Valley Industry & Commerce Association | |
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- VICA Advocates in Sacramento
- VICA Hosts Labor Laws Workshop
- VICA Supports AB 23 - Lower Shoplifting Threshold
- VICA Supports SB 423 - Streamlining Housing Developments
- VICA Voices Opposition to LA County Tenant Proposal
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Quick Jump - Register to Attend!
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“My top priority from day one to day 100 of my Administration has been confronting the homelessness crisis with the urgency it requires, and that won’t stop. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together so far, and we will continue to deliver action that makes life better in every one of L.A.’s neighborhoods. " | |
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Mayor Karen Bass
Statement after marking the 100th day of her administration
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VICA Continues Advocacy in Sacramento | |
From Left to Right: VICA President Stuart Waldman, VICA members Tony Pennay (New Horizons), Julie Waters (California Life Sciences), Senator Josh Newman, VICA members James Theiring (Mission Community Hospital), and Matt Sutton (California Restaurant Association) | |
On Tuesday, VICA members traveled to Sacramento to urge our State leaders to support VICA's top priority business-friendly legislation in 2023.
VICA met with State Senators Josh Newman and Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel, James Gallagher, and Tri Ta. VICA also met with the staff of Senator Susan Eggman, Assemblymember Bill Essayli, and Assemblymember Philip Chen.
VICA advocated on top issues, including support for extending California's film and tax credit, implementing flexible workweek scheduling, promoting housing development on church and non-profit land, and supporting a manufacturer's tax credit. VICA also advocated against harmful legislation, including statewide wage hikes for healthcare workers and lowering voter thresholds for local tax proposals.
If you want to attend VICA's upcoming April 12th Sacramento Advocacy Day, click the button below to learn more and to register.
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VICA University: New California Employment Laws | |
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On Thursday, Sue Bendavid (Lewitt Hackman) at a VICA University on New Employment Laws for California Employers.
Members received information regarding various new or updated labor rules, including minimum wage requirements, COVID-19 policy updates including shorter isolation periods, a run-through of pay disclosures, cannabis use, amended leave laws, bereavement leave, worker protection and emergency conditions, and both consumer privacy and privacy rights update.
Members also received information on recent case law focused on wages and hours, including Camp v. Home Depot U.S.A, Cadena v. Customer Connexx LLC, Naranjo v. Spectrum Security Services, Inc., Lawson v PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc., among several others.
VICA would like to thank Sue Bendavid with Lewitt, Hackman, Shapiro, Marshall, Harlan for speaking to our members.
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VICA Supports AB 23 - Support Lower Shoplifting Monetary Threshold | |
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VICA supports Assembly Bill 23 (Muratsuchi) which would amend Proposition 47 by reducing the threshold amount for petty theft and shoplifting from $950 to $400.
As of 2021, all reported property crimes in California consist of 63% larceny thefts, 16% burglaries, and 21% auto thefts. Currently, Proposition 47 makes the theft of money, labor, or property petty theft to be punishable by a misdemeanor when the property does not exceed $950.
The Governor's crime reduction and prevention initiatives have reinforced the state's response to crime in California. AB 23 would build on previous legislative work like AB 1613 (Irwin) and SB 301 (Skinner) by giving law enforcement the ability to address the increases in larceny and property crimes while working to address public safety concerns.
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VICA Supports SB 423 - Permanent Streamling of Multi-Family Housing and Inclusion of Mixed-Income Developments | |
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VICA supports Senate Bill 423 (Wiener), which will permanently streamline the approval process first approved under SB 35 (Wiener) in 2017 for mixed-family housing and will expand to include mixed-income housing developments.
SB 423 would require that cities approve a housing development application if the project is located on an urban infill site with 75% of the lot bordering other developed land parcels, the site is zoned for residential or mixed uses, the site is not located in farmland, wetlands, or high fire-risk zones, and follows zoning and environmental safety rules.
SB 423 would offer a streamlined approval process for housing when a city is short on housing supply and provides for quicker development.
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VICA Voices Opposition to LA County Tenant Proposal | |
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On Tuesday, VICA opposed LA County's Board of Supervisors' last-minute expansion of an emergency order to expand county-wide eviction protections.
Using an emergency declaration to back another expansion of county eviction protections set a dangerous precedent for future policymaking. These proposals, which aim to override state and local laws passed by council members, continue to disregard the local decision-making processes.
VICA has advocated for an end to COVID-19-related eviction protections. We believe it is time for housing providers throughout the county to resume normal operations to ensure thriving communities and investment in housing. Many local and statewide jurisdictions ended COVID-19-related emergency orders and eviction moratoriums a month ago.
The county must recognize the needs of property owners and further burden them with solving the city's housing crisis.
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VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members! | | |
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Platinum Member:
Renewing Members:
New Members
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VICA Congressional Luncheon
April 13 | 11:30 AM
Sheraton Universal Hotel
Our Congressional Luncheon is a unique and fun opportunity to directly engage with elected officials from Washington, D.C. who represent the San Fernando Valley in a "Fireside Chat" type format.
