Governor Newsom Vetoes SB 799
Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 799 over the weekend, which would have allowed striking workers to be eligible for unemployment benefits. The Governor expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact on the Unemployment Insurance (UI) fund, which is already facing a nearly $20 billion deficit. He noted that all California employers contribute to the UI fund and additional costs would have had further financial impacts on businesses. Governor Newsom also raised concerns about the bill's lack of alignment with federal law definitions. We commend the Governor for his prudent and well-considered decision to veto SB 799. Read our statement here.
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Mayor Bass Appoints Chief Housing and Homelessness Officer
Mayor Karen Bass appointed Lourdes Castro Ramírez, Secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency as the city's incoming Chief Housing and Homelessness Officer. Secretary Castro Ramírez has been instrumental in collaborating with Governor Newson to address housing affordability and homelessness. We look forward to working with Secretary Castro Ramírez on the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles.
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Speaker Robert Rivas Featured at Mobility 21 Summit
Robert A. Rivas, Speaker of the California State Assembly, was the featured keynote to open the Mobility 21 Summit. Mobility 21 is a regional transportation coalition. The event, themed, Challenge of Change, featured presentations and panels from transportation leaders throughout Southern California. Chamber President & CEO Maria S. Salinas moderated a roundtable discussion with Southern California public transportation leaders. The Chamber is a proud member and applauds Mobility 21 on a successful summit.
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L.A. Jobs PAC Endorses Assemblymember Blanca Rubio
The L.A. Jobs PAC, sponsored by the L.A. Area Chamber, is pleased to announce its endorsement of Assemblymember Blanca Rubio for District 48. The L.A. Jobs PAC recognized Assemblymember Rubio's commitment to balanced public policy, her community and championing infrastructure investments in the San Gabriel Valley and across California. The district includes Central San Gabriel Valley cities, including West Covina, Baldwin Park, Azusa and Glendora. The Chamber believes her leadership is instrumental for a brighter future for all residents.
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Climate Action Plan Draft Set to Release
The Regional Planning Commission (RPC) is set to release a revised draft of the Los Angeles County 2045 Climate Action Plan (CAP) on Oct. 15. A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15 to gather public input and consider approval. The Chamber previously joined partners in a letter to the RPC to outline concerns with the previous draft, which proposed a sweeping, mandatory regulatory program which would apply to any new project triggering the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Chamber is working with partners to engage with the county, address concerns, and request an extension of the 30-day public comment period.
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L.A. County to Release Fair Work Week Ordinance
The L.A. County Department of Business and Consumer Affairs is preparing to release its Fair Workweek Ordinance. The official draft language is tentatively scheduled to be discussed at the Nov. 15 Operations Cluster meeting. The County is adopting a Fair Work Week ordinance similar to that of the City of Los Angeles. This ordinance will apply to all retail businesses in unincorporated cities with 300 or more employees globally. It will require a 14-day notice for work schedules and a 10-hour rest period between shifts. Some changes expected in the county ordinance include the removal of ongoing consent and the prerequisite right to cure. The Chamber will continue to engage on this issue.
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U.S. Hosts Trade Discussions with Mexico
Senior U.S. and Mexican officials held the third meeting of the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) in Washington, D.C. last week. The HLED was relaunched in 2021 by Presidents Joe Biden and Andrés Manuel López Obrador to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Total trade surpassed $864 billion in 2022, reaching a record high. Given Mexico's significance as a trade partner for the Los Angeles region, a better relationship will benefit the region's business community. Read more here.
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Commerce Updates Semiconductor Alert Mechanism
The U.S. Department of Commerce has launched an updated Semiconductor Alert Mechanism, managed by the International Trade Administration (ITA). This system allows industry stakeholders to report disruptions in semiconductor supply chains, aiding the identification of bottlenecks, and the allocation of government resources to reduce risks. Interested parties in the Los Angeles region should submit information regarding any new, ongoing, or potential disruptions to microelectronics and semiconductor manufacturing facilities and their related supply chains around the world here. Read more here.
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OneLA Procurement Fair: Get in the Game
Join us for the Chamber's OneLA Procurement Fair on Oct. 18. This event features one-on-one meetings with buyers, forecast presentations, and networking with exhibitors. All contract-ready small businesses are encouraged to register. Don't miss out on this opportunity to access potential procurement contracts. Sign up today!
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Vaccinate All 58
My Turn California is making an effort to vaccinate all 58 counties against the spread of COVID-19. Let's unite for a safer, healthier future for our community. Together, we can make a difference in the battle against COVID-19. Schedule your vaccination here.
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Education Summit
Join the Chamber's Education Summit, where you'll hear from industry experts on the paradigm shift happening to create a stronger partnership between business and education. The event will feature thought leaders from Los Angeles Community College District, Loyola Marymount University, UC Merced, Otis College of Art and Design, Bank of America and more. Register today.
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David Ambroz, Executive & Author, Featured Keynote at Mobility 21
Mobility 21 featured an endearing keynote address from David Ambroz, author of "A Place Called Home." Audiences were in awe as Ambroz, an award-winning national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate, bestselling author, and Head of Community Engagement (West) for Amazon, told his story. He shared his inspiring story about growing up homeless, and how he triumphed over adversity to become a successful advocate and business executive.
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MOLAA Museum of Latin American Art Gala
The Chamber is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 by honoring the impact of Hispanic Americans who have enriched our communities and nation. This week, we're featuring the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), their President and CEO, Dr. Lourdes Ramos-Rivas, and Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach. MOLAA recently held its annual gala and recognized Cordero with their LEGADO Philanthropy Legacy Award for his philanthropy as the port's CEO. View video from the event here.
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COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS
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OneLA Buyers Workshop for SoCal Procurement Professionals
Wednesday, October 11, 11:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
OneLA is offering a virtual 90-minute workshop led by Karen Blackwell, Principal Consultant for Karen Blackwell and Associates, for supplier diversity and procurement professionals to strengthen your knowledge and improve (or begin) your company’s supplier diversity program. Join us for this interactive and informative webinar and connect with your peers.
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Creating Workforce Development Programming for L.A.’s Health Care Sector
Thursday, October 12, 10:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the Health Care Council and the Education & Workforce Development Council for a joint session to hear from Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health, regarding health care worker professional development and placement in the workforce.
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Pancakes & Politics: California State Controller Malia M. Cohen
Friday, October 27, 8:30 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
The Accenture Pancakes & Politics Speaker Series features leaders in elected office, business, as well as city and state administration, who are influencing important policy issues impacting the Los Angeles region. This month we'll host California State Controller Malia M. Cohen.
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
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