SPECIAL BRIEFING DETAILS THE IMPORTANCE OF IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION IN CALIFORNIA
On Wednesday, the Chamber was joined by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in hosting a special briefing by University of Southern California Professor Manuel Pastor, who discussed The Future of Los Angeles: Demographic Change, Economic Transformation and Immigrant Integration. Dispelling many of the myths surrounding California's immigrant population, Pastor shared, "A lot of what we think is inaccurate. People think immigrants are a net drain on the economy, that they can't speak English and that they're mainly Mexican. All of that is wrong." Pastor also discussed the academic and economic contributions made by the State's immigrant population, and the importance of better immigrant integration. "In California, 40 percent of the working age population with a doctorate degree are immigrants." Contact Sonia Campos-Rivera, 213.580.7538.

Chamber makes final legislative push in Sacramento
The State Legislature will adjourn Sept. 9, and the Chamber has made several bills a legislative priority before then end of this session.  Specifically, SB 939 (Wright), which would ensure funding of important public purpose energy efficiency programs, thereby allowing utilities to assist the State in meeting its ambitious energy and climate goals.  SB 939 will also be one of the drivers to save California revenue and create jobs. The Chamber is in opposition to SB 971 (Steinberg), which would allow local planning and transportation agencies to place a regional transportation reduction charge on purchasers of motor vehicles fuel fees on the ballot. The Chambers opposition stems from a clear violation of Proposition 26. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Chamber to host conference supporting PACE program, Sept. 7
On Wednesday, Sept. 7, the Chamber and the Los Angeles County Office of Sustainability will host a half- day conference on restoring the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. PACE is a local government initiative that allows property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for their homes and commercial buildings. Last year, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stopped underwriting mortgages with PACE assessments, halting a program that created jobs, increased property values and worked towards energy independence goals. Restoring PACE was one of the Chamber’s advocacy priorities during this year’s ACCESS D.C. advocacy trip. Find more information here or contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Chamber co-hosts China in Latin America event, Sept. 16
The Chamber is joining the Institute of the Americas and USC Marshall School of Business in hosting a half-day event on China in Latin America on Friday, Sept. 16, 7:30 a.m.-noon at USC. The conference will foster an open and frank dialogue between business leaders, academics and researchers from China, the United States and Latin America on the role of Latin America in China's development. Register now or contact Carlos J. Valderrama, 213.580.7570.

Farmers Insurance opens new Woodland Hills office On Tuesday, Farmers Insurance celebrated the grand opening of its new Woodland Hills office. Farmers Insurance CEO Robert Woudstra and President & COO Jeff Dailey welcomed Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilmember Dennis P. Zine, and Farmers agents, executives, and employees to the new facility. Read more. Office Depot donates sackpacks to L.A. area students On Wednesday, the Office Depot Foundation – the independent charitable giving arm of the company – announced it would donate 6,000 cool new sackpacks in five colorful designs to children served by area non-profit organizations and schools.  The Foundation presented the sackpacks, which contain essential school supplies, during a special “Back-to-School Celebration” at the Office Depot store located at 2020 S. Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. Read more. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.