VICA Weekly
Valley Industry & Commerce Association

September 9, 2022

In This Issue
  • VICA Celebrates 75% Legislative Victories
  • Your Voice is Needed: VICA High Priority Bills
  • Join a Committee
  • Let Us Known Your Legislative Agenda
  • VICA Job Opportunity
  • Upcoming Events

"Within moments, we saw a significant amount of load reduction showing up, to the tune of approximately 2,000 megawatts over the next 20 to 30 minutes. That significant response from California consumers to the wireless emergency alert allowed us to restore our operating reserves and took us back from the edge of broader grid disturbance."

Elliot Mainzer, President - Chief Executive of the California Independent System Operator

Statement Following Tuesday's Notice to Residents Regarding Blackouts 

VICA Celebrates 75% Advocacy Success Rate!

As the legislative session for the California legislature concludes, VICA is proud to celebrate a 75% success rate with the legislature.


Among the several thousands of bills introduced within the last two years, VICA saw huge wins through our opposition efforts, including:

  • Assembly Bill 1385 (Gonzalez) which would have terminated the personal services agreement at any time without notice or obligation to pay damages and limited the length of time that companies can exercise contract options for recording arts and actors.
  • Senate Bill 260 (Wiener) which would have required the California Air Resources Board to develop regulations to require a reporting entity to report an emissions registry and establish a public data platform to view disclosures.


VICA is proud to have supported various bills, including:

  • Assembly Bill 1261 (Burke), which would require the State Air Resources Board to establish processes to assist the state in achieving greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals through data collection and evaluation for developing incentive programs; 
  • Senate Bill 6 (Caballero) which allows residential development on existing lots currently zoned for commercial office and retail spaces;
  • Senate Bill 9 (Atkins) requires ministerial approval of a housing development of no more than two units in a single-family zone, and a subdivision of a residential parcel split into two equal parcels;
  • Senate Bill 10 (Wiener) authorizes a city or county to pass an ordinance to zone any parcel for up to 10 units of residential density if the parcel is located in a transit-rich area or underutilized urban parcel sites.


VICA draws concerns on passing various bills that will worsen staff levels, impact businesses still affected by COVID-19, and impose unfeasible and restrictive land development and transportation oversight that further burdens innovation and community development. VICA will continue to monitor these issues and advocate for the region's economic advancement.

Your Voice is Needed: VICA's High Priority Bills are on Newsom's Desk

The legislative session has officially ended, but Governor Gavin Newsom has until Friday, September 30 to sign or veto any bill that the legislature has passed. 


VICA urges you to express your position. Below are VICA's high-priority bills that are on the Governor's desk. Click on the Take Action buttons to voice your position.

Prevent New Los Angeles Housing Bureaucracy


Senate Bill 679 (Kamlager) would establish the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA), which would use local financing tools to fund protections for renters and the production and preservation of housing units, discouraging the production of affordable housing while passing higher costs onto consumers and businesses.


Residents have continually shouldered the burden of housing while waiting for the Legislature to take action on their behalf. Unfortunately, rather than embrace policies that are effective in other states, SB 679 worsens the situation by expanding bureaucracy, encouraging governments to adopt harmful economic policies, and paving the way for higher taxes.

Take Action

Prevent Employees From Walking Off the Job Without Consequence


Senate Bill 1044 (Durazo) would prohibit an employer in the event of an emergency condition, from taking or threatening action against any employee who refuses to report to or leave a workplace if the employee feels unsafe.


SB 1044 ignores protections that are already provided under CalOSHA and allows workers to walk away regardless of how distant certain emergencies are. An employer who disciplines an employee will be subject to a lawsuit and penalties under the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA).

Take Action

Veto Energy Sector Job Killer 


Senate Bill 1137 (Gonzalez) would result in a loss of thousands of blue-collar jobs and vital revenue to local communities by instituting a 3200-foot setback requirement from various structure and community regions, undermining the Governor's three-year regulatory process for health and safety rules around oil and gas extraction facilities.


