Chamber Addresses Jobs and the Economy at L.A. City Hall Standing
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Chamber VOICE IN THIS ISSUE: 10 ways the Chamber helped L.A. business this quarter 3 Chamber Southern California Leadership Network grooms leaders 4 Chamber forms new Non Profit Council 6 FALL 2007 • VolumE 6 • issue 4 VOICE A quarterly publication of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber addresses jobs and the economy at L.A. Standing with the City Hall Governor on health care reform The Chamber advocated for issues important to the City of Los Angeles at annual Access L.A. City Hall event he Los early 400 business leaders Garcetti echoed the need for more Angeles gathered for the Los collaboration, mentioning his efforts to Area Angeles Area Chamber make the council more aware of business Chamber of of Commerce’s annual issues through the creation of the Jobs, Commerce Access L.A. City Hall event Business Growth and Tax Reform endorsed Gov. committee. Chick suggested Arnold Schwarzenegger’s the need for a citywide health care reform economic development proposal in September, making it one of the first policy that would help business organizations to businesses grow and plan for come out in support of their future. the plan. Throughout the morning, The proposal includes a Chamber members heard 4 percent payroll fee on REFORMING HEALTH CARE. Chamber Board Chair David Fleming, Latham & Watkins, LLP, and Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben discuss health care from more than 30 civic employers with 10 or with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after a Capitol News Conference on Sept. 17. leaders and lawmakers on more employees who do key issues in Los Angeles. not already contribute Sessions addressed at least that much to providing health The Chamber supports comprehensive affordable housing; growing insurance for their employees. health care reform that expands access to and greening the ports; affordable, quality health insurance and improving L.A.’s business “All Californians deserve health coverage includes shared financing responsibility and all Californians should play a role in climate; renovating LAX; among all stakeholders in the health making that happen,” said Gary Toebben, care system including: government, gang violence, education and STRONG COLLABORATION. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa asked the business president and CEO of the L.A. Area health plans, health care organizations, community to work together with the city on issues facing the region at the youth development; gridlock Chamber’s annual Access L.A. City Hall. Chamber. “Placing the entire financial pharmaceutical companies, providers, and public transportation; burden on the back of business is not a employers, employees and individuals. providing water and power viable solution.” The Chamber continues to oppose AB 8, Thursday, Sept. 20 to discuss important to L.A.; and planning and building. which places the entire financial burden of issues impacting the future of L.A.’s The Chamber urged Gov. Schwarzenegger expanding access on business. economy, including the renovation of the Renovating LAX and other state Legislators to use the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), proposal as a template to pass health For more information, contact Director care reform during the upcoming special the growing and greening of the ports and The Los Angeles International Airport is a of Public Policy Samuel Garrison, legislative session. curbing gang violence. huge economic engine for the region—but 213.580.7568 or [email protected]. flights, passengers and jobs are going to Maintaining a strong business climate cities outside our region. Now is the time and encouraging the business community to take action on the renovation of LAX if to speak were the common themes we want the airport to go back to its glory to make sure the business community Community leaders fight throughout the day. days, and the business community must be continues to keep the heat on decision gang violence a part of the conversation, said panelists at makers.” “A strong economy begins with a job,” said the Renovating LAX session. Government and education leaders spoke Chamber Board Chair David Fleming, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, who strongly about the negative impacts of Latham & Watkins, LLP. “A strong “The business community has to stay said that safety at the airport is everyone’s gang activity at a session on gang violence, business voice is essential to a strong engaged on big projects, like the green main concern, encouraged the business education and youth development. economy.” line and north airfield,” said L.A. Board of community to urge the congressional Currently there are seven times as many Airport Commissioners President Alan delegation to fund transportation projects, gangs and twice as many gang members L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Rothenberg, 1st Century Bank. “We need including LAX. Council President Eric Garcetti and City in L.A. than in 1985, said Councilmember Controller Laura Chick kicked off the day. Janice Hahn. All three stressed the need for the business “Businesses can