Valley Industry & Commerce Association | |
|
- VICA Hosts VICA University on New Campaign Finance Laws
- VICA Victory! Warehouse Ban Dies in Committee
- VICA Opposes AB 1228 - Joint Liability for Fast Food Franchises
- VICA Supports SB 258 - General Aviation Airport Funding
- SoCalGas Resilience Grants Available
| |
|
Quick Jump - Register to Attend!
| |
“California is making a multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment to transform and modernize our transportation infrastructure, creating jobs, alternatives to driving, and reducing pollution" | |
|
Governor Gavin Newsom
Statement on Funding for California Transportation Projects
| |
VICA Hosts VICA University on New Campaign Finance Laws | |
|
On Tuesday, VICA hosted a virtual VICA University on new campaign finance laws with Bradley Hertz and Matthew Alvarez with The Sutton Law Group.
There was a wide range of information covered. Attendees were given an overview of the new laws, including the extension of the existing law that can lead to the disqualification of elected officials and appointed commissioners as well as significant fines.
Attendees were also informed of alternative options for supporting candidates, such as giving to PACs like the VICA PAC, fundraise from people not covered by the law, or give directly to candidates if you are certain your projects will not come before them for 12 months.
Thank you to The Sutton Law Group for speaking with our members.
If you were not able to make it to this informative VICA University, you can click the button below to watch a full recording of the session.
| |
VICA Victory! AB 1000 Dies in Committee | |
|
VICA opposed AB 1000 (Reyes) failed to make it out of the Assembly Local Government Committee on Wednesday.
This bill was the third attempt in three years to propose a statewide setback of 1,000 feet from “sensitive receptors” for all new or expanded logistics use facilities 100,000 square feet or larger in California. Like all prior versions, AB 1000 would, in effect, create a statewide de facto ban on warehouses throughout California. However, AB 1000 differs from prior versions by creating for the first time a new private right of action that empowers virtually anyone to act as a prosecutor to sue to block any facility they disagree with.
Millions of California jobs depend upon a healthy goods movement system. This complex supply chain would be jeopardized by AB 1000’s de facto ban on logistics use facilities. Additionally, mixed use developments that bring new housing online would not be possible under the bill’s setback policy.
VICA will continue to advocate against harmful legislation that puts California's business community at risk.
| |
VICA Opposes AB 1228 - Joint Liability for Fast Food Franchisors and Franchisees | |
|
The VICA Board opposes Assembly Bill 1228 (Holden), which would require fast food franchisors to share with their franchisee both civil and legal responsibility and liability for violations of rules, regulations, and prescribed laws.
This bill would destroy tens of thousands of local restaurants by eliminating the equity they have built over the decades of franchise small business ownership. The franchise business model has allowed millions of people to pursue economic stability and wealth, especially those within the minority community.
AB 1228 would create a whole new class of lawsuits that would make it easier for trial lawyers to sue both the local fast-food restaurant and the national restaurant corporation, resulting in thousands of new cases that would benefit trial lawyers at the expense of local restaurant owners.
Rather than pass an unnecessary new law that will incentivize lawsuits and add more bureaucracy, we should increase funding for more vigorous enforcement and accountability from the existing state agencies.
| |
VICA Supports SB 258 - General Aviation Airport Funding | |
|
The VICA Board supports Senate Bill 258 (Roth), which would require the California Transportation Commission to prepare a funding needs assessment for the state’s general aviation airports and submit the assessment to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2026.
General aviation airports are a critical transportation resource, not only for business and personal travel, but also to support response to disasters and emergencies such as wildfires, among other uses. A long-term general aviation airport funding needs assessment is needed to help maximize the local, regional, and statewide benefits provided by these local airports.
SB 258 will allow California to prepare a comprehensive inventory of specific projects to help guide state investments, enable access to federal funds that would otherwise be forfeited, and help provide solutions for how to address unmet needs.
| |
SoCal Gas Resilience Grants Available for California Independent Restaurants | |
|
SoCalGas has partnered with the California Restaurant Foundation for the 3rd consecutive year to support the Restaurant Resilience program to provide $5,000 grants to independently-owned restaurants. Applications for the resilience fund opened April 15 and will remain open until May 7.
