Blogs of the LA Area Chamber
Long Term Fix For LAX Begins Tomorrow
Gary Toebben on April 29, 2013 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
April 30, 2013 will be a signature day in the history of Los Angeles. It is the day when the Los Angeles City Council finally votes on the long-awaited plan to modernize the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Generations of residents and visitors to Southern California will be impacted by this vote.
Focusing on Jobs and Education in Sacramento
Gary Toebben on April 23, 2013 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Three weeks from today, 100 business and community leaders will come together for the Chamber’s annual ACCESS Sacramento trip, advocating for legislation and policies that will rebuild the California economy, create new jobs and deliver essential services for the people of California.
Immigration Reform is Key to a New Economy
Gary Toebben on April 16, 2013 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
A month ago, more than 150 business and civic leaders descended on our nation’s capital to make the case for policies, initiatives and funding priorities to improve our local and national economy. Though we advocated on many fronts, one of our top priorities was Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR).
Stop Politics From Grounding A World-Class LAX
Gary Toebben on April 8, 2013 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
It is not hyperbole to say that the upcoming vote by the members of the L.A. City Council on the new long-range plan to modernize the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most important vote they will cast during their term in office. Their vote will determine whether our gateway to the world moves forward with an exciting plan for modernization or whether we settle for piecemeal investments that will never create the safe and efficient passenger experience that is being offered at competing U.S. airports and other gateways around the world.
A New Set of Eyes on City of L.A. Finances
Gary Toebben on April 2, 2013 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
When I arrived in Los Angeles in 2006, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the L.A. City Council were facing a $200 million budget deficit even though the economy was booming and city tax revenue was growing by 5 percent annually. The Council balanced the budget with cuts in expenditures, but in 2007, the same story unfolded again. The economy was strong and city tax revenue was growing by more than 5 percent, but the projected budget deficit was still $200 million. Some of us asked the question, why do we have a significant budget deficit every year when tax revenue is growing at a rate much higher than inflation?