Blogs of the LA Area Chamber
Region Ends Year with More Jobs & Other Successes
Webmaster on December 22, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
As 2015 comes to a close, we should celebrate that Los Angeles County has 73,200 more jobs than one year ago and our unemployment rate stands at 5.9 percent, down from 8 percent in November 2014. The result is a happier holiday season for many families and friends.
Federal Education Bill Is Good for California Economy
Webmaster on December 15, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Last week, both houses of Congress passed and the President signed into law the Every Student Success Act (ESSA). This bill replaces the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation that was enacted 12 years ago. The goal of ESSA is to ensure that all students, including our youngest learners, have equal access to a quality education no matter their background or ethnicity.
Don'’t Doom L.A. to a Permanent Housing Shortage
Gary Toebben on December 8, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Last month, a group of activists calling themselves the “Coalition to Preserve L.A,” led by Michael Weinstein with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, filed papers to place an initiative on the November 2016 ballot that would establish a citywide building moratorium on higher density housing. The measure is officially titled “Restrictions on General Plan Amendments, Required Review of General Plan; Building Moratorium Initiative Ordinance,” but don’t be fooled by the archaic sounding language. The implications of this measure would be devastating to Los Angeles and doom us to a permanent housing shortage.
Congress Should Ratify Trans Pacific Partnership and U.S. Leadership Role
Gary Toebben on December 1, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Last Wednesday, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman had lunch at the Chamber to discuss the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Trade Agreement that Congress will consider in 2016. Prior to the Chamber meeting, Ambassador Froman met with leaders from the motion picture industry, who are very supportive of the TPP and know how important the agreement is to growing entertainment jobs in L.A. and California.