Blogs of the LA Area Chamber

The nine colleges of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) are essential to meeting the workforce needs of employers in the L.A. region. That is why the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce is joined by the Los Angeles Times in strongly recommending a YES vote on Measure CC.

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Losses in productivity due to worker illness and injury cost U.S. employers $225.8 billion annually. Knowing what business leaders can do to improve health and wellness among employees and within their community has shown to not only help businesses thrive, but it can also be the tipping point towards ensuring economic vitality and creating equitable prosperity. 

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"Measure JJJ would impose some of the nation's most demanding affordable housing and wage mandates on privately-funded development. It was written without any analysis of whether the measure would actually relieve the city's affordable housing crisis, as opposed to increasing the cost of new construction so much that developers build fewer units for low- and middle-income Angelenos." - Los Angeles Times Editorial Board, 9/27/16

The Chamber, along with a coalition of community organizations, homeless advocates, housing advocates and tenant rights groups, opposes Measure JJJ and so does the Los Angeles Times editorial board. Measure JJJ would place huge burdens on the ability of developers to build the housing we desperately need to address our affordability and homeless crisis.

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Very rarely are we, as citizens, given the opportunity to make a decision that will dramatically transform our economy and our quality of life for generations to come. That is the opportunity that Los Angeles County residents have on Nov. 8 when we vote on whether to continue our investment in transportation improvements for our entire county through Measure M.

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Today, consumers expect what they want, when they want it. But where does this emerging on-demand economy leave health care?

Consider the state of health care. The average wait time to see a primary care doctor is 18 days. The average emergency room wait time in Los Angeles is 3.5 hours. And yet 71 percent of emergency room visits are unnecessary.

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Six years ago, the Chamber and the United Way released Home For Good, an action plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness in L.A. Since then, cooperation between the business community, philanthropic foundations, apartment owners, and local and federal officials has helped house 14,543 chronically homeless people and 16,939 homeless veterans. But, regrettably, the number of new homeless is growing faster than our solutions.

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Last week, I touched on a number of wins in the Legislature and several remaining priorities for the Chamber. Among the 789 bills sitting on Gov. Brown's desk to sign or veto, there are many items that would impact the business community. We are continuing to weigh in on these bills before the Sept. 30 deadline, and we urge you to join us in communicating with Governor Brown.

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Late last Wednesday night, the California State Legislature wrapped up the 2015-2016 session. The end of the session contained a number of bright spots for the Los Angeles business community.

Two bills were defeated that would have allowed Sacramento to usurp power from local boards. SB 522, then SB 1379 (both Mendoza) attempted to change the composition of the Los Angeles Metro Board of Directors and SB 1387 (de Leon), sought to add seats appointed by Sacramento leadership to the Southern California Air Quality Management District. The Chamber strongly believes regional and local agencies are best-equipped to deliver projects and programs that provide regional benefits and we are pleased to see these two bills defeated.

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After a month-long break, the Covered California Board reconvened for its monthly meeting on Aug. 18, 2016. Covered California provided updates on media coverage and enrollment numbers for Covered California for Small Business (CCSB). Board members approved readoption of the requirements for the certified application counselor program and individual eligibility and enrollment regulations. Covered California provided updates on its application for a Section 1332 federal waiver under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and signaled its intent to adopt the final application at the September board meeting. Finally, the Board discussed draft CCSB eligibility and enrollment regulations with action to be considered at the September meeting.¹

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In 2013, the Los Angeles City Council approved the Specific Plan Amendment Study (SPAS), which evaluated projects that were part of the Los Angeles International Airport’s 2004 Master Plan. The passage of SPAS was a huge victory for L.A., as it laid out plans for projects that would kick-start desperately needed modernization at LAX, as well as upgrades to passenger safety and security. The L.A. Area Chamber and organized Labor led the charge in securing this approval in 2013.

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