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

September 20, 2024

In This Issue

• VICA Victory! Council Approves USC Discovery and Translational Hub
• Governor Newsom Signs VICA-Backed Legislation
• VICA Takes on November Ballot Measures
• Tell Us Your Legislative Priorities

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VICA After Dark with LA Sanitation General Manager Barbara Romero - 9/26

VICA After Dark with LA Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky - 10/1

"Together, we have accomplished incredible work in the last two years, and I'm deeply grateful to each of you for your passion, vision, and leadership. Your willingness to continue to do this work even when it is ugly and difficult is truly commendable. The city should understand how effective this council continues to be."

Council President Paul Krekorian

Statement Made During Last City Council Session as Council President

VICA-backed USC Discovery & Translational Hub passes LA City Council!

This week, VICA advocated for the University of Southern California Discovery and Translational Hub at the Los Angeles City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee on Tuesday and at the full City Council on Wednesday. This innovative project at USC’s Health Sciences Campus is poised to bridge the gap between groundbreaking scientific research and practical healthcare solutions, significantly benefiting the biotechnology and healthcare sectors.

The Hub will create a state-of-the-art facility that fosters collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals. It will also provide immense educational benefits to students and emerging scientists, ensuring a robust talent pipeline in critical fields. The project is expected to generate high-quality jobs, stimulate economic growth, and drive innovation in health technology while remaining aligned with community values through USC's extensive planning and consultation efforts.

VICA proudly supports this project, which represents a profound investment in our region's health and economic vitality. For more details, check out USC’s official project at the link below.

VICA Secures Legislative Wins with Governor's Signature

VICA is pleased to report that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed several of our supported housing and development-related bills into law. These bills are essential for addressing California's ongoing housing crisis and improving the development process across the state.

SB 937 (Wiener): Development Projects: Fees & Charges

This bill looks to reduce development fees, making building more affordable in California. This legislation promotes housing growth by lowering financial barriers to new construction, which aligns with VICA's mission to address the state's housing crisis.

SB 450 (Atkins): Housing Development: Approvals

SB 450 streamlines the approval process for housing developments, helping to accelerate construction and reduce unnecessary delays. The bill aims to alleviate the housing shortage and promote development in critical areas by simplifying the approval process.

AB 1886 (Alvarez): Housing Element Law: Substantial Compliance: Housing Accountability Act

This bill enforces stricter compliance with the Housing Element Law and the Housing Accountability Act. It ensures that local governments follow through on their housing obligations, increasing the likelihood of housing production and addressing the housing crisis.

AB 1893 (Wicks): Housing Accountability Act: Housing Disapprovals: Required Local Findings

AB 1893 strengthens the Housing Accountability Act by requiring local jurisdictions to provide specific and clear findings when they disapprove housing projects. This bill reduces arbitrary project denials and promotes more consistent housing approval across California.

SB 7 (Blakespear): Regional Housing Needs: Determination

Description: SB 7 addresses the methodology for determining regional housing needs allocations. This bill promotes fairness in how housing needs are calculated and allocated, ensuring that all regions do their part in building new homes.

AB 2371 (Carrillo): Electrified Security Fences

This bill permits the installation of electrified security fences in designated areas to enhance safety and deter crime. This legislation is significant for businesses looking to protect their properties and investments.

These legislative victories reflect VICA’s continued commitment to advocating for policies that foster housing development, protect businesses, and streamline regulations.

We still need the Governor to Act on the following legislative measures.

Urge the Governor to Sign:

AB1820 (Schiavo): Housing development projects: applications: fees and exactions.

AB2910 (Santiago): State Housing Law: City of Los Angeles: conversion of nonresidential buildings.

AB1575 (Irwin): Public postsecondary education: students codes of conduct: advisers.

AB761 (Friedman): Local finance: enhanced infrastructure financing districts.

SB1119 (Newman): Hospitals: seismic compliance.

SB1447 (Durazo): Hospitals: seismic compliance: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

SB1420 (Caballero): Hydrogen production facilities: certification and environmental review.

AB52 (Grayson): Income tax credit: sales and use taxes paid: manufacturing equipment: research and development equipment.

Urge the Governor to Veto:

AB262 (Holden): Children’s camps: safety and regulation.

SB1103 (Menjivar): Tenancy of commercial real properties: agreements: building operating costs.

AB2738 (L. Rivas): Labor Code: alternative enforcement: occupational safety.

AB2286 (Aguiar-Curry): Vehicles: autonomous vehicles.

AB1866 (Hart): Oil and gas: idle wells.

AB2716 (Bryan): Oil and gas: low-production wells: Baldwin Hills Conservancy: Equitable Community Repair and Reinvestment Account.

AB3233 (Addis): Oil and gas: operations: restrictions: local authority.

