February 28, 2020

In This Issue
"The entertainment and creative industries are essential to our community and the Valley. It is part of who we are, and is a big driver of our economy."

- Assemblymember Jessie Gabriel during the Assembly Select Committee on Jobs and Innovation in the San Fernando Valley's hearing on "The State of the Entertainment Industry in Los Angeles."

Media Mentions

Our Lawmakers' Yearly Routine
February 24

Members 
_________________

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members 



(2015)


(1988)
__________________

 

(2019)


(2009)


(2015)
__________________

Greenberg Glusker
(2018)

Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
(1999)

Western Los Angeles County Council, Boy Scouts of America
(2014)


The Week Ahead

Aviation Committee
Wednesday, March 4
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Aerolease Associates Van Nuys East
7943 Woodley Ave.
Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP

Sports, Entertainment, Tourism, and Hospitality Committee
Thursday, March 5
8:30 to 10 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170
Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP

______________________
Save the Date

Access D.C.
Monday, March 9 to
Wednesday, March 11
Washington, D.C.
Click here to RSVP

Transportation Committee
Tuesday, March 10
8 to 10 a.m.
The Garland
4222 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood
Click here to RSVP

Healthcare Committee
Thursday, March 12
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Mission Community Hospital
14850 Roscoe Blvd.
Panorama City
Click here to RSVP

State Officeholders Dinner
Friday, March 13
5:30 to 9 p.m.
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City
Click here to RSVP

Sacramento Advocacy Day
Tuesday, March 17
All Day
Sacramento, CA
Click here to RSVP

Government Affairs Committee
Sponsored by Dolphin Group and Rodriguez Strategies
Wednesday, March 18
8:30 to 10 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170
Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP



Hot Issues 

2020 Elections
March 3 is Super Tuesday, which will include the California primaries for the first time. Don't forget to vote, and please click here
  to see where VICA stands on local elections and ballot measures.

Electric Vehicles
Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the order of 155 electric buses for the City of Los Angeles as part of the City's zero-emissions strategy. Most of the buses will be provided by BYD America and will be delivered beginning in March.

Independent Contractors
A San Diego Judge ruled in a preliminary injunction that the grocery delivery app Instacart's California-based shoppers should be classified as employees under AB 5. The San Francisco-based tech company will appeal the ruling.

Walt Disney Co.
Bob Iger, CEO and Chair of the Walt Disney Company, is retiring from his position and will be succeeded by Bob Chapek. Iger oversaw Disney's acquisition of major studios such as Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, and the launch of the Disney+ streaming service.

Housing Market
Housing prices in Southern California rose nearly 7 percent in January, as homebuyers chase after a shrinking supply of homes for sale in the region. HousingWire.com also reports that Los Angeles has become the least affordable housing market in the country, surpassing even New York and San Francisco.

  Coal Industry
Coal-producing, interior states are suing the coastal states of California and Washington to force ports to export coal to high-demand Asian markets.

Panorama Tower
On Thursday, Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez hosted the grand opening of the revitalized Panorama Tower. After being shut down due to the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, the renovated building now serves as a 194-unit apartment complex.

Polystyrene Ban
The Ventura City Council moved forward with prohibiting the use of polystyrene food containers in restaurants, joining similar bans in Santa Monice, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.


Fighting for the San Fernando Valley in Sacramento
James Garrison (Pacific Federal), Veronica Romero (Pacific Federal), VICA Chair Brad Rosenheim (Rosenheim and Associates), Assemblymember Luz Rivas, David Gonzalez (Association of Independent Commercial Producers), VICA Legislative Affairs Manager Armando Flores, VICA Board Member David Gershwin (David Gershwin Consulting), VICA President Stuart Waldman.

On Tuesday, VICA visited Sacramento for our February advocacy trip to meet with State Legislators where we spoke about significant issues on behalf of the San Fernando Valley's business community. 

VICA Delegation with Assemblymember Ash Kalra
The VICA delegation met with Assemblymembers Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, David Chiu, Laura Friedman, Jesse Gabriel, Tim Grayson, Ash Kalra, Tom Lackey, Al Muratsuchi, Luz Rivas and Shirley Weber, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva's staff, as well as Senator Scott Wiener.

During the meetings, the VICA delegation discussed our top legislative priorities for 2020 and our concerns regarding the legal status of independent contractors in California. Other issues VICA discussed included housing and ensuring flexibility in employee scheduling practices.

