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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce I June 25
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Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas on Measure H and Measure M
Last Friday's Accenture Pancakes & Politics Speaker Series breakfast featured updates from Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas on the status of programs funded by the voter-approved sales taxes for homeless services and transportation infrastructure. He focused particularly on the progress being made in his 2nd District with regard to building affordable housing and a one-of-a-kind charter boarding school to prepare youth for careers in the transportation industry. LEARN MORE. The Supervisor thanked the Chamber for "working to ensure that those in L.A. County live a life of hope, dignity and opportunity."
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Chamber comments on County stormwater ballot proposal
The Chamber sent a coalition letter to the County Board of Supervisors urging them to hold off on their proposed November ballot initiative, which would impose a property tax per square foot of impermeable surface to fund the Safe, Clean Water Program. Thank you to all our partners who signed on. While the Chamber understands the need for cities to meet water quality mandates, we believe the current proposal does not achieve that goal. We are continuing in-depth discussions with both the City and County of Los Angeles to try to reach an agreement on an effective program before the Board of Supervisors takes up the issue on July 10. SEE OUR LETTER.
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Conversation with Gubernatorial Candidate Gavin Newsom
Last week, the Chamber, in partnership with the Central City Association (CCA), hosted a discussion with Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, the leading candidate for California governor. Moderated by Ranjan Goswami, vice president, Los Angeles & sales-West for Delta, Newsom outlined his vision for the state, focusing on the future of work and education in a globalized, technology-driven world. He touched on his solutions for infrastructure, housing, homelessness and health care. Keep an eye out for additional candidate forums in statewide races heading into the general election. SEE THE PHOTOS.
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Metro State of the Agency - Last week, Vice President Jessica Duboff attended Metro's first annual State of the Agency breakfast. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, outgoing Board chair, spoke about Vision 2028 and his accomplishments, and set the stage for incoming Board chair, L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. Metro CEO Phil Washington spoke about the agency's priorities and new workforce programs. All Aboard Coalition - Following approval by the Chamber's Transportation & Goods Movement Council, we sent a letter to Metro in support of the coalition's efforts to accelerate the northern extension of the Crenshaw/LAX line to Hollywood, which will increase connectivity between some of the region's largest tourism centers. SEE OUR LETTER. SB 1 Updates - Throughout May, the California Transportation Commission completed the first round of funding for programs under its purview totaling more than $9.2 billion in projects that will provide benefits to communities across California. This included $2.7 billion for the Local Partnership, Solutions for Congested Corridor and Trade Corridor Enhancement programs. Caltrans also began construction on 24 projects across the state. L.A. City Street Damage Restoration Fee - Last week, the City's Public Works Committee requested the City Attorney to begin drafting an ordinance that would increase the Street Damage Restoration Fee, charged to utility companies and those excavating the City's streets. An analysis by the City Controller's office reported the City was not at a full cost recovery required to maintain streets damaged by excavations. Public Works is recommending to raise the restoration fee exponentially and remove an age exemption, previously used to protect newer streets by the City. Senior Policy Manager Diana Yedoyan weighed in on behalf of Chamber members with concerns about the impact of steep increases. SEE OUR LETTER.
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Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission held a public hearing at Inglewood City Hall to gather input on SoCalGas' rate request for 2019-2022. Policy Manager Kendal Asuncion spoke in support of the rate request, of which approximately 60 percent will go towards improvements to physical infrastructure through upgrades and pipe replacements. This is critical to ensure safe delivery to residents and businesses. Additional programs included in the rate request will increase energy efficiency, research and development for GHG emissions reductions.
The June 15 Energy, Water and Environmental Sustainability Council learned about Community Choice Aggregation (CCAs), which are programs that allow local governments and Joint Power Authorities to buy and sell power in their region, and convey the power over investor-owned utility lines. Clean Power Alliance (CPA) is the L.A. region's new CCA and has more than one million eligible customers. Ted Bardacke, the new executive director of CPA, and Ranbir Sekhon, director of portfolio planning and analysis at Southern California Edison, discussed the technicalities of community choice aggregation, transmission through existing infrastructure and clarified questions about energy reliability for customers. The Chamber is tracking the CPUC's efforts to ensure California has adequate supplies of affordable and reliable power. SEE HERE for their report on the regulatory framework options for an evolving electricity market.
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Upcoming Policy Councils
- June 27, Land Use, Housing and Construction Council - The Council will review November ballot measures, including the Costa-Hawkins repeal, Prop 13 transferability and a bond for permanent supportive housing. REGISTER HERE.
- June 29, Government & Fiscal Affairs Council - The first meeting of this Council will focus on what the business community needs to know regarding the regulatory framework around legal cannabis in Los Angeles. REGISTER HERE.
- July 3, Transportation & Goods Movement Council and July 6, Health Care Council are canceled for the Fourth of July holiday. See you in August.
- July 13, Education & Workforce Development Council - The Council will hold their second candidate forum with State Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Tony Thurmond. REGISTER HERE.
Thanks to Gary Toebben
Gary Toebben completes his 12-year tenure as Chamber president & CEO this Thursday. Chamber members and elected officials gathered to celebrate him on June 14 at Otium in downtown Los Angeles. SEE THE PHOTOS. You are welcome to join us at L.A. City Hall at 10 a.m. in Council Chambers tomorrow, June 26, as the Council honors Gary for his years of service.
Incoming President & CEO Maria Salinas will begin August 1.
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June 26 - City Council meeting for Gary's retirement presentation
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June 26 - Clean Air Action Plan public meeting
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June 27 - Land Use, Housing and Construction Council re: November ballot props
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June 27 - L.A. Area Chamber Summer V.I.P. Reception
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June 28 - United Suite Event
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June 28 - Metro Board of Directors re: Vision 2028
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June 29 - L.A. City Council re: street damage restoration fee
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June 29 - LABC Executive Roundtable featuring Assemblymember Chris Holden
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| June 29 - Government & Fiscal Affairs Council re: cannabis regulations |
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Gas Tax Repeal Vote Will be Close, Fox&Hounds, 6.25.18; Metro State Of the Agency 2018, YouTube, 6.20.18; In Los Angeles, Millennium Challenge Corporation Highlights New Business Opportunities Abroad for U.S. Private Sector, Millenium Challenge Corporation, 6.7.18
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