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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 Hosts State Officeholders Dinner
- VICA Travels to D.C. for 3-Day Advocacy Trip
- VICA Takes Stance on State Legislation
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"By setting out a clear rule, the [Supreme] Court can empower state and local governments to enact and enforce compassionate policies that will help save lives, strengthen their communities, and ultimately work to stem the tide of this homelessness crisis."
Governor Gavin Newsom
Statement on Filing an Amicus Brief with the US Supreme Court on Homeless Encampments
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VICA State Officeholders Dinner,
A Resounding Success
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Last Friday night, at Universal Studios Hollywood, in Stage 15, VICA hosted our annual State Officeholders Dinner, bringing together Constitutional officers and members of the California Legislature for an evening of networking and lighthearted fun. With over 400 attendees, it was one of our largest events yet and a major success, with VICA members given the chance to connect with legislators on a more personal level.
Thank you to our elected officials for turning out, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, California State Treasurer' Fiona Ma, Senators Ben Allen, Maria Elena Durazo, Scott Wilk, and Steven Bradford, and Assemblymembers Josh Hoover, Juan Carrillo, Laura Friedman, Luz Rivas, Mike Fong, Pilar Schiavo, Rick Chavez Zbur, and Tri Ta.
We thank our presenting sponsors, Comcast NBCUniversal, Amazon and Kaiser Permanente, and our co-sponsors AT&T, JPMorgan Chase & Company, PhRMA, Providence Health Systems, SoCalGas, and Southwest Airlines.
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Tonight With VICA moderators Cameron Onumah (Amazon) and Yesenia Monsour (Kaiser Permanente) | |
State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Senator Ben Allen, and Attorney General Rob Bonta | |
Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo and Senator Scott Wilk | |
Senator Maria Elena Durazo, Assemblymembers Juan Carrillo, and Josh Hoover | |
Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur, Tri Ta, and Mike Fong | |
Assemblymembers Laura Friedman, Luz Rivas, and Senator Steven Bradford | |
VICA Travels to D.C. for 3-Day Advocacy Trip | |
From Left to Right: VICA President Stuart Waldman, Adena Tessler (Hospital Association of Southern California), VICA Past Chair Fred Gaines (Gaines & Stacey), Katie Randazzo (EKA), Humberto Estratalán (UNITE-LA), Yesenia Monsour (Kaiser Permanente), Jim Theiring (Mission Community Hospital), Liz Seelman (Southern California Edison), Mary-Elizabeth Michaels (J. Paul Getty Trust), Kate Hennigan Ohanesian (ColLAborate) | |
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This week, VICA visited the nation's capitol to embark on our annual, three-day ACCESS D.C. Advocacy Trip. During this visit, VICA President Stuart Waldman, accompanied by a large group of VICA members, engaged in pivotal discussions with high-ranking federal officials on matters of economic stability and public safety on behalf of our membership and the San Fernando Valley.
During their impactful visit, Stuart and our members had the privilege of meeting with a whole host of esteemed officials, including Senators Raphael Warnock, Laphonza Butler, and Maria Cantwell, along with Congressmembers Julia Brownley, Tony Cardenals and Brad Sherman. The group also met with the dedicated staffs of Congresswomen Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Nydia Velazquez. Through constructive dialogue and strategic advocacy, VICA's members effectively highlighted our role in fostering economic growth and prosperity across the Golden State.
This successful advocacy trip not only bolstered our ongoing collaboration with and support from federal officials, but also positioned VICA for continued success in protecting and improving the economic well-being of businesses and organizations in the San Fernando Valley.
United, we continued to forge ahead, working across all levels of government to build a vibrant and resilient economy that benefits VICA's membership and the communities we serve.
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VICA President Stuart Waldman and Members Javiera Cartagena (Southern California Association of Governments), Stephanie Magnien Rockwell (Port of Los Angeles), Ali Mir (WSP USA), and Mary-Elizabeth Michaels (J. Paul Getty Trust) met with Senator Raphael Warnock | |
VICA President Stuart Waldman and Senator Laphonza Butler | |
VICA President Stuart Waldman and LA City Councilwoman Imelda Padilla | |
VICA Members with Congresswoman Julia Brownley | |
VICA Members with Congressman Brad Sherman | |
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During the advocacy trip, many of our ACCESS D.C. attendees also convened for COLLABORATE AND COCKTAILS, an evening reception held at the esteemed National Press Club. The event was sponsored by public affairs firm ColLAborate, Inc. alongside VICA, BizFed, KB Home, Southern California Association of Governments, High Point Strategies, LLC, and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP.
The attendees also enjoyed the company of elected officials, including Los Angeles Councilman Bob Blumenfield and Councilwoman Imelda Padilla.
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From Left to Right: Katie Randazzo (EKA), Councilman Bob Blumenfield, Councilwoman Imelda Padilla, Kate Hennigan Ohanesian (ColLAborate) | |
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VICA Takes Stance on
State Legislation
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Senate Bill 1116 (Durazo - Portantino): Unemployment Insurance: Trade Disputes - OPPOSE | |
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VICA opposes Senate Bill 1116, introduced by Senators Durazo and Portantino . This bill allows striking workers to claim unemployment benefits after two weeks on strike. This bill would require employers to fund unemployment insurance (UI) for striking workers, effectively subsidizing strikes.
