VICA Calls for Consolidated Special Elections to Fill San Fernando Valley Vacancies
In light of recent resignations, San Fernando Valley voters will need to fill two vacancies in the State Assembly next year by special elections. In a letter today, VICA (Valley Industry Commerce Association) called for Governor Jerry Brown to concurrently schedule the special elections for Assembly Districts (AD) 39 and 45. Governor Brown announced that […]
Injunction Delays December 1 Department of Labor Overtime Rule
The Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) welcomes today’s injunction delaying implementation of the Department of Labor Overtime Rule, which would have raised the overtime exemption threshold to $47,476 on December 1. The Department of Labor rule would have significantly impacted small businesses across California, increasing labor costs while limiting opportunities for employees, especially young graduates. […]
Don’t Break This Tax Promise
Voters are right to be wary of “temporary” tax hikes, and California’s Proposition 30, which passed in 2012, is no exception. Democratic lawmakers are already talking about the possibility of an extension of the tax increase, either through legislative action or in the form of a 2016 ballot measure. California fell into a significant budget […]
The False Issue of North versus South
As the 2014 Legislative Session picks up steam, two Southern California legislators have informally garnered enough votes to take the top leadership roles in Sacramento: Assemblymember Toni Atkins (San Diego) and State Senator Kevin de Leon (Los Angeles), are expected to take the positions of Assembly Speaker and Senate President, respectively. Californians should be pleased […]
Look Past ‘Union’ Label
When the Business Journal endorsed Eric Garcetti for Los Angeles mayor in last week’s issue, it believed that the two candidates are much alike, except for the “unsettling” amount of financial support from labor unions that Wendy Greuel has received during the campaign. “It creates the expectation that Greuel would not – could not – […]
Stopping Meth Should Not Penalize Law-Abiding Californians – Oppose SB 315 (Wright)
Across California methamphetamine abuse is a serious problem in many of our communities. We at the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) fully support enforcement and expansion of existing laws that punish methamphetamine manufacturers and dealers. However, punishing law-abiding Californians by increasing their health care costs and taxes is an overbearing and futile attempt to […]
VICA Set to Tackle Extensive List of Policy Goals in New Year
The end of the year is not just a time for reflection, but a chance to take a look at goals and priorities for the upcoming year. Many business leaders make New Year’s resolutions and set annual goals, and in that spirit VICA announces its 12 Legislative Priorities for 2012. The list includes the top […]
Talking About Los Angeles in 2013
Less than 18 percent of Los Angeles’ voters turned out in 2009 to elect the mayor of the country’s second largest city. In the 2011 election cycle, when there wasn’t a mayoral election, turnout was only 12 percent. Simply put, voter turnout in Los Angeles municipal elections is abysmal. Yet, of any government entity, it […]