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Serving the San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, San Fernando, and Santa Clarita
Valley Industry & Commerce Association || vica.com
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- VICA Board Takes Positions on State Proposals
- VICA Advocates at LA City Hall
- VICA PAC Endorsements and Ballot Measures
- VICA County Officeholders Breakfast - Jan. 31
- VICA is looking for Meeting Sponsors
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"The Point-In-Time Count is an important tool to confront the homelessness crisis. Homelessness is an emergency, and it will take all of us working together to confront this emergency. With COVID back rent due at the end of the month, we have to ensure that we are doing everything we can to house Angelenos and also prevent Angelenos from falling into homelessness."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
Statement on LAHSA's 2024 Point-In-Time Count, an annual count of the people experiencing homelessness on a single night in Los Angeles
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VICA Board of Directors Takes Stance on State Legislation and Regulations | |
On Wednesday, the VICA Board of Directors took positions on various state legislation that will impact California and the San Fernando Valley. | |
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AB 761 (Friedman): Local Finance: Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts
The VICA Board voted to support Assembly Bill 761 by Assemblymember Friedman, recognizing its commitment to comprehensively improving and sustaining California's public transit systems. The bill would establish a diverse Task Force led by the Secretary of the California Transportation Agency, aiming to provide recommendations on crucial aspects including service coordination, safety measures, and workforce strategies. Additionally, the proposal advocates for replacing fare-related criteria, exploring sustainable revenue sources, and prioritizing transit-oriented development to enhance the efficiency, ridership, and overall effectiveness of the state's transit systems.
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AB 1431 (Zbur): Housing: the California Housing Security Act
The VICA Board voted to oppose Assembly Bill 1431 by Assemblymember Zbur, which proposes a two-year pilot program to prevent homelessness in vulnerable communities, including up to a $2,000 monthly subsidy. While VICA generally supports efforts to address the homelessness crisis, the proposed $500 million expenditure to prevent homelessness for 10,000 individuals is considered imprudent, given the small impact on the population and the state's budget constraints. Additionally, concerns arose about the potential impacts on the housing market, with an influx of state funding likely leading to increased pressures on housing.
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California Air Resources Board: Exemption of Fossil Jet Fuel from Low Carbon Fuel Standard
The VICA Board voted to oppose the California Air Resources Board's proposed amendment to remove fossil jet fuel from the Low Carbon Fuel Standard by 2028. These changes aim to regulate and reduce emissions from the aviation sector, subjecting jet fuel producers to LCFS regulations and impacting Alternative Jet Fuel producers who will face increased demands. The increased demands in AJF would increase costs for the aviation industry, being passed down to consumers through higher flight costs.
Without state mandates, the industry has voluntarily emphasized utilizing Alternative Jet Fuel, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which reached 11.6 million gallons in 2022. The aviation industry's commitment to AJF aligns with federal incentives for SAF producers. However, the current amount of Alternative Jet Fuel or SAF is minimal, with only two locations worldwide producing SAF, thus limiting the amount of AJF that can be provided to the aviation industry. Despite these efforts, the constrained production capacity restricts the amount of Alternative Jet Fuel that can be provided, thus rendering the amendments by CARB out of reach for current industry technology.
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VICA Advocates at LA City Hall, Opposes Misguided Motion for City-Specific Packaging Labeling | |
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This Friday, VICA actively participated in the City Council's Energy & Environment Committee, strongly opposing the city's motion to implement redundant city-specific labeling of plastic materials.
VICA highlighted several concerns regarding this motion, emphasizing its lack of clarity on the practical benefits to consumers and the potential for confusion between information on packaging recyclability and degradability. We also drew attention to the significant statewide packaging policies, such as SB 54 and SB 343, already in place, providing a consistent compliance standard for businesses operating across the country.
We stressed the challenges posed by city-specific labeling requirements in terms of implementation, enforcement, and potential penalties for non-compliance. We urged a pause on new packaging labeling requirements, allowing businesses to concentrate resources on complying with existing state laws.
VICA remains committed to representing your interests and ensuring a business-friendly environment.
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VICA PAC 2024 Voter Guide | |
The VICA PAC Committee has made the following endorsements: | |
Board of Supervisors, District 5 | | |
LA City Council, District 2 | | |
LA City Council, District 4 | | |
LA City Council, District 6 | | |
LA City Council, District 12 | | |
The VICA Board of Directors has taken the following positions for the March 5 Ballot Measures | |
Proposition 1 (State Measure): Allocates funding for construction, expansion, and renovation of treatment facilities, supportive housing units, and outpatient services. | |
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Healthy Streets LA (City Measure): Requires the city to prioritize street improvement measures including concept maps for connected networks of pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicle routes | |
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: VICA County Officeholders Breakfast | |
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LA County Officeholders Breakfast
Wednesday, January 31 | 8:30 AM
The Garland
VICA's LA County Officeholders Breakfast is a unique and fun opportunity for our members to directly engage with elected officials representing LA County in a “Fireside Chat” type format. VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsors, Amazon, EKA, Microsoft, and SoCalGas.
