VICA Weekly: VICA Advocates in Sacramento

January 26, 2018

In This Issue

"Our economy, the sixth largest in the world, depends on mobility, which only a modern and efficient transportation system provides."

- Governor Jerry Brown at his final State of the State address

VICA Thanks our Renewing Members

Carlsmith Ball

Coca-Cola Bottling Company

Cooper Communications

David Gershwin Consulting

El Camino Real Charter High School

High Point Stategies

Los Angeles Mission College

M Advisors

Paris Industrial Parks

Ross B. Hopkins & Associates

San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council

United Way

Valley Community Healthcare

Calendar

The Week Ahead

Education Committee

Sponsored by Woodbury University

Thurs. Feb 1

8:30 to 10 am

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

Save the Date

Sacramento Advocacy Trip

Tues., Feb. 6

All Day

Sacramento, CA

Click here to RSVP

Labor and Employment Committee

Wed. Feb 7

8:30 to 10 am

Hosted by: Hilton Universal City

555 Universal Hollywood Drive

Click here to RSVP

Energy, Environment & Utilities Committee

Sponsored by Metropolitan Water District

Thurs. Feb 8

Noon - 1:30 pm

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

Land Use Committee

Tues. Feb 13

8 to 10 am

Hosted by: The Garland

4222 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood

Click here to RSVP

Government Affairs Committee

Wed. Feb 21

12 to 2 pm

Hosted by: Providence Tarzana Hospital

18321 Clark St., Tarzana

Click here to RSVP

New Member Breakfast

Fri. Feb 23

8:30 to 10 am

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

Newsmaker Connection- AD 45 Forum

Mon. Feb 26

11:30 am to 1:00 pm

VICA Office

16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

View VICA's 2018 Event Calendar

HERE

Hot Issues

Energy

Last Sa turday, VICA staff attended an AQMD Refinery Committee to address board members regarding a proposal to ban Modified Hydrofluoric Acid. This ban could cause two Southern California refineries to cease operations, which would reduce California's gasoline supply by 30 percent and cost thousands of jobs. VICA will continue to work with AQMD staff to find a workable solution.

Healthcare

O n Thursday, VICA's president addressed the City Planning Commission (CPC) in support of

Providence Tarzana's

Reimagined Project. The project would expand the existing facility to help increase critical health care services for the San Fernando Valley. The CPC approved the project with zero opposition and will now be heard at the Los Angeles City Council's PLUM committee.

State of the State

Gov. Jerry Brown, in his 16th and final State of the State address, spoke

about the importance of investment in infrastructure including the California Water Fix and transportation repairs, which VICA strongly supports.

Higher Education

University of California regents delayed a scheduled vote on a plan to raise annual tuition and fees by $342 next year. The controversial matter will now be decided in May.

Ballot Measures

As millions of dollars from Senate Bill 1 are set to start pouring into city and county coffers, an initiative to repeal the law has nearly gathered the signatures needed to qualify for the November ballot. If successful, the measure would roll back the hike on taxes and vehicle fees, as well as require a public vote for any such future increase.

Infrastructure

Elon Musk's Boring Co. presented its plan to build an underground transportation tunnel through Culver City this week at a city council meeting. The proposed tunnel from Hawthorne to West Los Angeles would contain a high-speed underground transportation system running up to 150 miles per hour.

Housing

Home prices in the San Fernando Valley reached an all-time high in 2017, according to a new report from the

Southland Regional Association of Realtors. The median price of all single-family residences sold in the region last year was $643,783.

World Cup

The World Cup may be headed to North America in 2026, and Los Angeles leaders are seeking to ensure the city plays a role in hosting the popular soccer competition.

Economy

The U.S.Senate confirmed Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell as the next head of the central bank, a move likely to provide continuity in U.S. monetary policy with the economy growing now for nine years straight.

VICA Delegation with Assemblyman Dante Acosta

VICA Advocates in Sacramento on Housing, Taxes and PAGA

On Wednesday, a VICA delegation made its first advocacy trip to Sacramento to discuss various issues with our legislators. Members met with Senators Wilk, Stern and Hertzberg, and Assemblymembers Acosta, Friedman, and Santiago. They also met with the offices of Senator Atkins, Allen, and Portantino. The group discussed priorities for VICA including the need for a more streamlined development process, an extension of the film and TV tax credit, reform to PAGA and other labor laws, and our opposition to an increase in the state business tax.

Don't miss VICA's next Sacramento Advocacy Trip on February 6th !

Click here to see the 2018 Sacramento Advocacy Trip dates.

Assembly District 45 Forum

Join VICA for a special Newsmaker Connection as the top candidates for Assembly District 45 gather to discuss issues affecting businesses across the San Fernando Valley. This special Election Forum will provide members with the unique opportunity to meet, listen and speak with the AD45 contenders.

February 26, 2018

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

VICA Office- 16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Jesse Gabriel

Tricia Robbins Kasson

For more information or to RSVP, email [email protected]

VICA Supports New Effective Dates for Ballot Measures

Yesterday, the VICA Board voted to support a constitutional amendment which would delay the effective dates of ballot measures to be the fifth day after the Secretary of State files the statement of the vote, unless the measure states a later date. Currently, the effective date of most ballot measures is the day after the election, even though many vote-by-mail ballots may not have been counted and the vote has not been officially filed. The constitutional amendment is on the June ballot and requires a two-thirds voter approval.

For more information, email [email protected]

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2018

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood

Don't miss this opportunity for Valley business leaders to connect with state lawmakers in an informal and fun setting, during our Annual State Officeholders Dinner.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:

(as of 1/26)

SENATOR

Bob Hertzberg

Tony Mendoza

Holly Mitchell

Josh Newman

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION CHAIR

Fiona Ma

ASSEMBLYMEMBERS

Dante Acosta

Jim Cooper

Heath Flora

Vince Fong

Jim Frazier

Laura Friedman

Mike Gipson

Tim Grayson

Miguel Santiago

Marc Steinorth

Purchase your Early Bird Rate Ticket Today: $250 / Person (before 2/8/18)

VICA Commends Approval of Metro's Twenty-Eight by '28 Initiative

On Thursday, the Metro Board of Directors approved the Twenty-Eight by '28 Initiative, which highlights 28 Metro projects for completion by the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Seven of the identified Metro projects are in the San Fernando Valley, including the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, which will connect the Valley to West Los Angeles and the Los Angeles International Airport. The Valley will host canoe slalom, equestrian and shooting events during the 2028 Olympics, and equestrian and shooting events during the Paralympic Games.

VICA commends the Metro Board for seizing this opportunity and looks forward to supporting these efforts for on-time and early project delivery.

Read more on VICA's Business Advocate Blog

Join more than 200 civic and business leaders for the region's premier advocacy trip to the nation's capitol. Attendees will meet with Congress and senior Administration officials on priorities important to Southern California.

Join the VICA delegation for exclusive advocacy meetings, briefings, lunch with a member of Congress, and an optional VICA dinner.

DATES: Tuesday March 13 - Thursday March 16

CONFERENCE HOTEL: JW Marriott · Group rate available

Early Bird registration fee: $750 (before February 13)

Registration fee after February 13: $850

Book your Early Bird place for Access D.C. with the VICA Delegation.

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 [email protected] 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.