WALK TO END HOMELESSNESS
With 51,000 individuals homeless in L.A. County on any given night, now is the time to lend your support to a serious and important community challenge. Join the Chamber and United Way of Greater Los Angeles for HomeWalk, the annual 5K Run/Walk to End Homelessness on Saturday, Nov. 19 in Exposition Park. The Chamber, in partnership with the United Way, created the Home for Good community action plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness in Los Angeles by 2016. A central part of Home for Good's success is mobilizing thousands of Angelenos to make the collective statement that homelessness is solvable through a community focus on short term services and long-term permanent supportive housing. Pictured above, the turnout from last year's event. Register today or contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531.

Chamber-supported bill headed to Senate Finance Committee
The Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer, recently approved Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), a two-year, $109 billion transportation reauthorization bill. The bill includes the America Fast Forward Financing Innovation Act, which would increase the funding for the Transportation Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act to $1 billion from the current $110 million. Locally, this is a huge step towards implementing the 30/10 program designed to speed up Measure R projects, creating jobs, relieving congestion and improving air quality. The bipartisan bill now heads to the Senate Finance Committee before the full Senate. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Chamber appointed by World Bank as Private Sector Liaison Officer
The Chamber has been appointed by the World Bank as a Private Sector Liaison Officer (PSLO). The Chamber joins nine PSLOs in the United States and 80 around the world. Serving in the capacity of PSLO, the Chamber will be responsible for coordinating activities in California with various business intermediaries, such as chambers of commerce; industry and business associations; investment and export promotion agencies; and other regional and national economic institutions. The Chamber will provide information about the World Bank's projects and services, and organize seminars, trade missions and matchmaking opportunities for regional firms interested in conducting business in emerging markets. Contact Carlos J. Valderrama, 213.580.7570.

Chamber meets with California Insurance Commissioner
"In your business operation, you probably have five to six lines of insurance. When it works, it's great. When it doesn't, it can be problematic," said California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones at the Health Care Council meeting Thursday. Commissioner Jones discussed the challenges behind workers compensation and AB52 — a bill that would give the State oversight of insurance premiums. The Chamber opposes this bill. He also discussed the health care insurance changes that have taken affect leading up to 2014. Contact P. Anthony Thomas, 213.580.7568.

Los Angeles named one of the top cities to live in car free In a study by publication 24/7 Wall Street, the 100 largest metropolitan areas were examined to determine which ones are the best places to live without a car. In each city, the percentage of neighborhoods covered by public transit, the frequency of service for those neighborhoods and the share of jobs reachable within 90 minutes or less by public transit for people living in those neighborhoods, were considered. The Los Angeles, Long Beach and Santa Ana region ranks No. 9 on the list, with the San Francisco region ranking No. 1 and Portland at No. 2. Los Angeles' ranking could be credited to Metro and Metrolink, which both provide extensive modes of transportation in our region. Read more. Macy's to open a new Bloomingdale's next year in Glendale Macy's recently announced plans for a new Bloomingdale's department store to open in the Glendale Galleria in the fall of 2013. The 120,000-square-foot store will occupy two levels, with construction expected to begin in 2012. The Bloomingdale's store workforce is projected to include 175 associates. Read more. Click here to submit your member good news.