June 30, 2023

• VICA Hosts Council President Krekorian
• VICA PAC Endorsed Imelda Padilla Wins City Council Race
• VICA Members Join City Commissions
• VICA Victory! California Extends Film Tax Credits
• VICA Board Opposes LA City Compensation Ballot Measure

Quick Jump - Register to Attend!

• Local Officeholders Luncheon 8/10

“What we are doing right now with Metro and Metrolink is a real example of why it's so essential for organizations like VICA to be heard and actively engaged. If it weren't for the activism by VICA, we wouldn't have Measure M, which is why we are making the largest public infrastructure investment ever."

Council President Paul Krekorian

Statement at VICA Leaders Forum

VICA Hosts Council President Krekorian at Leaders Forum

Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian providing remarks at VICA's Leaders Forum.

Yesterday (June 29), VICA hosted a Leaders Forum with Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian at the Burbank Airport Marriott.

Krekorian addressed the important work that Metro and Metrolink are doing to bring essential transportation infrastructure to the valley. He praised the work of VICA and its members in this effort. He emphasized the importance of the East Valley Light Rail and the eventual transformation of the Orange Line into light rail. Developing the East Valley line will bring more businesses along Van Nuys Boulevard and other areas, benefiting the local community.

Krekorian then shifted his focus to Metro's safety measures, noting that COVID caused a spike in crime and homelessness within the city. Metro has taken steps to address these concerns, including the ambassador program, which provides general support to patrons and enhances security and law enforcement. Investments in law enforcement can also reduce violent and drug-related crimes.

He also discussed the city's procurement process, which must work to benefit businesses within the city. When he first joined the council, he discovered that 90% of the city's procurement was with businesses outside of Southern California, which he recognized as fundamentally broken. The Local Business Preference was developed to address this, giving an 8% preference in procurement opportunities for small businesses in Los Angeles. The Compete for LA program was also created, connecting small local businesses with large contractors to eliminate excuses for why local businesses are not brought in.

Krekorian praised Mayor Karen Bass's recent Executive Directives, which look to streamline the coordination of city departments and eliminate barriers for businesses to open and operate. He acknowledged that there might be skepticism regarding actual change but believes the motions from Council and Mayor Bass's administrative oversight work well together.

Finally, he discussed the significance of the leaked audio tapes in moving him into the role of Council President. In light of the discussions during that recording, he created the Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance to have an independent redistricting commission in Los Angeles so that no elected official could put their thumb on the scale and voters could choose their official.

VICA thanks our presenting sponsors, Amazon and Flatiron Construction, and our co-sponsors Cedars-Sinai, Metro, Mission Community Hospital and Southland Regional Association of Realtors.

LA Council President joined presenting sponsor Amazon - From Left to Right: Tim Hou, John Tang, Ron Frierson, and David Ambroz

LA Council President Paul Krekorian joined presenting sponsor Flatiron Construction - From Left to Right: Francisco Villagomez-Luna, Talin Espinoza, and Brian Fruend

VICA Chair Victor Berrellez (US Bank), with Council President Paul Krekorian, and VICA President Stuart Waldman

VICA PAC Endorsed Candidate Imelda Padilla Wins Council District 6 Runoff

On Tuesday, VICA PAC Endorsed City Council candidate Imelda Padilla won her run-off election against opponent Marisa Alcaraz, Deputy Chief of Staff for Councilmember Curren Price, with Tuesday night results showing 56.74% to 43.26% of the vote for Councilmember-elect Padilla.

She will now represent District 6, including Lake Balboa, Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta, North Hills, North Hollywood, and Sun Valley. The special election was prompted by City Council President Nury Martinez's resignation last year.

Imelda Padilla has worked on economic mobility and social issues for various nonprofits and community groups. She has served on the Sun Valley Neighborhood Council and has been a long-time VICA member prior to her candidacy.

We congratulate Councilmember-elect Imelda Padilla and look forward to working with her on promoting greater economic opportunities and development in Council District 6 and the greater Los Angeles region.

VICA Members Appointed to LA City Tourism Board of Commissioners

VICA is proud that share that several VICA members have been appointed as LA City Commissioners. We will continue to highlight them in the coming weeks.

First, VICA is proud to announce the appointment of Cameron Onumah (Amazon) to the Los Angeles City Tourism Board of Commissioners.

The City Tourism Board is responsible for advising the Mayor and Council on tourism, marketing the city, directing the oversight of public-private partnerships, and advising on strategic plans for tourism development.

Cameron Onumah is the Head of Public Policy for Prime Video and Amazon Studios, leading Amazon’s Public Policy and Community Engagement teams in Southern California regionally and for Amazon’s Media and Entertainment businesses.

Cameron also serves on the boards of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles County Business Federation (LA BizFed), Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC), Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and as a Vice Chair for VICA.

VICA Victory! Film Tax Credits Extended, and Now Refundable

This week, VICA has achieved a major success as Governor Gavin Newsom has signed important legislation deemed the "grand deal" with the State Legislature to extend California's Film and Television Tax Credit for five more years with a new "refundable" feature allowing studios to receive cash payments from the state if their credits are larger than their tax bills.

