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CHAMBER-INITIATED OFFICE APPROVED. The Chamber applauds the L.A. City Council for approving Council President Eric Garcetti's proposal to create a new Office of Economic Analysis. Initiated by the Chamber and based on a successful model in San Francisco, "the Office of Economic Analysis will help ensure the big economic picture is taken into account in every City decision that directly or indirectly affects the economy, from business tax reform to traffic improvements," said Garcetti. The office will provide the City with rigorous and independent research to guide job creation and economic development initiatives and to assess other city actions for their impact on jobs and the economy. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531 or [email protected].
Chamber talks health care next steps with Rep. Roybal-Allard
 The new health care reform law aims to change the current system in which small businesses currently face skyrocketing costs and unpredictable premiums, lack of access to affordable coverage and choice
among health plans, and administrative inconvenience. At a special briefing at the Chamber on Friday, Chamber members had the opportunity to discuss challenges including how mandates apply and the fiscal impact of the new reform. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, above, discussed the new HealthCare.gov Web site, which has a tax incentive calculator for small businesses and puts consumers in control of their health care. "Families and small businesses can easily search for available insurance options and make informed decisions about health care with thorough, unbiased information," she said. Contact Janine Glass, 213.580.7565 or [email protected].
Chamber hears progress report on public transportation
 In Los Angeles, 11.7 million people took public transportation in the first quarter of 2010. Increased rail mobility and the development of high-speed rail in California will help get more people out of their cars. "We need a transportation system that works and provides services that people need," said Metrolink CEO John Fenton at the Transportation & Goods Movement Committee meeting Tuesday. "We need to really look at where people go in order to meet the users' needs." California will receive $2.25 billion for the State's newest plan for increased rail access, the high-speed rail project. "This is designed to shrink the state of California in a high-speed way," said Valerie Martinez of the California High Speed Rail Authority. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558 or [email protected].
Leadership L.A. focuses on the power of entertainment and social media
 If 10 major film productions moved to other states or countries, California would lose $106 million in state tax revenue. The entertainment industry is the third largest employer in L.A. County, and the Leadership L.A. 2010 class discussed Friday why it's more important than ever that social media and technological innovations are not overlooked, and the importance of keeping film production in our region. "The film industry does not only affect entertainment industry employees, it is closely linked to the tourism industry, which is L.A. County's No. 1 employer," said Amy Lemisch, California Film Commission. The Chamber is an advocate for keeping film production in Los Angeles, which translates into more than 250,000 direct jobs. Contact Kevin Cottrell, 213.580.7577 or [email protected].
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The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced funding for projects aimed to dramatically improve how the United States uses and produces energy. $22 million went to 11 projects in California, including Chamber members USC, UCLA and The Boeing Co. Funded with $92 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, the selections focus on accelerating innovation in green technology while increasing America's competitiveness in grid scale energy storage, power electronics and building efficiency. Above, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announces the projects. 
