March 2, 2018

In This Issue
" California's homelessness crisis is a humanitarian emergency that shocks our conscience and compels all of us to act with urgency. " 

- Mayor of Los Angeles 
Eric Garcetti
Media Highlights
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Van Nuys Airport Association Announces New Appointment to 2018 Board of Directors,
February 26

 L.A. County Leaders Seek A Plan To Boost The Supply Of Affordable Housing
February 26

Debating Agoura Cornerstone
The Acorn,
February 28
Members 
_____________
VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members


(2017)


(2003)

___________________




(2005)
___________________

Gregory N. Lipp Accountancy Corporation
(2010)
· 
Union Pacific Railroad
(2011)
· 
Veronica Perez & Associates
(2013)
___________________

VICA 
Welcomes our New Members

Boys & Girls Club of the West San Gabriel Valley
· 
Wonolo

Calendar
The Week Ahead

Newsmaker Connection- AD 39 Forum
Tues. March 6
8:30 - 10 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, 
Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP

Aviation Committee
Wed. March 7
Noon to 1:30 pm
Aerolease Associates
7943 Woodley Ave,
Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP

Entertainment Committee
Thurs. March 8
8:30 to 10 am
VICA Office 
16600 Sherman Way, 
Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP

State Officeholders Dinner
Fri. March 9
5:30 to 8:30 pm
The Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood
1000 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
Click  here to RSVP

______________________

Save the Date

Access D.C.
March 13-15
All Day
Washington, D.C.
Click here to RSVP

AAGLA EVENT
Pop Champagne Bar & Restaurant
March 13, 4-7pm
Pasadena
Click here to RSVP

Sacramento 
Advocacy Day
Tues. March 20
Sacramento, CA
Click here to RSVP

Ambassador Committee
Wed. March 28
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, 
Suite 170, Van Nuys


View VICA's 2018 Event Calendar
HERE 

Hot Issues 

Higher Education
California's high school graduation rates have increased significantly in recent years, but the percentage of those students who complete their college education continues to lag.
 
Quality of Life
Californians have the worst quality of life, based on measures of natural and social environments, according to a new report by McKinsey & Company's Leading States Index.

Labor
Average hourly earnings for all private-sector employees last month grew at a 2.9% annual rate of increase, the most since 2009.   

Infrastructure
President Trump's $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan may not pass Congress this year, a key GOP lawmaker said.

Homelessness
Nearly two years after California lawmakers approved a $2-billion bond to help finance new housing for the state's homeless, not a penny has been spent, and it's unclear when any of the money will be available.

 
Taxes
The Board of Equalization rejected a 4-cent gas tax increase. Two Southern California board members said they did not want to hike fuel taxes so soon after the Legislature's adoption of a separate 12-cent per gallon gas tax that took effect in November. 

STEM
Granada Hills Charter High School's robotics team won the tournament championship at the California statewide VEX Robotics Competition and has qualified for the VEX World Championship.  


Assembly District 45 Candidates Discuss Business Climate With VICA Members

From left: Ankur Patel, Jesse Gabriel, VICA Chair Lisa Gritzner ( LG Strategies), Presenting Sponsor Samona Caldwell ( State Farm), Tricia Robbins Kasson
This week, candidates for the special Assembly District 45 election joined VICA members at a special Newsmaker Connection lunch. Jesse Gabriel, Tricia Robbins Kasson, and Ankur Patel answered questions on housing and rent control, California's regulatory climate, early childhood education, and transportation in the San Fernando Valley. Gabriel noted that "if we are not thoughtful about the business climate in California, then we're going to wake up and Austin is going to be the center of innovation and competitiveness." Robbins Kasson agreed, saying "the way that we...do business has changed quite a bit over time....I think we should take a look at those rules [on flex time, exempt status, etc] again and reformulate in a way to allow us to continue to grow as an economy. I would never want to do anything that leaves our workers unprotected, because in order for your business to grow, your workers need to grow with you." Patel emphasized that "it should be local jurisdictions which come up with how to deal with local housing solutions," saying he supported the repeal of the Costa-Hawkins Act, which would allow cities to impose rent control on new buildings. Our thanks to VICA Past Chair Coby King ( High Point Strategies) for moderating the discussion, and to Presenting Sponsor State Farm.

DMV Rules Ensure California Drives Innovation on Autonomous Vehicles

California is a global leader in self-driving car technology, which has largely been developed in the labs of our universities and technology companies. Autonomous vehicle technology has immense potential to bring greater efficiency to our systems of transportation and increase mobility, as well as save lives.
 
VICA has advocated to ensure that California's laws and regulations serve as a catalyst for continued innovation by providing a pathway to the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles for the public's use.
 
We welcome the recently-approved Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) regulations for autonomous vehicle testing and public use. These rules strike a balance between ensuring safety and maintaining California's lead in innovating transportation technology. VICA is pleased that the regulations serve to streamline and clarify the process for testing and deployment of driverless cars.

Last Chance to RSVP Today!
Oppose Unnecessary Limits on Efficient Vehicle Options
VICA opposes Assembly Bill 1745 (Ting), which would  prohibit the sale of any gasoline-powered cars in California after 2040. Beginning January 2040, the Department of Motor Vehicles would be banned from accepting the original registration of a motor vehicle unless it is a zero emissions vehicle (ZEV).  This bill unnecessarily limits mobility and transportation options for California families and businesses, and the burden would be felt by those who are unable to afford ZEVs. This bill undermines the progress California has made towards reaching its air quality goals by banning other efficient vehicle technologies. Currently, there are other vehicles available that drivers are purchasing that are not ZEVs, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Owners of these vehicles benefit from a rebate program and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are released into the air. Under this bill, these types of vehicles would be banned. AB 1745 is an impractical approach towards achieving California's air quality goals and would leave many Californians with an unaffordable choice for mobility and transportation.  
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