A WIN FOR JOB CREATION. The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously last Friday to create the City's first business tax category for Internet-based companies. The category is established at the lowest rate available to city businesses. This move ends the City's arbitrary reclassification of Internet companies into much higher tax brackets, which has resulted in multi-million dollar tax reassessments. This will provide fiscal certainty for dozens of L.A.-based Internet businesses. We applaud the City Council for their leadership on this issue, especially Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Bill Rosendahl. Read more.

Chamber, with 200-plus delegation, headed to Washington, D.C.
The Chamber and partnering organizations have been preparing for months for this year's Southern California on the Hill - Access Washington, D.C., March 15-17. The delegation will meet with Congressional leaders and senior Administration officials. Keynote speakers include Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. John McCain and Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama. View this year's advocacy agenda and a list of the delegation. Follow the Chamber next week while we're in Washington, D.C. on Twitter @LAAreaChamber. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568 or [email protected].

Thousands of Californians applied for Citizen Redistricting Commission
More than 25,000 eligible Californians applied to serve on the Citizens Redistricting Commission. The Commission was created by the 2008 ballot initiative Proposition 11, co-sponsored by the Chamber. Click here to view eligible applicants. A panel of auditors will review the submissions over the next five to six months, to select 120 qualified individuals from all of the applicants. This pool of 120 will include 40 registered Democrats, 40 registered Republicans, and 40 applicants who are not registered with either major party. The panel will interview those candidates in public meetings, then narrow the pool to 60 individuals by Oct. 1- 20 Democrats, 20 Republicans and 20 individuals not registered with either major party. If you applied for the Commission, we want to hear from you. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568 or [email protected].

Chamber small business owners to discuss financial management tools
Small business owners will receive help on putting together a financial plan that works for them in today's economy at the next Small Business Owners Roundtable on Wednesday, March 17, 7:15-9 a.m. at the Chamber. Warren Cooley, vice president of the Valley Economic Development Center, will lead the discussion. Cooley has 28 years of experience as a small business owner and has run several businesses including The Living Tree, a small chain of retail stores, and an economic consulting and construction management business. Register now or contact Bridget Netter, 213.580.7576 or [email protected].

Chamber members assist in disaster relief in Chile The Chamber would like to encourage our members to help assist in the relief efforts after the 8.8- magnitude earthquake in Chile last month. Several Chamber members including the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, Habitat for Humanity, the United Way of Greater Los Angeles and The Salvation Army are helping in the efforts. State Farm Insurance processes thousands of claims in California State Farm Insurance has recently processed more than 10,000 claims throughout California related to recent weather damage. State Farm is committed to serving its policyholders and the Chamber congratulates them for the company's timely response to get Californians back to their pre-loss condition. Visit statefarm.com. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.