VICA Weekly: Assembly Committee Stops Anti-Development Rent Control Bill

January 12, 2018

In This Issue

"You need a politics of truth-telling. And the truth is we've got a lot of big challenges."

- Governor Brown, as he presented his 16th and final budget

Media Highlights

VICA Releases 2018 Legislative Priorities

Valley News Group,

January 4, 2018

Utilities Commission Postpones Vote on Gas Hookups

San Fernando Valley Business Journal

January 12, 2018

New Members

VICA Welcomes our New Member

____________________

Renewed Members

VICA Thanks Our Members

____________________

(Member since 1997)

__________________

(Member since 1998)

(Member since 2016)

(Member since 2013)

Calendar

The Week Ahead

Government Affairs Committee

Wed., Jan 17

Noon to 1:30 pm

Providence Tarzana Hospital

18321 Clark St.

Tarzana

Click here to RSVP

______________________

Save the Date

Sacramento Advocacy Trip

Wed., Jan 24

All Day

Sacramento, CA

Click here to RSVP

Ambassador Committee

Wed., Jan 24

8:30 to 10 am

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

Education Committee

Thurs. Feb 1

8:30 to 10 am

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys

Click here to RSV

View VICA's 2018 Event Calendar

HERE

Hot Issues

Cannabis

A state lawmaker is reviving a proposal

that would make California a so-called "sanctuary state" for marijuana. The bill seeks to prevent state and local agencies from helping federal drug enforcement agencies target the state's burgeoning marijuana industry without a federal court order.

Education

LA USD Supt. Michelle King, who has been on a medical leave since September, announced that she has cancer, and will not be returning to the district. She will officially retire by June.

Higher Education

Gov. Brown wants California to launch its first fully online public community college to help 2.5 million young adults without college credentials gain skills for better jobs and greater economic mobility.

Politics

A flurry of Republican retirements in recent weeks has further weakened the party's hold on the House heading into the midterms . California Reps. Darrell Issa and Ed Royce both bailed on their reelection campaigns, bringing the total of Republican-held open seats to 29 districts.

State Budget

California has a

projected $6.1 billion budget surplus and $131.7 billion to spend in 2018-19, Gov. Jerry Brown revealed. He made dire predictions of the next recession and proposed stockpiling the vast majority of the extra cash to make the next downturn less painful.

Energy

On Wednesday, the California Public Utilities Commission postponed a planned vote for a moratorium on new natural gas connections for businesses and commercial properties throughout most of Los Angeles County. VICA has strongly opposed this moratorium and the delay represents a partial victory for the business community.

VICA Win: Assembly Committee Stops

Anti-Development Rent Control Bill

VICA applauded the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee for their vote on AB 1506 (Bloom), which would have repealed the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. VICA strongly opposed this bill, which would have allowed rent control to be imposed on new developments. VICA President Stuart Waldman commented, saying "Today's action was a smart decision and demonstrates that rent control is not a solution to the California housing crisis."

Read the full statement here.

Join VICA in Sacramento!

Join VICA in 2018 as we continue to visit Sacramento for our monthly advocacy trips!

These member-only trips allow direct interaction with state elected officials and create the freedom for discussion on issues that are vital to the business community.

2018 Trip Dates

January 24	February 6
March 20	April 17

May 23-24 we will be having our 2 day Advocacy Trip. More information to follow.

More dates TBA

Click here to reserve your spot for one of VICA's advocacy trips!

Two Bills Aimed to Help Employers and Employees Stumbles

Two important labor bills failed to move forward this week, but VICA will continue to strongly advocate in support of AB 281, which would provide a 'right to cure' minor labor code violations before employees can bring a lawsuit under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), and AB 1173, which will allow employers and employees the flexibility to choose to work four shifts of ten hours without incurring overtime during the holiday period. Read VICA's comments in support of AB 1173 in the bill analysis here . AB 281 was pulled from the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee by the author, while AB 1173 did not receive enough votes to move out of committee. VICA will continue to advocate in support of PAGA reform and flexible scheduling.

Be Part of VICA's Delegation to D.C.

Join more than 200 civic and business leaders for the region's premier advocacy trip to the nation's capitol. Attendees will meet with Congress and senior Administration officials on priorities important to Southern California.

Trip Dates:

March 13-15

Early Bird registration fee: $750 (before February 13)

Registration fee after February 13: $850

Click here to reserve your spot for Access D.C.

Let's Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce with Career Technical Education

VICA strongly supports AB 1743, which would strengthen Career Technical Education (CTE) in California by extending the CTE Incentive Grant program through 2021.

CTE is a critical component in building the economy and growing employment. Students in CTE programs are gaining skills needed to fill positions in occupations facing talent shortages, such as skilled trade workers, drivers, office support staff, and technicians, among others. Industries that would benefit from a more skilled workforce include transportation, utilities, IT, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Extending the CTE Incentive Grant Program is a sustainable investment in California's education budget and will benefit students and the economy overall.

Click here to send a letter to your legislators.

Last Chance to Advertise in VICA's 2018 Government Handbook!

Extended until January 19th

RESERVE YOUR ADVERTISING SPACE TODAY!

The VICA Government Handbook is the San Fernando Valley and the Greater Los Angeles area's go-to guide for information about federal, state and local government officials and elected leaders. It is frequently used from Los Angeles to Sacramento and in Washington, D.C.

This year's edition will feature all the information you've come to expect for the Government Handbook, including detailed maps of City Council, Legislative and Congressional districts.

Download our rate sheet and reserve your ad space today!

Would You Like to Host or Sponsor a VICA Committee in 2018?

VICA is looking for members to host or sponsor

committee meetings for the upcoming year.

HOSTS : If your company can accommodate between 20 and 40 people comfortably, we may have a committee for you. As a host you will have an opportunity to say a few words of welcome and give members the chance to visit your site. You will also be listed on each agenda as the host and table cards will be provided at the meeting.

SPONSORS : If you have the financial wherewithal, but not a site, consider sponsoring the meeting at VICA. Please see the costs of sponsorships below. Your company would still get to welcome everyone at the meeting and would have their logo on the agendas.

Click here for more information on sponsorships.

Committee Reports

Transportation Committee (1/9)

Hosted by The Garland

David Mieger, Executive Officer for Transit Corridor Planning at Metro, discussed the proposed "28 by '28 Plan" to advocate for accelerated resources and identify projects for completion by the 2028 Olympics.
Abdollah Ansari, Senior Executive Officer for Construction and Engineering at Metro, discussed Metro's Highway Program and planned freeway improvements to relieve congestion.
The Committee recommended to support the California TransportationTaxes and Fees Lockbox Amendment, a ballot measure that will restrict the expenditure of vehicle taxes and fees to transportation purposes only.

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 [email protected] 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.