Valley Industry & Commerce Association | |
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- VICA Opposes ACA 6 - Protect the University of California
- VICA Opposes SB 553 - Prevent Regulatory Overreach of Employee Safety
- VICA Supports SB 430 - Remove Unfair Business Restrictions
- Take VICA's Homelessness Survey
- Metrolink's Mobility-4-All
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Harmon Ballin Nominations are Now Open
- Nominate a Future VICA Board Member
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Quick Jump - Register to Attend!
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"Too many families are forced to make impossible financial sacrifices just to keep a roof over their heads. It's critical that we address California's need for affordable housing. This legislation provides a meaningful incentive to property owners and directly boosts the creation of affordable homes."
Congressman Adam Schiff
Statement on Bill to Tackle Affordable Housing Shortage
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VICA Opposes ACA 6: Protect the University of California | |
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VICA opposes Assembly Constitutional Amendment 6 (Haney), which threatens the University of California's academic mission and its role in driving regional economies in our state.
The University of California is a key player in the state economy, contributing an estimated $82 billion to its output annually while sustaining half a million jobs. As such, ACA 6 would not only threaten the UC system's core academic mission but its role in bolstering regional economies throughout our state.
UC is committed to fostering opportunities for small, disadvantaged, women-owned, and minority businesses. These efforts align with UC's policy of using contracts sparingly, primarily as a last resort for temporary or urgent situations, without displacing University employees. UC has negotiated additional contracting limitations, but ACA 6 undermines these efforts, hindering our members from conducting business with the University.
Small businesses in our community are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impact. The Legislature recently passed a budget to close a multi-billion-dollar gap with projected deficits in the future. Amending the constitution and introducing measures that hinder our members' ability to contribute to California's economic vitality is ill-advised.
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VICA Opposes SB 553: Prevent Regulatory Over-reach in Your Employees Safety and Your Business | |
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VICA opposes Senate Bill 553 (Cortese), which creates a new workplace violence regulation for every public or private employer in California, regardless of their size.
Its provisions include requiring employers to: perform annual detail assessments of their workplace for potential violence risks; potentially re-organize their workplace; assess the visibility of employees across the workplace; and would require businesses to hire additional staff, specifically security personnel, even if businesses are unable to afford the additional costs.
VICA's members recognize that workplace violence prevention is a noble cause that all employers should embrace. However, the main provisions of SB 533 would not meaningfully prevent workplace violence. And, contrary to the claims of its supporters, the proposal would not advance the ongoing efforts of Cal/OSHA to create a workable multi-industry workplace violence standard.
Addressing workplace violence is a significant subject but requires appropriate handling. If the legislative body intends to halt the efforts of Cal/OSHA's professionals and their process of establishing regulations, then at the very least, they should use the expert's knowledge and the language they have put forth. Instead, SB 553 disrupts Cal/OSHA's ongoing efforts and disregards the preferred draft workplace violence standard suggested by Cal/OSHA.
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VICA Supports SB 430: Remove Unfair Business Restrictions | |
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VICA supports Senate Bill 430 (Dodd), a measure aimed at granting a specific exemption to entertainment businesses linked by ownership to alcoholic beverage retail businesses when it comes to tied-house advertising regulations.
Traditionally, tied-house regulations have prohibited shared ownership between suppliers and retailers, thus limiting alcohol beverage suppliers from vertically integrating into the retail market. Consequently, certain segments of the entertainment industry - particularly those reliant on advertising for revenue - have faced economic challenges.
SB 430 seeks to address this issue, which was not taken into account when the tied-house laws were initially enacted after the prohibition era. The proposed bill aims to establish a limited exception for entertainment businesses that share ownership with alcoholic beverage retail businesses.
Moreover, the bill mandates that these entertainment businesses be publicly traded, confines advertising to platforms owned by the parent company within the entertainment realm, and prohibits any such advertisements from being associated with the alcohol beverage retail sector.
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VICA Wants to Hear from You on the City's Homelessness Crisis- Accepting Responses Now | |
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VICA is asking our members to take part in our new Homelessness Survey, where we want to know your thoughts on various tax measures that have been designed to address the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, what are the causes of homelessness, and what continues to hinder any tangible results when it comes to this city crisis.
To take part in our survey, click the link below.
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Metrolink Program Rebranding: Mobility-4-All | |
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Metrolink’s low-income discount program is relaunched as the Mobility-4-All program.
Passengers with a valid California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card are still eligible for a 50 percent discount on all Metrolink tickets and passes.
Since its launch in September 2022, this program has reaffirmed Metrolink's commitment to equitable public transportation.
When purchasing a ticket or pass at any Metrolink station ticket machine, riders can use their California-issued EBT card to verify discount eligibility. Funds will not be deducted from the EBT card; another form of payment will be required to complete the ticket purchase.
