SHAPE OUR TRANSPORTATION FUTURE AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT. On Oct. 29, join transportation providers, businesses and elected officials at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim for the Ninth Annual Southern California Transportation Summit, where we will develop Mobility 21's action plan to advocate for Southern California's transportation future in Washington and Sacremento. Southern California is at a crossroads, and we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape our transportation future, escape gridlock, protect our environment and improve our quality of life. Register now or contact Marnie O'Brien Primmer, 949.288.6884.

Chamber urges L.A. City Council to focus on pension reform; public services at risk
Chamber Board members continue to meet with members of L.A. City Council to support meaningful reforms to the City's pension and employee health insurance programs. A report released this week concluded that meeting L.A.'s $26 billion unfunded pension liability would cost $18,193 per household. In addition, residents continue to pay for 100 percent of health insurance premiums for most city employees and their dependents – totaling more than $300 million each year. With next year's city budget deficit already estimated to be more than $320 million, failure to make significant reforms will lead to more layoffs and greater reductions to city services for residents and businesses. While changes to the pensions system would only apply to future employees, requiring city employees to pay for a portion of their health insurance premiums would save the City millions of dollars immediately. The Chamber encourages its members to support City leaders in making the necessary improvements. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568.

Leadership L.A. Fellows experience neighborhood case study of Pacoima
The Leadership L.A. Class of 2010 visited the north Los Angeles County community of Pacoima on Friday, Oct. 8 for an in-depth case study on neighborhood development and revitalization. Fellows met with leaders at local non-profit organizations including MEND – Meet Each Need with Dignity and Pacoima Beautiful; and also focused on the economic and political landscape in the area with Roberto Barragan, president, Valley Economic Development Center and Stuart Waldman, president, Valley Industry & Commerce Association. Fellows also visited environmental and community projects in the works to improve the quality life in Pacoima. "Education and graduation rates continue to be a huge challenge here," said Barragan. "From an economic development point of view, that's unacceptable." Contact Kevin Cottrell, 213.580.7577.

Feria es El Momento informs 30,000 Hispanic parents and students regarding the importance of education
On Saturday, the Chamber partnered with Univision Communications on its annual Feria es el Momento (This is the Moment Fair), an initiative aimed to inform and motivate Hispanic parents and students to address important education milestones, a parent's impact on a child's attitude towards school, and the early warning signs for dropout. More than 100 different organizations and 250 volunteers worked together to serve an estimated 30,000 participants in attendance. Contact Alma Salazar, 213.580.7566.

Chamber discusses SB 375 implementation
Hasan Ikhrata, executive director of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) delivered an update on SB 375, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, to the Energy, Water and Environment Committee on Tuesday. "Market shifts will help more than regulation and there should be incentives," Ikhrata stated while discussing the conditions SCAG recommended to the California Air Resources Board to help meet greenhouse reduction target goals by 2020 and 2035. Most of those recommendations are aimed primarily at restoring previous levels of State funding for transportation, especially transit. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

National infrastructure group applauds Mayor Villaraigosa's innovative infrastructure initiative Building America's Future, a bipartisan and national coalition dedicated to bringing about a new era of U.S. investment in infrastructure, today announced their support of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's 30/10 initiative. The 30/10 initiative would accelerate the construction of 12 voter-approved Measure R rail and transit projects in Los Angeles, completing them in 10 years instead of 30. "Mayor Villaraigosa has set a bold vision that will help increase safety, quality of life and economic competitiveness for the people of Los Angeles and California," said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, co-chair of Building America's Future. "This is another good example of local governments finding creative ways to fund infrastructure to rebuild their communities and help get Americans back to work." Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.