REGAINING CALIFORNIA'S LEADERSHIP ROLE 
On Monday, the Chamber, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation and California State University, Los Angeles hosted a townhall to hear from Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom on his economic growth and competitiveness agenda. Newsom was joined by several State elected officials who engaged in conversation about the economy and California's strengths. "Let's start reading our history and focusing on what made our State great," Newsom, above, said. "We have to be bolder than ever. We have to be much more aggressive if the State is going to be great again." Thank you to event sponsors State Farm Insurance Companies and Time Warner Cable. Top photo, from left: Jim Newton, Los Angeles Times; Lt. Gov. Newsom; Senate pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg; Assembly Speaker John Pérez; Assemblymembers Nathan Fletcher and Cameron Smyth. View photo gallery or watch the event online. Contact P. Anthony Thomas, 213.580.7568.

Chamber continues to oppose irresponsible banking ordinance
Several L.A. City Councilmembers continue to push fellow councilmembers to approve a new banking ordinance that will create a new city bureaucracy that taxpayers cannot afford. It would assign already burdened City staff with collecting reporting documents that they do not have the time or expertise to review; evaluate banking services with criteria that violates state and federal law; and put small banks at a severe disadvantage when compared to larger institutions. The City's Administrative Officer Miguel Santana told the City Council that this ordinance could cost taxpayers $58 million. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531.

Chamber-supported Hoover Power Act passed by U.S. Senate
The Chamber applauds the U.S. Senate for approving the Hoover Power Allocation Act this week. The bill allocates and expands the availability of emission-free hydroelectric power generated at Hoover Dam through 2067. The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power uses the hydroelectric power generated at Hoover Dam to support the Department's integration of renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar power. The bill now returns to the House of Representatives — which passed it earlier this month — for technical changes before heading to President Obama. The Chamber advocated for the Hoover Power Act during its annual ACCESS Washington, D.C. event this year. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Chamber-supported Clean Water Program unanimously approved by L.A. City Council
On Wednesday, the Chamber testified in support of the Bureau of Sanitation's Clean Water program to repair and maintain the City's aging sewage infrastructure. The financial plan will increase sewer fees gradually over 10 years, instead of the five years proposed by the City Administrative Office. With 30 percent of the City's sewer lines beyond their 80-year lifespan, these funds will go towards replacing 60 miles of pipeline annually and help the City comply with mandated water quality requirements. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Korean Air launches A380 from Los Angeles Korean Air recently launched the Airbus A380 — the world's largest plane — from the Los Angeles International Airport for the first time, becoming the third airline to fly that aircraft from Los Angeles. Korean Air begins with three flights a week to Seoul, Korea with the A380, but will begin offering daily flights on the plane between the two cities starting Oct. 29. Above, representatives from the L.A. Area Chamber and Korean Air. Read more. California State University, Northridge awarded federal science and tech grants California State University, Northridge recently received $5.5 million from the Department of Education’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM — an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics — program to boost the number of students who transfer from a community college and graduate with degrees in engineering and computer science. Read more. Oakwood Corporate Housing wins corporate award Oakwood Corporate Housing recently won the Global Expatriate Management and Mobility Award for Corporate Housing Provider of the Year for the second year in a row. The Forum for Expatriate Management selected Oakwood for its business continuity and emergency housing plan, which successfully helped several Fortune 500 and large international clients handle emergency housing needs during recent crises and natural disasters. Read more. Click here to learn more.