SB 1137 would limit in-state production and ignore the realities associated with increasing waterborne imports, lead to the loss of high wage jobs, and the loss of millions of dollars in revenue for local and State governments.

Take Action

Support California Manufacturing


Assembly Bill 1951 (Grayson) would provide both State and Local sales & use tax exemptions for manufacturing and R&D equipment to provide more opportunities for growth, innovation, and high-quality jobs that come from increased investments in California manufacturing.


AB 1951 will make California competitive with 38 states that already have manufacturing equipment sales and use tax exemptions and would keep California at the forefront of global leadership and innovation.

Take Action

Support Streamlined Affordable Housing


Assembly Bill 2011 (Wicks) gives Californians the opportunity to work toward a shared goal of building more affordable housing for struggling Californians while also growing a thriving, high-wage construction workforce. AB 2011 would rapidly accelerate the production of affordable housing, expanding housing opportunities to struggling families, seniors, workers, and veterans.


AB 2011 would open the door to job opportunities and an increase in the housing supply which is needed to help overcome the state’s current deficit of 2.5 million housing units.

Take Action

Support Lifting Development Parking Requirements


Assembly Bill 2097 (Freidman) would prohibit a public agency from imposing a minimum automobile parking requirement, or enforcing a minimum automobile parking requirement, on residential, commercial, or other development if the development is located on a parcel that is within one-half mile of public transit.


By reducing the overbuilding of parking, this bill would reduce traffic, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, reduce the cost of housing to renters and homeowners, and improve the prospects of small neighborhood businesses fighting to survive during the pandemic.

Take Action

Support Aviation Greenhouse Gas Reductions


Assembly Bill 1322 (Rivas) would establish a framework for the aviation industry to reduce its carbon footprint by creating a plan to incentivize the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). AB 1322 will help significantly expand the SAF industry, contributing to the green economy, creating local jobs, and solidifying California’s status as a world leader in SAF production and climate protection.


AB 1322 offers incentives comparable to policy incentives provided to renewable diesel and other on-road fuels, like tax credits and rebates. Expanding California’s leadership through the goals and motivations in AB 1322 will significantly improve air quality in our communities, create local jobs, stimulate the state economy, and make progress toward achieving the state’s environmental goals.

Take Action

Support Ending Retail Crime


Assembly Bill 1613 (Blakeslee) would expand the Attorney General's reach to prosecute theft offenses and associated offenses with organized retail crime.


AB 1613 would give any District Attorney's office the authority over cases that cross county lines and would support law enforcement and prosecutors with the tools to address sophisticated retail theft that hurt businesses, workers, and their customers.

Take Action

Support Small Business Improvements


Assembly Bill 2164 (Lee) would provide funds for small businesses to make their business accessible to those with disabilities.


Owners will be able to improve their stores, resulting in fewer ADA lawsuits, and allowing businesses to focus on their customers.

Take Action

Support Early Childhood Education


Senate Bill 70 (Rubio) would require a child to have completed one year of kindergarten before that child may be admitted to the first grade.


SB 70 would ensure children receive critical instructions that help them develop necessary social skills, problem-solving, and long-term academic readiness and also provides economic benefits for disadvantaged families.

Take Action

Support Research for Drinking Water Standards


Senate Bill 230 (Portantino) would establish, maintain, and direct an ongoing and dedicated Constituents of Emerging Concern Program to assess, study, review, and provide recommendations on the occurrence of Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs) in drinking water sources.


SB 230 is imperative to understand the long-term impacts of CECs on California's water supply. By establishing a dedicated CEC program to prioritize the monitoring and produce drinking water standards accordingly, SB 230 would proactively fill the gaps in our knowledge and provide a funding source for future research.

Take Action

Support Ending Online Sale of Stolen Goods


Senate Bill 301 (Skinner) would provide much needed transparency to online marketplaces, providing consumers with the real, verified business contact information for high volume, third-party sellers. The bill will also provide retailers and law enforcement information to investigate the source of possible stolen or counterfeit items when discovered.


With retail theft skyrocketing with cities and counties seeing a 700% increase in crime and online platforms being used to facilitate a mainstream black market, SB 301 will make online marketplaces transparent by rooting out bad actors, and connecting consumers and verified businesses.

