Blogs of the LA Area Chamber

The story of the growth of Los Angeles and its economy is highlighted by the ingenuity and vision of entrepreneurs. During National Entrepreneurship Month, I want to share with you what the Chamber is doing to ensure that L.A. builds on its fastest growing entrepreneurial sector: technology.

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California grabbed the first opportunity to expand Medicaid and ran with it, helping cut the number of uninsured people in half in a few short years.

Thanks in part to billions of dollars in federal funding, a third of California’s residents — including half its children — are insured by Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid.

Now, with the election of Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress, the state that bet so heavily on the Medicaid expansion is bracing to see how much of its work will be undone. While no one knows yet exactly what will happen, many policymakers and advocates fear the federal government will end or severely limit funding for the expansion.

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Last week, the Chamber held its 15th annual Cash for College Convention, providing an opportunity for Los Angeles students and their families to explore college opportunities and receive individualized assistance in completing their Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. We’re proud to say that through this program, the Chamber and its partners have been able to help students secure an average of $35 million dollars annually in state and federal aid to make their college dream a reality. This work is vital since the number one barrier for many students aspiring to go to college is the cost.   

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This past week I've been reminded of how important leadership is. We rely on leaders for direction, for courage and for inspiration -- in business, the social sector and, of course, in government.

Nowhere is leadership more important than at the local level, where real nuts-and-bolts change happens. We are most successful at addressing society's biggest challenges by working together with those in our region who are committed to common causes.

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Last night we saw Los Angeles vote overwhelmingly for a commitment to our infrastructure and future. More than 75 percent of Angelenos approved Measure HHH, the $1.2 billion bond to build permanent supportive housing for the homeless. Nearly 70 percent of the County approved Measure M, the ½ cent sales tax for Metro’s Traffic Improvement Plan, which surpassed even the approval of the original Measure R. Measure CC, a $3.3 billion bond for upgrades to our Los Angeles Community College District’s nine campuses, passed with 75 percent of the vote.

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Tomorrow is Election Day. Months of campaigning and advocating will come to a close as California voters head to the polls to elect a new President, a new U.S. Senator and state legislative representatives. California voters will also decide the fate of 17 ballot propositions. Los Angeles County voters will be choosing two new supervisors and deciding three ballot measures. City of L.A. voters will see an additional four measures on their ballots.

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The Los Angeles Times says No on JJJ. The Daily News says No on JJJ. Why? Because there is broad consensus by those who have studied JJJ that this poorly crafted measure will do the opposite of what it purports to do by making it more costly to build housing that our city desperately needs.

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