L.A. Floods the Halls of Congress

by Gary Toebben

Last week, more than 170 business and civic leaders spent two and half days in our nation’s capital, advocating for issues vital to the economic vitality and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. On the Chamber’s annual ACCESS Washington, D.C. trip, the delegation was joined by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti; L.A. City Councilmembers Joe Buscaino, Mitch Englander, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and Nury Martinez; elected officials from the cities of Glendale, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and West Hollywood; LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King; LAUSD Board President Steve Zimmer; and members of the Redondo Beach School Board.

In 150 meetings with Congress, federal departments and the White House, the delegation urged support for dozens of initiatives including trade agreements, immigration reform, drought solutions, homelessness funding and cradle to career education. Members also had substantive discussions about the implementation of legislation that was passed in 2015- Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, a long-term surface transportation reauthorization, and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Highlights included meetings with Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Victor Mendez, Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a surprise drop-in visit by U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and the opportunity to meet one last time with retiring Senator Barbara Boxer and thank her for her years of service.

New to the advocacy agenda was a request for federal support for the Los Angeles 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games bid. Joined by LA 24 bid chairman Casey Wasserman and Olympian Janet Evans, the delegation participated in a press conference announcing the introduction of a bipartisan Congressional resolution stating “the Congress of the United States expresses the sincere hope that the United States will be selected as the site for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and pledges its cooperation and support toward their successful fulfillment in the highest sense of the Olympic tradition.”

The trip included an opening reception with five members of Congress, a keynote by Senator Dianne Feinstein, and timely, entertaining remarks by MSNBC political commentator Chris Matthews, who shared his take on the 2016 presidential election. The ACCESS delegation, in partnership with LAUSD and the LA Compact, also held a reception to introduce our new LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King to the L.A. Congressional delegation. Photo gallery.

The common refrain from members of Congress was how important it is that a delegation of this size comes to D.C. with one voice to represent the L.A. region. We thank everyone who committed their time to join us.

Next month, on June 8-9, we will be in Sacramento, taking the same collective voice to our state capital. I urge you to join us and add your voice to this important work.

And that's The Business Perspective.