SB1372 (Newman): Airports: third-party vendors: security lanes.

We will update you on our legislative efforts as the September 30 deadline for the Governor’s decisions approaches. Stay tuned for further updates.

VICA Wants to Know Your Legislative Priorities

It's always important to ask what the next legislative session's agenda might look like and how that affects your business and the greater San Fernando Valley-Los Angeles business community.

VICA will begin discussing next year's legislative priorities beginning in September through November, and we want to know the priorities important to you. Please click the "Voice Your Priorities" button below to communicate your ideas and priorities to our Legislative Affairs team!

Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members

Platinum Members:

• DoorDash Inc. (2022)

Gold Members:

• Oracle (2023)

Bronze Members:

• Rosenheim & Associates (2000)

Renewing Members:

• Alstom Transportation (2017)
• FASTLinkDTLA (2013)
• Granada Hills Charter (2010)
• Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association (2010)
• Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (2023)
• Western Governors University (2021)

VICA's November 2024 Voter Guide

Proposition 5 (Lower Supermajority Requirement for Local Special Taxes to Fund Housing & Public Infrastructure): Proposition 5 lowers the voter approval threshold from two-thirds to 55% for local governments to pass bonded indebtedness measures for public infrastructure and affordable housing projects. VICA opposes this amendment because it will lead to increased taxes and financial risks for businesses and residents without sufficient community input.

Proposition 32 (Minimum Wage Initiative): Proposition 32 seeks to raise California's minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2025, with annual adjustments based on the cost of living. VICA opposes this initiative because wage increases will harm small and medium-sized businesses by raising payroll costs, leading to higher prices, reduced hiring, and increased unemployment​.

Proposition 36 (Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act): Proposition 36 introduces stricter penalties for drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, mandates drug and mental health treatment for convicted drug users, and allows felony charges for repeat theft offenders. VICA supports this proposition as it enhances public safety by addressing the rising threats of drug trafficking and organized retail theft while offering rehabilitative pathways for offenders​.

Events

Hot News

LA City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky Faces Threat of a Recall Effort

A group in Los Angeles is considering a recall campaign against City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, citing concerns over homelessness and development projects in District 5. They claim Yaroslavsky hasn't enforced anti-camping laws and has been dismissive of constituents. No official recall paperwork has been filed, and Yaroslavsky has responded, defending her record on homelessness and public safety. The group needs 23,876 valid signatures to proceed, though past efforts to recall councilmembers have struggled to meet that threshold. Learn more about the potential recall here. 



Marqueece Harris-Dawson Set to Become Next LA City Council President

Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian will step down Friday, with Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Council President Pro Tem, taking over leadership. Representing Council District 8, Harris-Dawson has focused on the city's homelessness crisis and co-authored Prop HHH, a bond measure for supportive housing. The council unanimously voted 14-0 for his appointment. Harris-Dawson will serve as president until mid-December, when a new election will be held following the November elections. Read the full article here.

After Spending $550 Million, Over 70 Percent of Los Angeles County’s Project Homekey Homeless Rooms Vacant

A veteran seeking a fresh start in L.A. ended up homeless, finding no help or housing despite promises of support. He’s one of many facing similar struggles as L.A. County's homelessness crisis grows. Programs like Project Homekey, meant to provide quick housing, have left over 70% of units vacant due to construction delays and high costs, despite millions in funding. The homelessness issue remains unresolved, with thousands still waiting for relief.. Read more.

Keep the Incumbents on the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees oversees the largest community college system in California, with nine colleges and 200,000 students. Despite the challenges of an undemocratic election system, voters should pay attention to the four available seats. While the incumbents have not been perfect, they remain the most qualified candidates, as their challengers lack the necessary experience and understanding of the board's responsibilities. The system favors incumbents due to at-large elections with no runoffs, discouraging strong challengers. Read more.

Don’t Double Down on Failure. Reject Measure A in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County's handling of homelessness has faced criticism for poor results and lack of accountability. Measure A proposes doubling the sales tax from Measure H and making it permanent, with a mandate for union labor in affordable housing projects. Critics argue this will increase costs, reduce units built, and place a burden on low-income residents. They believe the county needs a better plan before asking for more money. Read more here.



L.A. 2028 Olympic Organizers Sign New Corporate Sponsors

The organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics have announced a partnership with Cedars-Sinai as the official medical provider, adding to deals with companies like Dick's Sporting Goods and Cisco. LA28 aims to fund the $7-billion event through private revenue, including sponsorships, though it's still $1 billion short of its target. Despite the gap, experts remain optimistic, noting most deals are secured closer to the event. While LA28 is on track, taxpayer dollars could come into play if financial goals aren’t met. Read more here.

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

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San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas,

Hidden Hills, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.

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