CHAMBER-SUPPORTED TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS INCLUDED IN PRESIDENT'S BUDGET
This week, President Obama released his FY 2013 budget, which included $50 million for the Westside Subway Extension and $31 million for the Regional Connector Projects — two of our region's top transit priorities. Funding for the subway would go toward extending the Metro Purple Line to Westwood, and the Regional Connector would link several rail lines together in downtown Los Angeles. The Westside Subway Extension will create 44,800 jobs and the Regional Connector Project up to 13,770 jobs. Both of these projects are included in the Chamber-supported America Fast Forward initiative, which will accelerate the development and construction of 12 local transit projects. Join the Chamber to advocate for inclusion of this initiative in a multi-year transportation reauthorization bill on our annual ACCESS Washington, D.C. trip, March 5-7. Register now or contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

L.A. City Council to honor Cash for College
The Los Angeles City Council will recognize the Chamber and its Cash for College campaign partners Friday, Feb. 17 for their efforts to help local students and their families access money for college. Over the past 10 years, the Chamber, UNITE-LA and other local groups have helped build Cash for College into the premier source of financial aid information locally, especially among low-income families where students are often the first in their families to attend college. "Many of these students did not think that college was attainable until we helped them apply for scholarships and financial aid," said Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben. Contact Alma Salazar, 213.580.7566.

Chamber supports Earthquake Insurance Affordability Act
H.R. 3125, authored by Rep. John Campbell, would lower costs for Californians purchasing earthquake insurance. This legislation is a companion bill to the one introduced by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The legislation seeks to make earthquake insurance more accessible to Californians, which will increase the number of insured homeowners and could reduce the risk to all taxpayers who may otherwise bear significant costs in the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake. Being protected by insurance is the key to a faster recovery, which will be essential to rebuilding our communities. Contact P. Anthony Thomas, 213.580.7568.

Southern California Leadership Network focuses on Orange County
"There are more than 100 institutions of faith, as well as a very multinational and international business profile here," said Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Beth Krom on Friday at Leadership Southern California 2012's session in Orange County. Panelists, including Tim Shaw, Orange County Great Park Corporation and Michael Bishop, Santa Ana Unified School District, covered the regional politics, public works and the tangible diversity which exists within Orange County. Contact Hadia Kabir, 213.580.7254

McDonald's celebrates reopening of Olympic Boulevard restaurant The McDonald's restaurant on E. Olympic Boulevard recently celebrated its grand re-opening. The event unveiled the newly remodeled McDonald's restaurant which features a modern exterior design, welcoming entry into the restaurant and upscale interior decor. In 2012, 65 McDonald's restaurants across the southland will also be remodeled in a similar style and design. Read more. Interested in having a ribbon cutting? Contact Pat Clark, 213.580.7595. State Farm Insurance Companies hiring 3,000 throughout U.S. and Canada State Farm Insurance Companies is accepting applications for 3,000 jobs, which will be mainly in customer service, claims and information technology. The new hires will increase the company's workforce — currently at more than 65,000 employees, not including its 17,800 agents — by 4.6 percent. Read more. Click here to submit your member good news.