VICA Weekly
Valley Industry & Commerce Association

December 2, 2022

In This Issue
  • Post Election Newsmaker Connection
  • Senator Bob Hertzberg Recognizes VICA's Commitment to the Valley
  • VICA Voices Support for Valley Oriented Transit
  • VICA's 2023 Board of Directors and Executive Committee Slates
  • VICA's 2023 Legislative Priorities
  • 2023 Bylaw Change
  • Powerful and Effective Advocacy Isn't Cheap

"Enhancing the economic vitality of the San Fernando Valley is what VICA does best. Thank you for your contributions to make our community more business friendly. "

California State Senator Bob Hertzberg

Post Election Newsmaker Connection

VICA hosted a Newsmaker Connection on Wednesday focusing on the November election results and what these results will mean for the coming year.


Matt Klink (California Strategies), Joel Fox (Pepperdine University), and VICA Past Chair Lisa Gritzner (LG Strategies) from VICA's Business Forecast Conference Election Panel returned to provide commentary on who won this November, why they won, and what changes these elections will mean for Los Angeles and California.


A wide range of topics were covered, including the role of gender in elections this year, particularly at the local level where female candidates dominated, the shift to mail-in ballots and what the increase in this form of voting meant this year, age demographics (both expected and unexpected changes), and the election of multiple Democratic Socialists to Los Angeles City Council as well as the City Controller.


VICA would like to thank our presenting sponsor State Farm.

Senator Bob Hertzberg Presents VICA With Certificate of Recognition

California State Senator Bob Hertzberg stopped by the VICA office on Wednesday morning to present VICA with a certificate of recognition. Hertzberg thanked VICA for the years of continued support and all of the work the organization does for the San Fernando Valley.


Wednesday marked Senator Hertzberg's last day in office. VICA is proud to have worked alongside the Senator for many years and is grateful for his tireless efforts to represent and advocate for the San Fernando Valley and the Valley Business Community.


VICA looks forward to working with Senator Hertzberg in the future and is excited to see what the future will hold for him.

VICA Supports Improving Transit in the San Fernando Valley

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VICA showed support for Valley focused transit projects at Metro's Board Meeting on Thursday.


VICA called in to voice support for the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor project (ESFVTC). This project, running through the heart of the Valley and comprises some of the most equity-focused communities in all of Los Angeles County, will uplift communities, making it easier for transit-dependent residents to reach jobs, medical appointments, schools, and shopping.  


For these reasons, VICA advocated to maintain the ESFVCT as the highest priority project to receive additional funding from the the State of California Transit and Intercity Rail and Capital Program (TIRCP) Cycle 6.


Additionally, VICA submitted written public comment urging the board to approve and authorize the North San Fernando Valley Bus Rapid Transit Network Improvements Project (NSFV BRT Improvements Project) - a Measure M project with a goal to increase east-west connectivity throughout the North San Fernando Valley and the Metro Transit System.


The NSFV BRT Improvements Project was passed by the Metro Board.

VICA's 2023 Board of Directors and Executive Committee Slates

At VICA's 73rd Annual Meeting next week, VICA members will elect a new Board and Executive Committee for 2023. Nominees from a diverse set of businesses, organizations and industries were carefully selected to lead VICA in the coming year. Click the buttons below to view the 2023 Slates for VICA's Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

Click Here to View the 2023 VICA Board of Directors Slate
Click Here to View the VICA 2023 Executive Committee Slate

VICA's 2023 Legislative Priorities

Over the past few months, VICA gathered recommendations from our members on what they believe are the most important legislative priorities for 2023. After working to consolidate this list of recommendations, we are now turning back to our members to vote on their top ten priorities for the new year.


VICA members, you should have received VICA's 2023 Legislative Priorities survey (distributed through SurveyMonkey) in your email this week. If you are a member and did not receive the survey, or have any questions, please email Cathy at [email protected].

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VICA Hopes to Expand the Board of Directors

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At VICA's November Board Meeting, the VICA Board voted to amend VICA's bylaws. The amended bylaws read as follows:


A. Authorized Number and Qualification

1. The Board shall consist of at least twenty (20), but no more than eighty (80) one hundred (100) Directors.


This bylaw change will be voted on by the membership at the 73rd Annual Meeting on December 9.

Powerful and Effective Advocacy Isn't Cheap

As Southern California’s most influential business advocacy group, VICA is devoted to advancing the economic interests and opportunities of its members through effective legislative correspondence, civic leadership representation and conscious community engagement. This work has a cost, and the time has come to increase dues so that VICA’s critical advocacy can continue.


We understand that increased rates are not ideal. With that in mind, if you would like to keep your 2022 level dues for one more year, you can if you pay your dues in full by December 31, 2022. If you would like to take advantage of the 2022 rates, contact [email protected] today. 

