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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
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- California Legislature Returns to Session
- VICA Wants Your Top 10 Priorities for 2025
- VICA Advocates at City Hall
- VICA Members get LADWP Facility Tour
- BOIR Compliance for Small Businesses
- VICA's 2025 Board of Directors and Executive Committee
- VICA is seeking Committee Sponsors
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"California is where the nation meets the Pacific Ocean, and our future. We feed the country and supply the world. We export everything from minerals to movies to medical miracles. Californians are always reaching, always discovering, and always delivering - and the California State Senate is proud to represent them every day."
California Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire
Statement at the beginning of the new state legislative session
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California Legislature is Back in Session! | |
Photo: Kevin Sanders For California Globe | |
The new California Legislature convened its first session on Monday, marking the beginning of a busy legislative term. All 80 Assembly Members were sworn in, including 23 new Members, 12 of whom are women. In the Senate, 20 Members took the oath of office, with 12 new Senators, 7 of whom are women, and eight former Assembly Members. The California Senate will also be the first time that at least 50% of women in the legislature have reached gender parity for the first time in history.
On the first day, legislators introduced 97 regular session bills—63 Assembly Bills (ABs) and 34 Senate Bills (SBs). Of these, 24 were intent bills, and 6 were spot bills. Three special session bills and one constitutional amendment were also introduced.
As we move into 2025, we look forward to engaging and actively advocating for our members and community throughout this legislative session.
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VICA Wants Your TOP 10 Priorities for 2025 | |
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We need your input! As we prepare for the upcoming year, we’re asking members to complete a quick survey to select the VICA 10 Legislative Priorities from the list approved by the Board of Directors. Your feedback ensures that our advocacy efforts reflect the issues that matter most to you and your industry.
Use the button below to participate in the survey and make your voice heard!
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VICA's Week of Advocacy at City Hall | |
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Helinet Aviation Leasing Agreement Confirmed by City Council - A VICA Victory!
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council approved the VICA-supported leasing agreement for Bonseph Helinet, LLC at Van Nuys Airport. This $26 million investment will revitalize the site, create over 100 high-wage local jobs, and comply with CALGreen Tier One standards.
Bonseph Helinet’s strong track record of supporting children’s hospitals and law enforcement highlights their commitment to community service. The new lease will address the deteriorating facilities, enabling a move to a modern space that enhances operations and benefits the local economy.
We congratulate Bonseph Helinet on this milestone and look forward to supporting Van Nuys Airport and our members who serve the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles region.
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VICA Advocates Against Over-Regulation at Housing & Homelessness Committee
On Wednesday, VICA joined other advocates and business groups at the LA City Council Housing & Homelessness Committee to oppose proposed restrictions to the City's Home-Sharing Program. Most speakers voiced strong concerns about over-regulation, signaling that LA residents and short-term rental providers are increasingly frustrated with unnecessary limitations on home-sharing.
The proposed ordinance, which includes eliminating extended home-sharing permits for rentals exceeding 120 nights annually, threatens to reduce vital revenue streams for the city and limit residents' ability to earn supplemental income. VICA emphasized that home-sharing supports Los Angeles' tourism ecosystem, generating millions in tax revenue, and ensures sufficient lodging for major upcoming events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
VICA remains committed to advocating for responsible policies that support home-sharing and protect LA's economic vitality.
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EEMU Committee Tours Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant | |
VICA Members with LADWP staff | |
On Thursday, VICA’s Energy, Environment, Manufacturing, and Utilities (EEMU) Committee toured the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant at the iconic Japanese Garden. Members had the unique opportunity to explore the facility’s water treatment process and learn about its critical role in the region's water recycling and sustainability efforts.
The tour also included a walk through the serene Japanese Garden, offering members a chance to experience the harmony of nature alongside innovative infrastructure. VICA thanks LADWP for hosting this informative and engaging experience.
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Membership Dues: The Cost of Driving Change | |
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As the leading business advocacy organization in Southern California, VICA remains unwavering in its commitment to advancing our members’ economic prosperity and opportunities. This commitment is reflected in our impactful legislative advocacy, strong civic leadership representation, and meaningful community engagement. However, sustaining and expanding this vital advocacy work requires financial support, leading to a necessary adjustment in membership dues for 2025.
