The Business Perspective

As we head toward election day on Nov. 6, we want to provide helpful information about the many propositions and measures you will find on your ballot. In last week’s Business Perspective, I argued that Prop 10, which would expand rent control, would have the unintended consequence of making our housing crisis worse. Luckily, there are two propositions on the November ballot that would be much more productive:

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Last week, I wrote an op-ed piece on one of the most troubling topics in our state, affordable housing. In advocating in the Sacramento Bee that our housing supply and affordability crisis must be top of mind for policy makers, I noted that without more housing opportunities within financial reach, we risk the California dream slipping away. I argued government and the private sector must collaborate to address barriers to more housing supply and seek creative solutions to funding and regulatory challenges.

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One of the Chamber’s most important roles is convening thougth leaders around important topics to our regions. This week, Bixel Exchange, the Chamber’s Center for Innovation & Technology, hosted T3: State of Tech Talent Today, a convening of business leaders, the tech community, educational institutions and elected officials.

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As the leading voice of the business community in Southern California, the Chamber's efforts, in large part, are spent representing your voices in Sacramento. It’s our job to ensure that when legislators debate new laws, regulations and programs, that they understand the impacts to the economy, job creation, and the everyday operations of businesses small and large.

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The strength of the L.A. Area Chamber, much like the region as a whole, resides in the collective power of our membership and the business community. This organization realizes that if we truly want to succeed at moving business and the region forward, we can’t do it alone. Our tradition of convening area leaders, partnering with community organizations, collaborating with other business groups, engaging stakeholders and forming coalitions is at the heart of our success.

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The Los Angeles region’s growth is a story of vision, creativity and innovation at play. And since its inception in 1888, the Chamber has played an integral role in shaping L.A.’s future and fostering the entrepreneurial spirit.

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The Chamber has a long tradition of advocating on behalf of the L.A. region and its business community. But there’s more work to be done to promote a truly business-friendly L.A. We are well positioned to convene business leaders and come together to proactively define a pro-business agenda. And, to maintain an open dialogue with with policy makers to make our business concerns heard.

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Last week, I returned from joining L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti for a portion of his 10-day trade mission in Asia. I was excited to participate and to see so many Chamber members join the Mayor’s delegation, which visited Tokyo, Seoul, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong.

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Today, I officially begin my role as President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has a remarkable legacy over its 130-year history, and serving in this capacity, for the businesses and people of this region, is a tremendous honor. I look forward to building upon the great work of my predecessors, and to expanding the Chamber's leadership role and influence on a regional, national and global basis.

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The past few months have brought some challenging developments in immigration policy -- challenges that have put additional pressure on communities working to create a safe, inclusive environment for immigrants and their families.

Los Angeles is home to 3.5 million immigrants, and the Chamber understands how immigrants are inextricably tied to this country’s social fabric and economic success. With unemployment at historic lows, and immigrants adding billions of dollars to our gross domestic product and tax revenue, we need immigration policies that pave the way toward citizenship, encourage diversity in thought and talent, and ensure businesses have the workforce needed to compete in a 21st century global economy.

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