CEQA REFORM PASSES AFTER CHAMBER URGES LEGISLATURE
On Friday, in a letter read on the Senate Floor by Sen. Ted Lieu, the Chamber urged the Legislature to pass AB 900 and SB 292. "AB 900 balances environmental protections with streamlining that will stop the gaming of our judicial system for projects that will generate significant economic benefit for California—this means real jobs for the citizens of California," wrote Chamber Board Chair Joseph Czyzyk, Mercury Air Group. If signed by Gov. Brown, AB 900 would allow projects costing $100 million or more to ask for streamlined judicial review under CEQA. SB 292 would expedite the judicial review of the Farmers Field project, proposed by Anschutz Entertainment Group. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531.

Chamber supports education bill package and gets education bill signed into law
On Tuesday, the Chamber joined Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson to urge Gov. Jerry Brown to sign a package of education bills (SB 547, 611 and 612). These bills would update the State's test-focused school accountability system. Last week, Chamber-sponsored bill AB 1304 (Block) was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. This Linked Learning bill will improve the preparation and professional development of teachers in applied learning programs. Two more Chamber-sponsored bills, AB 790 (Furutani) — a second Linked Learning bill — and AB 250 (Brownley), are on the governor’s desk. Voice your support for AB 790 and 250. Contact Sonia Campos-Rivera, 213.580.7538.

Chamber meets with Southern California Association of Governments and Metro
"Every 10 percent of increased mobility equals $17 billion in economic output," said Rich Macias, director of transportation planning for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), at the Chamber's Land Use & Mobility Council on Wednesday. Macias gave an overview of the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan the agency is developing, which includes express-lane networks and east-west freight corridor alignments. The council also met with Roderick Diaz, director of systemwide planning for Metro, on the preliminary concepts for extending the Metro Green Line to the Los Angeles International Airport. Measure R, the half-cent sales tax increase the Chamber supported, provides $200 million in funding to the extension. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Leadership L.A. examines law and societal issues
California's budget problems are creating a desperate situation for local law enforcement, said Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell at the Leadership L.A. 2011 session on Friday. Fellows also heard from L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Chief Alexander Yim on the advances that have been made related to prisoner education programs. "Simple warehousing" is a waste of resources, Yim said, and it does not prepare prisoners for what can be a traumatic process of reintegration into society. For a broader perspective, Chamber Board Member David Fleming, Latham & Watkins LLP, noted the correlation between high inmate populations and drug offenses. The war on drugs cost the U.S. federal government more than $15 billion dollars in 2010, at a rate of about $500 per second. Above, McDonnell (right) and Fleming speak with Fellows. Read more about the day on Twitter. Contact Alexander Pampalone, 213.580.7547.

The Los Angeles Sports Council helps bring 2015 Special Olympics to L.A. The Special Olympics International Board of Directors announced this week that Los Angeles will be the host site for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Several board members of The Los Angeles Sports Council, including Chamber Board Member David Simon, president of the Council, were active participants of the bid committee which helped bring the Special Olympics to Los Angeles. More than 7,000 athletes from 170 nations are expected to compete in 21 Olympic-type sports. Above, Special Olympian Loretta Claiborne with actress Kimberly Elise, who portrayed Claiborne in The Walt Disney film "The Loretta Claiborne Story." Read more. Good Shepherd Center renovates rooms at facility The Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women & Children's Charity Design Project recently received donated table lamps, lighting fixtures and home furnishings from LampsPlus.com. The Design Project renovated 30 single occupancy rooms at the Center, a temporary shelter, including the addition of rugs, bedding, wallpaper and paint. Read more. (Image courtesy of Good Shepherd Center) Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.