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County Sheriff Robert Luna
Luna assumed the role of the 34th Los Angeles County Sheriff, leading the largest US Sheriff’s Department with nearly 18,000 staff. With a 36-year career at the Long Beach Police Department, Luna, who started as a reserve officer in 1985, rose to become Chief of Police in 2014. His commitment to relationship-based policing is rooted in his early experiences in East Los Angeles.
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Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Kathryn Barger, representing the 5th District, the largest in Los Angeles County, covering over 2,785 square miles, has been committed to offering effective representation to the residents of 20 cities and 83 unincorporated communities. Elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2016, Barger served as Chair and secured reelection for her second term in 2020.
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Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath
Lindsey P. Horvath represents Los Angeles County’s 3rd District, which is home to more than two million people and stretches from the Ventura County line to West Hollywood and the City of San Fernando. She previously served as a Los Angeles City Councilmember and the Mayor of West Hollywood. On November 8, 2022, she became the youngest woman to ever be elected to the LA County Board of Supervisors.
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County Assessor Jeffrey Prang
Jeffrey Prang, elected as the 27th Assessor for the County of Los Angeles in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022, hails from Warren, Michigan, and is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University. With nearly 18 years of service as a council member for the City of West Hollywood, including four terms as Mayor, Prang assumed the Los Angeles County Assessor role in 2014.
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Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan
Logan, serving as the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for LA County since 2008, oversees the nation's largest and most diverse local election jurisdiction with over 5.6 million registered voters. Beyond election duties, his office manages real estate property documents, vital records, civil marriages, and business filings for approximately 3,500 daily customers.
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Chief Deputy Director Michael Owh, Internal Services Department
Michael Owh, Chief Deputy Director of Los Angeles County’s Internal Services Department, oversees an annual budget of $873M and 2,183 positions, managing facilities, IT, environmental, administrative, purchasing, and contracting functions. He previously served as the first Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Los Angeles and later for New York City, revolutionizing processes and implementing technology projects.
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Chief Deputy Director Angela R. George-Moody, Public Works
Angela R. George-Moody, Chief Deputy Director of Los Angeles County Public Works, brings over 30 years of county service and expertise in water resource planning, construction management, and transportation planning. Leading the largest U.S. municipal public works agency, she oversees a $4.1 billion budget and 4,000 employees, providing essential infrastructure and services to over 10 million people across a 4,000-square-mile area.
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VICA is Looking for 2024 Board and Committee Sponsors | |
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VICA is looking for members to host or sponsor our board meetings and committee meetings in the upcoming year. If your company can accommodate 20-40 individuals and provide breakfast or lunch, we have a committee opportunity for you!
As a host, you'll have the chance to extend a warm welcome, promote your organization and site, and be featured on each agenda with table cards throughout the meetings.
You can host/sponsor the entire committee for the year, or you can host/sponsor 1 meeting for the year, including the VICA Board Meetings.
Unable to host? Please consider sponsoring a meeting at the VICA office. As a sponsor, you'll provide meals for committee meetings while having your logo displayed on the meetings' agendas and table cards.
For details and available committee meetings, please visit the link below.
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VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members! | | |
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Premier Partner
Bronze Members:
Renewing Members
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Sacramento Advocacy Days
Tuesday, February 27 I All Day
Tuesday, March 19 | All Day
Wednesday, April 10 | All Day
VICA's regular advocacy trips to the State Capitol are crucial for ensuring that the voice of the business community is heard by legislators.
These members-only trips allow attendees to interact directly with statewide elected officials, discussing the issues that are vital to our members. Join VICA in Sacramento for one of our monthly advocacy trips, and don't miss this opportunity to have your voice heard on how legislation affects your company/organization!
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ACCESS D.C. 2024
March 12, 2024 - March 14, 2024
Washington, D.C.
ACCESS D.C. is the region’s largest annual advocacy trip, connecting more than 200 business and civic leaders with federal lawmakers on issues ranging from immigration and education to transportation and health care.
