SENATE REPEALS HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL
On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted 87-12 to repeal a provision in last year's health care reform bill that would require businesses to file 1099 tax forms to report anyone with whom they did more than $600 worth of business every year. This mandate would have placed an enormous paperwork and reporting burden on small businesses for routine purchases. This issue has been a top priority for the Chamber. "The Chamber is very glad both the House and the Senate saw eye to eye and did the right sensible thing," said Chamber Board Chair Joseph Czyzyk, Mercury Air Group, Inc. The bipartisan vote sends the repeal bill to President Obama's desk for his expected signature. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568. 

Chamber's Government & Civic Issues Council votes on budget recommendations
The Government & Civic Issues Council voted on Thursday to recommend to the Chamber's Executive Committee, that meets next week, to endorse the Neighborhood Council’s budget recommendations. The Council voted after meeting with Jay Handal, chair of the Neighborhood Budget Advocates, and Al Abrams, president of the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners, on their recommendations to the City and Mayor Villaraigosa for decreasing L.A.’s budget deficit and boosting revenues. With few exceptions, each of their recommendations mirrored the Chamber’s own priorities: budget reform, identify and prioritize core city services, adopt efficiency standards and accountability, enact meaningful city employee pension and health care reform. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531.

Chamber to meet with more than 60 legislators during ACCESS Washington, D.C.
Several U.S. Senators including Robert Menendez, Mary Landrieu, Amy Klobuchar, Jeanne Shaheen and Maria Cantwell are all confirmed to meet with the Chamber's ACCESS Washington, D.C. — Los Angeles on the Hill delegation, May 2-4. This is in addition to already confirmed meetings with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein; U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood; and Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Join the Chamber and more than 200 business leaders and public officials. Register now or contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568. 

Host an intern from the School of Law and Government at Roosevelt High School
The Chamber has partnered with the School of Law and Government at Roosevelt High School to help identify internship opportunities for students this summer in legal and government sector work environments. Roosevelt’s 11th graders are versed in law, government and public service and have visited courts and law schools during their participation in the Teen Court program. Interested organizations can sign up now and will be invited to participate in an Internship Fair on Thursday, April 28, 4-6 p.m. where they’ll be able to interview student candidates. Contact Paola Santana, 213.580.7553.

American Airlines launches service from LAX to Shanghai American Airlines and its regional affiliate American Eagle this week launched a significant service expansion from Los Angeles International Airport with 10 new destinations, including new daily nonstop service to Shanghai. Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben participated in the inaugural flight to Shanghai this week. American is the first U.S. airline to offer daily nonstop service from Los Angeles to Shanghai, the largest U.S.-China air travel market. Above, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with American Airlines and Los Angeles World Airport representatives (Picture by David Starkopf/Office of the Mayor). Read more. Southern California campuses recognized for design excellence The Ronald Tutor Campus Center at the University of Southern California and the Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Student Union at California State University–Dominguez Hills both received a 2011 Association of College Unions International Facility Design Award of Excellence. AC Martin Partners designed the Ronald Tutor Campus Center, left, a 193,000-square-foot building located in the heart of USC. Read more. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.