Valley Industry & Commerce Association |
|
|
- Quote of the Week
- February Advocacy Day
- Members
- Hazard Pay Ordinances
- Upcoming Events
|
|
- VICA Advocacy
- Hot News
- Member Spotlight
- Member Messages
|
|
"The backbone of our economy is small business. We recognize the stress, the strain that so many small businesses have been under and we recognize our responsibility to do more and to do better to help these small businesses through this very difficult time." |
|
VICA's February Advocacy Day: Virtually Visiting Sacramento |
|
Senator Bob Archuleta meets with the VICA delegation during our February Advocacy Day. |
|
A delegation of VICA members and staff virtually visited Sacramento on Tuesday to speak with lawmakers about how proposed legislation will impact the San Fernando Valley business community.
VICA met with Senator Bob Archuleta, as well as Assemblymembers Wendy Carrillo, Cottie Petrie-Norris, Heath Flora, Laura Friedman, Tom Lackey, Evan Low, and Devon Mathis.
|
|
Assemblymember Low listens to the concerns of the VICA delegation. |
|
Thank you to all of the elected officials for meeting with us, and for all of the members who joined our February Advocacy Day! If you weren't able to join us for Advocacy Day, click the links below to send letters to legislators on important issues impacting the San Fernando Valley and our business community.
VICA discussed the following topics with all representatives:
The following bills were discussed with Assemblymembers:
-
AB 420 (Quirk-Silva): Theme Park Reopening - SUPPORT: Directs the Department of Public Health to adjust COVID-19 guidance to place all amusement parks in the moderate risk tier rather than the minimal risk tier, allowing these huge economic drivers to reopen for our communities.
-
AB 230 (Voepel): Flexible Scheduling - SUPPORT: Allows non-exempt employees to request a flexible work schedule of up to 10 hours per day within a 40 hour workweek, which will be imperative to reopening our economy with a new normal of physical distancing, transit distancing, and hybrid school schedules.
-
AB 61 (Gabriel): Restaurant Rescue - SUPPORT: Provides support to the foodservice and restaurant industry, which employ over 1.8 million Californians, giving desperately needed relief and allowing them to operate safely.
-
ACA 1 (Aguiar-Curry): Tax Increase Vote Percentage - OPPOSE: Allows local tax increases to be passed with a 55% vote rather than the Constitutionally-required 2/3 vote, running counter to the goal of making the state more affordable.
-
AB (Low): Bereavement Leave - SUPPORT IF AMENDED: Requires employees to protect the basic human dignity to grieve by allowing bereavement leave, but includes a private right of action, which burdens already struggling businesses.
-
AB 53 (Low): Election Day Holiday - OPPOSE: Establishes an unnecessary statewide Election Day holiday, requiring public schools to be closed and state employees a paid day off, which could make it harder for Californians to vote.
The following bills were discussed with Senators:
|
|
VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members |
|
Hazard Pay Ordinances Pass in Los Angeles |
|
Despite VICA's best advocacy efforts, the Los Angeles City Council and Los Angeles Board of Supervisors rushed damaging Hazard Pay ordinances through the approval process, ignoring expert warnings against such policies.
This $5 per hour increase is equivalent to a 30 percent wage increase, a cost which will be passed onto consumers in the form of higher grocery costs. This will negatively impact many in our region who are already struggling to afford living expenses during the pandemic.
As a result of a similar Hazard Pay ordinance by the Long Beach City Council, the Kroger Company announced the permanent closure of 25 percent of its stores in Long Beach. Los Angeles could see a similar fate now that the Board and City Council have passed these Hazard Pay ordinances.
|
|
Ticket Price: $100
Includes Breakfast
Circle of Influence & Business Leader members receive a free ticket to this event. Please contact Cathy to reserve your free seat.
|
|
EVENT SPONSORSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE!
Contact Shauna Carter for additional details.
Shauna@vica.com | 805.558.0731
|
|
Civic Snapshot with Former Maryland Gov. Martin O' Malley and LA City Controller Ron Galperin
Presented by Grant Thornton
Tuesday, March 2nd
9 to 10:30 a.m.
Online Video Conference
|
|
SETH Committee Meeting
Sponsored by History for Hire
Thursday, March 4th
9 to 10:30 a.m.
Online Video Conference
|
|
First Sip with VICA
Friday, March 5th
9 to 10 a.m.
Online Video Conference
|
|
Transportation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 9th
9 to 11 a.m.
