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Chamber President Testifies Before State Senate Committee
Maria S. Salinas, Chamber President & CEO, testified before the California State Senate Committee on Education this week in support of Senate Bill 715, which passed unanimously. The bill would establish a small business and entrepreneurship center at East Los Angeles College. The proposed center would partner with the Chamber to provide specialized education and training to students interested in establishing a small business during or after college. |
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Tax Filing Deadline Extended for Californians Impacted by Winter Storms
California has extended the state tax filing and payment deadlines until October 16 for residents affected by the winter storms in December 2022 and January 2023. This extension is in addition to tax relief measures previously announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom in January. The move aligns California with the Biden administration, which also extended various IRS due dates until October 16. |
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Padilla, Alcaraz Face City Council Runoff Election
Imelda Padilla and Marisa Alcaraz will compete in a June runoff for the Los Angeles City Council District 6 seat. The district is currently under the supervision of the city's chief legislative analyst, Sharon Tso, after the seat was vacated by former Council President Nury Martinez. The winner of the special election will complete the remainder of the term, which ends in December 2024. |
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Tourism Industry Targeted in Proposed Minimum Wage Increase
Los Angeles Councilmember Curren Price proposed a motion this week to raise the minimum wage in the tourism industry, including for hotel workers from hotels with more than 60 rooms, and certain categories of LAX workers, such as security officers and janitors. The hourly wage would increase to $25 in 2023 and by $1 per year until it reaches $30 by 2028. The Chamber has raised concerns given the 39% increase in one year. Look for additional updates as this motion moves through the committee process. You can read the motion here. |
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| POLICY & ADVOCACY |
Hutt Appointed to City Council
The Los Angeles City Council voted 11-1 on Tuesday, April 11 to appoint Heather Hutt to serve the remainder of the term for the 10th Council District, which expires in 2024. Councilmember Hutt serves on six committees, including Transportation, Government Operations, as well as, Civil Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging, and Disability. |
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Councilwoman Rodriguez and Jackie Filla Share Opportunities for Women
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez and Jackie Filla, president of the Commission on the Status of Women, joined the Chamber's Women's Policy Council for a panel discussion focused on resources and opportunities to advance women in the workplace, unlock talent, and how Chamber members can facilitate professional development for the 21st century. |
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| GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT |
World Trade Week Stanley T. Olafson Award Honoree: Gene Seroka
The Chamber's 2023 Stanley T. Olafson Honoree is Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. The award, which was first presented in 1933, is the Chamber's most distinguished recognition and is bestowed upon an individual who has gone above and beyond their job duties to promote expanded world trade, enhance opportunities for Southern Californians, and raise awareness of the positive impact of international commerce on the regional economy. Register here to attend the celebration. |
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U.S. Signs Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has accepted the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on behalf of the United States. The agreement was created during a June 2022 conference and aims to establish important new disciplines on certain forms of harmful fisheries subsidies and prohibit subsidies for vessels engaged in illegal fishing or fishing for overfished stocks. |
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| COMMUNITY COLLABORATION |
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Chamber Foundation Helps Small Businesses with California Dream Fund
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is excited to announce 74 of its small businesses have been awarded a total of $505,000 in grants through the California Dream Fund. The foundation provided customized training resources and advising services to help businesses develop the skills and strategies needed to navigate the application process successfully. The training and advising provided support in areas such as financial management, marketing, and business planning, ensuring each business was well-prepared to submit a successful application. |
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Small Business Council Meeting on ADA Compliance
On April 12, the Chamber's Small Business Council held an important discussion on American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance for websites. Accenture and 3shades design gave an overview of common errors in website compliance and resources for avoiding them. Watch the recording here. |
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SBA Offers Assistance to Small Businesses Impacted by the Monterey Park Mass Shooting
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the Monterey Park mass shooting and related investigation which occurred from Jan. 21-28. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications here. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Jan. 5, 2024. Learn more here. |
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| CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS |
L.A. Times In-House Counsel Leadership Awards
The In-House Counsel Leadership Awards will be held at The Beverly Hilton on May 4. A panel discussion will be followed by the awards presentation and dinner, which will honor worthy nominees in a number of categories. Seats are limited, so reserve your spot today. Register here. |
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| MEMBER SPOTLIGHT |
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New Member
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Member Anniversaries
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| COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS |
2023 Global Trade Outlook
Thursday, April 20, 8:30 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the Global Initiatives Council to learn about our speakers' insights on key strategies related to the importance of exports by small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) to the U.S. economy, including accessing working capital export finance. The discussion will have a strong focus on SMEs owned by women and people of color, as well as the impact of assets and trade restrictions on global trade.
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Guiding the City of Los Angeles in 2023
Wednesday, April 26, 8:30 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join us for a Pancakes & Politics conversation with Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian as he discusses his time in leadership, working with Mayor Karen Bass' administration, and his vision for the city in 2023. During his time on the City Council, Councilmember Krekorian has been a steady and pragmatic voice for policy and fiscal responsibility, as he served as the former Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee.
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World Trade Week Southern California 2023
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
World Trade Week 2023 will celebrate the hurdles the supply chain has overcome during these past few years and amplify the goals of building a future-ready supply chain in an evolving world. If your company is active in global markets, don't miss this opportunity to attend or sponsor and gain visibility in the Southern California trade industry.
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| VIEW FULL CALENDAR |
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
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