The grants will go towards technology adoption, equipment upgrades, employee onboarding, retention, or unforeseen hardships.
Grants will be available to all California-based restaurant owners in SoCalGas' service area with less than five units and less than $3 million in revenue. Priority will be given to restaurants that have yet to receive a grant; however, previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply.
To read the full news release, click here. Resilience Fund Applications and additional SoCalGas programs are linked below.
| |
VICA Thanks our Renewing Members! | | |
|
|
Bronze Members:
Other Renewing Members:
| |
|
VICA After Dark: Supervisor Lindsey Horvath
May 3 | 5:30 PM
Burbank Airport Marriott
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in the fall of 2022 . She previously served as a City Councilmember and Mayor for the City of West Hollywood. Horvath’s career has been defined by tackling the hardest problems, building diverse coalitions, and delivering results for her community.
VICA thanks our host and Presenting Sponsor Burbank Airport Marriott and presenting sponsor EKA.
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact yoko@vica.com as soon as possible to secure your sponsorship.
| |
| |
|
|
VICA Newsmaker Connection: CD6 Runoff Debate
May 16 | 8:30 AM
VICA Office
Join VICA for a special Newsmaker Connection with the two Council District 6 candidates who made it to the June runoff - Imelda Padilla and Marisa Alcaraz - where issues affecting businesses across the San Fernando Valley will be discussed. This special Election Forum will provide members with the unique opportunity to meet, listen and speak with the final two CD 6 contenders.
| | |
|
San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame
June 8 | 5:30 PM
The Garland
Join VICA members, business leaders and officeholders as we honor members of our community during a garden reception, program, dinner and dessert.
| |
|
If you are interested in attending and want to register, email Cathy at cathy@vica.com or click the button below. | |
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email Yoko at yoko@vica.com. For more information on sponsorships, click the button below. | | |
|
|
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!
| | |
|
VICA Leaders Forum: LA City Council President Paul Krekorian
June 29 | 11:30 AM
Location TBD
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 the Metropolitan Transit Authority 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!
| |
|
|
Labor & Employment Committee
Wednesday, May 3
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Hosted by Sun Hill Properties/
Hilton Universal City
RSVP
| |
|
Education Committee
Thursday, May 4
8:30 - 10:00 AM
Hosted by LA Valley College
RSVP
| |
|
Transportation Committee
Tuesday, May 9
8:30 - 10:30 AM
Hosted by The Garland
RSVP
Government Affairs Committee
Wednesday, May 17
Noon - 2:00 PM
At the VICA Office
RSVP
| |
|
Not-for-Profit Committee
Wednesday, May 10
8:30 - 10:00 AM
At the VICA Office
RSVP
International Trade Committee
Thursday, May 18
Noon - 3:30 PM
Hosted by the Port of Los Angeles
RSVP
| |
|
California Faces Rapid Snowmelt
After weeks of uncertainty, forecasters say an incoming California heat wave will trigger rapid snowmelt on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada and cause more flooding in portions of the San Joaquin and Owens valleys this week. Temperatures in Central California are forecasted to climb into the high 80s and mid-90s beginning Wednesday and into the weekend, with the potential for some areas approaching daily records.
Biden Announces 2024 Presidential Bid
President Biden announced Tuesday that he will seek the presidency again in 2024, dismissing doubts about whether he’ll be fit to start a second term when he’s 82, and imploring Americans to let him “finish the job” of preserving a democracy he says is threatened by Republican extremism. The president announced his campaign in a three-minute video posted to his Twitter account.
| |
|
Wildfire Hits San Bernadino
A wildfire burning in the San Bernardino National Forest grew quickly past 100 acres Wednesday afternoon, fire officials said. The Nob fire, the first large wildfire of the season in California, started shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday and had spread to 200 acres as of Thursday morning, according to the US Forest Service. Because of its location deep in the forest, between Wrightwood and Lytle Creek, the fire is not a threat to any surrounding communities.
House Passes US Debt Bill
House Republicans narrowly passed sweeping legislation Wednesday that would raise the government’s legal debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion in exchange for steep spending restrictions, a tactical victory for Speaker Kevin McCarthy as he challenges President Biden to negotiate and prevent a catastrophic federal default this summer.
| |
|
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.
| |
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.
| | | | |