Thank you to all Assemblymembers, Senator Wiener and legislative staffers who met with VICA for their time and the opportunity to converse about issues that are important to residents and businesses in the San Fernando Valley. 


Friday, March 13, 2020
5:30 to 9 p.m.
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City

VICA invites you to dinner with your state lawmakers!
VICA provides a rare opportunity for Valley business leaders to connect with state lawmakers and enjoy an exciting program during its annual State Officeholders Dinner.

Confirmed speakers as of February 28, 2020

Assembylmembers
Richard Bloom
Wendy Carillo
Vince Fong
Laura Friedman
Jesse Gabriel
Tim Grayson
Chris Holden
Tom Lackey
Marc Levine
Adrin Nazarian
Luz Rivas
Blanca Rubio
Miguel Santiago
Christy Smith
Senator
Bob Hertzberg

Insurance Commissioner
Ricardo Lara

State Treasurer

Fiona Ma

Secretary of State
Alex Padilla

State Controller
Betty Yee


Vote 'Yes' to Fund Needed Improvements to Schools and Colleges
VICA supports the Public Preschool, K-12, and College Health and Safety Bond Act, designated as Proposition 13, which is a $15 billion general obligation bond measure to construct and improve facilities for public preschools, K-12 schools, community colleges and universities. Many California school and college facilities are in need of serious repairs. This bond measure would prioritize funding projects for improving a school's health and safety, and expansions that address school overcrowding. Given that many schools are underfunded, California must bolster its role in the state-local funding partnership for school facilities. Relying solely on local funding exacerbates existing inequalities. Bond measures are preferable to tax increases, and Prop 13 will benefit schools and higher education institutions in the San Fernando Valley.


Upcoming 2020 Trip Dates
Click one of the dates below to RSVP

VICA Delegation with Assemblymember Richard Bloom during the January 2020 Advocacy Trip.


VICA's regular advocacy trips to the State Capitol are crucial to ensuring the voice of the business community is heard by legislators.

These member-only trips allow direct interaction with state elected officials and create the freedom for discussion on issues that are vital to our members. Join VICA in Sacramento for one of our monthly advocacy trips.

The cost of the trip is $50, which includes lunch and group transportation between the airport and the Capitol. The cost of the flight is not included.

Sacramento Advocacy Trips are reserved for VICA members.

Measure N Will Preserve Affordable Housing in Calabasas
VICA supports Measure N - the Calabasas Neighborhood Preservation Initiative - which would help preserve affordable housing for 80 families while allowing the construction of 161 new units at the existing Avalon Calabasas property. With the ongoing housing and homelessness crises, the City of Calabasas cannot afford to lose these affordable housing units. Measure N would provide the City with an opportunity to contribute a meaningful amount of affordable and market-rate units consistent with its planning goals and state requirements.


ADDITIONAL COPIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

Directory compiled through January 2020. Data in this directory is subject to change. If you are interested in 10 or more copies, click here to fill out the order form.

CONTACT US TO RESERVE YOUR 2021 AD SPACE EARLY!
VICA Joins Panel to Discuss Keeping Production Jobs in Los Angeles
VICA President Stuart Waldman, Kerri Wood Einerston (SAG AFTRA), Melissa Patack (Motion Picture Association of America), and Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel, Laura Friedman, Luz Rivas and Adrin Nazarian.

This morning, the California State Assembly Select Committee on Jobs and Innovation in the San Fernando Valley held a hearing on the "State of the Entertainment Industry in Los Angeles." VICA President Stuart Waldman was invited to speak on a panel to discuss how to keep entertainment jobs in the San Fernando Valley, and the importance of incentive programs to keep and bring more TV and film productions to Los Angeles. Joining Waldman was Melissa Patack, Vice President of the Motion Picture Association of America, and Kerri Wood Einerston, Senior Public Policy Director of SAG AFTRA.
VICA Legislative Affairs Manager - Position Opening
VICA is looking for a Legislative Affairs Manager who will be responsible for advocating for business issues at the local, state and federal levels, as well as advocating policies, legislation and regulation that are conducive to a positive and successful business environment through the engagement of our members. 

If you or anyone you know would like to work for the most influential business group in the Valley, email a resume and cover letter to Armando@vica.com .

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 cathy@vica.com  or 
call (818) 817-0545.