February 1, 2019
Our office building was struck by lightning Thursday morning, and our server (including all files, email, and phone systems) were temporarily down until this morning. If you tried to call or email the VICA Office during the outage, please try contacting us again and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.


In This Issue
"Class sizes are too large and students aren't getting the support they need, but we're implementing across the board one-size fits all solutions that don't address underlying equity concerns."

- Nick Melvin discussing the LAUSD Board's resolution for a moratorium on charter schools
Media Mentions

Alumnus Stuart Waldman Effects Change and Brings Prosperity to the Valley and Beyond
January 29 

L.A. plan would guarantee 18 weeks of parental leave
January 29

LA City Councilmembers sign motion directing city attorney to draft paid parental leave ordinance
89.3 KPCC
January 30

VICA Office Closes After Lightning Strike
January 31


Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Member
____________________

BRONZE MEMBER

(2011)
__________________

Demsher Civil Engineering
(1995)

Exceptional Minds
(2015)

Golden State Gateway Coalition
(2005)

Homes 4 Families
(2005)

Port of Los Angeles
(2013)
__________________

VICA Welcomes Our New Members
__________________

RiseUp Technologies

 
Calendar

The Week Ahead

Labor & Employment Committee
Hosted by Sunhill Properties Hilton Universal City
Wednesday, Feb. 6
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Hilton Universal City
555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City
Click here to RSVP

Education Committee
Thursday, Feb. 7
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP
Host or sponsor this committee by clicking here

Save the Date

Land Use Committee
Hosted by The Garland
Tuesday, Feb. 12
8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The Garland
4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood
Click here to RSVP

Sacramento Advocacy Day
Wednesday, Feb. 13
Sacramento
Click here to RSVP

Energy Environment & Utilities Committee
Sponsored by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Thursday, Feb. 14
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Government Affairs Committee
Hosted by Penny Lane Centers
Wednesday, Feb. 20
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Penny Lane Centers
Witherbee Hall
15314 Rayen Street, North Hills
Click  here to RSVP

State Officeholders Dinner
Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal
Friday, Feb. 22
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sound Stage 29 Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
Click here to RSVP




Hot Issues 

Transportation
Metro launched a one-year pilot program Monday with a private ride-hailing service called Via. The program will offer those living near the El Monte, Artesia and North Hollywood Metro stations a ride similar to those from Uber or Lyft but at a fraction of the cost.

Energy
PG&E filed for bankruptcy protection in anticipation of huge legal costs related to wildfires. Experts predict higher energy costs for Californians.

Education
The Los Angeles Unified School Board approved a new teachers contract despite concerns that it places the struggling system at increased financial risk.

DMV
Election officials now concede that the DMV was not ready to launch the state's new Motor Voter program in April. Despite being told the program was not ready, the state proceeded anyway.

Water
Wet conditions across the state have filled reservoirs and have brought the Sierra snowpack back to its historical average . This is good news for California's water supply.




Defending High Quality Education Choices for Valley Students
As the fall out from the UTLA strike continues for Los Angeles schools, VICA President Stuart Waldman spoke out against a resolution passed by the Los Angeles Board of Education that calls for a moratorium on new charter schools, saying that a  healthy public education system innovates, offers a diversity of school models and is committed to offering the best options for students. Charter schools - along with magnet, pilot and partnership schools - are partners in LAUSD's efforts to provide quality education options to students.  An evaluation of all programs in LAUSD would be appropriate and should be created, but a ban of one specific program, which has proven to work, is both short sighted and inappropriate.  VICA was disappointed that the resolution passed, and thanks Board Vice President Nick Melvoin for voting against taking choice away from Valley students and their parents.

Spotlight on VICA Committee Leadership
Mary Rosas is the Chair of VICA's Energy, Environment & Utilities Committee.

