L.A. Business This Week: Sheriff Luna Speaks With Chamber Board

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L.A. BUSINESS THIS WEEK

July 14, 2023

Sheriff Luna Speaks With Chamber Board

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna joined the Chamber Board meeting for his first meeting as the newly elected L.A. County Sheriff. He spoke of his first few months in office and approach to his role. Sheriff Luna also discussed his leadership team, which includes Undersheriff April Tardy, the first woman to hold the position, and his challenge to deputies and professional staff to think outside the box in finding solutions for long-standing problems. Sheriff Luna also shared information about his initiatives to restore trust and create impact throughout the ranks of the organization. We look forward to continuing to engage with Sheriff Luna.

Chamber President Speaks at Ascend Conference

L.A. Area Chamber President & CEO, Maria S. Salinas spoke at the 2023 National Ascend Conference at Loyola Marymount University this week in Los Angeles. The conference focused on providing small businesses with strategies for growth, and programs to develop more multi-million dollar businesses owned by people of color by leveraging networks and bringing new ideas. At the event, Salinas provided an overview of the business community in Los Angeles, challenges experienced by small businesses, and the resources the Chamber provides to support businesses.

Infrastructure of Today and Tomorrow

Join us on July 27 for the State of Infrastructure, where the region's leading business and public sector experts will explore the future of infrastructure investment for the L.A. region. With only five years until the Olympics, how can our region emerge as a leader in infrastructure? Don't miss this highly anticipated opportunity to explore the innovation within infrastructure with a focus on transportation, people movement, energy, and broadband. Featured speakers include Stephanie Wiggins of LA Metro, Tony Tavares of Caltrans, Administrator Shailen Bhatt with the Federal Highway Administration, Mark Esguerra with Southern California Edison, and many more. Register here.

New Councilmember Imelda Padilla Visits Chamber

Imelda Padilla, the new Councilmember for Council District 6, visited the Chamber Board this week. Councilmember Padilla shared her experience as a coalition builder, and how she was ready to engage with communities, including businesses, to leverage the full potential of her district. Councilmember Padilla also answered questions from the Board and thanked the Chamber's L.A. JOBS PAC for its support.

POLICY & ADVOCACY

L.A. County Public Health Councils

The L.A. Area Chamber spoke to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to oppose the Public Health Council (PHC) program from becoming an ordinance mandate beyond the COVID-19 declaration of emergency. The ordinance would continue anti-retaliation protections put in place for the local emergency and expand the Public Health Council to be inclusive of educating and informing workers on public health protections and public health-related emergencies.

Governor Newsom Signs Infrastructure Package into Law

On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an infrastructure package into law. The slate of Chamber-supported bills will accelerate critical infrastructure projects across the state necessary to achieving California’s ambitious climate and clean energy goals. The bills will also enhance California’s job training pipeline, community benefits, and job standards in state and federal infrastructure programs. The governor also signed other pieces of the 2023-24 state budget which include closing the shortfall of more than $30 billion while preserving investments in public education, health care, climate, addressing homelessness, and other key state priorities.

GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

Chamber Welcomes Food Blogger Tinger Hseih

The Chamber hosted Tinger Hseih of Dash of Ting, an international food blogger and author of a soon-to-be-released National Geographic book. The Chamber continues our efforts to explore innovative methods for expanding and promoting international trade.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

Community Care Expansion Preservation Grant

Los Angeles County has taken another step to house vulnerable residents by approving the L.A. County Department of Mental Health's acceptance of the Community Care Expansion Preservation Capital Projects Grant Program from the state. The program will fund physical rehabilitation improvements for adult residential facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, and residential care facilities for the chronically ill located within the county. This grant program will provide a minimum of $50,000 per facility to eligible awardees. The application portal will open on Monday, July 17, and close on Monday, August 28.

Metropolitan Contracting for Temporary Staffing Services

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is seeking qualified and experienced supplemental labor services to assist their in-house human resources staff in providing temporary personnel on an as-needed basis in these categories: professional, administrative, scientific and technical. Visit the bid details for more information. If you need assistance registering your business, email Wendy Barber, Metropolitan Water District's Certification Officer here.

California Competes Tax Credit, Grant Program Opens July 24

The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) and California Competes Grant Program (CCGP) application periods, amounts available, and committee meeting dates for the 2023-24 fiscal year have been posted here. The first application period will start on July 24, with $164 million in tax credits and $120 million in grants available (pending budget approval). The online application can be accessed here.

CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS

State of L.A. Business

Save the date and join us for the State of L.A. Business on Thursday August 10, where visionary leaders, academic experts, and the leading voices in policy will convene to discuss the world of sports, entertainment and tourism. Experts will share the innovation and challenges within these industry sectors while exploring the path toward the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games. Don't miss this exciting event. Register here.

Mildred García Appointed 11th CSU Chancellor

The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Mildred García to serve as the 11th chancellor of California State University. García is the first Latina appointed to lead CSU's 23-campus system. She currently serves as president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and will succeed Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester, who has led the university since May 2022. Read the full press release here.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Charles R. Drew University Welcomes First Class of Medical Students

Charles R. Drew University (CDU) of Medicine and Science welcomed its first class of medical students this week. For more than 40 years, students have pursued an M.D. through the school in partnership with UCLA, but in late 2022, the university was approved to start its very own program. The 60 first-year students have been dubbed the Inaugural Cohort of Medical Students. According to CDU, nearly all the students are from local underserved and underrepresented communities in and around South Los Angeles. Learn more here.

New Member

Member Anniversaries

COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS

Innovation and Technology Council

Tuesday, July 18, 2:00 p.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Register for our next Innovation and Technology Council meeting to hear from Mirian S. Avalos, General Manager of Information Technology Services for Los Angeles County. Avalos will discuss how the county is strategically using technology to successfully innovate government initiatives.

RSVP

Convening State Education Leadership

Thursday, July 20, 10:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
The L.A. Area Chamber is hosting Assembly Education Committee Chair Al Muratsuchi and Higher Education Chair Mike Fong for an open discussion on education in California and to answer questions about education bills pending in the legislature.

RSVP

Accenture Pancakes & Politics: Leading L.A. County Sheriff's Department

Friday, July 28, 2023, 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. Each convening provides Chamber members and partners with access to these speakers to hear their insight and also to share our stakeholders' perspectives.

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