September 8, 2017

In This Issue
"I come from a mere state...Nevertheless, we have an impact in the world. Our gross domestic product is about $2.5 trillion. We're a land of innovation... We're a land of disruption, where we never set in and accept a status quo, but we disrupt and create and build a future that works for everyone."

- Gov. Jerry Brown at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia 
Media Highlight

How Much Might 'the California WaterFix' Cost Los Angeles?
September 3 

Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members

Silver Member

(2006)

Bronze Member
(2011)

Bronze Member
(1998)

Bronze Member
(2009)

BNSF Railway

Center Theater Group

Dakota Communications

Jimmy Blackman & Associates

Million Air Burbank

Urban Solutions

Village Family Services

Calendar 
The Week Ahead

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


Save The Date

Public Hearing on East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor
Hosted by Metro
Monday, Sept. 18
8:30 to 11 a.m.
Zev Yaroslavsky Family Support Center
7555 Van Nuys Bl, Van Nuys,   
Click  here for more information and additional dates

VICA After Dark with LAWA Chief Development Officer Bob Gilbert
Sponsored by The Bel Air and Englander, Knabe & Allen
Tuesday, Sept. 19
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Bel Air
662 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles
Click  here to RSVP

Government Affairs Committee with Assemblymember Dante Acosta
Hosted by Providence Tarzana Medical Center
Wednesday, Sept. 20
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Providence Tarzana Medical Center
18321 Clark St., Tarzana
Click here to RSVP

Job Fair
Hosted by U.S. Congressman Tony Cardenas
Thursday, Sept. 21
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Los Angeles Mission College
13356 Eldridge Ave, Sylmar
Click  here for more information


Hot Issues

Congress
The Senate approved disaster aid Thursday for Hurricane Harvey as part of a stopgap package President Trump negotiated with Democrats to fund the government and raise the nation's debt limit.

Business 
Amazon launched the search for their second North American headquarters. Mayors across the country are already lining up to bid on the crown-jewel prize.

Labor 
Last week, a federal judge in Texas struck down the federal overtime rule, putting an end to the proposal from the prior administration that would have made over four million new workers eligible for overtime pay. 

Housing 
California lawmakers are working furiously to drum up votes for a package of bills they hope will contain the spiraling affordable housing crisis.  

Higher Education

Concern over soaring tuition rates and ballooning student debt has propelled a rapidly expanding campaign for free public higher education at the local, state and even national level. In California, lawmakers, gubernatorial candidates and education advocates are among those pushing for ways to get rid of fees and other costs for some students.

Technology 
On Wednesday, the U.S. House unanimously approved a sweeping proposal to speed the deployment of self-driving cars without human controls by putting federal regulators in the driver's seat and barring states from blocking autonomous vehicles.

Transportation 
Metro has released a draft of its environmental report for the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor, a high capacity transit line that will be built over the next decade between the Van Nuys Orange Line station and the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink station.

Houston Recovery 
Cities across the country have kept their eyes on Houston to learn how they can rebuild in the case of a natural disaster. 
 
Immigration 
More than 400 American business leaders signed a letter to the president and congressional leaders urging an extension of DACA. They argue that the removal of Dreamers could take a toll on the economy for a number of years.       
 
LAUSD Board Member Scott Schmerelson joins members for VICA After Dark
Register for VICA After Dark With LAWA's Chief Development Officer Bob Gilbert
Oppose Increasing Higher Education Costs
Register Now for VICA's 2017 Business Forecast Conference
Oppose Hiring Delays and Ban on Conviction History Request
VICA Seeking Administrative Assistant
Immediate opportunity for an Administrative Assistant for a small, but busy office in Van Nuys. The Administrative Assistant is the face of VICA for most visitors and many VICA members. While duties range from managing the front desk activities to compiling event registration, the first priority of the Assistant is always the person who calls in or walks through the door.

This is a great opportunity for an ambitious graduate to learn about advocacy and the business community in the San Fernando Valley.

If you or someone you know is a qualified candidate, click below to learn more about the requirements for the position and information on how to apply.

Committee Report
Entertainment Committee (09/07)
Sponsored by Pacific Federal, LLC
  • Councilman Mitch O'Farrell joined VICA's Entertainment Committee to provide an update on his work supporting the filming industry as part of the Los Angeles City Council.
  • Peter Tomozawa, Executive Director of Partnerships at LA2028, presented information on the exciting plans for the Valley Sports Park during the 2028 Olympic Games.
  • Adrian McDonald presented Film L.A.'s Feature Film and Pilot Program Reports, an overview of industry trends in Los Angeles over the last year.
Labor and Employment Committee (09/06)
  • Deputy City Attorneys Dania Minassian and Alexander Freedman and Kimberly Fitzpatrick from the Los Angeles City Office of Wage Standards provided an overview of resources available to businesses to comply with local wage ordinances.
  • Marilyn Koziatek explained how Granada Hills Charter High School's excellent Career Technical Education program benefits students and helps them prepare for the workforce and further education.
  • Somjita Mitra, Economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., presented highlights from the People, Industry and Jobs 2016-2021 report.
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:
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.