L.A. CITY COUNCIL APPROVES 11 MEASURES FOR MARCH 2011 BALLOT. This week the Los Angeles City Council debated and approved 11 ballot measures for the March 2011 municipal elections. The Chamber Board of Directors will consider all of these measures at its January 2011 meeting. These measures include:

DWP
1. Creates an Office of Public Accountability with a ratepayer advocate
2. Gives the Council more authority over removal of Commissioners and the General Manager
3. Revamps the timeline for the DWP to report on the budget and surplus transfer

Taxes
4. Places an excise tax on oil producers
5. Taxes medical marijuana dispensaries in an effort to increase City revenue for general services

Funding
6. Increases funding that the City is required to allocate for public libraries
7. Creates an emergency reserve account

Election Financing
8. Removes current Charter provision regarding campaign contributions that violate recent court decisions
9. Restricts prospective contractor campaign contributions and fundraising on behalf of elected City officials and candidates

Other
10. Updates language in public safety personnel laws
11. Creates a new tier within the Fire and Police Pension Plan and makes related modifications

Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568.

Chamber hosts Dr. Ira Kalish for discussion of the global economic environment
On Wednesday, the Global Initiatives Council hosted Dr. Ira Kalish, director of global economics at Deloitte Research, who examined the global economic environment and offered his view on what to expect in 2011 and beyond. "The goal of the National Export Initiative, which is to double national exports in five years, can be achieved. But, it will be a result of strong market forces, not government," said Kalish. An expert on global economic issues as well as the effects of economic, demographic and social trends on the global business environment, Kalish also explained why a double dip is not in the cards for the U.S., why the euro will survive and why the big emerging markets will play the primary role in fueling a global recovery. Contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569.

Chamber members return from nine day trip to China
Yesterday, 44 Chamber members and their guests returned from the Chamber-hosted trip to China. The nine-day trip, which featured stops in Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai, gave travelers the opportunity to see the changing business climate in China and gain insight into Chinese culture. Contact Mandy Denaux, 213.580.7532.

Leadership L.A. 2010 wraps up program with focus on water and the environment; now recruiting for LLA 2011
The Leadership L.A. Class of 2010 completed its nine-month leadership development program on Friday, Nov. 12 with a session on water and the environment, featuring a keynote address on environmental leadership from Gilbert Ivey, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; and continued with a panel dialogue on environmental sustainability and reform with local business, government and nonprofit leaders including L.A. City Councilmember Jan Perry and Heal the Bay President Mark Gold. "Innovation is difficult. It usually takes a crisis, perseverance, passion and good ideas all at the right time," said panelist Ron Gastelum, Cordoba Corporation. Read more on Twitter @SCLN. SCLN is now recruiting for the Leadership L.A. 2011 program, which will provide unmatched access, unique perspectives and unparalleled partnerships to qualified Fellows who are selected through a competitive application process. Please refer qualified candidates to join our Network. View seminar dates and more information, including the application. Contact April Tam 213.580.7524.

The Rogers Group wins awards The Rogers Group recently garnered four highly coveted PRism Awards, which are hosted by PRSA-LA, a leading trade organization. The wins spanned social marketing to consumer product promotion. The winning projects included El Pollo Loco's spicy buzz marketing campaign for the "Taste the Fire" Challenge; California Office of the Patient Advocate's skyrocketing media launch for their Health Care Quality Report Card; California Department of Public Health's video about not smoking in the car when minors are present; and First 5 California's fun and friendly bilingual recipe booklet "Yummy for Your Tummy." Read more. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.