On Friday of last week, VICA secured another victory when a bill to institute a 32-hour work week died in the state legislature. VICA and its members have been fighting against AB 2932 (Low, C. Garcia), which would increase labor costs for businesses by approximately 20% and require business to pay employees overtime for any hours worked beyond 32 hours per week or 8 hours per day.

VICA is proud to continue its work advocating for businesses in the San Fernando Valley and is grateful for your continued support. Since the bill's inception, VICA has fought against it. CalChamber declared AB 2932 a "job killer" because the bill would significantly increases labor costs by imposing an overtime pay requirement after 32 hours and other requirements that are impossible to comply with, exposing employers to litigation under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).

The Los Angeles City Council is threatening to bring the so-called "Fair Work Week" Ordinance back to the Economic Development and Jobs Committee, which will restrict employee schedules and increase business payroll expenses. Though we do not have an exact date for when this will be revived, we are urging our members to call committee members and express opposition, as they gave less than 48 hours notice when the ordinance was brought forward in February.

The Ordinance would require Los Angeles employers to provide employees with more stable and foreseeable hours. However, this ordinance is actually restrictive scheduling, imposing a one-size-fits-all system that threatens the flexibility of employees and employers.

Although the proposal currently lacks detail, we understand that the proposed ordinance would require retail employers to provide two weeks' advanced notice of employees' schedules, and be penalized for any changes made after the schedule is posted. The proposal is applicable to retail businesses with over 300 employees worldwide. 

Many employers already provide schedules in advance, but we remain concerned at the possibility of harsh penalties when unforeseen circumstances come up, such as employees calling out sick or a sudden business need for additional employees. Harsh penalties hurt employees, too: studies have found that most employees value the flexibility that employers are currently able to provide so they can pursue their studies or creative opportunities.

213-473-7009

Councilmember.Price@lacity.org

213-473-7002

paul.krekorian@lacity.org

213-4737003

Councilmember.Blumenfield@lacity.org

213-473-7004

contactCD4@lacity.org

213-473-7008

Councilmember.Harris-Dawson@lacity.org

VICA, in partnership with the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce, invite you to an exclusive two-day Sacramento advocacy trip.

For more information or to register, please email Cathy@vica.com or call 818.817.0545.

Hosted at The Garland

Wednesday, May 11

VICA officially supports S. 1981 (King), the Accelerating Charitable Efforts Act (ACE), which would modify existing rules relating to donor advised funds (DAFs), change rules for the excise tax on undistributed income of private foundations, and exempt certain private foundations from the excise tax on investment income.

Los Angeles Business Journal | May 2

Treehugger | May 2

Courthouse News | May 6

California state officials in April launched a new program that lets first-time homebuyers borrow a down payment at a 0% interest rate. The program, the Forgivable Equity Builder Loan, provides forgivable loans to homebuyers for up to 10% of the home’s purchase price. “We have to use every tool in our toolbox to tackle the housing affordability crisis head-on,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in an April statement announcing the program. If the homebuyer stays in the home for five years, they won’t have to repay the junior loan, according to the California Housing Finance Agency. Borrowers may, however, have to pay back a portion of the loan if they stay in the home for less than five years, officials said. The loan has an interest rate of 0%, according to the California Housing Finance Agency.

California, which has a economy larger than all but four countries and where much of the world’s technological innovation is born, on Wednesday became the first state to formally begin examining how to broadly adapt to cryptocurrency and related innovations. Following a path laid out by President Joe Biden in March, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order for state agencies to move in tandem with the federal government to craft regulations for digital currencies. It also calls for officials to explore incorporating broader blockchain computer coding into the government operations. Evolving blockchain and cryptocurrency technology “is potentially an explosive creator of new companies and new jobs and new opportunities,” said Dee Dee Myers, a senior advisor to Newsom and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

From the stadium to the sea, the Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled plans Tuesday for this summer’s MLB All-Star Game, the franchise’s first time as host in 42 years.

The nation’s most populous state is shrinking. California’s population declined again in 2021 for the second consecutive year, state officials said Monday, the result of a slowdown in births and immigration coupled with an increase in deaths and people leaving the state. With an estimated 39,185,605 residents, California is still the U.S.’s most populous state, putting it far ahead of second-place Texas and its 29.5 million residents. But after years of strong growth brought California tantalizingly close to the 40 million milestone, the state’s population is now roughly back to where it was in 2016 after declining by 117,552 people this year.

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 cathy@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.