Valley Industry & Commerce Association | |
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- VICA Victory! City Council Approves Increased Support for City's Law Enforcement Personnel
- VICA Victory! City Planning Commission Unanimous Support for River Park Project
- VICA Calls in to California Senate Appropriations
- Harmon Ballin Nominations are Now Open
- Nominate a Future VICA Board Member
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Quick Jump - Register to Attend!
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"Across the country, community hospitals are experiencing financial stress like never before. These hospitals are often the only acute health care access point in their area. In partnership with the legislature, we are working to keep doors open so Californians can access critical care close to home."
Governor Gavin Newsom
Statement on $300 million in zero-interest loans to 17 community hospitals through the Distressed Hospital Loan Program
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VICA Victory! City Council Approves Increased Funding for Law Enforcement Personnel | |
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On Wednesday, VICA voiced our support for the tentative agreement between the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), which addresses recruiting and retention challenges within the city's law enforcement ranks.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) looks to enhance the capabilities of our law enforcement by:
1) Enhancing recruiting and retention efforts to have an adept police force;
2.) Incentivizing newly recruited and veteran officers with annual raises and bonus payments;
3.) Promoting critical public safety roles like front-line patrol and investigative roles.
With recent 11% increases in overall crime rates in 2022 and reported crimes reaching 60 per 1,000 residents, Mayor Bass's city budget aims to bring in 1,000 new law enforcement personnel and raise starting wages is a positive step in the right direction.
Following VICA's voiced support at the Personnel Committee and full council, we are proud that the LA City Council voted to approve the additional staff funding and support.
VICA will continue to advocate for the safety and well-being of our communities and looks to support those who take on this vital responsibility.
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VICA Victory! City Planning Commission Unanimously Supports Harvard-Westlake River Park Development | |
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VICA expressed our support for the Harvard-Westlake River Park project at Thursday's City Planning Commission meeting.
This project will have dual soccer fields, a running track, a gym, a pool, eight tennis courts, and a public plaza. River Park will be accessible to the public and offer many amenities for the community's enjoyment, including a cafe, putting green, and plazas.
Along with recreational activities, the project will prompt energy sustainability, with substantial water conservation, increased greenery, native landscaping, and investments in solar energy. Rather than opting for commercial or residential development, River Park serves as a sanctuary of open green space to benefit students and the community.
Following hours of public comment, the city planning commission unanimously supported the River Park project, which it will now be taken up by the City Council's Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) committee.
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VICA Calls into Senate Appropriations Committee | |
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On Monday, VICA called into the California Senate appropriations committee as many bills rush to the September deadline to pass the second chamber. VICA will monitor and advocate for many important proposals that will impact businesses and our San Fernando Valley community.
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AB 1248 (Bryan): Local Redistricting Commissions
AB1248 (Bryan): VICA called in to support if amended Assembly Bill 1248, which looks to address the issue of fair and equitable representation in local governments by ensuring a fair and independent redistricting process in our cities and counties.
Amending AB 1248 to have the state provide guidance and fiscal funding for implementation, staffing, litigation, and maintenance of commissions is a crucial component that should be included to enhance public transparency and trust in our local institutions.
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AB 316 (Aguiar-Curry): Autonomous Vehicles
AB 316 (Aguiar-Curry): VICA called in to oppose Assembly Bill 316, which would effectively ban autonomous truck deployments by requiring a "human safety operator" to be physically present in all heavy-duty vehicles.
AB 316 would maintain the unsatisfactory current road safety conditions as autonomous vehicles have demonstrated remarkable safety records over the past twelve years. Instead of promoting innovation, AB 316 would place the state behind others regarding autonomous trucking progress and the resulting economic and workforce benefits.
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Nominations Are Open: Harmon Ballin Community Service Award | |
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VICA's Harmon Ballin Community Service Award annually honors an active VICA member who has made an outstanding contribution to our community through their long-term community service activities. A nominee is someone who:
- Has been an active member of VICA and is actively engaged in the organization.
- Has significant and long-term involvement in philanthropic, community, or public service organizations or a significant record in this area.
- Is a role model and community leader.
All nominee forms must be submitted via email to Daniel@vica.com by Friday, September 1, 2023.
Some past honorees include: Stu Solomon, Walt Mosher, Fred Gaines, Jim Garrison, Kevin Tamaki, Greg Lippe, Brad Rosenheim, Francine Oschin, Pegi Matsuda, Ross Pendergraft, Jane Skeeter, Lee Alpert, Darnell Tyler, Mark Davis and Scott Mills.
