Join Us in Washington, D.C. on March 16-18

by Gary Toebben

Congress and the White House have been in the news this past week as we finally saw a bi-partisan outreach from Washington, D.C. to the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) urging a speedy conclusion to labor negotiations that began nine months ago. The lack of a contract is crippling businesses and employees who work at the ports and industries that rely on the ports. We hope those negotiations will be completed long before our ACCESS Washington, D.C. advocacy trip on March 16-18; but if they are not, that issue will move to the top of our list. 

A year ago, 168 leaders from business, government and nonprofits traveled to the steps of the Capitol for our region’s largest annual advocacy trip. This lobbying pilgrimage is sponsored by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and other business and civic organizations which are intimately familiar with the critical needs of L.A. County and the cities in our county.    

We are excited that our upcoming ACCESS Washington, D.C. trip will be led by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. His vision, leadership and relationships with the White House and Congress will enhance the delegation’s access and success. 

During the three-day visit, teams of delegates will blanket the Capitol to advocate on issues like immigration reform, Trade Promotion Authority, transportation funding, intellectual property rights, housing for homeless veterans, renewable energy and clean technology, health care reliability and capacity, water infrastructure, L.A. river development and quality education at all levels. 

We will also hear from high level officials. Past years have included Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, Senator Diane Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and many more. 

This is a chance to raise our voices in unison and show that Los Angeles is a leader on federal policy issues that affect local communities. We invite you to join us. This trip will be even stronger if you add your voice. Click here for trip details and registration information.

And that's The Business Perspective.