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TRAVEL TO CHINA. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the business climate and culture of the world's most populated nation and fastest growing economy. The L.A. Area Chamber has formed a partnership
with Premier World Discovery to offer you (and your friends and family) an
opportunity to discover China. This nine-day $1,999 per person trip, from Nov. 9-17, will feature the sites, culture and commerce of Beijing,
Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai. If you've ever considered traveling to China, now is the time to do it. Learn more.
L.A. City business tax reforms continue to move forward
 The L.A. City Council continues to enact Chamber-advocated improvements to the City's gross receipts tax. On Friday, the Council will take final action to enact a three-year business tax moratorium for all new businesses started in Los Angeles. The Council will also vote on establishing a Taxpayer's Bill of Rights to ensure fair, consistent and professional treatment of businesses when interacting with the City on tax-related matters. The Council will approve funding to study the centerpiece of business tax reform efforts – lowering the tax rate for most L.A. businesses from the current .5 percent to .2 percent of annual gross revenue. Special thanks to Craig Morris, KPMG LLP, the Chamber's representative on the City's volunteer Business Tax Advisory Committee, for helping to develop these recommended improvements. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568 or [email protected].
LAUSD and L.A. Compact among few to receive $5 million federal i3 grant
 The U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday that a recent Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) grant application submitted by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), in partnership with L.A. Compact partners, was selected as a highest-rated application. The Chamber is a partner of the L.A. Compact. Of the 1,700 applications submitted nationwide, only 49 were selected. This grant will provide LAUSD and the L.A. Compact with $5 million over three years to support about 60,000 students at some of the lowest achieving schools. The resources will be used to bolster support mechanisms for design teams and selected teams through the Los Angeles School Development Institute and IDivision (LAUSD); enhance the Public School Choice Selection Process; support the implementation of the instructional plans of the selected teams and implement accountability and continuous improvement measures. Contact David Rattray, 213.580.7515 or [email protected].
Small business opportunities available from the State and IRS
 If you are a small business owner, hear about available State contracts from Assemblymember Steve Bradford on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 10-12 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. As chair of the Select Committee on Procurement, Bradford will present contract opportunities for small, minority and women owned businesses that do business in California. Also, the Internal Revenue Service recently announced two new tax credits available for businesses who hire someone who has not worked more than 40 hours in the past 60 days. These breaks
are part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act. Contact Bridget Netter, 213.580.7576 or [email protected].
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Kaiser's HIRE LA's Youth participant to throw first pitch at Dodger game
 Kaiser Permanente HIRE LA's Youth participant Rafael Lizarraga will throw the first pitch on Saturday when the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Washington Nationals. Lizarraga, a recent graduate of Harris Newmark High School in downtown Los Angeles, is one of 350 youth hired to work at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. He will be introduced to Dodgers fans with Kaiser Executive Director Mark Costa and Director of Volunteer Services Kathleen McIntire. Read more.
Conferences boost Los Angeles' economy
 Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LA INC., The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau recently announced that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization, selected Los Angeles as the site of its annual conference, July 23-28, 2011. The gathering is expected to generate an economic impact of $11.4 million citywide, with nearly 13,000 hotel rooms expected to be booked. Next week the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, sponsored by the California Restaurant Association, will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center Aug. 14-16. Thousands of industry professionals who attend will discover insight, ideas and opportunities for running a successful restaurant and foodservice business.
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Pension Reform
The City of Los Angeles' public employee pension liability will grow by $800 million and consume one-third of the annual budget by 2015, according to City officials. The L.A. City Council is now studying various pension reforms including a 401(k)-style system, raising the retirement age and increasing employee contributions. Under current rules, the City covers 100 percent of its employees' family health care premiums. The Chamber continues to push for fundamental reforms after first raising the issue to City officials along with former Mayor Richard Riordan in 2006. Read more.
LADWP Ratepayer
The Chamber's Energy, Water & Environment Committee on Friday reviewed L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti's motion to create a ratepayer advocate for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The committee recommended that the Chamber advocate for an inspector general or independent utility analyst housed where complete independence and transparency is assured; with a sufficient budget; charged with producing key findings and reports on budget, programs and contracts; and to prevent fraud, waste and abuse. Read more.
New L.A. City Planning Director
On Wednesday, the L.A. City Council confirmed Michael LoGrande as the next City's head of the Department of Planning. The Chamber expressed strong support for LoGrand's confirmation. LoGrande was most recently Chief Zoning Administrator for the department where he established a strong record of results-oriented action. Read more.
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Adding value to your Chamber membership
HR Question of the Month
Q.: Can employers dock an exempt employee's wages for time spent on jury duty, regardless of the number of weeks on such duty?
A: If a salary-exempt employee works any part of the workweek, then he/she must be paid for the entire workweek. If no work is performed in the week, then no salary is due.
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