Take Action

Support Clean Transit Projects


Senate Bill 922 (Wiener) would accelerate bike, pedestrian, light rail, and rapid bus projects. 


SB 922 will ensure California invests in equitable transportation projects, builds sustainable transportation, and addresses climate concerns while providing infrastructure and an economy that doesn't come at the expense of our environment.

Take Action

Support Mental Health and Support Services


Senate Bill 1338 (Umberg) would establish the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program and the CARE Act to provide comprehensive treatment, housing, and support services to Californians with complex behavioral healthcare needs.


CARE court program is a response to the urgent need for innovative solutions for individuals who are suffering from untreated schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders, often unhoused in our communities, and who face high risks for repeated hospitalization, incarceration, institutionalization, mental health conservatorship, and premature death.

Take Action

Interested in Joining a Committee?

As a VICA member, not only do we advocate for you and your business, but we also help foster and strengthen the business community through engagement and committee participation.


When you join a committee, you become part of the decision-making process on a variety of legislative issues impacting your business and the community.


If you are interested, click the Join a Committee button below. Issues are assigned to the appropriate policy committees based on industry impacts.

Join a Committee

What are Your Legislative Priorities? Tell VICA!

As legislative sessions draw to a close, 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 committees will begin discussing legislative priorities for 2023 this month, and we want to know what you think will be important for 2023. Click the Notify Now button below to communicate your ideas to our Legislative Affairs Manager, Victor Reyes, or email at victor@vica.com

Notify Now

VICA Vacancy

Click on the image above to apply!

Members

VICA Thanks Our New and Renewing Members

Renewing Members:

  • El Centro De Amistad, Inc. (2014)
  • Glendale Community College (2013)


New Members:

  • On Board Business & Community Consulting
Events

VICA After Dark: LAWA CEO Justin Erbacci

Thursday, September 29 | 5:30 PM

The Park VNY

Justin Erbacci serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) - managing over 3500 adminsitrative, technical, and law-enforcement employees for the nation's second largest city and business hub in Los Angeles.


VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsors,

Van Nuys Airport, Bechtel Corp., Clay Lacy Aviation, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Airports.

Register Here

Business Forecast Conference: Attack of the Inflation Monster

Friday, October 21 | 7:00 AM

Hilton Universal City



Our Annual Business Forecast Conference continues to attract nationally recognized experts on our region's dynamic economy. This forecast will help our business leaders plan for the challenges facing us in 2023.


VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsors, SoCalGas and Wells Fargo.




Register Here
Sponsor Here

VICA After Dark: Supervisor Kathryn Barger

Thursday, October 27 | 5:30 PM

Anheuser-Busch



Supervisor Kathryn Barger serves the residents of the 5th District — Los Angeles County’s largest — spanning over 2,785 square miles, which includes 20 cities and 83 unincorporated communities in the Antelope, San Gabriel, San Fernando, Crescenta, and Santa Clarita Valleys.


VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsors, Amazon, Comcast NBCUniversal, SoCalGas, Southland Regional Association of Realtors, and Wells Fargo.

Register Here

The Week Ahead

Transportation Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 13

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Hosted by The Garland

RSVP

Save the Date

Government Affairs Committee Meeting

Wednesday, September 21

Noon - 2:00 PM

VICA Office

Sponsored by Dolphin Group 

RSVP


Land Use Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 11

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Hosted by The Garland

RSVP

Not-for-Profit Committee Meeting

Thursday, October 6

8:30 - 10:00 AM

VICA Office

Sponsored by Pacific Federal

RSVP


Aviation Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 18

Noon -1:30 PM

Hosted by Aerolease Group 

RSVP

View Calendar

VICA in the News

L.A. Ballot Measure Would Let Unhoused People Stay in Hotels Past Pandemic Amid Deepening Homeless Crisis

Democracy Now! | September 2


Newsom Signs Fast Food Worker Bill, Gives Workers Power and Protection

ABC7 | September 6 

Hot News

Governor Newsom Signs Fast Food Bill

On Labor Day, Governor Newsom signed AB 257 (Holden), the FAST Recovery Act, which sets up a 10-member council composed of representatives from labor and employers to oversee the industry's labor practices and standards in California. The Labor Council can raise the industry minimum as high as $22 an hour next year, versus $15.50 for the rest of California where the minimum wage is tethered to inflation. Labor groups argued that the bill was necessary to improve conditions for a vulnerable worker population. In contrast, business groups note the rise in costs that would pass to consumers and the existing agency authority to improve working conditions.


