May 24, 2019

In This Issue
"Housing is our great challenge...Businesses 
cannot thrive in a world that's failing...you cannot afford to see a middle class squeeze like we're experiencing. We rise and fall together."
- California Governor Gavin Newsom at the 94th Annual Sacramento Host Breakfast
Media Mentions

Sacramento Nixes Bill to Allow More Housing in Single-Family Areas
May 16





Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members
____________________

BRONZE MEMBERS
(2003)

(1994)
__________________

Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP
(2018)

Horace Heidt Estates
(2018)

Paul Davis Insurance Services
(2005)
__________________

VICA Welcomes New Members
__________________

SILVER MEMBER


BRONZE MEMBER


Cubic Transportation System

 
Calendar

The Week Ahead

Ambassador Committee
Tuesday, May 28
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys 
Click here to RSVP

Leaders Forum with Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins
Thursday, May 30
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
The Airtel Plaza Hotel
7277 Valjean Ave., 
Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Save The Date

Manufacturing Committee
Tuesday, June 4
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Aviation Committee
Hosted by Aeroplex Aerolease
Wednesday, June 5
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Aeroplex Aerolease
7943 Woodley Ave., 
Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Entertainment Committee
Sponsored by Pacific Federal
Thursday, June 6
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Land Use Committee
Hosted by The Garland
Tuesday, June 11
8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The Garland
4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood
Click here to RSVP

After Dark with LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz
Tuesday, June 11
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Buca di Beppo
17500 Ventura Blvd., Encino
Click here to RSVP

VICA University Harassment & Discrimination Training
Led by Gaspar Insurance Services
Wednesday, June 12
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Healthcare Committee
Hosted by Valley Presbyterian Hospital
Thursday, June 13
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Valley Presbyterian Hospital
15107 Vanowen St., Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

International Trade Committee Port Tour
Hosted by Port of Los Angeles
Thursday, June 13
12:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Port of Los Angeles
Click here to RSVP




Hot Issues 
Election 2020
Republicans are already picking candidates to challenge incumbent Democrats who took seven seats from the GOP in 2018. 

Housing
According to the California Housing Partnership, California currently lacks 759,000 affordable housing units in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

Tobacco
A proposal to make California the nation's first state to ban flavored tobacco is struggling in the Legislature. On the Assembly side, all tobacco-related bills were effectively snuffed out when a key committee opted not to hear them.

Budget
The State Senate Budget Committee approved a $214 billion budget for the state. The proposed budget does not deviate much from the Governor's proposal unveiled last week but excludes a tax on residential water bills, which VICA opposed.

SB 50
Proponents of VICA-supported SB 50, which would have changed zoning laws to enable development near transit, are petitioning Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins to override the Appropriations Committee's decision to kill the bill last week. 

Charter Schools
VICA-opposed legislation to limit charter school appeals narrowly passed the Assembly. The bill passed after AB 1505's author, Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell, assured colleagues that the bill would be amended to include a fair appeals process.

VICA Pounds the Pavement in Sacramento
Francine Oschin ( Oschin Partners), Natasha Fooman ( California Financial Service Providers Association), Elizabeth Hawley (VICA), Senator Ben Allen, Francesca Vega ( California State University, Northridge), Stuart Waldman (VICA), Senator Bob Hertzberg, Nancy Hoffman ( Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce), Samona Caldwell ( State Farm), Ross Pendergraft ( Leavitt Group). 

This week, VICA members met with 19 legislators or their offices to advocate for the San  Fernando Valley during our annual 2-day Sacramento trip, in conjunction with the CalChamber Capitol Summit. After a busy first-day supporting housing development near transit, advocating for the rights of independent contractors, asking for funding to support Californians with developmental disabilities, and many other issues, Senator Henry Stern joined VICA members for dinner. The following morning, members heard remarks from Governor Newsom at the 94th Annual Sacramento Host Breakfast.
 
Our thanks to the following legislators for meeting with VICA: Senators Ben Allen, Bob Hertzberg, Henry Stern and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. Thank you to the staff of the following legislators for meeting with VICA: Ian Calderon, Ed Chau, Phillip Chen, Ken Cooley, Brian Dahle, Ash Kalra, Laura Friedman, Adrin Nazarian, Miguel Santiago, Susan Talamantes Eggman, Jim Wood, Jesse Gabriel, and Christy Smith and Senators Jim Beall, Ling Ling Chang, and Shannon Grove.

VICA will return to Sacramento on June 18!
Click here to register for the June 18 Sacramento Trip.


REQUIRED BY LAW
Harassment and Discrimination Training

VICA invites you and your work team to join the  Gaspar Insurance Services Harassment & Discrimination Training at the VICA office. 

