be needed to cover the shortfall, leading to a multi-billion dollar tax increase on Californians.

AB 1400 will negatively impact workforce and job growth in California because the bill will push physicians to practice in other states with traditional payment models. This, paired with further displace workers, eliminate jobs, and increase taxes in California. VICA will continue to advocate against this dangerous proposal.
Committee Recap
Transportation Committee (1/11)
Sponsored by The Garland

  • The Transportation Committee welcomed special guest, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, who spoke on her priorities for 2022 as well as updates from the Assembly Transportation Committee.
  • Tony Tavares, District 7 Director for CalTrans, gave an update on CalTrans priorities for the new year.
  • Peter Carter of Metro gave an overview of the 6 alternatives for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor.
  • The committee recommended that VICA support alternatives 3, 5, and 6 of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor.
Events
Sacramento Advocacy Day
Thursday, January 20
Virtual Meeting

VICA's regular advocacy trips to the state capitol are crucial to ensuring the voice of the business community is heard by legislators. These member-only trips allow direct advocacy with state officials.
Leaders Forum with Congresswoman Karen Bass
Tuesday, January 25
IN PERSON at The Garland

VICA's Leaders Forums provide members the opportunity to learn from, engage with, and ask questions to prominent public leaders.
VICA's Congressional Breakfast
Friday, February 25
IN PERSON at the Hilton Universal

Join VICA in a unique and fun setting to directly engage elected officials from Washington who represent the San Fernando Valley.
The Week Ahead
Aviation Committee
Tuesday, January 18
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Government Affairs Committee
Wednesday, January 19
Noon to 2 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Sacramento Advocacy Day
Thursday, January 20
All Day
Virtual Meeting
Save the Date
VICA Leaders Forum with Karen Bass
Tuesday, January 25
8:30 to 10 a.m.
Live Event: The Garland
VICA Congressional Breakfast
Friday, February 25th
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Live Event: The Hilton Universal
VICA Supports the Encino Eldercare Project
This week, VICA spoke in support of the demolition of the existing Bethel Church and Preschool for the development of a new six-story Encino Eldercare Facility. This 228 unit project will meet a growing need in the community for age-in-place senior living in the San Fernando Valley, and more specifically, the Encino community. It will free up housing stock in the area, allowing more young families to find homes in the community, all while allowing elderly folks to stay in their communities and live close to their families.

In addition to senior housing, plans call for 162 parking spaces in an underground garage at the 2-acre project site, as well as amenities including a pool deck, outdoor lounge spaces, a spa, salon, and theatre room. The applicant, VICA member K-Geneva, has been active in working with the community to ensure that the project will enhance the community and add beauty to the the surrounding area through an atrium and floor-to-ceiling windows.

VICA will continue to be active in advocating for the Encino Eldercare Project, and we will work to find innovative solutions to our housing crisis.
VICA In the News
Hot News
Cannabis Records
When California voters legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2016, the state promised a legal pathway for clearing or reducing past marijuana convictions. Despite many laws intended to speed up the process, 34,000 Californians are still stuck with felonies, misdemeanors, and other convictions on their records.

Inflation
Driven by supply chain issues, prices for goods and services increased 7% in the last year, the highest inflation rate in nearly four decades, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

Teaching Shortage
California is making it easier for school districts to hire teachers and other employees amid staffing shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Newsom signed an executive order to allow schools more flexibility in staffing decisions, ending in March.
Mayor Garcetti
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's nomination to serve as U.S. Ambassador to India was confirmed Wednesday by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His hearing now heads to the full Senate, where it requires a simple majority vote.

Student Loans
Navient, a major student loan servicing company, has settled allegations of deceptive lending practices for $1.85 billion, cancelling the debt of tens of thousands of borrowers. The suit alleges that Navient led borrowers into long-term forbearance instead of cheaper repayment plans.

Budget
As part of his $286.4 billion budget blueprint, Governor Newsom included $2 billion over two years in grants and tax credits to shift home construction away from rural, wildfire-prone areas to urban cores.
Member Spotlight
Matt Klink
California Strategies, LLC
Partner

Matt has more than 30 years of experience working on complex, controversial, and high-profile issues for public and private sector clients, as well as candidates for elected office and ballot measure campaigns. Klink has worked for corporate and political clients in more than 35 countries on six continents. He boasts 20-plus years’ experience working for oil, gas and energy clients in California and other western states. He collects baseball cards and has complete sets from 1969 to present, plus 1957 and 1967.

When asked some additional questions, the below was shared:

What has been your largest accomplishment or efforts made over the past year? 
Helping businesses and trade associations fight taxes and regulation - a great business model in CA because everything is taxed or regulated.

How has VICA supported your business strategy or expanded your footprint with the business community?  
VICA is always at the cutting edge of every hot city, county or state fight. It’s strategically aggressive and exerts influence where it has the most impact and at the right time.
Are you interested in a Membership Spotlight?
Answer the below questions, send responses and a professional photo,
and we'll ensure your in the line up for 2022!
MUST BE A CURRENT VICA MEMBER TO BE FEATURED!

Please keep each question response to 2-4 sentences maximum.

  1. Please share a bit about your background and a fun fact that people would love to learn, ie: scrapbooking is your favorite hobby, you were in a band, you have traveled around the world…  
  2. What has been your organization’s largest accomplishment or efforts made over the past year? 
  3. Please share how VICA has supported your business strategy or expanded your footprint with the business community?  

Send responses and headshot to Shauna Carter
Member Messages
Member Messages
Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!
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.
ABOUT VICA
Presenting the business perspective on behalf of employers in the
San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas,
Hidden Hills, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.
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