Additional information about the Mobility-4-All program is available on the Metrolink website in English and Spanish.
To read more about Metrolink's Mobility-4-All program, clink the link below.
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Nominations Are Open: Harmon Ballin Community Service Award | |
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VICA's Harmon Ballin Community Service Award annually honors an active VICA member who has made an outstanding contribution to our community through their long-term community service activities. A nominee is someone who:
- Has been an active member of VICA and is actively engaged in the organization.
- Has significant and long-term involvement in philanthropic, community, or public service organizations or a significant record in this area.
- Is a role model and community leader.
All nominee forms must be submitted via email to Daniel@vica.com by Friday, September 1, 2023.
Some past honorees include: Stu Solomon, Walt Mosher, Fred Gaines, Jim Garrison, Kevin Tamaki, Greg Lippe, Brad Rosenheim, Francine Oschin, Pegi Matsuda, Ross Pendergraft, Jane Skeeter, Lee Alpert, Darnell Tyler, Mark Davis and Scott Mills.
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Nominations for 2024 VICA Board Being Accepted Now | |
City of Calabasas Mayor David Shapiro swears in 2023 Board of Directors | |
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VICA's 2024 Board of Directors nomination and selection process is underway and we want your nominations!
Board members must be able to attend regular board meetings and be prepared to vote on various public policy issues. Board members must also attend regular committee meetings and VICA events. Additional responsibilities may include calling or writing lawmakers, attending press conferences, testifying, authoring editorials, interacting with top opinion leaders, and more.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating on the VICA Board in 2024, please don't hesitate to click on the nomination form below and submit via email to Jessica@vica.com no later than Friday, September 1, 2023.
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VICA After Dark: LA City Councilmember John Lee
September 26 | 5:30 PM
Anheuser-Busch
John Lee was first elected to the Los Angeles City Council during a special election in August 2019, and re-elected to his first full term in March 2020. John's extensive understanding of the City’s legislative and budget processes and day-to-day operations gives him tremendous insight into what works and what doesn’t at City Hall. With an agenda focused on public safety, supporting local businesses, and providing core city services, John is committed to putting the neighborhoods of the Twelfth District first.
VICA thanks our host and presenting sponsor Anheuser-Busch, presenting sponsor SoCalGas, and co-sponsor California State University, Northridge.
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Government Affairs Committee
Wednesday, August 16
Noon - 2:00 PM
At the VICA Office
RSVP
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VICA Thanks Our New and Renewing Members! | |
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Strikes Cost $3 Billion for Economy
According to estimates from a Cal State Northridge professor, the ongoing writer and actor strikes have cost California's economy $3 billion. Based on inflation-adjusted data from the 2007 Writer's Guild of America (WGA) strike, this figure comes as the Hollywood writer's strike reached its 100th day. The guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) will resume negotiations today.
Zero-Emission Truck Deal Reached
California and major truck manufacturers have reached a deal to phase out diesel big rigs and other trucks. Beginning in 2036, all medium and heavy-duty trucks sold in the state must be zero-emissions, while the existing fleets of large trucking companies must be converted by 2042. As part of the agreement, the Air Resources Board has agreed to relax some of the near-term requirements for reducing truck emissions.
$25 Wage for County Hotels & Parks
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn proposed a $25/hr minimum wage for workers at the county's larger hotels and theme parks. The motion, which could be considered once the board returns from its recess in mid-September, would apply to hotels in unincorporated areas with more than 60 rooms each. The wage would increase to $30/hr by 2028, subject to cost-of-living adjustments.
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Looking Elsewhere for Housing
According to a new study, a record number of Americans - including residents of some of California's most populous cities - are looking to leave their states for more affordable housing. The results, published by the online realtor website Redfin, rank San Francisco and Los Angeles as the US cities with the most potential buyers looking out of state.
US Ban on Investment in China
The US will ban American investments in some areas of China's high-tech sector, including artificial intelligence, adding to strained relations between the two superpowers. The much-anticipated move gives the US government new power to screen foreign dealings by private companies. However, it is poised to further chill economic relations between the world's two largest economies.
Zoom is Returning to the Office
Joining a swell of other tech firms pushing for in-person work, Zoom requires many of its 7400 employees to start showing up at the office. The company last week asked all employees within 50 miles of an office to work in person on a part-time basis, a plan Zoom said it would roll out in August and September. Dozens of companies have joined Zoom in tightening their policies on office attendance this summer, as offices remain at just under half of their pre-pandemic occupancy levels.
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Join our partners at #UNITELA on Sept. 29! Don’t miss out as they bring together the most influential leaders to advance economic mobility and well-being for all Angelenos! Celebrate the next #25YearOfImpact and beyond! RSVP today 👉 unitela.com/25. Will we see you there? #UNITELA25 | |
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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 yoko@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.
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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.
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