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L.A. County Tourism Wage Increase
This week the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair, Janice Hahn, pulled back a motion which would increase the minimum wage for hotel and theme park workers in unincorporated areas of the county to $25 per hour. The Chamber continues to advocate for the board to slow down the process and conduct an economic study to ensure the board understands the economic impact to the sector. The L.A. Area Chamber is concerned about such a large increase in wages in such a short period and wishes to support the tourism community with sound and reasoned policies. |
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Final Week of Legislative Session
The California Legislature is scheduled to hold daily floor sessions until adjournment on Sept. 14. Both the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees began considering bills on their respective Suspense Files on Sept. 1, taking swift action without formal debate. Senate Appropriations passed 72% of the 483 Assembly measures on its Suspense File and Assembly Appropriations passed 77.5% of the 276 measures on its Suspense Files. For bills to advance to the Governor's desk, they must receive approval from both chambers by Sept. 14. After next week's deadline, the Governor has 30 days to either sign or veto bills. The Chamber is strongly advocating for priority bills in this final week. |
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Mental Health Bill Package
Governor Gavin Newsom recently partnered with key California lawmakers to introduce two bills to overhaul the state’s behavioral health system. The first bill would put a bond obligation measure on the March 2024 ballot to build 10,000 more behavioral health beds, addressing severe shortages which impact the state's most vulnerable residents grappling with mental illness and substance abuse. The package would also modernize mental health care procedures in the system to include services for people with substance abuse challenges and would create additional accountability measures. The Chamber supports the proposed legislation. |
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Dockworker Union Ratifies New Contract
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), representing U.S. dockworkers, has ratified a six-year contract affecting 22,000 employees at 29 West Coast ports, including the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This agreement, reached with the Pacific Maritime Association, remains in effect until July 1, 2028, and includes a 32% pay increase over the contract's duration, along with a one-time bonus for those who worked during the early stages of the COVID pandemic. |
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| POLICY & ADVOCACY |
Governor Signs Executive Order to Shape Future of AI
Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Sept. 6 to help shape the future of ethical, transparent, and trustworthy AI in the state, while remaining a global leader in the sector. The order has multiple provisions including requirements for a risk analysis report, procurement blueprint, beneficial uses of generative AI report, development and analysis framework, state employee training, generative AI partnership and symposium, legislative engagement, and an evaluation of AI's impacts on an ongoing basis. The Chamber will continue to closely monitor this order and the research which arises as a result. |
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| GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT |
Chamber Welcomes New Paraguay Official to DCOG
The Chamber met with Manuel Ruiz Diaz, Consul General and Consular Official Marta A. Cristaldo Cabral of the Consulate of Paraguay, Los Angeles. The meeting at the Chamber provided an opportunity to extend a warm welcome to Ruiz Diaz as the new Consul General. As members of our Diplomatic and Commercial Officer Group, Ruiz Diaz discussed Paraguay’s trade goals and the importance of the Paraguayan diaspora in promoting trade. While the U.S. isn't a primary trade partner of Paraguay, the South American nation exports important food products such as beef and soybeans as well as auto parts. |
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Lithuania Business Forum
The Lithuania Business Forum will be held on Sept. 21 at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. The event will feature a historic visit by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and representatives from more than 30 companies. President Nausėda's keynote will focus on net-zero commitments and the importance of digitalization. The event will highlight the robust business ties between Lithuania and Los Angeles County, underscoring the significance of connecting transatlantic commerce leaders through dialogue and partnership. Register here. |
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| COMMUNITY COLLABORATION |
OneLA Procurement Workshops
The Chamber is hosting multiple OneLA events next month. On Oct. 3, attend the OneLA event, Get in the Game: Prepare to Meet the Buyer. Choose one of the two sessions, 10:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. Attendance at one of these virtual training sessions is required to qualify for one-on-one B2B matchmaking appointments at the OneLA Procurement Fair happening on Oct. 18. Register here.
The second event on Oct. 11 at 11:00 a.m. is the Buyers Workshop: Lunch & Learn for SoCal Procurement Professionals, led by Karen Blackwell, with Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation. The free 90-minute workshop for supplier diversity and procurement professionals will strengthen knowledge and improve your company’s supplier diversity program. Register here. |
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Verizon Digital Ready Program
The Verizon Digital Ready Program has free online events for small business owners. Their September calendar of events features group coaching, 1:1 sessions, and assistance for writing business proposals and getting certified as a diverse supplier. Learn more here. |
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Community Navigator Program
The Community Navigator Pilot Program offers funding to nonprofits, state and local governments, universities, and tribal entities to partner with the Small Business Administration at the center of a hub and spoke network. The program will connect to specific sectors of the entrepreneurial community to assist in economic recovery, including financial assistance and access to capital, contracting and procurement, marketing, operations, business development, and exporting industry-specific training. Learn more here. |
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| CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS |
L.A. Times Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Award Nominations
The L.A. Times is still accepting nominations for prominent and game-changing individuals who are driving change and successfully implementing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives in their respective organizations and business sectors. Click here to nominate someone today. |
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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 |
Advancing Career Outcomes for Students
Monday, September 11, 11:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the Education & Workforce Development Council (EWD) for a special session on how public-private partnerships can advance career outcomes for students. The EWD co-chairs will interview LAUSD Bond Oversight member Scott Pansky, who has an extensive record of generating and supporting innovative multisector pilots and sponsorships to support students with workforce development.
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Speed Networking Breakfast
Tuesday, September 19, 8:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Join us for an exciting speed networking breakfast to make valuable connections before your business day begins. You will meet and connect with professionals from various industries to build mutually beneficial relationships in a fast-paced, fun environment. Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your network and take your business to the next level!
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Innovation and Technology Council
Thursday, September 21, 2:00 p.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Register for our next Innovation and Technology Council with AJ Chan, Founder of Popcorn Robot and Coding Instructor at UCLA. Chan will present how learning about technology can advance your career, no matter your background.
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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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