Mayor Bass Delivers State of the City Address
This week Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass delivered her second State of the City address, highlighting many of the vital steps her administration is taking to address homelessness, public safety, operations, while supporting the business community. On homelessness and public safety, the mayor discussed the progress made in getting more unhoused Angelenos into shelters, compared to 2022, and the decline in homicides and violent crime compared to the previous year. For city operations, the mayor highlighted her efforts to address LAPD hiring and retention practices, as well as moving the city's homelessness emergency plan from the rescue phase to the recovery phase. On supporting regional businesses, the mayor highlighted efforts to boost economic vitality for downtown by exploring the modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center. The mayor also touted her efforts to support business development through her Executive Directive 4, and through the support of her business taskforce. The Chamber serves as a member of the mayor's taskforce, and is actively supporting the mayor's citywide efforts to accelerate permit help for business owners, improve restaurant and business support, and improve sanitation inspection times. The Chamber will continue to work with Mayor Bass to advance opportunities for businesses in the L.A. region.
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Chamber Advocates for the Region at State Capital for ACCESS Sacramento
The Chamber welcomed a delegation of business and community leaders to California's capital for ACCESS Sacramento, our second advocacy trip of the year. Programming included remarks from featured speaker David DeLuz of CalTrans; CalOSBA Director Tara Lynn Gray; Sacramento Vice Mayor Eric Guerra; CalChamber EVP and Chief of Staff for Policy Ben Golombek; Michael Martinez, Chief Deputy Commissioner at the California Department of Insurance; Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of California Business at the Consumer Services and Housing Agency; and California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. Participants also met with over 30 legislative offices to advocate for policies to strengthen industries, drive job creation and regional economic prosperity. The delegation also met with elected officials like State Senator Steven Bradford, Speaker Robert Rivas, Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur to discuss retail theft, the state budget and legislative bills which advance the Chamber's policy priorities.
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Lt. Governor Kounalakis Joins ACCESS Sacramento
California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis joined Chamber President & CEO Maria S. Salinas for a fireside chat during ACCESS Sacramento to discuss various topics, including preparing the workforce of the future, supporting small businesses and maintaining economic competitiveness in the state. The Lieutenant Governor also shared her thoughts on how businesses can leverage new opportunities and technology like artificial intelligence, while also navigating the potential challenges they may pose.
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Mayor Bass Recommends New LADWP General Manager
The Chamber is pleased congratulate Janisse Quiñones, PE, who was recommended by Mayor Karen Bass to succeed Martin L. Adams as the new CEO & General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) following a nationwide search. Quiñones brings over 25 years of leadership experience as a senior executive in the utility and engineering industries to this role, and is primed to lead LADWP through the transition toward 100% clean energy by 2035. Mayor Bass’ recommendation will now be referred to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, and later to the Energy and Environment Committee followed by a confirmation vote by the Los Angeles City Council.
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Chamber Seeks Clarity on Climate Action Plan
The Chamber provided testimony during the April 16 L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting to consider the 2045 Climate Action Plan (CAP). Joined by community members, businesses and other industry associations, the Chamber advocated to secure a unanimous vote to include language clarifying that the CAP is an aspirational document. The Chamber thanks Supervisor Kathryn Barger for introducing the motion to amend the CAP, and to all five Supervisors for listening to the business community’s concerns. The CAP will now head to a second reading by May 16, and the Chamber will continue to engage to further refine the plan, while working with the county.
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Mayor Bass Provides Update on Al Fresco Dining Program
Mayor Karen Bass provided a special briefing on the launch of the new citywide Al Fresco dining program, an innovative licensing model to permanently allow businesses to set up curbside dining. After the pandemic, the Al Fresco program was set to end, but the Chamber and the L.A. business community rallied to continue the dining model. In response, the city passed an ordinance to make the program permanent. All businesses, including those with current temporary authorization to have Al Fresco dining, must apply for a new license to continue participating in the now-permanent Al Fresco program by July 31, 2024. The Chamber will partner with Mayor Bass' office to encourage businesses to apply for licenses to continue running this popular program. Apply for the license or to learn more here.
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Port of Long Beach Sees Consecutive Cargo Growth
The Port of Long Beach, a vital gateway for trans-pacific trade, marked the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year cargo growth this past March. The port has moved 2,002,820 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) during the first quarter of 2024, up 16.4% from the same period in 2023. Port CEO Mario Cordero attributed this sustained momentum to strong consumer demand, and noted, “We will continue to build the infrastructure that will allow us to grow our trade strategically and sustainably.” To learn more, click here.
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The Chamber Hosts California Department of General Services
The Chamber hosted an informative, "Doing Business With" session with special guest Joann Patty, of California Department of General Services, focusing on contract opportunities for small businesses or disabled veteran business enterprises. The session covered certification benefits, eligibility criteria, insights into state procurement processes, and the importance of having a commercially useful function. To view the discussion recording, visit the following link. Join us for the next "Doing Business With" session featuring special guests from Caltrans on May 2 at 10:00 a.m. Register here.
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Los Angeles Region Small Business Summit: Recover, Grow, Thrive
The City and County of Los Angeles is celebrating National Small Business Month this May with the second annual Small Business Summit. Scheduled across five Supervisorial Districts, the summit will kick off at the Los Angeles Coliseum on April 29, followed by Mission College on May 9 and Cal State Los Angeles on May 15. This summit aims to equip small businesses with the tools to recover, grow and thrive over current economic challenges, and will feature county and city representatives, panel discussions, resource expos and on-site services. Learn more here.
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Yard Transformation Rebates
California residents can take advance of rebates for transforming their yard into water-efficient landscapes through the Save Our Water campaign. These rebates help reduce residential outdoor water use by encouraging the adoption of drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation systems. For more information visit SaveOurWater.com.
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Martin L. Adams Appointed to National Infrastructure Advisory Council by President Biden
The Chamber is pleased to congratulate Martin L. Adams on his recent appointed to serve as a member of President Biden's National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). The group of approximately 30 experts will advise the White House on how to reduce physical and cyber risks and also improve the security and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure sectors. To learn more, read the White House press release.
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COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS
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Transportation & Goods Movement Council
Tuesday, April 23, 9:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Please join the Transportation and Goods Movement Council to hear from Kiana Valentine, Executive Director, Transportation California, on the Road Charge Program.
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Government & Fiscal Affairs Council
Tuesday, April 23, 10:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the Government & Fiscal Affairs Council to hear about upcoming ballot measures in the November election that may affect the broader business community.
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Land Use, Construction, & Housing Council and Transportation & Goods Movement Council Joint Briefing
Wednesday, April 24, 10:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the Land Use, Construction, and Housing Council for a joint session with the Transportation & Goods Movement Council to learn about the new Los Angeles SkyRail Express (SkyRail). SkyRail is a proposed monorail system and represents an approach to reducing traffic congestion and enhancing urban mobility. Special guests will include Mark Waier, Michael Hoghooghi and Girair Kotchian from SkyRail.
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
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