Gaspar Insurance Services is offering  VICA Members a SPECIAL offer of $25/attendee
  • By January 1, 2020 an employer having five or more employees shall provide at least two hours of classroom or other effective interactive training and education regarding sexual harassment to all supervisory employees. They must also provide at least one hour of classroom or other effective interactive training and education regarding sexual harassment to all non-supervisory employees in California within six months of their assumption of a position.
  • This training must be provided once every two years, and it must be provided by qualified trainers (attorneys admitted for more than two years, Human Resources Professionals with 2 or more years of practical work experience, professors and instructors who have a post-graduate degree or a California teaching credential).
TRAINING DATES:
(Space is limited) 

Wednesday, June 12th

8:30 - 10:30 a.m. 
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, 
Van Nuys


NOTE: MAY 29th - CANCELED

VICA University Workshop led by:


E-mail Cathy@vica.com to register
Oppose Bills That Would Prevent Eviction of
Problem Tenants
VICA opposes Assembly Bills 1481 (Bonta / Grayson) and 1697 (Grayson), as well as Senate Bill 529 (Durazo). AB 1481 and AB 1697 would prohibit landlords statewide from terminating tenants at the end of their lease without just cause and require landlords to provide relocation assistance to terminated tenants. SB 529 would allow the formation of tenant associations and prohibit landlords from terminating a member of a tenant association without just cause.

J ust cause termination may create unintended consequences for neighboring tenants. Requiring just cause termination would make it difficult for property owners to terminate tenants who have committed crimes or have been repeatedly reported for harassment, bullying, or threatening neighbors. This would create an unhealthy and uncomfortable environment for neighboring tenants, who are entitled to enjoy the use of their homes.  Additionally, forcing property owners to shoulder the relocation costs for terminated tenants places an unfair burden on landlords, especially for small rental property owners with already limited resources.
 
Click here to send a letter opposing AB 1481 & AB 1697.

Click here to urge the Legislature to oppose SB 529.



Tuesday, June 11, 2019
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Buca di Beppo
17500 Ventura Blvd.,
Encino

Councilmember Paul Koretz

Join VICA for our upcoming After Dark, featuring Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz. Attendees enjoy hosted drinks and appetizers as they meet and interact with other prominent business leaders from the community.  VICA After Darks are complimentary to VICA members.

Sponsorships are still available - email Jessica@vica.com or call the 
VICA Office at (818) 817-0545

Non-members who are interested in attending are encouraged to contact Cathy @vica.com.

Click here to register
Oppose Providing Unemployment to Striking Workers
VICA opposes Assembly Bill 1066 (Gonzalez), which would allow employees who have left work due to a trade dispute or strike to claim unemployment benefits four weeks after the start of a strike. Unemployment benefits are designed to ease the burden of the economic challenges workers, and their families face following job loss. Striking employees are not involuntarily unemployed; they choose to leave their job and could return to work. During a strike, employers bear the financial losses caused by reduced or halted workflow. By requiring employers to fund unemployment benefits for their striking workers and enabling longer strikes, AB 1066 will only exacerbate the negative effects of a strike.

Click here to send a letter opposing AB 1066.
Spotlight on VICA Committee Leadership
Paula Bahamon is Vice President - Business Banker at Mission Valley Bank in Sun Valley, California. She is responsible for acquiring and retaining influential small and large business entities in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. She consults current and prospective clients at the local and regional levels. Her responsibilities also include providing community outreach in an advisory capacity to business owners for financial literacy.  

Why is VICA valuable to you or your business?
I find VICA extremely valuable as they serve as a liaison between the business community and government agencies. They have provided personal introductions, as well as materials which help educate myself on ongoing issues impacting our region.

Why should members consider becoming more involved with the Ambassador Committee?
The Ambassador Committee provides insight about the organization, opportunities to network, and it is a fast track to meet members.

VICA's next Ambassadors Committee will be held on May 28.
Click here to RSVP for the May 28 Ambassador Committee meeting.

Click here to learn more about VICA's Policy Committees
Mapping the Future for Hotels in the San Fernando Valley
This week, VICA and the Hotel Association of Los Angeles (HALA), hosted a roundtable discussion for hotel owners and operators. Attendees discussed their shared interests and the importance of working together to advocate on important policy issues, such as worker safety. The group also discussed VICA-opposed Measure EE, a property tax which would impose a 16 cent per-square-foot tax on properties, including hotels. Attendees noted the significant tax burden Measure EE would place on San Fernando Valley hotels. The roundtable concluded with a discussion about the philanthropic efforts of regional hotels and the opportunities for professional growth within the industry. 
To learn more, email Elizabeth@vica.com
Job Opportunity at VICA: Membership Manager
VICA is looking for a Membership Manager who will help recruit new members, re-sell dropped (canceled) members, retain and provide service to existing members, and sell sponsorships and advertising. This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated professional who wants to facilitate participation and networking in the most influential business community in the Valley. Please share this with your contacts and, to apply, email a resume and cover letter to Jessica@vica.com

Click here to read the job description
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 Helene@vica.com  or 
call (818) 817-0545.