The San Fernando Valley is a distinct geographic area that cannot simply be piecemealed into majority Westside and Downtown Los Angeles Districts.

Do not let them make the Valley an easy target! VICA and the San Fernando Valley Redistricting Coalition support the following principles to preserve our communities and ensure our voices are heard:

VICA and the Valley are counting on your support! Send your letter before 5 p.m. today!

This week, VICA's legislative team spoke to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors to oppose a dangerous prohibition on oil and gas drilling in unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County. VICA staff explained that the proposed recommendations would negatively impact our local economy, and would jeopardize thousands of good-paying middle class jobs throughout our region. Further, the prohibition would be extremely costly, with a potential $90 billion price tag, which doesn't even take into account the loss of economic productivity due to job loss. Finally, VICA expressed concerns over our energy dependence. Currently, more than 70% of oil used in the County is imported from other states and countries that do not contribute to our state's economy or follow our state's rigorous environmental and health regulations. This number will only increase if oil and gas wells are prohibited in the County.

The Board voted against our recommendations, but VICA will continue to urge the city to embrace a diverse energy strategy to ensure a reliable supply for our businesses and all Angelenos.

Los Angeles County Public Health will issue a modified Health Officer Order later this week that aligns with and extends provisions in President Biden's announcement. While the details will be announced, here is what we know will be required in the order:

Los Angeles County Public Health plan to offer all large event venues and organizers technical assistance to assist with implementation of vaccine/test requirements. Further, Public Health is preparing a toolkit to assist businesses in confirming vaccination status and will provide education and support for establishments seeking assistance.

VICA will continue to monitor these regulations and guidance, and we will be active in informing our community of any important changes!

The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant, a program that supports small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 and related regulations, opened applications for a new round of grants last week.

The following businesses will be considered for Round 9:

For more information on eligibility requirements and program prioritization, click here.

The application will close on September 30, 2021.

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.

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.

AB 43 (Friedman): Traffic Safety - SUPPORT:

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

AB 1302 (Quirk): Cannabis Billboards: Placement Restrictions – SUPPORT:

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

LIVE EVENT: Hilton Universal

Tuesday, September 21

9 to 10 a.m.

Virtual Meeting

Tuesday, October 12

8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Virtual Meeting

Wednesday, October 6

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

LIVE EVENT: Hilton Universal

VICA is celebrating two VICA Victories this week, after two major housing bills were signed by the Governor. Senate Bill 9 (Atkins) and Senate Bill 10 (Wiener) faced tough opposition from housing opponents, but the Governor saw through the misinformation and signed the bill to preserve local control while expanding housing production at all economic levels.

SB 9 will streamline the process of approving construction on urban split lots, while SB 10 will allow cities to zone for up to 10 units per parcel in transit-rich or urban infill site areas. Both of these provisions are critical steps to building more housing in the state. California is facing a severe housing crisis that has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. With Governor Newsom stating that 3.5 million new homes are needed to meet the state's population growth, VICA commends the state for approving legislation like SB 9 and SB 10 that will help get housing units built. These bills address the housing shortage, preserve control for local jurisdictions, and reduce barriers to increase density in our communities. Doing this, and ensuring our housing supply meets demand, will improve our housing shortfalls and ultimately lower the cost of housing for all Californians.

VICA urged the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors to postpone the hearing of an art fee that would require new development to maintain public art or pay into an art fund, increasing the cost of housing construction and counteracting work being done to help those in desperate need of housing. Our legislative staff explained that we have over 66,000 people in the county that do not have a place to call home who need shelter, not art installations. These skyrocketing homeless numbers are an indication that the construction of homes needs as much help as it can get from the Board - not a new tax.

Prior to the pandemic, organizations, businesses, and residents were able to meet in-person or at least be ensured the ability to share during public comment. However, it is no longer a guarantee that business organizations like VICA will be able to express opinions during meetings, and we have often had delays in communication from county offices. Until the county can ensure proper channels for feedback and testimony, VICA urges the county to postpone hearings for items as important and costly as the Art Fee ordinance.

Contrary to the tireless efforts being made by the County and VICA to provide housing to Angelenos, the county unfortunately decided to require this art fee and increase housing costs.

Sponsored by The Garland

Sponsored by Mission Community Hospital

Sponsored by Amazon

The United States has reached a grim milestone in its fight against the pandemic: 1 in 500 Americans have died from COVID-19 since the nation's first case.

Of the 9.5 million ballots counted so far, 44.5% did not include a choice for a replacement, compared to only 26% who voted for the frontrunning competitor.

Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez announced that she has ruled out a run for mayor, saying the City needs stable political leadership.

LAUSD relaxed quarantine restrictions, allowing exposed unvaccinated students to continue attending in-person classes if both students were wearing masks.

California lawmakers agreed to spend at least $276 million to cover the costs of the recall, but elections officials estimate the final cost will be closer to $300 million.

Fully opened schools have coincided with declining pediatric COVID-19 cases, indicating that campuses are operating safely without outbreaks.

A new study found that babies born during the pandemic have sharply lower IQ scores than those born before, showing that COVID has strongly affected youth.

While the market is still strong, there is a slow deterioration happening, with about 15% of S&P 500 stocks more than 20% below 52 week highs.

> 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.