As Director of Public Affairs for California Resources Corporation (CRC), Mary is responsible for managing local government relations and aligning with key stakeholders in the Los Angeles Basin. In addition, she develops  partnerships with community organizations and policy groups to highlight how energy impacts quality of life issues like housing, jobs and transportation and the importance of affordable, reliable and safe domestic in-state energy production.

How is VICA valuable to you or your business?
California's local and state policymakers often don't draw together how one public policy can have an unintended consequence on another area and VICA helps address energy policy and the impact these policies will have on families and business owners. VICA's influence has allowed CRC to deliver great information to elected officials and government departments.

Why should members consider becoming more involved with the Energy, Environment & Utilities Committee?
All Californians need to stay informed on the costs and benefits of energy sources so they can plan accordingly and not be surprised when there are rate increases or mandates. Our committee monitors energy policy for Californians to ensure that these policies are fair and balanced, understanding that all forms of energy have benefits and costs.

The Energy, Environment & Utilities Committee's next meeting is on February 14.
 
Learn more about VICA committees by clicking here.


Los Angeles County Supervisor 
Sheila Kuehl
3rd Supervisorial District

Friday, March 22, 2019
11:30 - 1:30 p.m. 
Sportsmen's Lodge - Starlight Room, 12833 Ventura Blvd., Studio City

Leaders Forums give attendees the opportunity to converse with leaders in an intimate setting. On March 22, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl will discuss the Woosley Fire and its aftermath. Supervisor Kuehl will take time to answer members' questions and give members an overview of what to expect in 2019.

Co-sponsored by Metro.

Sponsorships are available - email [email protected] or call (818) 817 0545.

LA City Council Considers Motion for Employer-Funded Fully Paid Parental Leave
On Tuesday, Councilmembers Nury Martinez and David Ryu introduced a motion to require 18 weeks of fully-paid family leave in the City of Los Angeles. While the motion calls for reports to fill in more detail, the motion proposes that employers pay the difference between California benefits and full pay for 18 weeks, effectively 30-40 percent of new parents' salaries. VICA understands the importance of new parent bonding with their infant children and supporting employees who are parents, but has strong concerns about placing the full burden on City of Los Angeles employers. 

SCAQMD Votes on Ban on Modified Hydrofluoric Acid
The South Coast Air Quality Management Board is voting today on a proposal to ban refineries' use of  Modified Hydroflouric Acid (MHF) with Proposed Rule 1410, which would cost thousands of jobs and increase gasoline prices by an estimated 26 cents per gallon .  VICA is at the SCAQMD Board meeting, saying that an MHF ban would cost thousands of jobs in Southern California. We look forward to working with SCAQMD to develop a plan to enhance and implement new safety measures to address the risks associated with MHF.

For more information, email [email protected]



VICA invites you to dinner with your state lawmakers!

Friday,  February 22, 2019
5:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
Universal Studios Hollywood,  Sound Stage 29

Don't miss this fun opportunity for Valley business leaders to connect with state lawmakers during our annual State Officeholders Dinner. Join over 400 Valley business leaders and state elected officials in a relaxed and informal setting.

Confirmed Speakers
as of 2/1/19:
Senators
Ben Allen
Steven Bradford
Bob Hertzberg
Holly Mitchell


Assemblymembers
Laura Friedman
Jesse Gabriel
Tim Grayson
Reggie Jones-Sawyer
Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Luz Rivas
Miguel Santiago
Christy Smith
Statewide Elected Officials
Controller Betty Yee
Member of the Board of Equalization Mike Schaefer


Sponsorships are still available - email [email protected] or call (818) 817-0545.
Click here to RSVP
The IDEAL Conference 2019 is the ultimate experience for small business owners and non-profit professionals in the San Fernando Valley! Attendees will: discover new and proven strategies of methodization that will transform their work, hear from many inspiring speakers including Shiza Shahid, Co-Founder of the Malala Fund & Founder of NOW Ventures, and choose from over 24 break-out sessions in leadership, marketing and technology! Register for this inaugural conference April 3-4.

 

Click here to register
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.