Don’t Doom L.A. to a Permanent Housing Shortage
Last month, a group of activists calling themselves the “Coalition to Preserve L.A,” led by Michael Weinstein with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, filed papers to place an initiative on the November 2016 ballot that would establish a citywide building moratorium on higher density housing. The measure is officially titled “Restrictions on General Plan Amendments, Required […]
Working To Build a 21st Century Los Angeles
Chambers of Commerce across America were often formed to champion major infrastructure improvements. For the L.A. Area Chamber, that project was the Port of Los Angeles 127 years ago. Since 1888, the Chamber and its members have successfully advocated for the construction of the Port of L.A., the Los Angeles Aqueduct, new sources of electricity, […]
Building an Economy for All in L.A. County
It is a core tenant of every action we take at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce that the best commodity is a job. A job allows us to stand with pride and be empowered to take care of ourselves, our families and our community. A job teaches young adults important values, and increases […]
Trans-Pacific Partnership: Job Creation in a Global Economy
It was exciting news yesterday that the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations among Pacific Rim nations have resulted in a final agreement. If ratified, this treaty would not only benefit the United States as a whole, but also uniquely and specifically the Los Angeles economy, which serves as the gateway to and from the U.S. for trade […]
State Transportation Funding and Reform Overdue
As we approach the final days of the legislative session, Governor Brown has released a framework for a transportation funding package. We urge legislators to use this proposal as the basis for negotiations and come together to fix our crumbling streets and roads now. The Governor’s package includes a mix of reforms to ensure we’re using […]
Balancing Climate Change and Job Displacements
Public opinion polls show that Californians are concerned about jobs. They are also concerned about climate change and there is a tail-wind of support behind two bills in the legislature to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: SB 32 by Senator Fran Pavley and SB 350 by Senate pro temp Kevin deLeon. SB 32 would create a […]
Unemployment Rates For Los Angeles Tell A Disappointing Story
Last Friday, the California Employment Development Department released the Employment Report for June. The California unemployment rate stands at 6.3 percent, the County of Los Angeles is 7.4 percent and the City of Los Angeles is 7.7 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate is 5.3 percent. While all of these numbers are better than a year […]
State & Feds Must Address Transportation Funding Crisis
The Federal Highway Trust Fund will expire on July 31 and California’s highways are falling apart. The businesses and residents of California are angry and frustrated by the lack of focus on transportation at both the State and Federal level. Tax revenue is growing in Washington DC and Sacramento but none of that new revenue is going […]
Minimum Wage Increase – Intent and Results Will Not Match
Let’s start with a key premise. Everyone wants working men and women in Los Angeles to have more economic opportunities and have a better quality of life. The current debate is not a question of WHAT our common goal is, but a disagreement over HOW do we get there? The just released independent Beacon Economics study of […]
Privatization Makes Money for L.A. Convention Center – What Should Be Next?
Last month the L.A. Convention Center announced a $3.3 million profit for 2014. The first-ever profit at the Convention Center was the result of a new partnership between the City of Los Angeles and AEG to operate the facility. AEG, the owner and operator of Staples Center and L.A. LIVE, made hundreds of big and little changes […]