play a role,” said City community and the city to work together Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, explaining that on issues facing our region. businesses can get involved with programs designed to influence preventive change “Los Angeles is a city with a diverse among parents and children. economy. We have to work in partnership,” Villaraigosa said. “The key is to have The panelists emphasized the need strong collaboration.” for after school programs, workforce development and job training as pivotal Villaraigosa thanked the Chamber for tools in keeping kids out of trouble and its continued leadership and partnership equipping them with the skills they need on issues including education reform, to secure good paying careers. workforce training and helping youths find summer jobs. He also applauded the “By 2010, there will be 1 million available Chamber for its recent stance on health positions and a dramatic shortage of care reform. eligible workers, simply because of poor education,” said Pete Nash, Microsoft “The fact that the Chamber has raised its Corp. hand on health care speaks volumes of For more information, contact Director how the Chamber is forward looking and LAX AT THE FOREFRONT. Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, left, speaks about the importance of having the business community urge the congressional delegation to fund transportation projects, with Chamber Board Member Chris of Public Policy Samuel Garrison, always thinking ahead,” Villaraigosa said. Martin, AC Martin Partners. 213.580.7568 or [email protected]. A better L.A. is our business Putting the Focus Back on Infrastructure Projects CALENdAr oF Advocating for long-term infrastructure Events improvements to enhance the economy, create good jobs and improve our quality of life has been an important part of the mission of the Los Angeles Area Want to know what’s Chamber of Commerce. Since our founding in 1888, coming up at the Chamber the Chamber has played a major role in projects key this fall? Visit to the growth of our region including the San Pedro www.lachamber.org to view and register for upcoming events. Ports, the Metropolitan Water District, and dozens of Below are some key signature events you won’t want to miss: highways and transit lines. Critical now to our region’s growth is the renovation of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Serving 60 million travelers a year, LAX must be renovated in order to accommodate new and larger aircraft and remain competitive with other EVENT HIGHLIGHTS world-class airports. In August, Federal Aviation Administrator Marion C. Blakey spoke to the Chamber and urged the Los Angeles business community to give new WED & THU | OCT. 10 & 11 momentum to the stalled efforts to renovate LAX. Cash for College: College & Career Convention • L.A. students and their families are The Chamber has embraced this challenge and we will continue to promote the invited to attend the convention, which will feature renovation of LAX and other major infrastructure projects at the ports, Caltrans, representatives from colleges and universities from across the country, along with interactive Metro, Metropolitan Water District and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. career demonstrations and a wealth of information As a trustee of the region, we will take a big picture view when evaluating these on scholarships and financial aid. For more projects and make decisions based on what is in the best interest of the community as information, contact Director of Education & Workforce Development Alma Salazar, a whole. Without this big picture perspective, nearly every new infrastructure project 213.580.7566 or [email protected]. is too expensive or too controversial to undertake. TUE | OCT. 16 Most of the infrastructure that supports the economy of our region was built years Construction Industry Awards • The 72nd ago. It was designed and built when projects were cheaper and opposition from annual luncheon honors exceptional contributions neighbors, environmentalists and business competitors were less vocal or non- in developing the built environment of L.A. to unite existent. Times are different. Infrastructure projects are much harder to build and the region’s diverse communities. The event will much easier to stop. But the need for new infrastructure has not changed—it is honor Jim McNulty, Parsons Corporation; Gin greater today than ever before. Wong, Gin Wong Associates; and Carol Schatz and the Central City Association. For more information, In today’s political environment, if the broader business community does not speak contact Director of Events Michelle Attebery, 213.580.7585 or [email protected]. up for these major investments, they probably won’t happen. Short term, no one may notice. Long term, everyone will notice and we will all lose. Thank you for adding THU-SAT | NOV. 1-3 your voice to this chorus through your membership and participation in the Los World Trade Week International Business Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. University Competition • The second annual competition will showcase the talents and skills of college students by challenging them to think and act like real world professionals.