VICA Weekly: January 5, 2018

January 5, 2018

In This Issue

"We look for every opportunity to make sure that the interests of the people in our state are not infringed upon, and that would mean if the federal government tries to do something it shouldn't and can't, that we're ready to protect those interests and work with other states along the way," Becerra said.

- California Attorney General Becerra

Media Highlights

California Regulators Shift Views On Housing Near Freeways

Los Angeles Times ,

December 27

Regulators Warned Against Housing near Freeways Due To Health Risks. Now They're Warming To It.

Los Angeles Times,

December 27

Stuart Waldman In-Depth Interview On Building Within 500 ft Of Freeways.

McIntyre 790 KABC

December 29

Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members

____________________

(1993)

(2011)

(2012)

__________________

(2016)

(2013)

(2008)

(2012)

Calendar

The Week Ahead

Transportation Committee

Tue., Jan. 9

8 to 10 am

The Garland

4222 Vineland Ave.

North Hollywood

Click here to RSVP
______________________

Save the Date

Government Affairs Committee

Wed., Jan 17

Noon to 1:30 pm

Providence Tarzana Hospital

18321 Clark St.

Tarzana

Click here to RSVP

Sacramento Advocacy Trip

Wed., Jan 24

All Day

Sacramento, CA

Click here to RSVP

Ambassador Committee

Wed., Jan 24

8:30 to 10 am

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

View VICA's 2018 Event Calendar

HERE

Hot Issues

Tax Reform

A recently introduced California bill would allow taxpayers to make a charitable donation to the California Excellence Fund instead of paying certain state taxes. They could then deduct that contribution from their federal taxable income, skirting the new tax law.

Natural Resources

The White House unveiled a plan to open vast new stretches of federal waters to oil and gas drilling, setting up a conflict with state governments fearful about the risk of spills.

Federal Budget

Congressional leaders emerged from closed-door talks with White House officials claiming progress toward a budget deal but without any breakthroughs to announce, less than three weeks before another government funding deadline.

Ballot Measures

This year Californians will vote on ballot measures regarding affordable housing and park funding, how to divvy up cap-and-trade money, how to spend the state's new gas tax money, among others. VICA will soon be taking positions on these measures.

Zero-Emission Vehicles

A new bill in the state Legislature would prohibit

the sale of any gasoline-powered car in California after 2040.

Public Safety

Homicides and gun violence were down in Los Angeles in 2017, but violent crime was up for the fourth year in a row and property crime also ticked higher for the third year in a row.

Cannabis

Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week rescinded Obama-era protections for marijuana businesses. The news had some wondering what might happen to an industry that is expected to grow to $23 billion nationally by 2020 and create more than 280,000 jobs.

As we head into the new year, VICA is pleased to release our top legislative priorities for 2018.

VICA will push to reform and streamline the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
VICA will lead the effort for business tax reform in the City of Los Angeles, including implementation of the Business Tax Advisory Council's recommended plan to halve rates within five years and eliminate the onerous tax altogether within 15 years.
VICA will work to support acceleration of all Measure M-funded Transportation Metro projects.
VICA will work to ensure the Los Angeles Community Plan and General Plan Update positively impacts the San Fernando Valley and includes plans for the development of more housing.
VICA will work to ensure legislators keep the promise of SB 1 and only use new funds for road maintenance, infrastructure improvement and transportation projects.
VICA will call for reinstatement of the flexible work week that allows individual employees to request deviation from the 8-hour, five-day state mandate.
VICA will support education initiatives that create experiential career learning opportunities.
VICA will work to increase existing and identify new funding sources for clean air programs that protect public health while supporting business growth, including incentive programs that support AQMD's 2016 Air Quality Management Plan.
VICA will encourage the allocation of additional staffing for the Los Angeles City Planning Department to expedite the review and permitting processes developers face.
VICA will work to ensure the state definition of 'High Quality Transit' is sensitive to Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, and reevaluated to include Metro's Orange Line.

Join VICA in Sacramento!

Join VICA in 2018 as we continue to visit Sacramento for our monthly advocacy trips!

These member-only trips allow direct interaction with state elected officials and create the freedom for discussion on issues that are vital to the business community.

2018 Trip Dates:

January 24

February 6

More dates TBA

Click here to reserve your spot for one of VICA's advocacy trips!

Support Two Important Labor Bills to Reform PAGA and Allow Flexible Scheduling

Next week, the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee will be hearing two bills which are extremely important for employers. Assembly Bill 281, by Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield), would provide a 'right to cure' minor labor code violations before employees can bring a lawsuit under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). PAGA settlements can cost businesses millions of dollars, as each minor violation is multiplied by the number of employees affected and the length of time the inadvertent error was in place. Over 6,000 PAGA notices were filed last year, and although not every notice results in a lawsuit, some attorneys are using the notice to leverage a settlement based on the threat of costly litigation. Click here to email your support for AB 281.

AB 1173 by Assemblymember Matthew Harper (R-Huntington Beach) will allow employers and employees the flexibility to choose to work four shifts of ten hours without incurring overtime during the holiday period. This bill is a positive step to accommodate working families who may prefer different working patterns during the holiday season. AB 1173 creates options for employers and employees to create a mutually-beneficial schedule. AB 1173 retains overtime benefits for hours worked over forty hours a week or ten hours a day, and retains the eight-hour threshold during other times of the year. AB 1173 is a positive step for flexible scheduling and will help businesses meet the needs of their employees. Click here to email your support for AB 1173.

Join VICA for Access D.C!

Join more than 200 civic and business leaders for the region's premier advocacy trip to the nation's capitol. Attendees will meet with Congress and senior Administration officials on priorities important to Southern California.

Trip Dates:

March 13-15

Early Bird registration fee: $750 (before February 13)

Registration fee after February 13: $850

Click here to reserve your spot for Access D.C.

Oppose Repeal of Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act

On January 11, the Assembly Housing & Community Development Committee will hear Assembly Bill 1506 (Bloom). This bill would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, allowing rent control to be imposed on new developments. A repeal of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act would have a costly and negative impact on the housing crisis Californians are experiencing. AB 1506 would make it financially unfeasible for developers to build new housing of any kind, straining the need for housing in California. The housing crisis is suffocating our state and this proposed "solution" will only make things worse. Click here to email your opposition of AB 1506.

Your Chance to Advertise in VICA's 2018 Government Handbook has been extended till January 19th!

RESERVE YOUR ADVERTISING SPACE TODAY!

The VICA Government Handbook is the San Fernando Valley and the Greater Los Angeles area's go-to guide for information about federal, state and local government officials and elected leaders. It is frequently used from Los Angeles to Sacramento and even in Washington, D.C.

This year's edition will feature all the information you've come to expect for the Government Handbook, including detailed maps of City Council, Legislative and Congressional districts.

Download our rate sheet and reserve your ad space today!

Would You Like to Host or Sponsor a VICA Committee in 2018?

VICA is looking for members to host or sponsor committee meetings for the upcoming year.

HOSTS: If your company can accommodate between 20 and 40 people comfortably, we may have a committee for you. As a host you will have an opportunity to say a few words of welcome and give members the chance to visit your site. You will also be listed on each agenda as the host and table cards will be provided at the meeting.

SPONSORS: If you have the financial wherewithal, but not a site, consider sponsoring the meeting at VICA. Please see the costs of sponsorships below. Your company would still get to welcome everyone at the meeting and would have their logo on the agendas.

Click here for more information on sponsorships.

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.

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.