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Serving the San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, San Fernando, and Santa Clarita
Valley Industry & Commerce Association || vica.com
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- VICA Returns to Sacramento Ahead of Legislative Recess
- VICA Racks up Legislative Victories
- LA County Approves Proposition H 2.0 for November Ballot
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"This is a transformative project for the state of California as a whole, and the approval is a major milestone for connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles in less than three hours. It's also transformational for Los Angeles County, connecting Palmdale to Burbank in a way that's never been possible before."
High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Brian Kelly
Statement on Approval of Final Environmental Impact Report by High-Speed Rail Authority Board
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VICA Returns to Sacramento for Advocacy Before Legislative Recess | |
From Left to Right: VICA President Stuart Waldman, Neal Dudovitz (Neighborhood Legal Services of LA), Janet Lopez (UCLA Government & Community Relations), Senator Henry Stern, Jim Theiring (Mission Community Hospital), James Garrison (Mesa Pacific), Maxwell Garrison (Mesa Pacific) | |
On Tuesday, VICA's advocacy delegation returned to Sacramento to push for key legislative proposals ahead of the July 3rd recess deadline. At that time, all policy committees must advance bills to appropriations to proceed in the legislative process.
VICA engaged with several state-level elected officials, including Assemblymembers Laura Friedman, Tom Lackey, Al Muratsuchi, and Senator Henry Stern. Meetings also took place with staff of Assemblymembers Devon Mathis, Marie Waldron, Bill Dodd, Phillip Chen, and Bill Essayli.
One of the primary topics discussed was a recent legislative agreement involving business, labor, the Governor, and the state legislature to enact PAGA reform through AB 2288 (Kalra) and SB 92 (Umberg), averting the need for an expensive ballot initiative campaign. VICA emphasized this significant initiative with all offices, given the approaching July 3rd deadline for removing slated ballot measures.
In addition, VICA advocated for initiatives such as extensions to seismic standards requirements for hospitals, reforms addressing retail theft, and efforts to modernize communications infrastructure. Conversely, VICA opposed measures that would impose contracting and prevailing wage requirements on the UC system, redundant regulations targeting Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and restrictions on using self-service checkout systems.
As we near the legislative recess, VICA will continue to update stakeholders on our advocacy efforts and prepare for the legislature's return in August.
|  | VICA members with Assemblymember Tom Lackey | |
VICA Members with Assemblymember Laura Friedman | |
VICA members with Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi | |
VICA Racks Up Major Victories at the Local and State Levels | |
This week has been outstanding for VICA. Several advocacy priorities have made progress, providing us with several VICA Victories! | |
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Unemployment for Striking Workers Fails Passage in Assembly Insurance Committee
VICA has secured a legislative victory as Senate Bill 1116 by Senator Portantino failed to advance out of the Assembly Insurance Committee, receiving a vote of 6 to 2. The bill aimed to extend eligibility for unemployment benefits to employees participating in strikes during trade disputes after an initial two-week period. This proposal would have fundamentally changed the purpose of unemployment insurance (UI) payments, mandating employers to support striking workers, irrespective of the strike's relationship to the employer's actions.
Additionally, SB 1116 would have imposed higher taxes on employers, increasing their financial obligations and potentially jeopardizing business viability. This comes at a critical time for California, facing significant financial challenges, including a $21 billion loan debt to the federal government.
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LA City Budget Committee advances LA Convention Center Expansion Project
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council Budget and Innovation Committee voted 3-1 to support the LA Convention Center Expansion Project, marking a significant advocacy victory for VICA.
The Convention Center Expansion, delayed due to various factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, has gained renewed focus as Los Angeles prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where the Convention Center is slated to host numerous events.
As convention centers in cities such as San Francisco, San Diego, Anaheim, Las Vegas, and Orlando undergo modernization and upgrades, Los Angeles risks losing valuable tourism revenue. Currently ranked 21st among major convention centers, approving this proposal is crucial.
The expansion is projected to generate $2.9 billion in operating revenues over the next 30 years, with an estimated $600 million in tax receipts for the city's general fund. The construction phase and ongoing operations are expected to create thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. Moreover, improved facilities will attract larger conventions, boosting hotel bookings, restaurant visits, and other tourism-related activities, thereby fostering regional economic growth.
The Convention Center expansion will be discussed at the full council meeting on Tuesday, July 2nd.
To view VICA's letter in support of this measure, please click the link below.