Membership Level

Basic Membership:

Circle if Influence:

Business Leader:

Bronze:

Silver:

Gold:

Platinum:

Premier:

President:

2022 Rate

$660

$1,1210

$1,760

$2,750

$5,500

$8,250

$11,000

$16,000

$26,000+

2023 Rate 

$750

$1,300

$1,850

$3,000

$6,000

$9,000

$12,000

$17,000

$27,000+

Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members!

Renewing Members:


Platinum Member:


Silver Members:


Bronze Members:


Other Renewing Members:

Events

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER:

VICA's 73rd Annual Meeting

Friday, December 9 | 11:30 AM

Sheraton Universal City



VICA concludes every successful year with a celebratory program for its members, volunteers, and business leaders from the Valley. VICA members will elect a new Board and Executive Committee for 2023 from a diverse set of businesses, organizations and industries.


VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsors Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, San Fernando Valley Business Journal and SoCalGas.

Register Here
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Save the Date 

Transportation Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 10

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Hosted by The Garland 

RSVP


Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Meeting

Thursday, January 12

Noon - 1:30 PM

VICA Office

RSVP

Ambassador Committee Meeting

Wednesday, January 11

9:00 - 10:30 AM

VICA Office

RSVP


Aviation Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 17

Noon - 1:30 PM

Hosted by Aerolease Group

RSVP

View Calendar

VICA in the News

California Employment Back to Pre-Pandemic Level

Courthouse News Service | November 18


Angry Tenant Kicks, Screams and Damages Landlord's Property Near USC Campus

ABC7 | November 18


LA City Council Passes Law to Give Retail Workers with Erratic Hours More Stability

Los Angeles Times | November 22


LA City Council Passes Ordinance Providing Schedule Stability for Retail Workers

Daily Bruin | December 1

Hot News

Hakeem Jeffries House Minority Leader

House Democrats tapped Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday to lead them in the next Congress. The historic selection of Jeffries as the incoming minority leader means he will replace Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) in January as the highest-ranking African American in the House and become the first Black lawmaker to lead either party in the chamber. Jeffries will be joined in the top tier of Democratic leadership by Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts as minority whip and California’s Rep. Pete Aguilar of Redlands as House Democratic Caucus chair. Another Californian, Rep. Ted Lieu of Torrance, won a contested race for caucus vice chair. Democrats say their new leadership team is reflective of America’s diversity.


Marriage Bill Passes in Senate

The Senate passed landmark legislation on Tuesday to mandate federal recognition for same-sex marriages, as a lame-duck Congress mustered a notable moment of bipartisanship before Democrats were to lose their unified control of Capitol Hill. The 61-to-36 vote put the bill on track to become law in the final weeks before Republicans assume the majority in the House of Representatives at the start of the new Congress in January. The bill must now win final approval by the House in a vote expected as soon as next week, which would clear it for President Biden, who said he looked forward to signing it alongside the bipartisan coalition that helped shepherd it through the Senate.


Possible California Water Shortages

Most of California’s urban water agencies believe they have enough supplies to last through another seven months of drought, but nearly 20% of them — including many in Southern California — say they could be facing significant shortages, according to a new state report. The report, which includes yearly data through July 1, focuses on water agencies that serve at least 3,000 connections, representing about 90% of the population. Of 414 reporting agencies, 82% said they do not anticipate any shortages so long as current conservation efforts continue, including voluntary reductions in water use and local Level 2 water shortage measures. Officials said the findings highlight that, in many cases, water saving efforts are making a difference.

Music Royalty dies at 79

Christine McVie, the singer, songwriter and keyboardist whose dreamily optimistic tunes for Fleetwood Mac — including such FM-radio staples as “Don’t Stop,” “Little Lies,” “Songbird,” “Everywhere” and “You Make Loving Fun” — helped make the band one of the most successful acts in music history, died Wednesday. She was 79. Her death was announced by her family in a statement that said she’d “passed away peacefully” at a hospital following “a short illness.”


Warrant Issued for City Hall Leak

Los Angeles police detectives have served several search warrants as they attempt to find out who recorded a meeting among three L.A. City Council members and a powerful labor leader filled with racist and offensive comments, law enforcement sources told The Times on Tuesday. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing, did not identify the specific targets of the warrants. But they said the department obtained warrants for several social media accounts. Among the targets, the source said, is the Reddit account to which the audio was posted and related cellphone records. LAPD Major Crimes Division investigators served the warrants, signed by a judge, seeking communications over the last few weeks, and the sources said they expect more warrants to be served as the investigation continues.


LA28 Exec Named Bass' Chief of Staff

Mayor-elect Karen Bass announced one of the central roles in her administration Tuesday, naming LA28 senior vice president Christopher Thompson as her chief of staff. Thompson, who will also guide Bass’ transition, will start Monday. He is the first major hire announced by the new administration. “My number one priority is assembling a team that will be ready on day one to move our city forward,” Bass said in a news release that touted Thompson’s public and private sector experience. Thompson currently leads government relations for the organizing committee for Los Angeles’ 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Member Messages

Member Messages
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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.
Read more about VICA at vica.com
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