LAUSD Superintendent Shares Key Achievements with Chamber
The Chamber welcomed Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho as the featured speaker for the Pancakes & Politics Speaker Series. Superintendent Carvalho highlighted key achievements from the past school year, such as improvements in student test scores and attendance, and discussed his goals for advancing education and workforce development in the region.
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NFL West Hosts the L.A. Area Chamber
The Chamber and the NFL kicked off the 2024-2025 season with an exclusive reception at the NFL’s stunning West Coast headquarters in Inglewood, California. Inglewood Mayor, James Butts, and Alissa Lieppman, Vice President of Culture & Business Operations, and David Jurenka, Senior Vice President at NFL Media & General Manager at NFL West, reflected on the organization's strong commitment to the region, and their vision for sports entertainment and community engagement in L.A.
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L.A. County Assessor Convenes Advisory Council
L.A. County Assessor Jeffrey Prang convened his Advisory Council at the L.A. Area Chamber this week. He reviewed the streamlining of the assessment processes and reduced times for assessment appeals. Assessor Prang also highlighted that the 2024 Assessment Roll has reached $2 trillion in assessed property value, generating $20 billion in property tax revenue for public services. President & CEO Maria S. Salinas serves on the Assessor’s Advisory Council, and the Chamber's working group continues to monitor these streamlining initiatives.
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State Suspense Legislation with Significant Fiscal Impact in Review
The California Legislature recently considered hundreds of bills with significant fiscal impact during the Suspense file hearing. The Assembly Appropriations Committee reviewed 315 measures, advancing 219 to the floor, while the Senate Appropriations Committee reviewed 515 measures, sending 340 to the floor. By August 31, the Legislature must act on over 1,000 measures. The Chamber is actively advocating on nearly 50 of these bills and will share updates with our members.
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Gov. Newsom Signs Anti-Theft Legislation
Last week, Governor Newsom signed a landmark legislative package to address retail crime and property theft. These bills are designed to facilitate the prosecution of individuals suspected of retail and vehicle theft while maintaining the voter-approved reforms from a decade ago that reduced prison sentences for nonviolent crimes. The new laws include provisions to classify repeated theft convictions as felonies, consolidate theft crimes across multiple counties into a single court for felony charges, and allow police to arrest suspects for retail theft even if the crime is not directly witnessed. The Chamber submitted letters of support for AB 2943 (Rivas) on shoplifting and AB 1779 (Irwin) on theft jurisdiction.
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The Chamber Reviews Managed Health Care Insurance Plan Tax
This week, the Chamber's Health Care Council hosted a meeting to review and discuss State Ballot Proposition 35. If passed, Proposition 35 would make permanent the existing tax on managed health care insurance plans, which is currently set to expire in 2026. This tax helps fund health care services for low-income families with children, seniors, people with disabilities, and other groups covered by the Medi-Cal program.
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Port of Los Angeles Sets Record with July Cargo Volume
In July, the Port of Los Angeles handled a record 939,600 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), a 37% increase over last year and the highest July volume in the Port’s 116-year history. This also marks the busiest month in more than two years. Year-to-date, the Port is 18% ahead of its 2023 cargo volume. Read more here.
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Chamber Welcomes Governor of Durango
The Chamber hosted Governor Esteban Villegas Villarreal and other elected officials from the Mexican state of Durango. Governor Villegas and his team shared information on Durango's investment and tourism opportunities. Board Member Francisco Uribe from Home Depot shared the retailers growth in the state of Durango.
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Caltrans Shares Info on Supportive Services Programs
Thank you to Adriana Ring of Caltrans for her insightful presentation on the Supportive Services Programs. These programs aim to recruit minority, disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses for Caltrans projects, ensuring they can contribute to and benefit from California's infrastructure development. They also provide skills and training to underserved populations for careers in highway construction trades. If you missed the live session or wish to revisit the discussion, you can access the recording here. Passcode: l*@sb28X.
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Economic Mobility Initiative
The Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) is a no-cost resource designed to help L.A. County small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits thrive and build generational wealth in their communities. By partnering with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, EMI provides tailored support through the OneLA Inclusive Procurement program, which offers training in contracts and certifications. This initiative is designed with your community in mind, offering a one-stop shop for all the resources you need to grow your business. For more information visit here.
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City of Los Angeles: Good Food Zones Microgrant
The Good Food Zones Microgrants Program (GFZ), led by the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Food Policy Council, offers grants up to $25,000 to help food-centered businesses expand access to healthy foods in low-income neighborhoods. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), this program supports businesses impacted by COVID-19 in meeting the Good Food Zones Standard, which emphasizes healthier food options and enhanced food security. Priority is given to businesses committed to their communities, particularly those owned by local residents. The initiative aims to boost both food access and economic opportunities in Los Angeles' most vulnerable areas. For more information visit here.
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2024 Education Summit: Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce
Join the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce for the 2024 Education Summit on October 22. Engage with leaders in education, business, and policy as they explore strategies for developing the workforce of tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates on the agenda and speaker lineup and be prepared for a day of impactful discussions and innovative ideas. Register here.
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Wellnest Announces 2024 Centennial Celebration Honorees
Wellnest will celebrate its Centennial Gala on September 27 at the Skirball Cultural Center. Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will receive the Visionary Award for his work in mental health. Learn more and buy tickets here.
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COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS
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Energy, Water, & Environmental Sustainability Council
Tuesday, August 27, 10:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the upcoming Energy, Water & Environmental Sustainability Council for a special session on legislative updates impacting the business community.
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Innovation & Technology Council
Tuesday, August 27, 2:00 p.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the Innovation & Technology Policy Council to hear about the latest updates in technology in the region.
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Women's Policy Council
Wednesday, August 28, 4:30 p.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the Women’s Policy Council to hear about federal resources and supportive services for women-owned businesses, and engage in advocacy with lawmakers and administrators on legislation to support women access economic opportunities.
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
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