|
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
| |
- VICA's Week of Advocacy Victories
- VICA Continues to Take Stances on New Legislation
- Business Life Column: Long-Term Care Conundrum
| |
|
|
"By repurposing government buildings that have outlived their original use, we're not only making efficient use of our resources but also increasing the supply of affordable housing. We cannot stand by while the housing shortage displaces families and erodes the middle class."
Congressman Adam Schiff
Announcement on Introducing the Government Facilities to Affordable Housing Conversion Act
| |
VICA's Week of Advocacy Victories! | |
This week, VICA has championed transformative projects that promise to reshape the landscape of our community for the better. | |
|
The Residences at Sportsmen's Lodge
One such endeavor is redeveloping the iconic Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City. For decades, Sportsmen's Lodge has been a landmark steeped in history and nostalgia. However, as times change, our city's infrastructure must evolve to meet the needs of its residents and visitors alike.
In a significant milestone, VICA proudly supported Midwood Investment & Development as they spearheaded the transformation of the Sportsmen's Lodge hotel. The project, which received resounding approval from the Los Angeles City Council, represents a visionary shift toward mixed-use development. By replacing the hotel with a blend of apartments and commercial spaces, The Residences at Sportsmen's Lodge promises to inject new life into the heart of Studio City.
The development's near-unanimous approval by a 13-1 vote underscores the widespread recognition of the project's potential to catalyze economic growth and community vibrancy. Notably, including 78 affordable housing units among the 520 residences signals a commitment to fostering inclusivity and addressing the pressing need for accessible housing options in our city.
As we celebrate this milestone, VICA remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for projects that enhance the fabric of our community. Together, we're paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all residents of the San Fernando Valley and beyond.
| |
|
Connect SoCal Plan 2024
In a sweeping move to shape the future of transportation and development across Southern California, VICA has supported the Enter Connect SoCal 2024 plan. Presented at the Southern California Council of Governments, this ambitious blueprint for regional progress garnered near-unanimous approval from the board, signaling a unified commitment to advancing our collective vision for sustainable growth.
At its core, Connect Socal 2024 represents a comprehensive strategy to address the region's most pressing challenges while harnessing its vast potential for economic prosperity with an unprecedented $750 billion earmarked for transportation improvements.
The plan outlines a bold agenda encompassing everything from transit enhancements to infrastructure modernization. From the Inglewood Transit Connector to critical investments along the Interstate 710 Corridor, Connect SoCal 2024 promises to address various challenges while investing in the community, thus providing a holistic approach to regional development.
| |
VICA Board Takes Stances on Legislation and Projects | |
|
Senate Bill 1011 (Jones): Encampments: Penalties - SUPPORT
The VICA Board supports Senate Bill 1011, authored by Senator Jones. This critical piece of legislation addresses the complex issue of homelessness with compassion and pragmatism by prohibiting encampments close to essential public spaces.
SB 1011 is not merely about clearing spaces; it mandates a 72-hour notice before clearing encampments and ensures that enforcement officers guide those affected towards alternative accommodation and essential services, including mental health support. VICA believes SB 1011 will strike a delicate balance between maintaining public safety and helping those in need, thereby fostering safer and more welcoming communities for businesses and residents alike.
| |
|
Senate Bill 1434 (Durazo): Unemployment Insurance: benefits and contributions - OPPOSE
The VICA Board strongly opposes Senate Bill 1434, proposed by Senator Durazo. SB 1434's approach to supporting workers—by increasing the taxable wage base and introducing a new 0.5% payroll tax for an "Excluded Workers Fund"—poses a significant threat to small businesses.
These additional financial burdens risk job losses and discourage hiring at a time when businesses are grappling with multiple challenges. VICA advocates for addressing the structural issues within the unemployment insurance system through reform, not by imposing further taxes on the already strained small business sector.
| |
|
Senate Bill 2943 (Rivas-Zbur): Crimes: Shoplifting - SUPPORT
VICA also supports Assembly Bill 2943, introduced by Assemblymember Rivas-Zbur, which aims to combat the escalating challenge of organized retail crime in California.
AB 2943 is a pivotal move towards protecting retail businesses from significant losses by strengthening penalties and enhancing enforcement against the theft and possession of stolen goods. This legislation not only aims to curb the resale of stolen merchandise, particularly through online platforms, but also emphasizes rehabilitation for offenders, addressing the root causes of retail crime.
VICA believes AB 2943 will create a safer, more secure environment for retailers, their employees, and customers, contributing to the overall health of our retail industry and community safety.
| |
Business Life Column: The Long-Term Care Conundrum | |
|
It's an undeniable truth that getting old is just a part of the deal. And preparing for the financial realities of aging is a smart move. That's why the whole notion of California exploring some state-run, universal long-term care insurance programs seems a bit off. Do we need to mess with what's already in place or add more taxes? The reality is that we need to let the private market handle long-term care.
