July 21, 2023

• VICA Advocates for Business Friendly Environmental Protections
• VICA Supports SB 539 - Improving the Sepulveda Basin
• VICA Supports AB 819 - Ending Discriminatory Transit Policies

Quick Jump - Register to Attend!

• Local Officeholders Luncheon 8/10
• VICA After Dark with LA City Councilmember John Lee 9/26

“My first executive directive focused on dramatically accelerating and lowering the cost of affordable housing. By cutting through red tape at City Hall, we have shortened the process in time from a matter of months to a matter of days."

Mayor Karen Bass

Statement on Passage of City Ordinance to Streamline Affordable Housing Development

VICA Advocates for Business Friendly Environmental Legislation

This week, VICA sent letters to our local congressional representatives to urge them to oppose the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule change to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

As we navigate through the aftermath of the pandemic and supply chain disruptions, California's economy is facing a crucial turning point. VICA is dedicated to ensuring that Southern California's economy remains robust, with sound business policies and civic engagement.

One of the major concerns for California businesses is the EPA's proposed rule changes to the NAAQS on the particulate matter standard. We have a significant manufacturing presence in the region, and the proposed new rule's stricter particulate matter thresholds could impose a significant burden on businesses operating in areas 

falling below the new standards.

The new EPA rule would expose more than $31 billion in economic activity and threaten 119,000 jobs in California alone. These immediate economic threats aside, the new rule would also put California at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting new manufacturers and businesses. Our state is already expensive to do business in, and this additional burden could drive businesses away to other states or even other countries.

VICA's mission is to enhance the economic vitality of our community and advocate for a better business climate and quality of life. We cannot support any regulation changes that could put the economic future of Southern California in jeopardy, especially in such a critical time for our economy.

VICA Supports SB 539 - Improving the Sepulveda Basin for the Surrounding Community

VICA supports Senate Bill 539 (Stern) which would direct the Department of Water Resources and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to provide assistance to the City of Los Angeles and the United States Army Corps of Engineers, to the extent requested, in order to integrate nature-based solutions into the planning process for the Sepulveda Basin.

The Sepulveda Basin is a 2,000-acre open space area, including nearly eight miles of the Los Angeles River and its tributaries, located in the San Fernando Valley. The basin is the only substantial green space in a heavily urban area, which ranks in the top 90th percentile in the state for environmental burden.

Currently, the City of Los Angeles is in the process of developing a master plan for the Sepulveda Basin that will prioritize the ways the Basin can be utilized in a way that will best benefit the residents of the surrounding communities. As the worsening effects of climate change pose new land management challenges that require the preservation and protection of existing open space, it is crucial to incorporate policies that will promote natural geomorphic processes and ecosystem functions.

VICA Supports AB 819 - Ending Transit Crime Discrimination

VICA supports Assembly Bill 819 (Bryan), which would provide that a third or subsequent violation for evasion of a public transit system payment would no longer be classified as a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in county jail for a period of not more than 90 days, and instead would be punishable by a fine of no more than $400.

Under current law, the consequences for fare evasion can be harsh. They are generally more severe than for similar violations, such as toll violations or parking violations. Unlike those other violations, a fare evasion violation could result in 90 days in county jail. 

According to transit advocacy groups, enforcement of fare evasion can often be discriminatory. People who face criminal charges for not paying their transit fare are disproportionately people of color. The Labor Community Strategy Center presents figures that show from each year from 2012 to 2015, black riders, who make up about 19% of all bus and rail riders, were hit with more than 50% of all fare evasion tickets.

This bill, AB 819, will remove the option of incarcerating and charging someone with a misdemeanor for fare evasion, which will help guide California into a more equitable future. 

Events

Local Officeholders Luncheon

August 10 | 11:00 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.

Our confirmed Local Officeholders are:

City of Agoura Hills

Councilmember Jeremy Wolf

City of Burbank

Mayor Konstantine Anthony

Vice Mayor Nick Schultz

City of Calabasas

Mayor David Shapiro

City of Glendale

Mayor Daniel Brotman

City of Pasadena

Vice Mayor Felicia Williams

City of San Fernando

Mayor Celeste Rodriguez

Councilmember Mary Solorio

City of Santa Clarita

Councilmember Marsha McLean

County of Los Angeles

District Attorney George Gascón

City of Los Angeles

Mayor Karen Bass

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield

Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson

Councilmember John Lee

Councilmember Traci Park

Councilmember Nithya Raman

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez

Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees

Trustee Steven Veres

Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education

Vice President Scott Schmerelson

Board Member Kelly Gonez

VICA After Dark: LA City Councilmember John Lee

September 26 | 5:30 PM

Anheuser-Busch

John Lee was first elected to the Los Angeles City Council during a special election in August 2019, and re-elected to his first full term in March 2020. John's extensive understanding of the City’s legislative and budget processes and day-to-day operations gives him tremendous insight into what works and what doesn’t at City Hall. With an agenda focused on public safety, supporting local businesses, and providing core city services, John is committed to putting the neighborhoods of the Twelfth District first.

VICA thanks our host and presenting sponsor Anheuser-Busch and presenting sponsor SoCalGas.

Save the Date 

Labor & Employment Committee

Wednesday, August 2nd

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Hosted by Hilton Universal City

RSVP

Land Use Committee

Tuesday, August 8

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Hosted by The Garland

RSVP

Education Committee

Thursday, August 3rd

8:30 - 10:00 AM

Hosted by Los Angeles Valley College

RSVP

Non-Profit Committee

Wednesday, August 9

8:30 -10:30 AM

At the VICA Office

RSVP

VICA In the News

Munger, Get In Here!

City Watch | July 13

Set Decorators Society of America Announces “Crew-Lateral Damage” Parking Lot Sale for July 22

Below the Line | July 18

Hot News

Southwest Hits Heat Record

The extreme heat scorching Phoenix set a new record Tuesday, the 19th consecutive day temperatures hit at least 110 degrees in a summer of suffering echoing around much of the globe. As climate change and a newly formed El Niño are combining to shatter heat records worldwide, the Phoenix region stands apart among major metropolitan areas in the U.S.

Stanford President to Resign

Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne announced Wednesday that he is resigning as head of the university after an independent panel determined that he failed on multiple occasions to correct errors in his published research and oversaw labs with a disquieting tendency to produce manipulated data and sloppy science. In a lengthy report, the panel concluded that Tessier-Lavigne “did not personally engage in research misconduct” in the 12 papers it was tasked with reviewing.

$1 Billion Powerball Ticket Sold in LA

After months of anticipation, on Wednesday six numbers were drawn and one ticket, which was sold in the Los Angeles’ Fashion District, matched. At about $1 billion, this prize is the third-largest Powerball jackpot in history and the seventh-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever. The winner, who remains unidentified, purchased their ticket at Las Palmitas Mini Market at East 12th Street and Wall Street, which is a short walk from Skid Row.

LA County Courts Limit Cash Bail

Los Angeles County’s courts will dramatically scale back the use of cash bail in all but the most serious criminal cases later this year, according to new bail policies unveiled Tuesday. As of Oct. 1, virtually all defendants accused of misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies in L.A. County will either be cited and released or freed on certain terms and conditions after judicial review within 24 hours of arrest.

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.