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Serving the San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, San Fernando, and Santa Clarita
Valley Industry & Commerce Association || vica.com
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- VICA Advocates Against Overreaching Policies
- Internship Opportunities at VICA
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"We need every voice at the table so our County can facilitate an efficient and timely recovery. This isn't just about rebuilding structures - it's about restoring whole communities, so families have a place to call home and businesses can re-open and thrive. I encourage professionals from the rebuilding community to connect with our County's Public Works Department. We value and need the expertise, agility, and scalability of private industry."
County Chair, Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Barger Calls on Region's Building Professionals to Help Accelerate Wildfire Recovery
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VICA in Action: Advocating Against Overreaching Policies at the City, County, and State Levels | |
VICA continues its strong advocacy work, engaging at the Los Angeles City Council, the LA County Board of Supervisors, and the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) to push back against overreaching policies that threaten economic growth, housing stability, and business innovation. | |
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Advocating Against Broad Eviction Moratoriums at City and County
This week, VICA was actively engaged at the LA City Council and the LA County Board of Supervisors, strongly opposing sweeping eviction moratorium proposals that unfairly shift the burden onto housing providers.
At LA City Council, VICA supported housing providers, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to wildfire recovery. However, at the last minute, the Council delayed its decision on the eviction moratorium until March 4.
Later that day, at the LA County Board of Supervisors, VICA, alongside other business and housing organizations, voiced opposition to the County’s eviction moratorium proposal. While helping wildfire victims is critical, placing the responsibility solely on housing providers is excessive and unsustainable.
A one-year eviction moratorium would destabilize the housing market, especially given that $650 million in wildfire relief donations and a $2.5 billion state relief package are already available to support those in need. VICA also raised concerns about self-attestation of hardship without verification, which was widely abused during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unlike the City Council, the County amended its proposal before passage, requiring tenants to meet specific income eligibility criteria and demonstrate direct financial impact from the wildfires. The Board of Supervisors ultimately passed the measure in a 4-0 vote, with one abstention.
VICA will continue advocating for policies protecting housing providers while ensuring recovery efforts target those in genuine need. We remain engaged as the City Council prepares to revisit its decision next month and as the County finalizes its implementation details.
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Pushing Back Against Overreaching Privacy Regulations
On Wednesday, VICA provided public comment at the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA), warning that the agency’s proposed rules far exceed the scope of the privacy protections approved by voters in 2020 and could impose up to $3.5 billion in costs on California businesses. While the original law aimed to limit data sharing, allow consumers to correct inaccuracies, and control sensitive information, the new regulations introduce costly and unnecessary compliance burdens that have little to do with privacy risks.
VICA raised concerns that the proposed rules require businesses to conduct extensive risk assessments and disclose internal processes, potentially exposing trade secrets and operational vulnerabilities. Additionally, broad opt-out mandates could disrupt essential business functions and force companies to suspend services, ultimately hurting both businesses and consumers. The sweeping nature of these rules could also discourage innovation, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning.
VICA urged the CPPA to scale back these excessive requirements and ensure that any new regulations align with the original intent of the voter-approved law. We remain committed to protecting consumer privacy while preventing unnecessary regulatory burdens that could stifle economic growth and innovation in California.
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VICA Internship Opportunities
Apply Now!
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VICA is looking for motivated interns to join our team! Gain valuable hands-on experience in legislative affairs, administrative support, and membership development while working alongside business and policy leaders in the San Fernando Valley.
📌 Legislative Affairs Internship – Contact Victor@vica.com; Mikayla@vica.com
📌 Administrative Internship – Contact Cathy@vica.com
📌 Membership & Development Internship – Contact Yoko@vica.com
Don't miss this opportunity to build your skills and grow your professional network. Apply today!
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VICA Thanks Our Renewing and New Members | | |
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Platinum Members:
Renewing Members:
New Members:
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Save the Dates: Committees | |
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Energy, Environment, Manufacturing & Utilities Committee
March 6
At Burns & McDonnell at Noon
RSVP
Healthcare Committee
March 12
At the VICA Office at Noon
RSVP
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Transportation Committee
March 11
At The Garland at 8:30 AM
RSVP
Joint Meeting: International Trade + Government Affairs Committee
March 19
At the VICA Office at Noon
RSVP
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NBCUniversal Completes Green Upgrade of Historic Studio
People who toil on the Universal Studios lot out of the public eye recently got an upgrade to their workplace meant to bring it more in line with its glamorous image as a historic movie factory and theme park known to the world. The old campus was so uninspired and bland that was compared it to “a mayonnaise factory,” said Ed Chuchla, chief real estate officer for lot owner Comcast NBCUniversal.
IChuchla said, the Los Angeles environment was down market compared with NBCUniversal’s legendary headquarters at 30 Rock in Manhattan and Comcast’s headquarters in a sleek Philadelphia skyscraper. Read More.
McConnell Announces Retirement from the Senate
Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former majority leader and the most consequential Republican senator of his generation, said Thursday he will not seek reelection next year.
"Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate," McConnell said in a midday floor speech. "Every day in between, I've been humbled by their trust in me to do their business right here. Representing our commonwealth has been the honor of a lifetime." Read More.
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Ports of LA, Long Beach Have Strong Start to 2025, but Headwinds Lie Ahead with Tariffs
The Port of Los Angeles had a great start to 2025, with the busiest January in its 117-year history, Executive Director Gene Seroka said during a monthly news conference on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
“A strong economy, along with importers bringing in cargo as a hedge against tariffs and ahead of Lunar New Year, were key factors in January,” Seroka said.
The Port of Long Beach also saw a strong start for 2025, with its strongest January on record and its second-busiest month — primarily driven by retailers moving cargo ahead of the anticipated tariffs on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada. Read More.
Bass Ousts L.A. Fire Chief, Saying LAFD Needs ‘New Leadership’
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has fired Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley over the chief’s handling of the Palisades fire.
“Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief,” Bass said in a statement Friday. “We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch.” Read More.
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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.
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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.
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