Our Confirmed Congressmembers are:
- Brad Sherman
- Katie Porter
- Mike Garcia
VICA thanks our presenting sponsors Amazon, BYD, and Comcast NBCUniversal
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If you are interested in attending and still need to register, email Cathy at cathy@vica.com or click the button below. | |
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email Yoko at yoko@vica.com. For more information on sponsorships, click the button below. | | |
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VICA After Dark: Supervisor Lindsey Horvath
May 3 | 5:30 PM
Burbank Airport Marriott
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in the fall of 2022 and assumed office on December 5, 2022. Sher previously served as a City Councilmember and the longest consecutively serving Mayor for the City of West Hollywood. Horvath’s career has been defined by tackling the hardest problems, building diverse coalitions, and delivering results for her community.
VICA thanks our host and Presenting Sponsor Burbank Airport Marriott and presenting sponsor EKA.
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San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame
June 8 | 5:30 PM
The Garland
Join VICA members, business leaders and officeholders as we honor members of our community during a garden reception, program, dinner and dessert.
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If you are interested in attending and want to register, email Cathy at cathy@vica.com or click the button below. | |
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email Yoko at yoko@vica.com. For more information on sponsorships, click the button below. | |
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Wednesday, April 5
Noon - 1:30
Sponsored by Ajimori Sauce Company
RSVP
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Aviation Committee
Tuesday, April 18
Noon - 1:30
Hosted by Aerolease-Aeroplex Group
RSVP
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Land Use Committee
Tuesday, April 11
8:30 - 10:30 AM
Hosted by The Garland
RSVP
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Government Affairs Committee
Wednesday, April 19
Noon - 2:00
At the VICA Office
RSVP
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Fed Continues to Raise Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised U.S interest rates once again but has also signaled one more rate hike as it wages war on high inflation. Chairman Jerome Powell admitted the financial sector stress spawned by the failure of Silicon Valley Bank forced the Fed to adopt a less aggressive monetary policy posture, even as he insisted the U.S. banking system is "sound." Less noticed was the bank's forecast for economic growth in 2023. The Fed downgraded its estimate of GDP to 0.4% from 0.5%.
Mayor Bass Enters LAUSD Strike
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has stepped into negotiations between the Los Angeles Unified School District and labor leaders, giving fresh hope that an agreement could be on the horizon. Labor leaders announced that the three-day strike would conclude on Thursday with more school picketing and a State Historic Park rally. Schools remained shut for around 420,000 students on Thursday, with the district providing over 150 student supervision and food distribution sites.
CA wants Medicaid to Cover Rent
Governor Newsom's administration is trying something new to contain a worsening homeless crisis - using federal healthcare funding to cover rent for the homeless. Unfortunately, states are barred from using federal Medicaid dollars to pay directly for rent. Still, California is asking the Biden administration to authorize a new program called "transitional rent," which would provide up to six months of rent or temporary housing for low-income enrollees.
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Bank Crisis Might Make Banks Bigger
Wall Street titans whose actions once angered voters have become safe havens for anxious Americans and a source of financial backing for institutions. Tens of billions of dollars in deposits have flowed into the coffers of giant banks such as Bank of America and others following the panic surrounding Silicon Valley Bank. Consumers and businesses are spooked by the collapse of a bank with more than $200 billion in assets and are fleeing to the perceived safety of larger institutions.
California's Drought Disappears
It's been less than six months, but California's drought conditions have all but disappeared. The state's hundreds of miles of levees are being tested, and some like the one in Pajaro are failing, as rivers and streams have surged time and again since the new year, which started off with a giant storm. The amount of rainfall and snowmelt will continue to present challenges this spring, sending more water flowing than the existing system can capture efficiently or control.
Newsom Gives Hollywood Cash Perk
Movie studios would be eligible for a long-sought perk under Governor Newsom's proposal to let studios convert a portion of their state tax credits into cash payments, creating a subsidy for Hollywood that hasn't been offered to any other industry. If Newsom's plan is passed by the Legislature and signed, California's film tax credit program would become "refundable" in 2025 - meaning on top of giving production credits, the state will also give them payments totaling tens of millions a year.
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North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC)
Ruth Janka
Executive Director
North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) is a non-profit organization contracted with the California Department of Developmental Services to provide services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. We serve over 32,000 individuals in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys, employ over 650 staff, and contract with approximately 1,400 service providers. We are governed by a board of trustees that represents the diversity of our community and ranges from 14 to 22 members.
We coordinate providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or at risk for a developmental disability. We also provide intake and diagnostic evaluations and service coordination, including purchasing services, for those eligible for our program. Our mission is to create a community (including families) where each individual with a developmental disability has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive, and inclusive life. For more information on NLACRC, please visit our website at www.nlacrc.org.
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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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