Thursday | May 10, 2012
     
 

IN THIS ISSUE

This Week At The Chamber
Read the latest happenings

Member News
Read good news from Chamber members

Issues of Interest
Read about what's going on in your community
 

  COMING UP AT
THE CHAMBER
 
     
 

TUE | May 22
Referral Network
Business Breakthrough Tuesday
more info |
register

TUE-WED | May 22-23

ACCESS Sacramento
more info | register

WED | May 30
Argentina-United States: Diplomatic & Trade Relations
Featuring the Argentina Ambassador to the U.S.
more info | register

WED | June 1
Health Care Council
Sen. Ed Hernandez, Chair of the Senate Health Committee
more info | register

View all upcoming events on our Web Calendar.

 
     
 

OVERHEARD

 


"The era of some kids getting orange juice and others getting orange drink is over in LAUSD."

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy at the Chamber's Board of Directors meeting Thursday.



"There is not going to be one single fuel, there will need to be a mix of options. Where it's feasible, we need to push for alternatives."

—Dr. Elaine Chang, South Coast Air Quality Management District, on the 2012 Air Quality Management Plan, a multi-agency effort which will lay out planning information to meet federal air quality requirements, at a joint council meeting Wednesday at the Chamber.


.
"One of the challenges we are facing is the competitive landscape. The Panama Canal will be widening and will accommodate bigger ships."

—Deputy Executive Director Cynthia Ruiz, Port of Los Angeles at the Leadership Southern California 2012 session Friday.

  Media Highlights  

 

 

Proposed tweak to term limits makes eminent sense
Los Angeles Times, May 10
Read more

Initiative seeks to modify lawmakers' term limits
Times-Picayune, May 9
Read more




 
   
 


WORLD TRADE WEEK BREAKFAST KICKS OFF MONTH OF EVENTS

More than 500 business executives and members of the diplomatic corps gathered Friday for the 86th Annual World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza. "To stay on top of the global game, you need to work together as one region, with one global vision, engaging with other markets around the world," said keynote speaker Amy Liu, senior fellow, co-director and co-founder of the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program. Bella Heule, president and CEO of the WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego, received the prestigious Stanley T. Olafson Award for her commitment to expand international trade opportunities in Southern California. View photo gallery. Contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569.
Above from left, Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben; Julie Anne Hennessy, U.S. Department of Commerce; Ambassador Mickey Kantor, representing the Office of Mayor Villaraigosa, accepting the Bob Kleist Leadership Award on their behalf; and World Trade Week Chair Valeria Velasco, Los Angeles World Airports Commission Vice President.



Business tax reform moves forward
Efforts to reform the City of Los Angeles' gross receipts tax took another step forward this week when the Council's Jobs and Business Development Committee moved the Business Tax Advisory Committee's (BTAC) 15-year phase out recommendation to a joint meeting between the Jobs and Budget Committees. Within the first five years of implementation, the plan recommends simplifying the City's tax structure from nine to three classes, and lowering the highest class from a .507 tax to .356. The Chamber will continue to support the recommendations submitted by BTAC. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Chamber supports USC Specific Plan
Today, the Chamber testified before the City Planning Commission in support of the University of Southern California's Specific Plan, which will provide a blueprint for USC's growth over the next 20 years. The plan seeks to continue to integrate USC into the community while creating new university and community retail and dining opportunities, open space and provide student jobs. Additionally, the plan also includes thousands of new permanent and construction jobs. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Help youth get ready for employment by being a mock interviewer
The Chamber and its HIRE LA's Youth campaign partners are looking for business leaders interested in helping youth get ready for entry-level employment by being a mock interviewer. Help shape L.A.'s future workforce by joining us on May 21, 22 and 29, and on June 9 for Work Readiness Certification workshops. We're expecting hundreds of youth and will need your help interviewing and providing them with valuable feedback. Contact Kimberly Balderrama, 213.580.7505.

 

Ad Council honors Clear Channel Outdoor with Silver Bell Award
On May 1, the L.A. division of Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc. was presented with the Ad Council's prestigious Silver Bell Award, recognizing the company's public service contributions in the L.A. community. In 2011, Clear Channel Outdoor donated billboard space for the Ad Council's public service campaigns. The company took extra steps to support the Buzzed Driving Prevention Campaign. Annually, the company donates nearly $6 million in outdoor advertising space in the L.A. area to assist public safety groups, government agencies and non-profits in sharing public service messages. Read more.

Northrop Grumman named Most Valuable Employer for Military
For the third consecutive year, CivilianJobs.com has named Northrop Grumman Corporation as a 2012 Most Valuable Employer for Military®. Northrop Grumman is among 45 companies to be recognized. The winners were selected based on surveys in which the company outlined its recruiting, training and retention plans that best serve military service members and veterans. Read more.

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  ISSUES OF INTEREST  
 
 



City Council approves resolution in favor of High Speed Rail Project
This week, L.A. City Council unanimously passed a resolution by Councilmember Tom LaBonge in support of the City requesting State lawmakers to release Proposition 1A funds to begin construction on the statewide high-speed railway project. These funds could be used for early investments in urban bookends, specifically in Los Angeles for the Regional Connector. Chamber High Speed Rail Task Force Chair Maureen Hayes, Parsons Corporation, testified on the Chamber's support for the revised business plan and movement to bring the first operating segment south to L.A. County. Allocating Proposition 1A funds is on the Chamber's ACCESS Sacramento advocacy agenda. Register now for ACCESS Sacramento or contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Learn about LADWP's Solar Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) Program
May 15, 6:30-8 p.m.
Councilmember Eric Garcetti's District Office
The FIT Program is a tool to encourage Angelenos to install solar energy and sell it to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) . It helps move L.A. towards its State mandated goal of getting 33 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
LADWP's10 MW Solar Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Demonstration Program will be accepting applications from May 17 - June 29. Register now.

 
 

 

MEMBER BENEFITS
 

Adding value to your Chamber membership



 
   
EVENTs SPOTLIGHT
 
 
 



The Israel Conference - June 2, 2011 - Los Angeles

Chamber members receive a discount. Use LAACC53 when registering. Register now.


 





The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.lachamber.com