LOS ANGELES IS MOVING AMERICA FORWARD
This week more than 150 business, civic and labor leaders gathered in Washingon, D.C., to advocate for job creation and to ensure that Los Angeles continues to be a driver in the nation's economic recovery. The delegation included Chamber Board Chair Joseph Czyzyk, Mercury Air Group; L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Glendale Mayor Laura Friedman; L.A. City Controller Wendy Greuel; L.A. City Councilmember Paul Krekorian; Los Angeles Unified School District President Mónica García, Superintendent John Deasy and Board Member Steve Zimmer. L.A. County Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Don Knabe and Michael Antonovich participated in several of the meetings. View our advocacy agenda and photo gallery.

Delegation meets with nation's leaders during historic week in Washington, D.C.
The Los Angeles on the Hill — ACCESS Washington, D.C. met with White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley; U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu; U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis; U.S. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Shaun Donovan; U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; Chair of White House Council of Economic Advisors Austan Goolsbee; Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson; Chair of White House Council of Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley; Director of National Intelligence Gen. James Clapper; Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and many more. Above, former Sen. Christopher Dodd, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, and Chamber First Vice Chair Karen Hathaway, Los Angeles Athletic Club. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568. 

America Fast Forward at top of advocacy agenda
Members of Congress from both parties expressed support for the expansion of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA). Elected officials and committee staff committed to engage with the Chamber once transportation reauthorization language is released. "L.A. should be proud," said Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), above, discussing Los Angeles' leading role in TIFIA funding. The delegation was briefed by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Transportation Administrator Peter Rogoff. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Education team briefs legislators on the merits of Linked Learning
The Chamber briefed members of Congress and legislative staffers on Linked Learning, an initiative to lower drop out rates and improve college and career readiness. The briefing was sponsored by Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA). The Chamber advocated incorporating Linked Learning into the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Linked Learning will aid schools and districts in graduating more students from high school prepared for postsecondary education and jobs. Above, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), the chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health Education Labor & Pensions, greets Helen Romero-Shaw, Southern California Gas Company. Contact Sonia Campos-Rivera 213.580.7538.

Housing & Homelessness team advocates for new homeless initiative in L.A. County
In a joint effort with the Chamber and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the Housing & Homelessness team shared the Home For Good plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness in Los Angeles with legislators. The team met with top officials, including Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth, Department of Veterans Affairs; U.S. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Shaun Donovan and Barbara Poppe, executive director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness. Housing officials promised the team support and technical assistance with the implementation of the plan. The Housing & Homelessness team also held a congressional staff briefing on the key federal funding formula—the McKinney-Vento Act. Contact Beverly Kenworthy 213.580.7531.

Congress and administration pledge movement on Free Trade Agreements
White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley and members of Congress told the delegation that President Obama was committed to action on the South Korea, Panama and Colombia Free Trade Agreements this year. At left, Daley addresses the delegation. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568.

Federal leaders show keen interest in energy and water
The Energy & Sustainability and Water teams used their meetings with U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to highlight the many opportunities to create new renewable energy jobs in California. The discussions also focused on the importance of a strong federal role in facilitating a reliable water supply for Southern California from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Colorado River. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Health Care team focuses on workforce development and Medicaid funding
The Health Care team focused on the growing need for skilled employees in the health care field and the importance of a strong workforce development program. The team also emphasized the devastating impact on Californians and the State's health care industry if block grants for Medicaid are implemented and California providers do not have the resources to serve Californians. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568.

Dozens of other meetings took place. View the full advocacy agenda.

SCLN and Chamber meet with San Francisco District Attorney Gascón San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón (LSC '98) discussed political leadership in law enforcement in both Los Angeles and San Francisco at a special reception Monday at the Chamber. "We are policing people into the streets ... It's time to start looking for alternative ways of enforcement, but at the same time still hold offenders accountable," said Gascón. The event was hosted by the Southern California Leadership Network (SCLN), as part of the launch of SCLN's California Connections Fellowship, which is bringing leaders together from throughout the state. Apply now for California Connections or contact April Tam, 213.580.7524. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.