Valley Industry & Commerce Association | |
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- VICA Victories! SB 809 and SB 556 Die in Committee
- VICA Board Supports Healthy Streets LA
- VICA SFV Business Hall of Fame Inductees
- Employee Retention Tax Credit
- SoCalGas Gas Assistance Fund
- Health Net Medi-Cal Redetermination
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Quick Jump - Register to Attend!
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“The only way to achieve California’s world-leading climate goals is to build, build, build – faster. This proposal is the most ambitious effort to cut red tape and streamline regulations in half a century. It’s time to make the most out of taxpayer dollars and deliver results while creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs. Not since the Pat Brown era have we had the opportunity to invest in and rebuild this state to create the clean future Californians deserve.” | |
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Governor Gavin Newsom
Statement on Proposals to Streamline CEQA and Permitting Process
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VICA Victory! Bill to Prohibit Employers from Conducting Background Checks Dies in Committee | |
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VICA has secured a victory with SB 809 (Smallwood-Cuevas). A bill that prohibits employers from conducting background checks and inquiring about previous conviction histories of applications has died in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Over five years ago, legislators and community stakeholders collaborated to pass AB 1008 (McCarty),a bill that prohibits employers from inquiring about conviction history until a conditional offer is made. SB 809 sought to repeal the California Fair Chance Act and replace this carefully negotiated law with an untenable framework that would have prevented an employer from inquiring about or relying on conviction history without exception.
Under SB 809, companies would have been prohibited from considering conviction history for in-home delivery services, positions with access to sensitive personal information, those working with vulnerable populations, including children and seniors, and those working in hospitality, including hotels that give employees access to rooms.
Every employer’s goal and responsibility is to create a safe workplace environment for workers and customers. Prohibiting an employer from becoming aware of or reacting to convictions for violent crimes, sex offenses, theft, or other serious crimes can undermine that goal.
VICA will continue to advocate at all levels of government to ensure employers, businesses, and customers can conduct their business fairly but transparently.
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VICA Victory! Pro-Lawsuit Health Liability Proposal Fails in Committee | |
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Another VICA Victory, SB 556 (Gonzalez), a proposal that would have made an owner, operator, or person serving on the board of an oil or gas production facility liable for significant ailments of residents within the area, failed to pass the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The proposal made a presumption that any case of cancer, pre-term birth, high-risk pregnancy, or respiratory ailment within a 3200-foot radius of an oil or gas wellhead is caused by that well and makes all individuals involved in the operations and management personally liable for health conditions within the community.
SB 556 would have set a disturbing precedent for the business community where Board members would be held liable for health conditions presumed to be caused by oil facilities operations and would permit individuals to sue nearby operators without proving causation and places a significant burden onto operators to disprove causation.
VICA will continue to advocate against dangerous proposals that would disincentives industry investments and further exacerbate California's energy crisis by pushing operators out of the state.
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VICA Board Supports Healthy Streets LA Ballot Measure | |
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On Wednesday, the VICA Board voted to support the 2024 Ballot Measure Healthy Streets LA , which would require the City of Los Angeles to implement its Mobility Plan 2035 whenever the City repaves or works on a street. Doing so will save money, reduce traffic, make the streets safer, and give people more options to get around town while helping clean our air.
Since the passage of the Mobility Plan in 2015, Los Angeles has only implemented 95 miles out of the 3,137 miles planned. The city of LA is ignoring its own plan, and sometimes actively works against it. A legal mandate is needed to get the city to do what they have already said they want to do and to give us, its residents, cleaner air, safer streets, less traffic, and options for traveling around town.
There is no stronger example of the need to address safety and sustainable street infrastructure than the prevailing impacts of traffic incidents in Los Angeles, with a federal crash data report indicating that the City is the second-deadliest municipality for pedestrians in the past ten years.
VICA will continue to support major infrastructure investments and development to ensure that Los Angeles becomes safer for all residents, communities, and businesses alike, while supporting efforts to address health and environmental concerns.
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: Recognizing this Year's Hall of Fame Inductees | |
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VICA established the San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame to recognize those who have made valuable contributions to the region's rich history and ongoing economic success.
This year, we recognize the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley, Hilton Universal City, Radford Studio Center, Rickey M. Gelb and The Smoke House Restaurant.
Join VICA members, business leaders, and officeholders as we honor members of our community during a garden reception and program at The Garland on June 8, 5:30 PM.
