"We're working on new criteria, more prescriptive criteria, more dynamic criteria, as it relates to our health order statewide, as it relates to reopening business sectors in the state."
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Media Mentions
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Coronavirus-triggered Indoor Ban Angers Valley Salons, But Only a Few are Moving Outside
Los Angeles Daily News
August 17
L.A. Council Votes to Mull Supporting Closure of Natural Gas Storage Facility MyNewsL.A. August 15
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Burst of Activity in the State Legislature
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As the California Legislature heads towards its final week of the 2020 legislative session, VICA continues to actively advocate for issues impacting the San Fernando Valley during these difficult times. During marathon sessions in both the State Assembly and State Senate, many bills were heard in the Appropriations committees of both Houses.
VICA was pleased bills which would have hurt businesses failed to pass out of committee. Bills such as AB 398 (Chu), which proposed a head tax on businesses, and AB 345 (Muratsuchi), which would have heavily disrupted California's vital energy supply. However, VICA is disappointed that the Legislature declined to move forward with desperately-needed bills such as SB 902 (Wiener) and SB 995 (Atkins), which could have sped up housing construction in California. VICA is also disappointed that the Legislature did not move forward with SB 1410 (Caballero), a potential solution to the issue of rent which would have provided financial relief to both tenants and property owners.
Several VICA supported bills are now in the final stretch and are awaiting approval on the floors of both Legislative Houses. VICA urges you to send letters supporting the following bills: - SB 1085 (Skinner) would expand Density Bonus Law in order to help stimulate more housing construction.
- AB 323 (Rubio) would extend AB 5 exemptions for newspapers and news websites in order to ensure local journalism can continue providing critical information to Valley businesses and residents.
- AB 1845 (L. Rivas) would create a Governor's Office to End Homelessness in order to centralize state efforts to address the housing and homelessness crises.
Some bills that VICA opposes have also passed their respective committees and will be heard next week. VICA urges you to ask the Legislature to oppose these bills:
- SB 977 (Monning) would strain access to health care by creating burdensome regulations on health care mergers and affiliations.
- SB 1159 (Hill) would create an onerous rebuttable presumption that any employee testing positive for COVID-19 must receive workers' compensation.
- AB 3216 (Kalra) would impose a statewide right of recall on the hospitality, aviation and event services industries, tying the hands of many California employers.
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| Senator Bob Hertzberg inducts the 2020 Board of Directors |
VICA's 2021 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 a wide variety of 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.
For more information on the 2021 Board of Directors guidelines, click here.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating on the board in 2021, please click on the nomination form below and submit to Jessica@vica.com. If you don't want to serve on the board, but are interested in serving as a committee chair, please let us know that on the nomination form. Applications are due by Friday, September 18.
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City Council Wants to Shut Down Natural Gas Facilities and Cause More Blackouts
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This week, the Los Angeles City Council discussed a proposal to close down the Playa Del Rey natural gas storage facility, which has been amended and sent back to committee. VICA President, Stuart Waldman provided comments urging the City Council not to move forward with the motion at a time when the Los Angeles region is experiencing a major heat wave and blackouts. All energy sources are needed to meet household demands across the City, as many continue to work remotely to help fight the spread of COVID-19 and as families face the demands of school beginning remotely. Closing down any of the city's natural gas facilities would lead to more blackouts, disrupting Angelenos from connecting online and conducting their daily tasks. |
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 VICA member and is actively engaged in the organization currently.
- Has significant and long-term involvement in philanthropic and community/public serve organizations or a significant record in that area.
- Is a role model as a community leader
All Nominee forms must be submitted via email to Cathy@vica.com by Friday, September 18, 2020.
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Welcome VICA's New Legislative Affairs Associate
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Meet VICA's Legislative Affairs Associate, Kayla Koerting!
Kayla is a recent graduate of USC, where she received her B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Law. As a Southern California native, she is passionate about protecting the natural beauty and economic success of our state. With a love for learning and legislation, Kayla is excited to be part of the VICA team!
Fun Facts: Kayla has spent 33 weeks abroad in the last three years. During her free time, she loves going to the beach to spot harbor seals and going to the San Diego Zoo!
You can reach Kayla at kayla@vica.com |
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
4 to 6 PM
via Remo Video Conference
Mitch O'Farrell
Los Angeles City Councilmember
Relax, mix and mingle with other VICA members and other prominent business leaders in the Valley in Virtual VICA After Dark!
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Government Affairs (8/19) Sponsored by Dolphin Group and Rodriguez Strategies
- The committee recommended to support Proposition 14 - the Stem Cell Research Bond Initiative.
- The committee recommended to oppose Proposition 18 - the Primary Voting for 17-Year-Olds Amendment.
- The committee recommended to support Proposition 19 - the Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions, and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment.
- The committee recommended to support Proposition 22 - the App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative.
- The committee recommended to support Proposition 25 - the Replace Cash Bail with Risk Assessments Referendum
- The committee recommended to support Measure RR - the Los Angeles Unified School District Facilities Bond Measure.
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Member Messages:
Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!
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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 cathy@vica.com or
call (818) 817-0545.
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