VICA Weekly: Senate Approves USMCA Trade Deal

January 17, 2020

In This Issue

Media Mentions

Members

VICA Calendar

Hot Issues

" We face tremendous challenges here in our city, challenges that demand us to lead with a sense of urgency. "

- L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez on her "Families First" initiative

Media Mentions

LAUSD BD3 Candidate Marilyn Koziatek: Parents 'Want a Voice and a Seat'

SpeakUp

January 9

Powerful San Fernando Valley Business Group Issues its 2020 Legislative Priorities
Los Angeles Daily News

January 11

New Year Brings More Frustrations
Fox and Hounds
January 14

VICA Announces Top 10 Priorities for 2020
Valley News Group
January 16

Members

_________________

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members

Platinum

(2012)

_________________

(1996)

(2010)

_________________

Holiday Inn - North Hollywood

(2015)

San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council

(2015)

Stantec

(2018)

The Week Ahead

Sacramento Advocacy Day

Tuesday, January 21

All Day

Sacramento, CA

Click here to RSVP

Newsmaker Connection:

CD12 Candidate Forum

Presented by State Farm

Thursday, January 23

8:30 to 10 a.m.

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170

Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

______________________

Save the Date

Ambassadors Committee

Tuesday, January 28

8:30 to 10 a.m.

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170

Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

Labor & Employment Committee

Wednesday, February 5

8:30 to 10 a.m.

Hilton Universal City

555 Universal Hollywood Drive

Click here to RSVP

Education Committee

Thursday, February 6

8:30 to 10 a.m.

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170

Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

VIEW FULL CALENDAR HERE

Hot Issues

Economic Forecast
According to a forecast report recently conducted by California Lutheran University, the San Fernando Valley will continue to experience robust economic growth, allowing the region to weather any potential downturn in the national economy.

Presidential Primary Elections

The field of Democratic presidential hopefuls continues to narrow as the candidates held their last debate before the Iowa Caucus on February.

Transportation

Metro unveiled its plans to increase the frequency of bus services on more corridors (buses arriving every 10 minutes on 29 major routes) which is expected to raise bus ridership by 15-20%.

Traffic Fines

In his first 2020-21 budget proposal, Governor Newsom announced a plan to reduce traffic fines by half for low-income drivers, with the goal of reversing the decline in fine payments by making them more affordable.

Medicine

Amgen announced its collaboration with two other biotech companies to further research the development of a drug designed to target a protein mutation that causes lung cancer.

Homelessness

The Council of Regional Homeless Advisors released a report recommending a California constitutional amendment that would allow the state to sue cities, counties or itself if they are unable to reduce the amount of people experiencing homelessness.

California Supreme Court

California Supreme Court Justice Ming W. Chin, considered to be the only conservative member of the court, announced he will step down on August 31.

Voter Priorities

According to a new poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, 40% of California voters now consider health and human services the top priority for state spending. This is an increase from 30% in 2019, showing increasing concerns over the homelessness crisis.

Senate Approves USMCA Trade Deal

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal with bipartisan support. California exports nearly $60 billion worth of goods and services to Mexico and Canada, supporting 1.4 million jobs within our state. Three out of four California manufacturers export to these two countries, and the majority of those manufacturers are small- to medium- businesses. VICA is proud to have joined with over 600 other business groups across the country in support of USMCA and thanks Senator Dianne Feinstein for her vote in support of this agreement.

2020 Trip Dates

February 25

March 17

April 1

May 5

VICA's regular advocacy trips to the state capitol are crucial to ensuring the voice of the business community is heard by legislators. These member-only trips allow direct interaction with state elected officials and create the freedom for discussion on issues that are vital to our members.

Don't miss this opportunity to be heard on how legislation affects your company!

The cost of the trip is $50, which includes lunch and group transportation between the airport and Capitol. The cost of the flight is not included.

For more information or to register please contact Cathy@vica.com or call 818.817.0545.

Metrolink Opens New and Improved Van Nuys Train Station

On Thursday, VICA joined Metrolink in celebrating the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new and improved Van Nuys Train Station. The station's platform, originally located on one side of the double tracks, was lengthened and moved to the center to make train operations more efficient and reliable. The project also included a new underpass to allow safe pedestrian crossings. These upgrades will bring more high quality transit options to the San Fernando Valley, providing a major hub for buses and future light rail expansion.

Council District 12 Special Election Forum

Thursday, January 23, 2020

8:30 to 10 a.m.

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 70

Van Nuys


John Lee	Loraine Lundquist

Join VICA for a special Newsmaker Connection as candidates for Council District 12 gather to discuss issues affecting businesses across the San Fernando Valley. This special Election Forum will provide members with the unique opportunity to meet and speak with the CD 12 contenders.

Metro Moves Forward with Approving Bridge Housing Project at Van Nuys Orange Line

On Thursday, VICA attended Metro's Executive Management Board committee meeting, which moved forward with approving a 3-year lease allowing a portion of the Van Nuys Orange Line Station parking lot to be utilized for temporary bridge housing. In line with VICA's top priority to advocate for the development of more housing and shelters, VICA spoke in support of the temporary bridge housing project. As a strong proponent of Measure M in 2016, VICA wants to ensure that the property will be returned to Metro after the lease expires to prevent any delays to the Orange Line improvements and its eventual conversion to light rail.

Friday, March 13, 2020

5:30 to 9 p.m.

Universal Studios Hollywood

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City

VICA invites you to dinner with your state lawmakers!

VICA provides a rare opportunity for Valley business leaders to connect with state lawmakers and have a fun time during its annual State Officeholders Dinner.

Confirmed speakers as of January 17, 2020:

State Controller

Betty Yee

Senator

Bob Hertzberg

Assemblymembers

Wendy Carillo

Heath Flora

Vince Fong

Jesse Gabriel

Tom Lackey

Sharon Quirk-Silva

Luz Rivas

Blanca Rubio

Miguel Santiago

Welcome VICA's New Membership Manager

This week, we welcomed Shauna Carter as VICA's new Membership Manager. Shauna brings with her over 20 years of professional experience. She has a diverse background and knowledge in accounting, office and project management, personnel training and development, government and philanthropic relations, communications and creative marketing, international employee management, event production and fundraising. We are happy to have her on the team and look forward to having each of you meet her at an upcoming committee meeting or event. Shauna can be reached via email at shauna@vica.com or by calling our office.

Committee Meetings

Transportation Committee (1/14)
Hosted by The Garland

Israel Marin (Metro) presented on the findings of Metro's NextGen Bus Study.
Gregory Farr (Caltrans District 7) gave updates on upcoming and ongoing SB 1 projects in the district.
The newly-appointed Member of the California Transportation Commission, Hilary Norton (FAST), led a discussion on transportation priorities and funding in the San Fernando Valley.

Government Affairs Committee (1/15)

Elizabeth Mitchell (L.A. Alliance for Human Rights) gave a presentation on litigation to address issues surrounding homelessness.
The committee recommended to support Measure FD - the Los Angeles County Fire District 9-1-1 Firefighter/Paramedic Emergency Response measure.
The committee recommended to support Measure N - the City of Calabasas Specific Plan at 3831 North Orchid Lane.
The committee recommended to support the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2020.

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 cathy@vica.com 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.