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CHAMBER PARTICIPATES IN TRADE EVENT IN CHILE
Last week, the Chamber organized and participated in the California Pavilion at the Expo-Hospital 2012 in Santiago, Chile. Six small/medium sized California firms participated in the event, exhibiting medical equipment, devices, instruments and supplies. Each company also participated in one-on-one meetings with potential Chilean representatives and distributors. The event featured 174 companies from around the world, with more than 3,000 registered visitors. The event was made possible thanks to the U.S. Small Business Administration's State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Grant through the California STEP Grant Initiative. Contact Carlos J. Valderrama, 213.580.7570.
Chamber applauds Congress for passing transportation reauthorization
 The Chamber joined Sen. Barbara Boxer, Mayor Villaraigosa and other community leaders Thursday to celebrate the passage of the Transportation Reauthorization bill that both Houses of Congress passed on Friday. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill tomorrow. Transportation reauthorization and the inclusion of America Fast Forward was the top priority of the Chamber's ACCESS Washington, D.C. trip earlier this year. Since then we have garnered support for transportation reauthorization and America Fast Forward from other chambers of commerce across the country. This is very good news for L.A. County because it will help to accelerate the projects the voters approved in Measure R in 2008. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.
Chamber-supported education legislation moving forward
 The Legislature is facing a July 6 deadline to get as many bills out of policy committees before the summer recess. The Legislature reconvenes from summer recess on Aug. 6. The Chamber is supporting key bills that passed out of policy committees last week:
- SB 1070 (Steinberg) would reauthorize and revise the Career Technical Education Pathways Initiative extending and strengthening a program that has invested in successful education, training and workforce development pathways in regions across California.
- SB 1458 (Steinberg) would strengthen the Academic Performance Index by ensuring that it includes more than just student results on standardized test scores in limited subjects.
- SB 694 (Padilla) would authorize a dental workforce study bill to ensure access to children's oral health.
Contact Sonia Campos-Rivera, 213.580.7538.
Will you be paying for a faster ride?
 Meet with the Los Angeles County Metro to discuss the I-10 and I-110 ExpressLanes at the Transportation & Goods Movement Council on Tuesday, July 10, 10-11:30 a.m. Learn when the lanes will open, and if the FasTrack transponders will work in all other High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane programs within the State. Metro ExpressLanes is a one-year pilot program that will introduce congestion pricing by converting HOV lanes into HOT lanes. The program is designed to improve mobility, reduce congestion and increase trip reliability. Customer service begins in Summer 2012 with tolls starting in October 2012 on the I-110 and February 2013 on the I-10. Register now or contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.
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Petersen Automotive Museum Special Events Manager Mandy Hanlon recently won one of the event industry's most prestigious awards, the 2012 Venue Manager of the Year. The award was announced earlier this month at the Reader's Choice Awards at BizBash IdeaFest L.A. "Through Mandy's hard work, perseverance and knowledge of the industry, we have been able to increase special events revenue in spite of a slow economy," said Petersen Museum's Executive Director Buddy Pepp. 
