CHAMBER CELEBRATES VICTORIES ON ENDORSED GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT INITIATIVES. On Tuesday, more than 7.5 million Californians cast their votes in the General Election, and overwhelmingly they supported business with their votes. The L.A. Area Chamber celebrated victories on all but one of the General Election ballot initiatives on which it took a position. Victories included support of Proposition 20 (Voters FIRST Redistricting for Congress); support of Proposition 22 (Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and Transportation Protection Act); support of Proposition 26 (Supermajority for State Levies and Charges); opposition to Proposition 19 (Marijuana Legalization, Regulation and Taxation); opposition to Proposition 24 (Stop the Jobs Tax) and opposition to Proposition 27 (Eliminate Redistricting Commission). Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben applauded voters for "paying close attention to the ballot measures and supporting critical initiatives that will lead to a stronger economy." Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568.

Chamber joins Gov. Schwarzenegger in rally against Prop 27
Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben joined Gov. Schwarzenegger on the steps of L.A. City Hall on Monday for a rally against Proposition 27, which would have eliminated the California Citizens Redistricting Commission established by Proposition 11 and returned control over reapportionment of the state Senate and Assembly back to elected officials. The two were joined by Alice Huffman, president of the NAACP California, and Charolette Fox of the California League of Women Voters. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568.

Chamber testifies in support of Sign Code Administration Program
On Tuesday, the Chamber testified at L.A. City Hall in support of the Sign Code Administration Program (SCAP) motion in the Planning and Land Use Management Committee. SCAP is a joint effort of business organizations and onsite sign representatives to work with the City to implement needed improvements to onsite sign regulations through proper enforcement, education and amnesty to businesses unaware of the sign code requirements as well as the tools to clean up illegal signage blighting our City. Implementation of this program will represent the best of the City and business leaders working together to establish reasonable and user friendly regulations that protect the City and promote business. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531.

City Council votes to draft ballot language for two tax measures
The L.A. City Council approved the drafting of two business tax-related ballot measures for the March 2011 municipal election. The first would impose an extraction fee on oil companies operating in the City of L.A. The Chamber testified in opposition and recommended that the City conduct an economic analysis of how this tax would affect the business climate. In addition, the majority of the City Council voted to move forward a measure that would tax medical marijuana dispensaries despite strong objections by the City Attorney and three members of the Council. At issue is what exactly the City would tax since the sale of marijuana is illegal and dispensary transactions are not considered "sales." Both measures were introduced by City Councilmember Janice Hahn. These measures come two weeks after the Chamber helped defeat similar City Council efforts to tax outdoor advertising in Los Angeles. The City Council will make a final decision on whether to move forward with either measure by mid-November. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531.

Chamber-supported Gerald Desmond Bridge clears last approval hurdle
On Wednesday, the California Transportation Commission approved the Port of Long Beach's funding and building plans for the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project, clearing the way for the Port and Caltrans to seek firms to design and construct the $950 million span. The Commission's approval, which authorizes a design-build contracting process, will create an average of 4,000 construction jobs over a five year period, increase safety, and relieves congestion for trucked cargo and the port communities. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Sweet Power Hour with LuLu Desserts Founder and CEO
On Thursday, Maria de Lourdes Sobrino, the founder and CEO of Lulu's Dessert® Corporation, spoke at the Chamber's Occidental Petroleum Power Hour series. Sobrino, also an author, shared her successful story of 25 years as a female entrepreneur and how she overcame many challenges and obstacles to become a leading maker of ready-to-eat desserts. "Word of mouth has been so powerful for me. Don't ever underestimate the power of word of mouth," said Sobrino. Established in 1982, Lulu's Dessert® is ranked among the fastest growing Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States. Contact Pat Clark, 213.580.7595.

Southern California Leadership Network launches video blog series
This month, the Southern California Leadership Network launched a video blog series highlighting the Network's Civic Entrepreneurship Framework. This framework emphasizes the importance of 1.) having a personal mission and vision; 2.) developing accelerated career strategies; 3.) utilizing creativity, collaboration and confidence; 4.) utilizing thinking skills; 5.) being open to opportunities; and 6.) taking risks for results. Every Friday over the next several weeks, SCLN will post a new video clip featuring one of six visionary Southern California leaders, each offering new wisdom, insight and inspiration. Contact Kevin Cottrell, 213.580.7577.

Six Chamber companies among those selected for the annual Inner City Capital Connections program The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and Bank of America recently announced that 31 companies from the greater Los Angeles region have been selected for the annual Inner City Capital Connections program (ICCC), the most companies from the Southland ever accepted to the national program. Among those selected are Chamber members: Caluco, Design Theory, Inc., Go Green Gardeners, Michi Tokko Corporation, SMS Transportation Services, Inc. and US Promotions/ DBA Meghan. The ICCC program identifies inner city businesses from across the country in need of growth capital and matches them with private equity investors. This year, the program received a record-setting 4,000 company nominations from across the country. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.