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Nominations for 2024 VICA Board Being Accepted Now | |
City of Calabasas Mayor David Shapiro swears in 2023 Board of Directors | |
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VICA's 2024 Board of Directors nomination and selection process is underway and we want your nominations!
Board members must be able to attend regular board meetings and be prepared to vote on various public policy issues. Board members must also attend regular committee meetings and VICA events. Additional responsibilities may include calling or writing lawmakers, attending press conferences, testifying, authoring editorials, interacting with top opinion leaders, and more.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating on the VICA Board in 2024, please don't hesitate to click on the nomination form below and submit via email to Jessica@vica.com no later than Friday, September 1, 2023.
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VICA After Dark: LA City Councilmember John Lee
September 26 | 5:30 PM
Anheuser-Busch
John Lee was first elected to the Los Angeles City Council during a special election in August 2019, and re-elected to his first full term in March 2020. John's extensive understanding of the City’s legislative and budget processes and day-to-day operations gives him tremendous insight into what works and what doesn’t at City Hall. With an agenda focused on public safety, supporting local businesses, and providing core city services, John is committed to putting the neighborhoods of the Twelfth District first.
VICA thanks our host and presenting sponsor Anheuser-Busch, presenting sponsor SoCalGas, and co-sponsors California State University, Northridge and California Strategies.
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Business Forecast Conference: Flamin' Hot Topics
Friday, October 27 | 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 Sponsor, SoCalGas.
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RESCHEDULED: Local Officeholders Luncheon
November 9 | 11:30 AM
Skirball Cultural Center
Local Officeholders representing Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, and other Valley cities join VICA and its members to discuss the pertinent issues facing businesses during the annual Local Officeholders event. Attendees have the opportunity to formally ask questions on a wide range of topics.
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Sports, Entertainment, Tourism & Hospitality Committee
Wednesday, September 6
8:30 - 10:00 AM
At the VICA Office
Sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal
RSVP
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Energy, Environment, Manufacturing & Utilities Committee
Thursday, September 7
Noon - 1:30 PM
At the VICA Office
Sponsored by Metropolitan Water District
RSVP
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VICA Thanks Our New and Renewing Members! | | |
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Bronze Members:
Renewing Members:
New Members:
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Lakers Unveil Kobe Bryant Statute
The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of Kobe Bryant on February 8th, the team announced along with Vanessa Bryant on Thursday. Bryant will become the seventh member of the Lakers organization to have a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena, joining Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, and broadcaster Chick Hearn.
Legislators want Benefits for Strikers
California Lawmakers are resurrecting legislation that would allow workers on strike to collect unemployment benefits, reigniting a familiar political battle between labor unions and businesses. Under SB 799, striking workers would be eligible to collect unemployment benefits after they're on strike for two weeks, an early version of the bill released on Tuesday shows.
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U.S. Sues SpaceX for Discrimination
The US Justice Department on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the billionaire Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX for alleged hiring discrimination against refugees and asylum seekers. SpaceX "routinely discouraged asylees and refugees from applying and refused to hire or consider them because of their citizenship status," according to the Justice Department.
Trump Surrenders to Fulton County
Former president Donald Trump surrendered and then was released at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, GA on Thursday in connection to his attempts to reverse the 2020 election loss. Trump was charged on August 14th with 13 counts, including violating the state's anti-racketeering act, soliciting a public officer to violate their oath, conspiring to impersonate a public officer, and committing forgery.
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Donna Blackwell
Insperity
Certified Business Performance Advisor
Donna Blackwell has been consulting small/medium businesses for over 15 years. As a Certified Business Performance Advisor with Insperity, Donna is always enthusiastic to have strategic conversations with business leaders for improved efficiencies and HR best practices.
Insperity, a trusted advisor to America’s best businesses for over 35 years, provides an array of human resources and business solutions designed to help improve business performance. Serving more than 100,000 businesses with over 2 million employees, Insperity’s mission is to help businesses succeed so communities prosper. We provide a wide range of business performance solutions, enabling business owners to be more systematic and strategic about the role people play in the success of their company.
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Join our partners at #UNITELA on Sept. 29! Don’t miss out as they bring together the most influential leaders to advance economic mobility and well-being for all Angelenos! Celebrate the next #25YearOfImpact and beyond! RSVP today 👉 unitela.com/25. Will we see you there? #UNITELA25 | |
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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 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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