CHAMBER ADVOCATES FOR A BOLD FUTURE
This week more than 150 business and civic leaders gathered in Washingon, D.C., to advocate for bold action and bipartisan cooperation. The delegation included Chamber Board Chair Alan Rothenberg, 1st Century Bank; L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; L.A. City Councilmembers Joe Buscaino, Mitch Englander, Jose Huizar, Tom LaBonge and Ed Reyes; Santa Monica Mayor Pam O'Connor; President of the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees Anita Gabrielian, AT&T; Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy; Board of Education President Mónica García; and Board of Education Members Nury Martinez and Steve Zimmer. Thank you to our trip's Platinum Sponsor Time Warner Cable. View the advocacy agenda and photo gallery.


Delegation meets with 100 legislators and agency officials
The ACCESS Washington, D.C. – Los Angeles on the Hill delegation attended a special White House briefing as well as meetings with Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, House Speaker John Boehner, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Ambassador Miriam Sapiro and many more. At left, Sen. Feinstein addresses the delegation on sequestration, cybersecurity and assault weapons at a special Accenture Pancakes & Politics Breakfast Speaker Series on Tuesday. "The time has come to do something about assault weapons in America," said Feinstein. "I believe, over time, L.A. will be a safer city without weapons of war on your streets." Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

House Minority Whip Hoyer discusses immigration, FTAs and transportation
"The time to do it is now, not later. It won't get any easier," said House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer on immigration reform. The delegation talked about immigration reform with other electeds — including members of immigration reform's "Gang of Eight" Sen. Charles Schumer and staff for Sen. Jeff Flake — and White House officials throughout the trip, emphasizing the economic benefits of comprehensive reform. Hoyer also discussed the current fiscal situation. "We've got to stop creating a fiscal crisis every 30, 60, 90 days. We keep fighting about things for political points, not substance." Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Transportation teams discuss America Fast Forward, LAX and sequestration
"30/10 really jumpstarted our ability to do things around the country," said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as he addressed the three transportation and goods movement infrastructure teams, including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and L.A. City Councilmember Jose Huizar. LaHood was joined by Deputy Secretary John Pocari and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to discuss America Fast Forward, the Los Angeles International Airport, national freight policy and sequestration impacts. LaHood said he expected the president and Congress to come out with "a bold plan to pay for our infrastructure." A smaller group also met with House Transportation Chair Bill Shuster. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Delegation receives Southern California energy briefing
On Tuesday afternoon, many members of the delegation heard speakers from Southern California Edison, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Southern California Gas Company, a Sempra Energy utility talk about federal policy and investments needed for long-term energy reliability and affordability. The panel discussed a wide range of energy issues including natural gas, nuclear, hydropower and renewables. Representatives from congressional offices across the U.S. attended to hear how Southern California energy companies are transforming one of the largest energy markets in the world. Contact Frank Lopez, 213.580.7573.

Teams advocate for early childhood, K-12 & higher education and veteran employment
The early education team met with Steven Hicks, special assistant, Early Learning Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. "Everyone has a stake in early learning and everyone will benefit from greater investments in early learning," said Hicks. The Workforce Development team met with Keith Kelly, assistant deputy secretary of Veterans' Employment and Training Service at the U.S. Department of Labor. "In two years, Congressional leaders may not be paying attention to veterans' issues. Our time is now," said Kelly in regard to ensuring that veterans have what they need to successfully transition to civilian life. Contact Alma Salazar, 213.580.7599.

• Clean Water, Clean Beaches - voted down
  On Tuesday, the County Board of Supervisors voted not to proceed with the proposed Clean Water, Clean Beaches stormwater fee measure. The Chamber has stressed that the measure lacked the proper process for public input, critical transparency and accounting standards. Read more about the Chamber's position on this issue. Contact Frank Lopez, 213.580.7573.
  
  
  

  California Connections in Central Valley "Water is the life blood of the Central Valley," said Margie Wheeler, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, speaking to the  California Connections 2013 fellows on Wednesday. "It affects everyone's businesses and their livelihood." The group also visited the Don Pedro Water Facility to learn how water is effectively shared in this region. "We have up to 250 miles of  pipes delivering water on a 24 hour basis to farms," said Steve Boyd, Turlock Irrigation District. "Farmers are under a lot of pressure due to the lower amount of rain during the past couple of years." Contact Hadia Kabir, 213.580.7524.