Long-term care insurance exists to cover the costs when you can't handle yourself anymore due to injury, illness, or just plain old age. These policies cover care at home and in (sometimes fancy) nursing facilities. The experts say it's best to snag this kind of insurance in your 50s and 60s before the premiums skyrocket and health problems start raining on your parade. Also, around 7 in 10 seniors are expected to need long-term care at some point in their lives. How fun.
To read the full article, click the link below.
| |
|
Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast
Friday, April 26
8:00 - 11:00 AM
Sheraton Universal Hotel
VICA's Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast brings together women from all walks of life to share their experiences and challenges in the businesses world, and their stories of overcoming the odds and leading successes.
VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsors California State University, Northridge and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, and Co-Sponsors Amazon, Cowe Communications, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Kaiser Permanente, SoCalGas, US Bank, and Wells Fargo!
| |
|
Sacramento Advocacy Days
Wednesday, April 10 | All Day
Wednesday, May 8 and 9 | Two Day Trip
VICA's regular advocacy trips to the State Capitol are crucial for ensuring that the voice of the business community is heard by legislators.
These members-only trips allow attendees to interact directly with statewide elected officials, discussing the issues that are vital to our members. Join VICA in Sacramento for one of our monthly advocacy trips, and don't miss this opportunity to have your voice heard on how legislation affects your company/organization!
| |
|
VICA University: New 2024 California Labor Laws
Thursday, April 11
8:30 to 10:30 AM
VICA Office
VICA invites you to an informative 90-minute program on Thursday, April 11, with Sue Bendavid from Lewitt Hackman, covering new employment laws for 2024.
Sue Bendavid represents employers in employment-related litigation, counseling, and transactions, including employee claims prevention and management training and individual and class action lawsuits. As a California employment attorney who advocates employer preparation and litigation prevention, Bendavid provides in-house training on sexual harassment, discrimination, hiring and firing practices, proper disciplinary methods, leave of absence management and other employee-related topics.
If you want to participate in our VICA University program, please click the button below to complete your registration. If this program does not directly benefit you but would benefit your company, please forward this information to your HR department.
| |
|
Land Use Committee
Tuesday, April 9
8:30 to 10:30 AM
Hosted by The Garland
RSVP
| |
|
Aviation Committee
Tuesday, April 16
Noon to 2:00 PM
Hosted by Aeroplex-Aerolease
RSVP
| |
|
Government Affairs Committee
Wednesday, April 17
Noon to 2:00 PM
At the VICA Office
RSVP
| |
|
Fast-Food Wage Hikes Go Into Effect
On Monday, a California law was enacted to increase wages to $20 an hour for fast food employees at chains that have more than 60 locations nationwide. The new, sector-specific minimum wage could help pull half a million California fast-food workers out of poverty, but could also add one more cost concern for lower-income residents, as some business owners have already said that they will hike prices to cover the mandate. The fast-food wage law kicks in as state lawmakers debate how to drive down Californians' high electricity bills and grapple with an insurance crisis that is raising costs for many homeowners.
$17 Billion Gets Cut from State Budget
California Governor Gavin Newsom and leaders of the State Senate and Assembly announced an agreement Thursday to cut $17 billion from the state budget in April, providing the first details of their plan to begin tackling the state's massive deficit. The plans call for delaying $1 billion in grant funding for transit and intercity rail projects, saving $762.5 million by pausing hiring for open state jobs and pulling back $500 million from a program to help districts pay for K-12 building projects, among other proposals to trim the shortfall now before additional cuts are made this summer.
| |
|
Metro Ridership Jumps in February
Ridership on LA Metro trains and buses rose significantly in February compared to the same time last year, marking the fifteenth consecutive month of increases, the transit agency reported on Thursday, April 4. Total ridership jumped 9.4% in February 2024 compared to February 2023, amounting to more than 23 million total boardings. Ridership on the system plummeted during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, as offices and schools closed and riders stayed home. LA Metro has been trying to get back to pre-pandemic levels, and the latest figures show that bus and rail ridership reached 81% of the 2019 levels.
Federal Bill to Turn Unused Govt Buildings Into Affordable Housing
On Tuesday, California Representatives Adam Schiff and Jimmy Gomez introduced a bill supporting the conversion of underutilized federal, state, and local government-owned buildings into affordable units. The lawmakers said that the bill would further incentivize efforts that help tackle two crises at once: empty office buildings and the lack of affordable housing. The bill would direct various federal agencies to identify vacant and underutilized buildings suitable for residential development, maintain a public sale list, and provide annual reports to Congress.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
| | | | |
