Blogs of the LA Area Chamber

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

Read More

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.

Read More

As the 2016 Olympics came to a close Sunday night, there are number of indelible images that will forever signify Rio 2016. Gymnast Simone Biles tumbling through the air on her way to a record four gold medals. Swimmer Katie Ledecky shattering world records in a class all her own. Michael Phelps coming out of retirement after finding joy in his sport again to claim an additional six medals for himself and the United States. 

Read More

California is a vast state, with regions that vary greatly in needs and circumstance. From dense cities, to desert expanses and mountain ranges; from areas whose economy depends on technology or manufacturing, to communities that are driven by fishing or agriculture. This geographic and economic diversity is what makes California grea

Read More

Three years ago, the Los Angeles City Council approved the Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) project, a near-dock rail facility proposed by BNSF Railway. This $500 million project to move goods more efficiently, lower emissions and reduce thousands of truck miles from our congested freeways is vital to our logistics sector, our economy and our environment.

Read More

Scheduling open enrollment for health insurance at the end of the year is akin to driving on the Bay Bridge during rush hour. The journey could be long, slow and more than a little frustrating.

Read More

Last week, the State Water Resources Control Board began a series of hearings on the California WaterFix, the plan to update the state’s aging water infrastructure. Our Southern California region is highly dependent on this infrastructure, with one-third of our fresh water flowing from the Sierra Nevada Mountains through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Read More

In 2008, Los Angeles County residents took a leap of faith and voted to raise our county-wide sales taxes to fund the construction and maintenance of our transportation infrastructure. Seven years later, Metro conducted a quality of life report to study the impact of that decision on the region. The results are impressive. New rail and bus rapid transit now provides access to more than 300,000 jobs in the region. Nearly 500,000 residents now live within a half mile of projects that opened after passage of Measure R. What’s impressive is that this data was tallied prior to the 2016 openings of the Gold Line extension and Expo Phase II.

Read More

Obamacare exchange premiums in California will go up an average of 13.2 percent next year, although almost 80 percent of consumers could pay less or see a premium increase of no more than 5 percent if they shop around.

Read More

Yesterday, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges (CCC) announced the appointment of Eloy Ortiz Oakley as the next Chancellor of the 113-college system.

Read More