On Thursday, VICA celebrated our first in-person major event since 2019, a long awaited homecoming for hundreds of VICA members, Valley leaders, and elected officials. The event started out with a reception, where attendees were able to network in-person for the first time in over a year. Then, attendees were guided to the ballroom, where we heard from public officials, listened to sponsors, and even had a raffle with some exciting prizes from Southwest, the Rams, The Garland and DoorDash !

The event featured robust discussions with our leaders, and topics ranged from youth, to pandemic response, to economic vitality in the San Fernando Valley region. LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin gave an upbeat update on the state of Los Angeles' schools and how we are recovering from over a year of learning loss. LA City Attorney Mike Feuer gave a promising update from the City's homelessness action plan, and outlined the work still to be done, saying, "We have a City with tremendous potential, but we also know that we are a City with profound challenges." Finally, San Fernando City Councilmember Cindy Montanez gave an exciting glimpse into the future for the oldest city in the San Fernando Valley, exclaiming, "There is a renaissance of this town that you would not believe!".

VICA thanks the following representatives for coming to speak at our annual Local Officeholders Luncheon this year!

All attendees had a great time catching up and hearing from our local leaders on how our communities can build back stronger, and we look forward to continued in-person communication moving forward. VICA thanks our co-sponsors and presenting sponsors for making the 2021 Local Officeholder Luncheon possible!

As the 2021 legislative session comes to an end, VICA's advocacy ramps up! We are working on a number of bills that will have an effect on Valley businesses and the communities that we call home. Here is a status update on some of the bills that VICA is tracking!

Click on the links below to send letters to your legislators to make sure that the Valley's voice is heard:

Allows for streamlined CEQA judicial review for Environmental Leadership Transit Projects that meet transportation needs and emissions goals.

SB 255 (Portantino): Health Care Employer Associations - SUPPORT:

Brings California into conformance with existing federal laws seeking to accelerate the deployment of wireless broadband infrastructure.

SB 4 (Gonzalez): California Advanced Services Fund - SUPPORT IF AMENDED: 

Helps deploy broadband infrastructure to households that do not have reliable access to internet, but lacks critical transparency and accountability.

Deploys broadband infrastructure to unserved households, but includes inconsistent and ambiguous provisions.

Enhances public oversight by requiring recipients of state homelessness funding to report data through a state information system.

Increases cost of living and hurts small businesses by imposing costly regulations on warehouse distribution centers.

LIVE EVENT: Hilton Universal

Tuesday, September 14

9 to 11 a.m.

Virtual Meeting

Wednesday, September 15th

9 to 11 a.m.

Virtual Meeting

Virtual Meeting

Tuesday, September 21

9 to 10 a.m.

Virtual Meeting

LIVE EVENT: Hilton Universal

President Joe Biden just announced a new "action plan" to confront the COVID-19 surge driven by the Delta variant. This plan outlines strict vaccination requirements for federal employees and private businesses:

Through all this, small businesses are set to receive relief as loan amounts for small businesses affected by the pandemic will be increased to $2 million from $500,000. The federal government and President Biden hope that this new "action plan" will provide a wave of economic relief while protecting the population from COVID-19.

The LAUSD School Board voted Thursday that all children 12 and older in L.A. public schools must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January to enter campuses.

This year, California and several other Western states endured the hottest summer on record, according to federal data released on Thursday.

A UC Berkeley/LA Times poll found that, with just days before voting ends, momentum has turned strongly against the effort to recall Governor Newsom.

California lawmakers voted Thursday to divert more than $2 billion to help prevent wildfires and address the severe drought, more than tripling the budget since 2005.

California's eviction protections will end on September 30th, and the State Assembly Housing chairperson has stated that they will almost certainly not be extended.

An L.A. law that prohibits homeless people from parking RVs overnight has avoided a legal challenge after officials told a federal judge that it was not being enforced.

> Please share a brief biography and a fun fact about yourself that people would love to learn, ie: you love skydiving, you have run a marathon, you started your own business at a young age, etc. (2-3 sentences) 

> Tell us about your belief in VICA, how has VICA been most valuable for you? 

> If you were to share an experience with someone about VICA, what would that be? 

> Share with us what you believe to be the greatest accomplishment VICA has achieved?

> What was your organizations and/or your greatest accomplishment in 2020?

> Can you share what VICA has meant for you and your business during COVID?

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