PROMOTING GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS
More than 500 business executives and members of the diplomatic corps gathered Friday for the 85th Annual World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast at the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown. BNSF Railway Company Chairman & CEO Matt Rose, above, spoke about the importance of international trade to the railroad system in the United States and supply chain challenges the economy faces. Dr. Richard Drobnick, director of the Center for International Business Education and Research at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and managing director of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities World Initiative received the prestigious Stanley T. Olafson Award for his unwavering commitment to expand international trade opportunities and foster relations with the Asia Pacific region.(Photo by ImageActive) View photo gallery.

Chamber speaks out against executive order for government contractors
The Chamber recently joined a business coalition to speak out against President Barack Obama's proposal to require companies bidding on federal contracts to disclose political spending. Rather than strengthen existing safeguards, the draft executive order would politicize the procurement process by either encouraging covered speakers to refrain from exercising their constitutional speech rights so as to avoid jeopardizing their competitiveness for federal contracts, or encourage speakers to alter their political messages in ways perceived to increase their chances of being awarded federal contracts. Listen to Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben discuss this issue. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568. 

Chamber to help L.A. increase college grads for chance at $1 million
This week the Chamber officially threw L.A.'s hat in the ring for a chance at $1 million. The Talent Dividend Prize, funded by The Kresge Foundation and Lumina Foundation, will go to the metropolitan area that exhibits the greatest increase in the number of post-secondary degrees granted per capita over a three-year period. Through the L.A. Compact collaborative, the Chamber has been working with the Los Angeles Unified School District, City of Los Angeles, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, L.A.’s institutions of higher learning and others to make sure youth are successful in high school, college and have pathways to sustainable careers. The winner will be announced in September 2014. Contact Liz Conroy, 213.580.7591.

Take action on three Chamber-sponsored education bills
Last week, three Chamber co-sponsored education bills — AB1304 (Block), AB 250 and 18 (Brownley) — all passed the Assembly Education Committees. AB 1304 will improve the preparation and professional development of teachers that provide instruction in applied learning programs, and improve existing teacher training programs. AB 250 will establish clear goals for learning in order to prepare students for success in college and careers. AB 18 will be a vehicle for comprehensively reforming the State's public school finance system. All bills will be heard in the Committee on Appropriations at a later date. Take action today. Contact Sonia Campos-Rivera, 213.580.7538.

Chamber joins coalition to urge legislators to solve budget
The Chamber this week joined a coalition of California business groups to release the California Financial Workout Plan. This five-point plan proposes a way to resolve the budget crisis through government reforms and tax extensions that would increase revenue while improving the State's business climate. The coalition is advocating for compromise, including reducing the length of Gov. Brown's five-year tax extensions and choosing a pension overhaul that falls somewhere between the governor's targeted ideas and a Little Hoover Commission report that recommended freezing pension benefits for current workers. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568. 

Beacon Management Group receives regional award The City of San Bernardino and Beacon Management Group recently received the 2011 Compass Blueprint Recognition Award for Visionary Planning for Prosperity at the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Conference. SCAG annually awards member cities in recognition of projects that demonstrate excellence and achievement in the four key elements: Livability, Mobility, Prosperity and Sustainability. Beacon produced the strategic implementation plan for the City of San Bernardino. Read more. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.