Port of LA announces $20M Investment

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited San Pedro's Port of LA Wednesday to announce a $20 million investment to help trucks and trains move faster through the country's largest trade gateway. The grant is part of the $2.2 billion in funding the Biden Administration allocated through the 2021 infrastructure legislation meant for projects that modernize roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports, and intermodal transportation to make them safer, accessible, affordable, and sustainable. The Port will get a new multi-lane grade crossing to reduce the time it takes a truck to travel from one minute to five seconds. DOT estimates it will reduce cargo delays by 2500 truck hours daily.


Fed Encouraged by Latest Labor Data

Federal officials see August job numbers as a positive sign - but believe there is still work to be done. Federal officials have raised rates to a range of 2.25 - 2.5% in July from 0% in March. In the report released Friday, job growth slowed, but not much to suggest a recession is imminent. The unemployment rate rose but can be considered as an increase in people entering the labor force. Officials are contemplating an increase of either a half percentage point or three-quarters of a point during their September 20-21 meeting. The increased borrowing costs are limiting consumer spending and business expansion which have given supply chains opportunities to meet demands, which has slowed.

California to Brace for Water Cuts

California water districts are under pressure to cut back water usage as the federal government pushes for solutions to prevent the Colorado River's reservoirs from reaching low levels. California has the largest water entitlement on the Colorado River, totaling 4.4 million acre-feet. It is at risk of increasing water restrictions and incentives for property owners to remove grass and reduce water irrigation. Managers have been talking about how much they need to forgo, however, states haven't agreed on how to meet federal officials' goal of reducing annual water intake by 2 to 4 million acre-feet, with looming risks of near-empty reservoirs prompting more talks.


OPEC Agree to Cut 100K Barrels a Day

OPEC officials agreed on Monday to cut oil production by 100,000 barrels a day, rolling back the increase they approved a month ago. OPEC demonstrates the will to shrug off the entreaties of the Biden administration, which has lobbied Saudia Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other oil producers to increase output to bring down oil prices. The decision comes a few days after Russia said it was shutting off a key natural gas pipeline to Germany, leading to decreased natural gas future prices in Europe. Two unknowns remain for the market; how long will China remain under lockdown, and will a deal be reached over Iran's nuclear program that could introduce Iranian oil?


Public Housing Measure in 2024

Californians will vote to repeal Article 34 of the California Constitution in 2024. This Constitutional provision makes it harder to build housing by requiring voter approval before public development occurs. Passed in 1950, the Article stymied low-income housing construction in California for decades and continues to add to the cost and uncertainty of building affordable housing. Lawmakers gave final approval to the legislation on the final day of the legislative session. The 2024 ballot measure will be the fourth time that lawmakers have asked voters to remove or weaken the provision, with the most recent attempt coming in 1993. All prior efforts have failed by large margins.

Member Spotlight
Are you interested in a Membership Spotlight?
Answer the below questions, send responses and a professional photo,
and we'll ensure your in the line up for 2022!

MUST BE A CURRENT VICA MEMBER TO BE FEATURED!


Please keep each question response to 2-4 sentences maximum.


  1. Please share a bit about your background and a fun fact that people would love to learn, ie: scrapbooking is your favorite hobby, you were in a band, you have traveled around the world…  
  2. What has been your organization’s largest accomplishment or efforts made over the past year? 
  3. Please share how VICA has supported your business strategy or expanded your footprint with the business community?  



Send responses and headshot to Jessica Yasukochi

Send Your Responses Now!
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 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.
Read more about VICA at vica.com
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