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High-Speed Rail Authority Approves Palmdale to Burbank Section; High-Speed Rail is Coming to the Valley
On Thursday, the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors approved the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the 38-mile segment between Palmdale and Burbank, marking the last environmental clearance between San Francisco and Downtown Los Angeles. This significant milestone represents a notable advocacy victory for VICA, showcasing our commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and infrastructure.
The Palmdale to Burbank Project section, outlined in the FEIR, employs a strategic approach to mitigate environmental impacts while bolstering the infrastructure of our community. This project includes approximately 30 miles of tunneling through challenging terrains such as the Angeles National Forest and the San Gabriel Mountains, ensuring minimal surface disturbance and ecological impact.
The approval of this project section will bring transformative benefits to the San Fernando Valley. By connecting the Antelope Valley to the San Fernando Valley in roughly 17 minutes—more than halving the current travel time by car—this high-speed rail link will greatly enhance accessibility and reduce commuter times. The project is poised to boost the local economy by creating jobs, both during the construction phase and in ongoing operations, and by attracting additional business and tourism activities to the area.
As the project moves toward becoming 'shovel-ready' with secured funding, it exemplifies how strategic infrastructure projects can transform local environments. This development is poised to upgrade transportation in the San Fernando Valley and strengthen the area's economic and social fabric.
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LA County Board of Supervisors Places Proposition H 2.0 on November Ballot | |
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On Tuesday, the LA County Board of Supervisors placed an initiative titled the "Homelessness Services and Affordable Housing Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance" on the November ballot. This proposal aims to establish an indefinite half-cent sales tax for homelessness prevention. This new measure will replace the expiring Measure H in 2027. The County Board voted to approve the measure 4-0.
The county Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office confirmed last week that the proponents had enough valid signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot. If approved by voters, this new ordinance would immediately supplant Measure H with a perpetual half-cent tax designed to address homelessness, an increase from the current quarter-cent tax.
The business community, including VICA, has expressed concerns about the county's funds management for various programs under the current system. Despite significant financial investments—over $24 billion by the state since 2017—homelessness has increased by 40% in Los Angeles County, bringing the total number of individuals experiencing homelessness to 75,518, up from 69,144 in 2022. The state auditor has also reported that a substantial portion of this funding remains unaccounted for, raising questions about fiscal accountability and the effectiveness of these programs.
VICA plans to adopt a formal stance on this ballot measure later this summer alongside other business groups expected to outline their positions in the run-up to the November election.
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Transportation Committee
July 9 at 8:30 AM
Hosted by The Garland
RSVP
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Government Affairs Committee
July 17 at Noon
At the VICA Office
RSVP
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Councilmember Nithya Raman
Tuesday, July 30 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Nithya Raman, an urban planner and Harvard and MIT graduate, serves on the Los Angeles City Council representing District 4. In 2020, she became the first Asian-American woman and South Asian on the council after years of community work addressing homelessness. As a council member, Raman prioritizes homeless services, affordable housing, and climate goals, while her team focuses on proactive constituent services.
Raman chairs the Housing & Homelessness Committee and serves on several other city committees and boards. She was appointed to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board and the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency Board.
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Measure Overturning Oil Well Restrictions Removed from Ballot
California's contentious debate over oil and gas drilling near sensitive areas like homes and schools took a dramatic turn as the industry withdrew a ballot measure challenging state-imposed restrictions. Instead of seeking voter intervention, the oil industry, which had already invested $20 million in the campaign, plans to challenge the restrictions through legal avenues. Click here to read more.
Ethics Questions for Democratic Candidate for Governor
Democrat Toni Atkins, a former legislative leader and candidate for California governor, faces ethics questions over her campaign's financial dealings. It's alleged that her campaign improperly funneled $22,500 to the Global Policy Leadership Academy, a firm owned by her spouse, for a trip to Vienna, which might violate California's campaign finance laws against using campaign funds for personal benefit.
Click here to read more.
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California's New Personal Finance Requirements for High School
California lawmakers have agreed on a legislative proposal to introduce a new graduation requirement for high school students focused on financial literacy. This decision is designed to preempt a potential ballot measure, as supporters of the initiative have agreed to withdraw their proposal upon the successful passage of this legislation. Click here to read more.
SCOTUS Wipes Out Anti-Corruption Law
The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a federal anti-corruption law prohibiting state and local officials from accepting gifts over $5,000 linked to previous official actions, such as contract steering. In a 6-3 decision, the justices differentiated between bribery—which demands proof of an illegal agreement—and a gratuity, which can be a gift for a past favor without such an agreement. Click here to read more.
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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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