February 23, 2018

In This Issue
" California is the 6th largest economy in the world. We're the global hub of innovation and the largest farm state in the country. We're creating jobs and driving the nation's economy. " 

- US  Senator Dianne Feinstein
Media Highlights
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LA  County leaders approve millions for more than 500 affordable homes, but say it's not enough to keep pace with homelessness,
February 20

LA County leaders seek a plan to boost the supply of affordable housing
February 20


Members 

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members

Platinum Members
(2012)


Motion Picture Association of America (2012)


VICA Welcomes Our New Members

Ruth's Chris Steak House

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Westcon Engineering, Inc.

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Courtney Torres Consulting, Inc.

Calendar
The Week Ahead

Newsmaker Connection- AD 45 Forum
Mon. Feb 26
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP
______________________

Save the Date

Newsmaker Connection- AD 39 Forum
Tues. March 6
8:30 - 10 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, 
Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP

Aviation Committee
Wed. March 7
Noon to 1:30 pm
Aerolease Associates
7943 Woodley Ave,
Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Entertainment Committee
Thurs. March 8
8:30 to 10 am
VICA Office 
16600 Sherman Way, 
Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

State Officeholders Dinner
Fri. March 9
5:30 to 8:30 pm
The Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood
1000 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
Click here to RSVP

Access D.C.
March 13-15
All Day
Washington, D.C.
Click here to RSVP

Sacramento 
Advocacy Day
Tues. March 20
Sacramento, CA
Click here to RSVP

Ambassador Committee
Wed. March 28
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, 
Suite 170, Van Nuys


View VICA's 2018 Event Calendar
HERE 

Hot Issues 

Education
Despite an improving economy and new efforts to recruit teachers, California's teacher shortage is showing no signs of easing up.

Water
Amid one of California's driest winters in modern history, state water regulators are considering making permanent the water-wasting rules that were in effect during the last drought. 

Housing
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion asking the county to draft four ordinances that would seek to preserve and increase the number of affordable housing units in unincorporated areas. VICA voiced strong concerns about a potential inclusionary housing ordinance.

Homelessness
Mayors from California's largest cities, including Los Angeles, are asking state lawmakers to provide $1.5 billion to help address the growing homeless crisis

Economy
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell to a near 45-year low last week, pointing to strong job growth in February and solid momentum in the economy.

Higher Education
The University of California announced an expansion of its online learning program that provides high school students with free access to courses required for admission into state universities. The UC Scout program will now offer 65 online classes and 26 Advanced Placement classes. 



Inclusionary Housing Laws Proposed for LA County Could Worsen Housing Crisis

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors introduced a motion to instruct the Department of Regional Planning to prepare four ordinances related to housing. VICA commends the work the County is doing to help address the housing crisis, but voiced strong concerns about a potential inclusionary housing ordinance. Incusionary housing policies require a certain percentage of units to be set aside as affordable housing, meaning the cost of market-rate units is increased to subsidize the affordable units. Inclusionary housing will make it even more expensive to build housing in Los Angeles, restricting the supply and making housing even less affordable for working families. Los Angeles County is in dire need of more housing, but inclusionary housing threatens to undermine efforts that will help address the housing crisis. At the hearing, VICA urged the Board of Supervisors to fully consider the impact that policy decisions such as this could have on overall housing production.    
    
Feedback on draft City Economic Development Strategy

The City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department has prepared a draft Citywide Economic Development Strategy and Five-year Implementation Plan. The Strategy addresses a range of goals and objectives including: robust economic growth for the City's residents; enhanced economic competitiveness for businesses and industry sectors; broadly-shared prosperity and wealth; and access to opportunity. Your feedback is critical to help the City identify the importance of various business, workforce, and community issues, as well as actions that the City's economic development strategy should prioritize. Complete the City's survey to make sure the Valley's business concerns are heard.
VICA Welcomes New Members

Today, VICA hosted a 'New Members Breakfast' attended by over 30 new members. The meeting, catered by new member Sweet Lady Jane, provided an overview of VICA's services for members, annual events, legislative advocacy process and also provided an opportunity for members to network. VICA Vice Chair Ross Pendergraft ( Leavitt Group) and Ambassador Committee Chair Matt Swearman ( Child360) gave welcoming remarks and spoke about the professional and personal benefits they have enjoyed as part of their VICA membership. New members represent the diversity of the industries that help drive economic growth in the Valley and throughout Los Angeles, including educational institutions, manufacturers, restaurants, financial and insurance services, and many more. 
Committee Reports

Government Affairs (2/21)
Hosted by Providence Tarzana Medical Center
  • Paul Silvern, HR&A Advisors presented information on the draft Los Angeles City Economic Development Strategy and heard feedback from the committee.
  • The committee recommended to support Proposition 70, which relates to cap and trade revenue expenditure plans.
  • After a lively discussion, the committee recommended to oppose SB 227, which would allow Californian's to 'donate' their state income tax and claim the charitable donation deduction on their federal tax returns.
  • The committee also recommended to oppose SB 1394, which would require signature gatherers for initiatives to be voluntary or paid on an hourly basis, not per-signature. 
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 Helene@vica.com  or 
call (818) 817-0545.