Online Video Conference
|
|
Healthcare Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 11th
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Online Video Conference
|
|
VICA's March Advocacy Day
Tuesday, March 16th
Online Video Conference
Almost SOLD OUT!
|
|
Government Affairs Committee Meeting
Sponsored by Amazon
Wednesday, March 17th
9 to 11 a.m.
Online Video Conference
|
|
Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast
Friday, March 19th
8:30 to 11 a.m.
Online Video Conference
|
|
|
Support AB 61: "Restaurant Rescue" to Help the Industry Survive COVID-19 |
|
VICA supports Assembly Bill 61 (Gabriel), which will aid California's struggling restaurant industry by providing temporary regulatory relief, allowing specified exemptions, and streamlining permitting processes.
In California, state and local restrictions specifically targeting restaurants have crippled the industry during the COVID-19 crisis. As of December 1, 2020, the National Restaurant Association reported at least 110,000 food service establishments were not open for business in any capacity, and 89% of full-service restaurants reported staffing levels well below normal. Many restaurants anticipate additional layoffs in the coming months due to financial hardships. Therefore, it is crucial and time-sensitive for California to approve AB 61 and assist our restaurant and food service industry.
Act now to urge lawmakers to pass AB 61, which will give the foodservice industry, which employs over 1.8 million Californians, the support it needs to operate safely.
|
|
COVID-19
Vaccines
Golden State Stimulus
California will soon send out $600 stimulus payments to millions of low income Californians as part of a $7.6 billion economic stimulus package. This "Golden State Stimulus also budgets more than $2 billion for small business relief. |
|
Reopening Schools
Federal COVID-19 Relief
Weather
Unemployment
|
|
Lisa Gritzner
LG Strategies / Immediate Past Chair of VICA
|
|
Lisa Gritzner is a recognized leader in Southern California's public affairs arena and brings more than 20 years of government, business, and political experience to her clients. Lisa has considerable experience and relationships with a host of public agencies in California including direct work for LA County Department of Public Works, the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District. She possesses significant knowledge of local government policies and procedures, and has worked with and advised elected officials and staff at all levels of government.
Lisa graduated cum laude from California State University Sacramento with a degree in Government and was selected to participate in the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in 2004. Lisa currently serves on the Executive Board for VICA. She has served as the President of the Saban Free Clinic Board of Directors and is a member of the Founders’ Board of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust.
Her dream is to retire somewhere beautiful, ideally in Europe, and run a small bed and breakfast or inn. She'd love to travel throughout Europe during the down times and live like a native...She also secretly wishes she was an interior designer.
When VICA asked a few additional questions, these responses were shared:
Tell us about your belief in VICA, how has VICA been most valuable for you?
VICA has been such an important part of my civic life in Los Angeles. Starting as a member well over 10 years ago, I am very proud of being able to ascend the ranks of the organization and ultimately to become Chair - one of just a handful of women to hold that position in VICA's over 70-year history. I also really value the friendships, business and personal relationships that I have forged with my VICA colleagues.
If you were to share an experience about VICA, what would that be?
I have really enjoyed participating in the great events VICA creates. I am extremely proud of the Extraordinary Women in Leadership event that I was able to start during my tenure as Chair and I really am looking forward to being able to resume our Washington, DC advocacy trips. Those experiences are amazing both professionally and personally and I always get so much value from participating.
What do you believe to be the greatest accomplishment VICA has achieved?
VICA's longevity is something to be very proud of, but I am also very pleased to see how much VICA is embracing the need to change with the times. When I first joined the organization, I was often one of just a handful of women in the room and there were practically no people of color in the leadership or board ranks. People often commented that the organization lacked diversity. I think a lot of progress has been made to be more inclusive and representative of the community in the LA region and I'm very proud to be a part of that effort to change and grow.
What was your organizations and/or your greatest accomplishment in 2020?
SURVIVAL! I'm grateful for my amazing clients who have counted on me to help them through these very challenging times. It's been hard to cut through the difficulties created by the pandemic, but I am proud of the good work we have been able to do to keep businesses going, as much as has been possible, and keep Los Angeles moving forward.
Can you share what VICA has meant for you and your business during COVID?
It's been great to be able to connect with the business community and our elected officials via the VICA events on the Remo platform and I am very grateful to my colleagues on VICA's Executive Committee, our Chair Brad Rosenheim, and the Board of Directors. Connecting with them once a month has been a bright spot for me!
|
|
MUST BE A CURRENT VICA MEMBER TO BE FEATURED!
> 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?
Send responses and headshot to Shauna Carter
shauna@vica.com
|
|
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 cathy@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
