Blogs of the LA Area Chamber
Unemployment Rates For Los Angeles Tell A Disappointing Story
Gary Toebben on July 22, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Last Friday, the California Employment Development Department released the Employment Report for June. The California unemployment rate stands at 6.3 percent, the County of Los Angeles is 7.4 percent and the City of Los Angeles is 7.7 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate is 5.3 percent. While all of these numbers are better than a year ago, the growth in jobs in L.A. City and County is lagging far behind other metropolitan counties in California. Here are the comparisons: San Francisco – 3.5 percent; Alameda (Oakland) - 4.6 percent; San Diego – 5.0 percent; Orange – 4.3 percent; Santa Clara (San Jose) – 4.0 percent. All of these metro counties have a lower unemployment rate than the United States except L.A. County.
Governor's Special Session on Health Care Financing
Samantha Beasley, Director, Public Policy on July 17, 2015 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
Facing billions in funding challenges for our state’s health care infrastructure in 2016, Governor Jerry Brown recently began a special legislative session on health care financing. In this, hearings are being held in the Senate and Assembly to discuss the needs of our continuously expanding Medi-Cal population, services for people with developmental disabilities, and - most prominently - expiration of the current Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax structure.
Governor's Special Session on Health Care Financing
Samantha Beasley, Director of Public Policy, L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce on July 15, 2015 at 2:00:00 pm
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
Facing billions in funding challenges for our state’s health care infrastructure in 2016, Governor Jerry Brown recently began a special legislative session on health care financing. In this, hearings are being held in the Senate and Assembly to discuss the needs of our continuously expanding Medi-Cal population, services for people with developmental disabilities, and - most prominently - expiration of the current Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax structure.
State & Feds Must Address Transportation Funding Crisis
Gary Toebben on July 14, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
The Federal Highway Trust Fund will expire on July 31 and California’s highways are falling apart. The businesses and residents of California are angry and frustrated by the lack of focus on transportation at both the State and Federal level. Tax revenue is growing in Washington DC and Sacramento but none of that new revenue is going to transportation.
Special Olympics World Games Begin July 25 – Join Us
Gary Toebben on July 7, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
The World Cup Championship victory by the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team on Sunday was exciting and inspiring. It was especially moving because it took place the day after the celebration of the 239th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and founding of our nation.
Assembly Panel Rejects Nurse Practitioners' Scope-of-Practice Bill
California Healthline on July 1, 2015 at 11:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
On Tuesday, the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions rejected a bill (SB 323) that aimed to allow nurse practitioners to treat patients without the supervision of a physician if certified by an authority such as a hospital, medical group, accountable care organization or clinic, the Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" reports (Walters, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 6/30).
Congress Authorizes Trade Promotion Authority With Bipartisan Support
Gary Toebben on June 30, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Last week’s Congressional approval of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) was a major victory for President Obama, U.S. businesses that export, and the working men and women of America. With a bipartisan vote, the U.S. Congress prioritized economic growth and job creation here at home. In doing so, Congressional leaders proved they could tune out opposition on the left and the right and take action on an important measure to move our economy forward.
Help “Make It in LA” - Return Your Survey Today
Gary Toebben on June 23, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
From the entrepreneur tinkering in his or her garage to the mighty aerospace industry, making things has always been part of the DNA of Southern California. According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, there are more than 365,000 people employed by the manufacturing industry in L.A. County, the most for any county in America. Led by aerospace and fashion, manufacturing accounts for almost 10 percent of all jobs in L.A. County.
Brown, California Lawmakers Reach Budget Deal After Compromises
California Healthline on June 17, 2015 at 10:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
On Tuesday, California lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown (D) announced a $115.4 billion budget deal with several health care implications, the Los Angeles Times' "PolitiCal" reports (Mason, "PolitiCal," Los Angeles Times, 6/16).
The deal comes after the California Legislature on Monday passed its budget plan (AB 93) hours ahead of the deadline to do so.
The initial $117.5 billion general fund plan assumed that the state would get about $2.3 billion more in revenue than estimated in Brown's revised version of the fiscal year 2015-2016 budget plan, which was released in May (California Healthline, 6/16).
Homes For Heroes – An Opportunity for Homeless Vets and Apartment Owners
Gary Toebben on June 16, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald was in Los Angeles 11 days ago to meet with Mayor Eric Garcetti and L.A. apartment owners to encourage their participation in “Homes For Heroes.” This campaign was organized by Home For Good, a partnership between the L.A. Area Chamber and United Way of Greater Los Angeles aimed at ending veteran homelessness in L.A. County by 2015.