Blogs of the LA Area Chamber
Business Has A Story To Tell In Sacramento
Gary Toebben on May 5, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Two weeks from today, 100 local leaders will travel to our State Capitol for the Chamber’s annual ACCESS Sacramento trip. The purpose of this day and one-half mission will be to advocate for legislation and policies that will invigorate the Southern California economy, create new jobs and deliver essential services for the people of California.
Workforce Education Is Key to Economic Prosperity
Gary Toebben on April 28, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Last Friday in Washington, D.C., the L.A. Area Chamber and UNITE-LA were invited to a White House Summit on Upskilling America. Nearly 400 leaders from business, labor, education, foundations and nonprofits from across the country gathered with Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to share initiatives and big ideas on building a competitive business climate and a stronger middle class by investing in educational programs to better equip America’s workforce.
Legislature's Turn to Consider Open Data
George Lauer, California Healthline on April 24, 2015 at 12:00:00 pm
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
Last month, the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS) embraced the open data movement in health care with a decision to make more data available to the public online. Now it's the Legislature's turn.
California lawmakers are considering four bills designed to make more state data accessible online. The bills are not aimed directly at health care or medical applications but could have a significant effect on how health data is disseminated and shared in California.
Tell Congress to Grow California Jobs Through Trade
Gary Toebben on April 21, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
During the Chamber's ACCESS Washington, D.C. trip to our nation’s capital in March, increasing American exports through international trade was a high priority for the 190 representatives of business, government and the non-profit sector. Increasing exports gained momentum last Thursday when a compromise proposal to give President Obama Trade Promotion Authority was announced by key leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Save Water for Our Future – Make a Plan Today
Gary Toebben on April 14, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
The current drought requires all of us to be on the same team when it comes to conserving water. Whether your goal is reducing the water you use by 20 percent, 25 percent or more, every business and every household in Los Angeles County must carry its share of the load.
Lawmakers, major water users and environmentalists have already started to blame someone else for our current water shortage. For a moment, let’s stop blaming someone else and look to our own ingenuity. We are in the fourth year of a drought, the snowpack in the Sierras is five percent of normal and we are running out of water. It is time for all of us to take action.
Health Insurance Tax Penalty: What you could pay if you don't get covered
Presented by: Health Law Guide for Business Team on April 8, 2015 at 10:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
For the first time when filing their taxes, people are facing a penalty if they do not have health insurance. Known as the “shared responsibility payment,” this can amount to 1 percent of a household’s 2014 income, or $95 per adult and $47 per child, whichever is higher. Many people are now realizing that 1 percent of their household income is in fact much greater than $95. For 2015, the penalty will go up significantly and in many cases it will more than double.
Make Plans Today to HIRE LAÂ’s Youth This Summer
Gary Toebben on April 7, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Employment for young adults continues to decline nationwide and 6 million young adults are neither working nor in school. Research shows that summer jobs encourage young people to graduate from high school and continue their education in a community college, trade school or four-year university. It is the goal of HIRE- LA’s Youth to give thousands of young people in Los Angeles County the opportunity to learn valuable life skills by earning a paycheck this summer.
International Trade Essential To Future Jobs
Gary Toebben on March 31, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
In 1926, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce sponsored a celebration of International Trade that became a predictor of the future. That celebration, World Trade Week, was intended to open the eyes of Angelenos to the international trade opportunities that awaited L.A. businesses. Other metropolitan areas soon followed our lead and in 1935 President Franklin Roosevelt declared World Trade Week as worthy of national recognition. On May 5, 2015, the Chamber will sponsor its 89th annual World Trade Week Kick-off Breakfast at the Beverly Hilton.
The End of SGR?
Samantha Beasley, Senior Public Policy Manager, L.A. Area Chamber on March 25, 2015 at 3:00:00 pm
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
House leaders from both sides of the aisle are finally coming together to change the way the federal government pays Medicare doctors. Championed by House Speaker John Boehner and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act, was introduced on Monday to permanently repeal and replace the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for Medicare payments to physicians. Without a remedy or replacement plan in place before the current ‘doc fix’ expires, physicians would see a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments on April 1.
Minimum Wage Increase – Intent and Results Will Not Match
Gary Toebben on March 23, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective