September 29, 2017

In This Issue
"By creating innovative partnerships with the private sector, we can accelerate Measure M projects, and ease traffic across our region even more quickly than we expected."

- Los Angeles Mayor 
Eric Garcetti  
Media Highlights 
California affordable housing bills to get their final sign-off
September 29


Members  
VICA Welcomes Our New Members 

  Alstom

Express Employment Services

Priority Pak
 
Calendar 
Next Week 

Manufacturing Day
Hosted by U.S. Congressman Tony Cardenas 
Friday, Oct. 6
9 a.m. to Noon
North Valley Aviation Center
16550 Saticoy St, Van Nuys
Click here for more information. 

Over the Edge for Veterans
Hosted by Homes 4 Families
Saturday, Oct. 7 
All Day Event
Hilton Universal City
555 Universal Hollywood Dr., Universal City
Click here for more information.

Take on the Streets 2K & Family Festival
Hosted by Village Family Services
Sunday, Oct. 8
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
North Hollywood Park
Click here for more information.

Save The Date

Land Use Committee Meeting
Hosted by The Garland
Tuesday, Oct. 10
8 to 10 a.m.
The Garland 
4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood
Click here to RSVP

Leaders Forum with Senator Tammy Duckworth
Tuesday, Oct. 10
12:30 - 2 p.m.
Airtel Plaza Hotel
7227 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys
Click here for more information

Information Session on East Valley Transit Corridor
Hosted by Metro
Tuesday, Oct. 10
5:30 to 8 p.m.
Van Nuys State Building Auditorium
6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys
Click  here for more information

Manufacturing Committee Meeting
Hosted by Bobrick
Thursday, Oct. 12
8:30 to 10 a.m.
Bobrick Washroom 
6901 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood
Click  here to RSVP

Valley Cultural Center's Dancing With Our Valley Stars
Featuring VICA President Stuart Waldman
Friday, October 13
6 to 10 p.m.
Warner Center Marriott
21850 Oxnard St, Woodland Hills
Click here for more information. 

Government Affairs Committee Meeting
Hosted by Providence Tarzana Medical Center
Wednesday, Oct. 18
Noon to 2 p.m.
Providence Tarzana Medical Center
18321 Clark St., Tarzana
Click here to RSVP

Healthcare Committee Meeting 
Hosted by Valley Presbyterian Hospital
Thursday, Oct. 19
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Valley Presbyterian Hospital
15107 Vanowen St., Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

2017 Business Forecast Conference
Presented by Wells Fargo and SoCal Gas
Friday, Oct. 20
7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Hilton Universal City
555 Universal Dr, Universal City
Click here to RSVP

Great Futures Gala
Hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley
Friday, Oct. 27
6:30 p.m.
Warner Center Marriott Hotel
Click here for more information.

Hot Issues
Elections
In a bid by California to exert greater influence over the next presidential nominating contest, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation moving the state's 2020 primary election up three months to March.

Politics
Major backers of California's increased gas tax and vehicle registration fee sent letters earlier this month to the Republican House delegation threatening political repercussions if its 14 members join a campaign to overturn the road repair funding plan.

National Security
The first steps in what President Donald Trump hopes will be a new era in border security began Tuesday when construction crews broke ground on prototype designs for a border wall, starting a 30-day sprint to construct eight examples in a fenced-off area on Otay Mesa .

Education
LA Unified's scores on state standardized tests continue to fall below the state average, even though its students posted slightly better gains, according to results released Wednesday. In LA Unified, 39.55 percent of students tested proficient in English language arts and 29.86 percent of students were proficient in math.

Water
Southern California's water agency appeared ready to plow ahead with the Delta tunnels project Tuesday, despite a "no" vote by a giant bloc of San Joaquin Valley farmers that could doom the $17 billion proposal. 

Development
One of Southern California's longest-running and ugliest development battles ended in a historic truce Monday when environmental groups agreed to a deal that will allow a new city of 58,000 residents to rise in the Santa Clarita Valley.
The pact clears perhaps the largest remaining hurdle for the Newhall Ranch project

Tax Reform
The Republican tax overhaul has a lot for businesses to like - and a lot of unanswered questions for everyone else. According to the plan, many businesses would see a huge reduction in their tax bills and many middle-class Americans would see tax relief. The plan would reduce the number of individual tax brackets to three from seven and nearly double the standard deduction.
Governor Brown Signs Key Housing Bills
This morning, Governor Jerry Brown is signing a package of bills aimed at addressing the housing crisis in California. VICA has strongly supported action to improve the supply and affordability of housing.  For decades, developers have faced abuse of environmental laws and convoluted local planning processes that have prevented them from building the housing this state desperately needs. This package of bills is the right step forward to begin addressing the crisis. 

VICA thanks the Legislature and Governor Brown for their hard work on delivering a package of bills that addresses the systematic issues driving this crisis.  Bills such as SB 35, SB 167, and SB 540 help streamline housing development while others, including SB 2 and AB 74, will assist families in need of affordable housing.
Please join us in welcoming
Tammy Duckworth
U.S. Senator, D-Illinois

Tuesday, October 10, 2017
12:30 - 2 p.m.
The Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7227 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys

Join us as we meet U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth for a Leaders Forum on Tuesday, October 10. Senator Duckworth was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016 after representing Illinois's Eighth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for two terms. She serves on the Environment & Public Works Committee; the Energy & Nautral Resources Committee; the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee; and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee. Senator Duckworth is an Iraq War Veteran, Purple Heart recipient and former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. She served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring from military service in 2014. Senator Duckworth attended college at the University of Hawaii and earned a Master of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University. 
We Need You: Ask Governor Brown to Take Action on Issues Affecting our Community
Register Now for VICA's 2017 Business Forecast Conference
Keep the Valley on Track to a 21st Century Transportation System

On October 7, 2017, join Habitat for Humanity SF/SCV and Homes 4 Families in going Over the Edge for Veterans - a chance for the most daring donors to rappel down the Hilton Universal City. 100 percent of the funds you raise will help build homes and provide services for veteran families in North Los Angeles County. Click here to register or explore sponsorship opportunities, or call Donielle DeLeon at (818) 884-8808.


Member Messages:
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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 Helene@vica.com  or 
call (818) 817-0545.