We understand that any increase may bring challenges, so we are offering an option to lock in your 2024 dues rate for an additional year. To take advantage of this opportunity, simply pay the full amount by December 31, 2024. For details about the updated 2025 rates or to secure your 2024 rate, please contact jessica@vica.com. Your continued partnership enables VICA to champion the priorities that matter most to our members and our region.
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Membership Level
Basic Membership:
Circle of Influence:
Business Leader:
Bronze:
Silver:
Gold:
Platinum:
Premier:
President:
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2024 Rate
$850
$1,400
$1,950
$3,000
$6,000
$9,000
$12,000
$17,000
$27,000
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2025 Rate
$950
$1,500
$2,100
$3,250
$6,500
$10,000
$13,000
$18,000
$28,000
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Are you interested in Sponsoring a VICA Committee? | |
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We’re looking for sponsors to support our committees in 2025!
Committee sponsorship opportunities are a great way to support VICA’s mission while gaining valuable visibility among industry leaders. You can choose to share sponsorship with others or become the sole sponsor for exclusive recognition.
Use the button below to view the form and express your interest in becoming a sponsor!
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VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members | |
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Renewing Members:
New Member:
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Landlords are Using AI to Raise Rents — and California Cities are Leading the Pushback
Landlords using RealPage’s rent-setting software face accusations of price-fixing, driving up rents across California. Federal prosecutors and eight states, including California, have filed antitrust lawsuits against RealPage, alleging it manipulates landlords’ data to inflate prices. San Diego, following San Francisco’s lead, is drafting legislation to ban algorithmic rent-setting tools. Critics argue the software exacerbates housing costs, while RealPage defends its technology as pro-competitive. Meanwhile, tenants struggle with escalating rents, highlighting affordability issues statewide. Read more.
Trump’s Looming Economic Shadow
California legislative leaders Robert Rivas and Mike McGuire opened their session by addressing economic issues, emphasizing affordability alongside progressive values like abortion and LGBTQ rights. Rivas highlighted housing affordability as a key civil rights issue and called for investigations into energy costs and housing oversight. With a legislative supermajority at risk and competition from Gov. Newsom’s agenda, the focus on cost-of-living reflects efforts to resonate with constituents’ economic anxieties while maintaining a progressive stance against Trump policies. Read more.
Newsom Puts a Price on Resisting Trump
Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a $25 million legal defense fund to counter President-elect Donald Trump’s policies, aiming to protect California’s investments, such as federal grants and clean air protections. Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel introduced two bills allocating $25 million for litigation and $500,000 for initial preparations. Newsom cited previous successful lawsuits against Trump’s administration and plans to collaborate with lawmakers to refine the legislation. Republicans criticized the initiative, with Carl DeMaio introducing a symbolic opposing bill. Read more.
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LA County, PACE Launch Grant Program for Small Businesses
Los Angeles County has launched the Economic Opportunity Holiday Grant Program, offering $584,000 in grants to small businesses and nonprofits recovering from the pandemic. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and State Office of the Small Business Advocate, the program builds on $55.7 million in grants already awarded this year. Applications opened on Small Business Saturday and run through New Year's, with funds distributed in February 2025. Details are available at opportunity.lacounty.gov. Read more.
New LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman Takes Office
Nathan Hochman was sworn in as Los Angeles County’s 44th District Attorney, succeeding George Gascón, after winning nearly 60% of the vote. Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, advocates a "hard middle approach," balancing proportional punishment without mass incarceration. On his first day, he pledged to reinstate sentencing enhancements, allow prosecutors to attend parole hearings, and address issues like homelessness, fentanyl, and organized crime. Hochman also plans to review the Menendez brothers' resentencing case. Read more.
LA Council Adopts Sanctuary City Ordinance to Thwart Trump Immigration Enforcement
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted a sanctuary city ordinance prohibiting city resources from aiding federal immigration enforcement. The measure codifies protections for undocumented migrants, aligning with California’s SB 54 and LAPD’s Special Order 40. Exceptions allow police cooperation with ICE for violent felonies involving reentry after deportation, invoked only twice since 2018. The ordinance responds to President-elect Trump’s immigration policies and reinforces LA's longstanding commitment to protecting immigrant communities. Read more.
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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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