Traditionally, UI is for employees who lose their jobs through no fault, with payments coming from their ex-employer’s UI funds. SB 799 would shift how workers qualify for UI, increasing employer costs by raising taxes on all California employers, regardless of their involvement in strikes. Furthermore, with California already facing a budget deficit and an $18 billion federal loan, the bill could worsen the state's UI fund deficit, projected to be $1 billion this year due to pandemic-related issues.
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Assembly Bill 2286 (Aguiar-Curry): Vehicles: Autonomous Vehicles - OPPOSE | |
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VICA opposes Assembly Bill 2286 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, which requires a human operator in autonomous vehicles over 10,001 pounds for testing, goods transport, or passenger transport on public roads.
This bill effectively bans the use of autonomous trucks, hindering innovation and investment in the sector. California, a pioneer in autonomous vehicle legislation, risks falling behind as other states embrace and benefit from autonomous vehicle technologies, including trucks, due to their safety and efficiency.
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VICA Thanks Our Renewing & New Members! | | |
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Renewing Members
Silver Members
Bronze Member
Members
Welcome to Our New Member
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Sacramento Advocacy Days
Tuesday, March 19 | All Day
Wednesday, April 10 | All Day
Wednesday, May 8 and 9 | All Day
VICA's regular advocacy trips to the State Capitol are crucial for ensuring that the voice of the business community is heard by legislators.
These members-only trips allow attendees to interact directly with statewide elected officials, discussing the issues that are vital to our members. Join VICA in Sacramento for one of our monthly advocacy trips, and don't miss this opportunity to have your voice heard on how legislation affects your company/organization!
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Government Affairs Committee
Wednesday, March 20
Noon to 2:00 PM
At the VICA Office
RSVP
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Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast
Friday, April 26
Sheraton Universal Hotel
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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Land Use Committee
Tuesday, April 9
8:30 to 10:30 AM
Hosted by The Garland
RSVP
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Aviation Committee
Tuesday, April 16
Noon to 2:00 PM
Hosted by Aeroplex-Aerolease
RSVP
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Prop. 1 Vote Close, Winners and Runoffs Announced Following Primary Election
More than a week since California's 2024 Primary election was held, results for key races and a statewide ballot proposition are still trickling in. Proposition 1, a $6.4-billion bond spearheaded by Governor Newsom to bolster the state's mental health system, is expected to pass by a razor-thin margin, currently enjoying 50.2% support against 49.8% opposition. On the state level, Former LA Dodger Steve Garvey (R) has edged ahead of Congressman Adam Schiff (D) in the race to fill California's Senate seat, with the candidates advancing to the November runoff election. Additionally, incumbent LA City Councilwoman Nithya Raman (CD-4) won reelection, while incumbent Councilmember Kevin de León (CD-14) will face off against tenant rights activist Ysabel Jurado in a runoff this fall.
House Overwhelmingly Approves TikTok Bill While Senate Mulls a Slower Approach
The US House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday to force popular social media app TikTok to split with its China-based parent company, ByteDance, or face a nationwide ban. The effort, met with bipartisan support in a 352 - 65 vote, stems from longstanding concerns that the Chinese government can use the app to spy on Americans or influence their political views. Although the legislation was approved rapidly by the lower chamber, some key Senators - including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY), Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (WA), and Ted Cruz - have indicated a slower process moving forward, as competing views on the federal government's role in regulating social media could extend the amendment process.
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Pro-Palestinian Groups Pledge Support for Progressive Lawmakers in Upcoming Elections
A collection of more than twenty progressive groups announced on Wednesday a unified effort to counter campaign spending by pro-Israel groups. The coalition, named Reject AIPAC, is a grassroot response to millions of dollars in primary and general election spending by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which is targeting progressive Democrats including the so-called "Squad." Reject AIPAC intends to boost funding for pro-Palestinian representatives while pressuring lawmakers more favorable of Israel into supporting more progressive initiatives, such as a ceasefire in Gaza.
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California Lawmakers Unveil AI Bills Ahead of November Election
Ahead of November's general election, a group of State lawmakers unveiled legislation on Wednesday to target the adverse impacts of artificial intelligence on democracy. Policy group California Common Cause unveiled AB 2655 (Berman), which would require social media platforms to label election-related deepfakes, and SB 1228 (Padilla), which would require that users with more than 25,000 followers or who have shared more than 1,000 pieces of AI-generated content verify their identities. These bills and more aim to address ongoing concerns about the increasing influence of AI on the political and social landscapes, and a lack of federal legislation to address it.
Judge Rejects Donald Trump's Bid to Throw Out Classified Documents
A federal judge rejected former President Donald Trump's bid Thursday to dismiss his classified documents criminal case, setting the stage for an as-of-yet undated trial. The case involves Trump taking classified records to his Mar-a-Lago estate when he left the White House, a move that his legal team argues is allowed by the Presidential Records Act. This case has unfolded slowly since charges were brought last June, with the former president hoping to delay it until this November's election. The US Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments next month on Trump's immunity claim in a separate case related to the 2020 election interference.
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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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