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Program Agenda
Tuesday, March 12:
- VICA Delegation Day (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
- Welcome Reception (5:00 PM - 6:30 PM)
Wednesday, March 13:
- Breakfast Program with Keynote elected officials/admin (8:00 am - 11:25 AM)
- Delegation Photo (11:25 AM - 11:40 AM)
- Team Assembly, discussion of talking points (11:40 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Delegation Meetings on the Hill (12:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
- Evening Reception with Congressmembers (5:30 PM - 7:00 PM)
Thursday, March 14:
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Breakfast Closing Reception and Speakers (8:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
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Delegation Meetings (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
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State Officeholders Dinner
Universal Studios Hollywood
Friday, March 8
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
RSVP
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Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast
Friday, April 26
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
RSVP
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Education Committee
Thursday, February 1
8:30 to 10:30 AM
Hosted by Los Angeles Valley College
RSVP
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Labor & Employment Committee
Wednesday, February 7
8:30 to 10:30 AM
Hosted by Hilton Universal
RSVP
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Land Use Committee
Tuesday, February 13
8:30 to 10:30 AM
Hosted by The Garland
RSVP
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Not-for-Profit Committee
Wednesday, February 14
8:30 to 10:30 AM
Sponsored by Pacific Federal
RSVP
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LA Homicides and Shootings Dropped, Fatal Crashes Rose in 2023
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, 2023 was the first time in nine years that the city saw more traffic-related deaths than homicides. Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD Chief Michel Moore credited the department for a 3% reduction in violent crime and a 17% reduction in homicides compared to 2022, although property crimes increased by 3.5%. However, the pair noted a significant, 23% increase in traffic fatalities over the same period, and a 32% uptick in DUI-related crashes. In response, Moore stated that the LAPD will utilize more uniformed and traffic officers to enforce speed limits and pursue drivers who are impaired or engage in hit-and-runs.
Los Angeles Times to Lay Off Over 20% of Its Newsroom
The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday announced that it plans to lay off at least 115 of its journalists, one of the largest staff reductions in the paper's history. The move, delivered to affected employees on Tuesday, follows the departure of executive editor Kevin Merida earlier this month, and in the face of the paper losing between $30 to $40 million annually, according to owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. Hundreds of journalists had walked off the job last Friday following negotiations between the workers' union and the paper's management, marking the first newsroom-organized stoppage since The Times was founded.
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City Council Approves Funds for Increased LAPD Foot Patrols
In an effort to combat smash-and-grab robberies, the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved $100,000 in discretionary funds for additional foot patrols in Eagle Rock. The motion, introduced last week by Councilmember Kevin de León and passing with a 10-3 vote, is meant to protect businesses particularly along the Colorado and Eagle Rock boulevards. A similar proposal from councilmember Bob Blumenfield, aimed at covering overtime for LAPD officers, was previously approved by the city council.
LA County To Explore a Faith-Based and Community Partnerships Office Under New Motion
The LA City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a motion to explore the creation of an office for coordinating the county's work and partnerships with houses of worship and other faith-based organizations. The proposal, co-authored by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn, intends to connect the County with organizations on relevant initiatives while offering technical assistance to houses of worship that do business with the County. As part of the motion, the County's Chief Executive Officer will deliver a report to the Board of Supervisors within 90 days to recommend an appropriate department for the office.
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Natalie J. Speech
The Black Entertainment Museum Foundation (BEMu)
Co-Founder
"The Black Entertainment Museum Foundation (BEMu) mission is to chronicle, memorialize, celebrate and pay tribute to the lives and works of black creative talent in all aspects of the entertainment industry. BEMu was established to act upon the importance of documenting the impact of Black creatives in the entertainment industry and to increase the future presence of diversity.
Preserving Black culture is not only essential, but imperative to educate Black youth about their history while reminding our global society of the value and contributions Black talent has made to the entertainment industry, and the world. BEMu’s objectives are to provide a uniquely interactive environment, through creative and historical exhibits, in which patrons of all ages and abilities can feel free to imagine, adore, create, and welcome this new knowledge into their lives."
BEMF's team includes Co-Founders Natalie J. Speech and Cynthia Avon Lee, Connie O'Neal-Bates, Sir Keith Holman, and Robyn Dew.
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JPMorgan Chase is excited to announce that applications for the Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) and Advancing Hispanics & Latinos (AHL) Fellowship Programs are now open through February 12! The program will be held from June 24 – July 26, 2024 in select JPMorgan Chase offices.
The five-week, paid, full-time program is designed to introduce students from all backgrounds — including, without limitation, Black, Hispanic and Latino — to the financial industry and help build a pathway to future career opportunities. We are looking for individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives to help us grow and position our businesses for the future.
Eligible candidates must be college sophomores with a graduation date between December 2025 and June 2026 and interested in financial services careers. The program provides exposure and professional development opportunities to students from communities that are underrepresented in the industry; however, all eligible students, regardless of background, are welcome to apply.
Participants who complete the Fellowship Program are encouraged to apply for the JPMorgan Chase internship program. Upon successful completion of that internship, they will have the opportunity to apply for full-time employment with the firm.
Link to Advancing Black Pathways Fellowship: https://jpmorganchase.com/ABPFellowship
Link to Advancing Hispanic & Latinos Fellowship: https://jpmorganchase.com/AHLFellowship
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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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