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"It starts with housing, perhaps our most overwhelming challenge right now. We all know the problem. There's too much demand and too little supply. And that is happening in large part because too many cities and counties aren't even planning for how to build."
- Governor Gavin Newsom addressing the housing crisis in his State of the State address
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VICA Advocates for San Fernando Valley Businesses in Sacramento
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David Phelps (
Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce), VICA Board Member Samona Caldwell (
State Farm Insurance), Marilyn Koziatek (
Granada Hills Charter School), VICA Chair Lisa Gritzner (
LG Strategies), Assemblymember Devon Mathis, VICA Board Member Francine Oschin (
Oschin Partners, Inc.), VICA President Stuart Waldman
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This week, VICA met with legislators and staff to discuss important legislation and business priorities during the second Sacramento trip of 2019.
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| The VICA delegation with Senator Henry Stern |
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The VICA delegation met with Assemblymembers Mark Levine, Devon Mathis, and Chad Mayes and Senators Steven Bradford, Mike Morrell and Henry Stern as well as senior staff for Senator Ben Allen and President pro Tempore Toni Atkins. The delegation focused on supporting bills that provide funding for California's public universities, increase access to computer science education, spur housing development and provided guiding principles for the reestablishment of redevelopment agencies. The delegation also expressed its strong opposition to any legislation that caps new charter schools in California.
VICA will return to Sacramento on March 19. Be sure to RSVP and make your voice heard in Sacramento!
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Click
here to RSVP for the next Sacramento Trip on March 19.
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VICA invites you to dinner with your state lawmakers!
Friday,
February 22, 2019
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Universal Studios Hollywood,
Sound Stage 29
Don't miss this fun opportunity for Valley business leaders to connect with state lawmakers during our annual State Officeholders Dinner. Join over 400 Valley business leaders and state elected officials in a relaxed and informal setting.
Confirmed Speakers
as of 2/15/19:
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Senators
Ben Allen
Steven Bradford
Maria Durazo
Bob Hertzberg
Holly Mitchell
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Assemblymembers
Wendy Carillo
Laura Friedman
Jesse Gabriel
Tim Grayson
Reggie Jones-Sawyer
Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Marc Levine
Adrin Nazarian
Luz Rivas
Blanca Rubio
Miguel Santiago
Christy Smith
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Statewide Elected Officials
Controller Betty Yee
Member of the Board of Equalization Mike Schaefer
Member of the Board of Equalization Tony Vazquez
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Spotlight on VICA Committee Leadership
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Philip Sokoloski is a VICA Board Member and Chair of VICA's Entertainment Committee.
As Vice President of Integrated Communications at
FilmLA, Philip Sokoloski oversees corporate communications, community relations, marketing and research programs for the world's largest and busiest film office. While at
FilmLA, Philip restructured and expanded the company's widely-respected outreach and education team. He also guided the evolution of Film Works - a locally-focused public awareness campaign - into a statewide advocacy platform in support of film incentives for California.
How is VICA valuable to you or your business?
VICA supports our mission in many ways. VICA's staff are persuasive advocates for the business community in Sacramento and in the halls of local government. Board and committee service at VICA broadens our relationships with entrepreneurs and leaders of entertainment-connected companies. Finally, VICA events provide direct access to local and state officials in relaxed professional settings - fantastic environments to listen and share your ideas and concerns.
Why should members consider becoming more involved with the Entertainment Committee?
The Entertainment Committee seeks to amplify the voice of any VICA member whose business interests are tied to the creative economy. The film/television/commercial production industry appears on our agenda, but in recent meetings we've also discussed music, theatre, theme parks, visual arts, and the work of some amazing not-for-profits. Joining the Committee is a great way to meet other VICA members and win new business leads.
The Entertainment Committee's next meeting is on March 7.
Click here to RSVP to the next Entertainment Committee Meeting.
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Learn more about VICA committees by clicking
here.
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Protect the Rights of Independent Contractors
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Last year, the California Supreme Court ruling in Dynamex Operations West v. Superior Court (Dynamex) overturned decades of precedent by severely limiting the definition of an independent contractor. Dynamex's new three-part 'ABC' test will mean that many professionals who are traditionally independent contractors will now be considered employees. This includes lawyers, doctors, financial planners and many more. VICA is concerned that this new test goes too far and restricts individuals' freedom to choose to work for themselves as independent contractors. Assembly Bill 5 (Gonzalez) would codify the Dynamex ruling and further reduce work opportunities available for independent contractors. Assembly Bill 71 (Melendez) would suspend the restrictive 'ABC' test and determine independent contractor status using a multifactor test which would maintain the traditional definition of an independent contractor. Take action now and urge the Legislature not codify the restrictive 'ABC' test under AB 5 and to support the balanced test as proposed by AB 71.
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Los Angeles County Supervisor
Sheila Kuehl
3rd Supervisorial District
Friday, March 22, 2019
11:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Sportsmen's Lodge
Starlight Room
12833 Ventura Blvd.,
Studio City
Leaders Forums give attendees the opportunity to converse with leaders in an intimate setting. On March 22, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl will discuss the Woosley Fire and its aftermath. Supervisor Kuehl will take time to answer members' questions and give members an overview of what to expect in 2019.
Co-sponsored by
Metro and
Mission Community Hospital.
Sponsorships are available - email Helene@vica.com or call (818) 817 0545.
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Mayor Ignores LADWP Plan Jeopardizing Energy Reliability
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VICA is disappointed by Mayor Garcetti's decision to disregard the findings of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's (LADWP) once-through- cooling study by shutting down natural gas fired power plants and repowering them with renewable energy sources. The DWP study found that Los Angeles's aging gas fired power plants cannot be repowered in time with renewables and battery storage without jeopardizing grid reliability. While VICA supports the integration of more renewable energy options, we currently lack renewable options to replace gas plants without increasing the risk of outages and increasing electricity rates. VICA worked with the DWP staff on the once-through-cooling study to advocate for energy solutions that won't harm San Fernando Valley businesses.
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Click
here to read VICA's Statement
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Last Chance to Register
Access D.C.
Monday, March 11th - Wednesday, March 13th
Join more than 200 civic and business leaders for the region's premier advocacy trip to the nation's capitol. Attendees will meet with members of Congress and senior Administration officials on priorities important to Southern California.
Register with VICA for an extra day of meetings and a private lunch in the Members' Dining Room with Representative Brad Sherman.
This trip is in conjunction with the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and other business groups.
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Click
here to reserve your spot for Access D.C.
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Land Use Committee (2/12)
Hosted by The Garland
- Andrew Pennington, Director of Land Use & Planning for Councilmember Bob Blumenfield discussed the Warner Center affordable housing study with the committee.
- The committee heard an update from Claire Bowin and Ken Bernstein from the Department of City Planning on their work to update the city's design guidelines.
- The committee voted to oppose Assembly Bill 53 (Jones-Sawyer) and Senate Bill 18 (Skinner).
Energy, Environment and Utilities Committee (2/14)
Sponsored by The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
- Wayne Nastri, Executive Officer for South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), presented to the committee on SCAQMD's proposed legislation to create a voting district for a local funding measure.
- The committee then heard from Joline Muñoz from LA Sanitation, and Yoshiko Tsunehara from LADWP about the initial phases of the Los Angeles groundwater replenishment project.
- Finally, Martin Adams, Chief Operating Officer for LADWP, gave a presentation on DWP's clean energy future.
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Member Messages:
Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!
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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.
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