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Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley: The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley was founded in 1992 by community leaders in response to the need for safe, affordable, educational, and productive activities for at-risk youth during non-school hours. Today, over 800 San Fernando Valley youth stream through their doors at the Gary M. Thomas Clubhouse and Teen Center, including seven other school locations.
To read more about the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley, click here.
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Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City: The Hilton Universal City, formerly the Sheraton Premier Tower, opened in 1979 as an expansion to serve the 1984 Olympics. Hilton Universal City is widely renowned for its various guest services and is ranked #1 on Trip Advisor out of all Hilton-branded hotels in the greater Los Angeles area, and has hosted many celebrities, musicians, foreign dignitaries, and presidents, including the late Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Kevin Hart and more.
To read more about the Hilton Los Angeles Universal City, click here.
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Radford Studio Center: Built in 1928 by "Kings of Comedy" Mac Sennett, the Studio opened with one office building, projection studio, editing building, and a large sound stage. RSC has a long, rich production history, with some early film productions with a young Bing Crosby, and legends like Roy Rogers, John Wayne, and Joan Crawford. Today, the Studio continues to flourish and grow and is home to a new Broadcast Center which houses CBS2 and KCAL9, and the Lagoon Production Building with a full-service facility with 18 sound stages on 40 acres.
To read more about Radford Studio Center, click here.
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Rickey M. Gelb: Gelb is the managing general partner of Gelb Group, a real estate development and property management company in Woodland Hills focused on the San Fernando Valley. A longtime civic leader, he has served as director of four banks, belonged to over 35 organizations, and served on numerous advisory boards. Since his first Award of Merit in 1984 from the City of Hope, Gelb has been recognized more than 1,000 times. His noteworthy awards include the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, a national award recognizing those who help the less fortunate, and the Fernando Award for his local volunteerism.
To read more on Rickey Gelb, click here.
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Smoke House Restaurant: The Smoke House was founded by three Lockheed employees, Jim Stockton (promoter & front man), Jack Monroe (cook) and silent partner Bill Storey in 1946 and moved to Burbank in 1948 where they continued to flourish. Known for its 1940’s red leather booths and crisp white tablecloths, this venerable eatery continues to proudly serve locals, entertainers and dignitaries well into its seventh decade.
To read more about Smoke House Restaurant, click here.
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If you are interested in attending and want to register, email Cathy at cathy@vica.com or click the button below. | |
Is Your Business Eligible for the Employee Retention Tax Credit? | |
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As a small to medium-sized business, it's likely that you were negatively impacted by the pandemic, and you certainly weren't alone. Due to financial suffering for many businesses, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help businesses get back on their feet with an Employee Retention Credit (ERC).
The Employee Retention Credit was developed to encourage and support employers who retained existing employees throughout 2020 and for the first three quarters of 2021 by offering a generous payroll tax refund through the IRS.
Eligible businesses can receive a refund of up to $5,000 per employee for all of 2020 and up to $7,000 per employee kept on the payroll for each quarter for Q1 through Q3 of 2021. That's a total of up to $26,000 per employee kept on your payroll.
To see if you and your business qualify for the Employee Retention Credit, click the link below.
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SoCalGas Gas Assistance Fund Available for Low Income Customers | | |
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SoCalGas' Gas Assistance Fund is currently available for low-income and senior customers. The Gas Assistance Fund is a joint effort of SoCalGas and United Way of Greater Los Angeles. United Way works with non-profit organizations throughout their service territory to manage the program.
If you're having difficulty paying your natural gas bill, the Gas Assistance Fund (GAF) may be able to provide you, or someone you know, with a one-time grant for the amount of the gas bill, not to exceed $400.00.
Additionally, if you are a non-profit, please share this information with your network to spread the word! You can click the button to the right to visit the website for more information and to view a list of participating agencies.
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Preparing for Medi-Cal Redeterminations | |
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During the public health emergency, the federal government waived the annual requirement for states to verify eligibility for Medi-Cal – a process known as redetermination. Because of that flexibility, millions of Medi-Cal members maintained their coverage.
With the pandemic entering a new phase, California made this requirement mandatory again on April 1, 2023. Each county needs this information to reach residents with important updates about keeping their Medi-Cal coverage.
Members can visit BenefitsCal.com to learn more, update their information, or enroll in Health Net Medi-Cal. Health Net has launched a new website for members with questions, including how to verify eligibility and what to do if they are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal.
To read more about Medi-Cal redetermination, click here. To take action on your Medi-Cal Coverage, click the button below.