Assembly Bill 132 (Committee on Budget) weaves in set safety requirements during production to receive the tax credit, including hiring a safety advisor and would require all production prop masters and armorers handling weapons to have firearms training and a special state permit. The bill also adds new diversity requirements by requiring productions to meet diversity targets to receive the tax credit.

The proposal also incorporates much of Newsom's earlier proposal to make $330 million in film tax credits available annually from 2025 to 2030. By making the credit refundable, more companies will take advantage of this, leading to more production in the state.

VICA applauds the Governor and Legislature for quickly moving this important legislation forward and promoting California as the home for film, television, and streaming production.

VICA Board Opposes LA City Ballot Measure - Limit Healthcare Executive Compensation

On Wednesday, VICA's Board voted against the Ballot Initiative proposed by SEIU United Healthcare Workers. The initiative, which is scheduled for the March 2024 ballot, aims to restrict healthcare executives' annual compensation to $450,000, which is comparable to the U.S. President's annual salary. If passed, the proposal would limit the earnings of executives, managers, and administrators at privately owned healthcare facilities.

The compensation cap would include various elements such as salary, bonuses, paid time off, stock options, dependent care, and additional perks like automobiles, parking, and housing. The initiative would also empower the city attorney to coordinate enforcement measures, including civil actions against violators, with penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. Each day a violation occurs would be treated as a separate offense, and willful violators could face an extra penalty of $1,000.

Covered healthcare facilities would be required to maintain compliance records for a minimum of four years, and failure to meet reporting requirements would result in liability of up to $1,000 per day for delinquent reports. Executives who receive compensation exceeding the $450,000 cap would be obligated to refund the excess amount, along with a 10% per annum interest charge, in addition to any other penalties.

These measures pose challenges in recruiting and retaining highly qualified healthcare leaders into executive-level roles in healthcare. These roles are complex and demanding, limiting hospitals' and care providers' ability to attract and retain top talent, hampering their ability to achieve the best possible strategies for quality of service to patients.

Members

VICA Thanks Our New and Renewing Members!

President's Circle:

• SoCalGas (1988)

Five Year Milestone

• Swing Strategies (2018)

Renewing Members

• Seymour Consulting Group (2001)

New Member

• Discovery Cube Los Angeles
• Lippian Consulting

Events

LIMITED SPONSORSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE:

Local Officeholders Luncheon

August 10 | 11:30 AM

Sheraton Universal Hotel

Local Officeholders representing Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, and other Valley cities join VICA and its members to discuss the pertinent issues facing businesses during the annual Local Officeholders event. Attendees have the opportunity to formally ask questions on a wide range of topics.

Save the Date 

Transportation Committee

Tuesday, July 11

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Hosted by The Garland

RSVP

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Thursday, July 13

Noon - 1:30 PM

At the VICA Office

RSVP

Ambassador Committee

Wednesday, July 12

9:00 - 10:30 AM

At the VICA Office

RSVP

Aviation Committee

Tuesday, July 18

Noon - 1:30 PM

Hosted by the Aerolease Group

RSVP

VICA In the News

Golden Rule Ignored by Our Government

San Fernando Valley Business Journal | June 24

Price Case Poses New Issue: Should Criminal Charges Wait Until After an Election?

Los Angeles Times | June 24

Padilla’s ‘Dark Money’ PAC Sending ‘Hit Pieces’ Against Alcaraz Receives $10,000 from Grand Theft Felon

LA Sentinel | June 24

Looking at the District 6 Special Election

Spectrum News 1 | June 27

Hot News

Supreme Court Denies Water Rights

The Supreme Court last Thursday rejected the Navajo Nation's attempt to force the federal government to do more to secure water for its reservation in the west. In a 5-4 decision, Justice Kavanaugh said that the 1868 peace treaty between the US and the Navajo nation does not require the federal government to take any affirmative steps to secure rights on behalf of the tribe to water from the Colorado River.

U.S. Navy Heard Submarine Implosion

Officials said that a top secret military acoustic detection system designed to spot enemy submarines first heard what the U.S. Navy suspected was the Titan submersible implosion hours after the submersible began its voyage. The Navy began listening almost as soon as the sub lost communications and detected the explosion near the debris site.

Robert Rivas New California Speaker

The Hollister, California Assemblymember, Robert Rivas, assumes the role of California's Assembly Speaker today, Friday, June 30th. His promotion to one of the most powerful democrats and legislatures in the state, in a second term, comes after a caustic power struggle that ensued between himself and current Speaker Anthony Rendon.

California Strikes Deal on Healthcare

Lawmakers and stakeholders have reached a deal on how the state will spend $19 billion in proceeds of a renewed tax on insurance plans plus federal funds - a development that followed months of private negotiations between bitter industry rivals, state lawmakers, and the governor's office. It's considered a victory for the healthcare industry.

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 yoko@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.