SUCCESS IN SACRAMENTO. The Chamber successfully passed three of its sponsored bills out of the Senate and Assembly education policy committees this week. SB 1143 (Liu) which seeks to increase student completion in community colleges, passed the Senate Education Committee with strong bipartisan support. AB 2445 (Furutani) and AB 2172 (Carter) are companion bills related to Linked Learning (formerly known as Multiple Pathways) and seek to incorporate recommendations that come from AB 2648 (Bass, Carter, Furutani) Multiple Pathways Report. All three bills are on their way to Senate and Assembly appropriations committees. Contact Sonia Campos-Rivera, 213.580.7538 or srivera@lachamber.com.

Californians for a Fresh Start submits signatures for ballot initiative
Californians for a Fresh Start co-chairs, Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor/AFL-CIO Executive Secretary/ Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo, announced today that the campaign committee has submitted more than 1,050,000 signatures to qualify a new statewide term limits initiative for the November ballot. The initiative reduces a legislator’s time in office from 14 to 12 years. Under this reform this time can be served entirely in the State Assembly, the State Senate or a combination of both houses. This measure does not benefit any current or former legislator in office now or on the ballot this year. Contact Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568 or sgarrison@lachamber.com.

Chamber meets with Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade
During his first visit to Los Angeles since his appointment, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez visited with Chamber members Monday to discuss opportunities and challenges of doing business overseas. He emphasized the importance of hearing from the business community regularly in order to establish policies that benefit global trade. "We have relationships with Chambers such as yours across the country and we need to strengthen those in order to accomplish President Obama's mission," Sánchez said. Above, Sánchez, left, presents Chamber VP of Global Initiatives Carlos J. Valderrama with a certificate of appreciation for achievement in trade for the Chamber's support of U.S. export development and for creating opportunities for businesses through trade. View photo gallery. Contact Carlos J. Valderrama, 213.580.7570 or cvalderrama@lachamber.com.

Chamber members encouraged to participate in job shadowing
The Chamber, in collaboration with Junior Achievement of Southern California, is looking to recruit business leaders interested in improving public education by providing job shadow opportunities for youth. For just a few hours, business leaders can show students that an education leads to exciting and rewarding careers, while encouraging community involvement among employees. Register now or contact Cindy Barakhyan, 323.957.0585 or sbarakhyan@jasocal.org.

Large Marge Sustainables inspires students Meg Taylor, Large Marge Sustainables, recently spoke to students at Hollenbeck Middle School in Boyle Heights during the school's annual Career Week. Taylor, the owner of a catering company, shared the benefits of eating fresh foods. Pillar, a partnership between the Chamber and the Los Angeles Unified School District, helped host this event as business leaders provided students with information on careers ranging from engineers to lawyers, and newscasters to race car drivers. Contact Gail Levy, 213.580.7594 or glevy@lachamber.com. IE Design + Communications wins "The Best of LA Women's Business Award" Marcie Carson, IE Design + Communications, recently received a Best of LA Women's Business Award, sponsored by the Los Angeles Lakers and Comerica Bank. The award recognizes women in leadership throughout L.A. County for their contributions. Read more. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.