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VICA Thanks Our New and Renewing Members | | |
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Presidents Circle
Silver Members
Bronze Members
Renewing Members
New Members
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VICA University: What You Don't Know About Medicare and Medicare Health Plan Options
June 21 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM
Zoom
VICA invites you to join us for this informative 90-minute program (including a Q&A session) that will cover Medicare and Medicare health plans. Failure to follow the rules or knowing your options can prove costly to you and to your client or employee. Click the button below to register!
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VICA Leaders Forum: LA City Council President Paul Krekorian
June 29 | 11:30 AM
Burbank Airport Marriott
Since 2010, Paul Krekorian has served on the LA City Council where his leadership of the Budget and Finance Committee helped guide the city through the Great Recession. He also leads the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments, a coalition of leaders fighting for the Valley, and serves as a board member for Metro and Metrolink. In 2022, he was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve as President of the City Council.
Click the button below to register!
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Energy, Environment, Manufacturing & Utilities Committee
Thursday, June 1
Noon - 1:30 PM
At the VICA Office
Sponsored by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
RSVP
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Sports, Entertainment, Tourism & Hospitality Committee
Wednesday, June 7
8:30 - 10:00 AM
At the VICA Office
Sponsored by: Comcast NBCUniversal
RSVP
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Land Use Committee: Housing Panel Discussion
Tuesday, June 13
8:30 - 10:30 AM
Hosted by The Garland
RSVP
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Healthcare Committee
Wednesday, June 14
Noon - 2:00 PM
At the VICA Office
Sponsored by: Hospital Association of Southern California
RSVP
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Government Affairs Committee
Wednesday, June 21
Noon - 2:00 PM
At the VICA Office
RSVP
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DeSantis Announces 2024 Campaign
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made his announcement for his 2024 presidential campaign on Twitter, just ahead of a scheduled Twitter Spaces conversation with Twitter chief Elon Musk. DeSantis said he chose to announce via the social media platform because of his distrust of the media and comes on the heels of his recent re-election to Governor of Florida.
SoCalGas Advances ASPIRE 2045
SoCalGas published its section of parent company Sempra's 2022 Corporate Sustainability Report detailing SoCalGas's dedication to advancing the clean energy transition, environmental benefits, social equity, and safety and well-being of its customers, employees, and communities. SoCalGas ASPIRE 2045 sustainability strategy also closely aligns with Sempra's key sustainability pillars, enabling the energy transition, driving resilient operations, championing people, and achieving world-class safety.
Newsom Proposes CEQA Reform
Governor Newsom calls for significant reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to speed up the construction of projects like roads, bridges, and water infrastructure. CEQA was signed into law in 1970 by Governor Reagan as a tool to protect natural resources, but it has become too easy for opposition groups to use it to slow or halt development.
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Tina Turner Passes at the age of 83
An American-born singer and music icon, Tina Turner, died on Wednesday at 83. She passed away peacefully after a long illness in her home near Zurich, Switzerland, where she had been a Swiss citizen for over a decade. Turner began her career in the 1950s during the early years of rock'n'roll, and evolved into an MTV phenomenon.
Long Road Towards 4-Day Workweek
Most companies and organizations in the United States still operate on a five-day workweek. Still, some advocacy groups are pushing through pilots for a 32-hour, four-day workweek without decreasing pay. However, hurdles, including concerns about staffing, lower productivity, increased costs, and complex changes to operations, keep the shortened workweek from being widely adopted. Adopting a shortened workweek would take five to 10 years for it to happen, founders of the research and advocacy organization 4 Day Week Global state.
Population loss In NorCal Cities Worst
Northern California's cities saw more severe population drops during the pandemic than those in Southern California. Experts said several factors might explain the north-south divide - including the Bay Area's tech-rich economy. Experts expect populations in specific cities to slow as the pandemic recedes into history. Still, they say the state's housing crisis - another driving factor - won't go away soon.
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Mona Clayton, MSN, RN
CEO & Founder
The Nurses Pub
Mona Clayton, a registered nurse and founder of The Nurses Pub—a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, felt the need to support single mothers and underserved communities to become economically sufficient by pursuing a nursing career. Due to the surge in the nursing shortage, Mona developed successful strategies for future nurses to help build a global community of quality nursing professionals. The Nurses Pub's mission is to provide charitable, compassionate services and resources to underserved student populations who need cultural capital and seek a professional and economic development pathway through "The Art of Nursing." Ultimately, the Nurses Pub will build a global community of resource centers that serve 100,000 future nurses needing mentoring, awareness, and scholarships (MAS) and be the change agent for increasing the nursing workforce.
Read more about The Nurses Pub at www.nursespubgala23.com
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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 yoko@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.
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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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