Blogs of the LA Area Chamber
LAWA Gives Region A Christmas Present For The Decades
Gary Toebben on December 23, 2014 at 8:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Last week the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners approved a $4 billion plan to dramatically transform LAX's ground transportation, and arrival and departure experience. The commissioners approved plans for a Landside Access Modernization Program that will include an automated LAX Train to connect passengers to the airline terminals from off site locations.
Health Insurance Toolkit for Small Business Owners Now Available
The Health Law Guide for Business Team on December 17, 2014 at 10:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
By now you have probably seen the commercials on TV, heard something on the radio, or even read it in this blog— open enrollment for health insurance through Covered California is happening now through Feb. 15, 2015, so there is no better time to make sure you and your employees get covered.
Bidding for the 2024 Olympics
Gary Toebben on December 15, 2014 at 11:59:00 pm
Posted in The Business Perspective
Today, Mayor Eric Garcetti and a small delegation from Los Angeles are in Redwood City, California for a presentation before the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). The Mayor and his point person on this bid, Casey Wasserman, will have 45 minutes to make the case for L.A. and Southern California to host the 2024 Olympics. The other cities that have been invited to bid are Boston, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco.
Google Announcement Signals Surge in High Tech Jobs
Gary Toebben on December 9, 2014 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
When Google announced a week ago that it was making a $120 million purchase of 12 acres of land in Playa Vista, the tech world took notice. The land is zoned for nearly one million square feet of commercial space and sits adjacent to the historic hangar in which Howard Hughes built his famous “Spruce Goose” airplane.
Health Care Legislation a Priority for State Legislature on First Day of Session
Samantha Beasley, Health Care Policy Manager, L.A. Area Chamber on December 3, 2014 at 10:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
Last Monday, 10 new state senators and 27 new assembly members were sworn in. Simultaneously, a number of health care-related initiatives were announced, including several carried over from last year.
CEQA Abuse Kills Construction Jobs Again
Gary Toebben on December 2, 2014 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Jon Healey with the Los Angeles Times Editorial Board hit the nail on the head last week in his column about how IBEW, the electrical workers union, used a threatened environmental challenge under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to secure a card-check provision from Kinkisharyo in Palmdale. Then, once the IBEW had that assurance, CEQA was no longer an issue.
We Are All Pilgrims
Gary Toebben on November 25, 2014 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
A Pilgrim is defined in most dictionaries as a person who makes a long and difficult journey to reach a sacred place. As we begin the Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded that those pilgrims who shared a feast with Native Americans in 1621 traversed the Atlantic to find a sacred place.
Renewing the Bridge to Reform (Section 1115 Waiver)
Samantha Beasley, Health Care Policy Manager, L.A. Area Chamber on November 19, 2014 at 10:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
At our last Health Care Council Meeting, we had a great discussion on issues to include in our 2015 advocacy agenda. In this, California’s section 1115 “Bridge to Reform” Waiver arose. Set to expire in October of 2015, the current 5-year demonstration waiver provides initiatives to invest in the state’s health care delivery system to tackle the significant changes spurred on by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Foreign Trade Missions Pay Off
Gary Toebben on November 18, 2014 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is leading a trade mission this week and next to China, Korea and Japan. The Mayor and his delegation of public and private sector leaders will convey a message to businesses in those three countries that L.A. invites and welcomes their investment, trade and tourists.
Remembering our Veterans
Gary Toebben on November 11, 2014 at 8:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Today we commemorate the millions of men and women who have risked their lives fighting for the United States of America.
As we emphasize today, freedom is not free. It demands vigilance and commitment from all of us and sacrifice by those who personally serve in our armed forces.