Acceleration of the projects into a 10-year timeframe – rather than 30 years – is estimated to create 160,000 jobs, help clean our air ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 There are TIMELY updates on two pieces of important legislation for business that you may want to TAKE ACTION on:  

AB2531 (Fuentes) - Expansion of Redevelopment Authority. This critical job-supporting legislation will be heard as soon as Wednesday (6.16.10) by the Senate Local Government Committee.  BizFed has voted to SUPPORT this legislation – which would amend California Redevelopment Law to allow local governments – through their redevelopment agencies - to pursue more aggressive and proactive economic development agendas. 

BizFed’s letter is here for your use if you would like to send a letter to ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 LA City Councilman Paul Koretz is calling for ELIMINATION of a three-year phase-in for the full Cost Allocation Plan – in direct contradiction to a negotiated agreement between city officials and the business community last year. 

As responsible and reasonable organizations, we understand the fiscal challenges the city faces and are willing to work together to get through the current economic crisis. But immediate implementation of full cost recovery on Department of City Panning entitlement request fees will hurt our city’s economic recovery by imposing a significant and unexpected financial burden on one of the city’s key economic engines. We strongly ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 BizFed is urging businesses to support the Top‐Two Candidates Open Primary Initiative on the June 8 ballot to help ease partisan gridlock in Sacramento and get California government working again.

The measure, authored by state Senator Abel Maldonado, mirrors a successful “open primary” election system in Washington State and reforms California’s existing system that limits the ability of Decline to State (DTS) and independent voters to vote in primary elections. 

BizFed’s Board is urging businesses to support Proposition 17 on the June 8 ballot, to ensure all drivers who continually maintain their automobile insurance are eligible for this “continuous coverage” discount even if they change their insurance company.

This common-sense measure allows all insurance companies to offer the expanded continuous coverage discount to drivers, including new customers, for obeying the law and having maintained their auto insurance.

Drivers who continually maintain their auto insurance coverage deserve this ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 Don’t think the growing crisis with the local and state public pension systems has anything to do with you, your organization, or business?  Think again.  

Financially strapped municipalities and agencies across California – and the state itself – are facing huge public pension liabilities. The fallout threatens both to hammer taxpayers and to hurt public services.  

Our BizFed Board members have decided to ratchet up our efforts and have begun seeking public positions on the issue from more than 100 state and local elected and public officials directly affecting LA County- and we also want to hear from YOU on ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 BizFed is urging all of its members and key contacts to take the next vital step this week in the progression of the Measure R countywide 30/10 plan.

On Thursday 4/22/10 at 9:30am the MTA Board votes on whether or not they will support the 30/10 plan (to advance the 12 major transit projects into the first 10 years of the 30 year long term transportation infrastructure plan.) 

BizFed is urging members to send the entire Metro 13-member Board a letter encouraging their support this week! Getting INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS top brass along with BUSINESS ORGANIZATION LEADERS are equally important.

Taking politics out of ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 BizFed has written to Sen. Gloria Romero, chair of the Senate Education Committee, this week in support of legislation that would incentivize community colleges to boost completion rates. Here is the text of the letter that was sent April 12, 2010:

Dear Senator Romero, 

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Business Federation, which represents more than 70 organizations with well over 100,000 businesses across the region, we are writing to seek your support of SB 1143 (Liu).   

This bill establishes a framework for allocating state funds to community colleges in a manner that ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 As BizFed revs up support for accelerating the use of Measure R funds before the Metro board’s consideration April 22, this hot-off-the-presses report by LAEDC offers a look at the significant economic impact Measure R will have for the entire region. 

Some key highlights for quick review:

·Total spending, budgeted to exceed $34.7 billion, will generate $68.8 billion in economic output (measured by business revenues) in the five-county Southern California region.  

·Average annual project spending is estimated at $1.157 billion, with an average annual economic impact of $2.292 billion and an annual average of 16,900 jobs with $746 million in annual earnings. 

·Over ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 BizFed supports the Port of Long Beach's $1.1 billion plan to replace the aging Gerald Desmond Bridge, a vital goods-movement and traffic connector for the region. The project is estimated to last five years and generate an average 4,000 jobs. Read the full text of BizFed's support letter to the Port:

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Business Federation, we are writing to express our strong support for the Port of Long Beach’s proposed $1.1 billion replacement of the aging Gerald Desmond Bridge, one of the most vital transportation and goods-movement links for the region. 

The need for replacement is readily apparent: About ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 BizFed has written this month to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in support of higher education reform that is key to developing a quality workforce for a changing economy. Read the letter below:

Dear Gov. Schwarzenegger, 

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), representing more than 70 organizations with well over 100,000 business members, we are writing to voice our strongest support for much-needed efforts to boost investment and reforms in the state’s higher education system. 

As business leaders, we know that growing a talented, well-educated workforce is critical to economic prosperity in the 21st century economy.  We also understand the importance ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 BizFed's Board of Directors has voted to support legislation introduced by Sen. Alan Lowenthal that would create a pilot program for a limited number of school districts with the goal of increasing funding flexibility. BizFed's letter to Senator Lowenthal:

Dear Senator Lowenthal,

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), representing more than 70 organizations with well over 100,000 business members, we are writing to express our formal support for your recently introduced SB 1396. 

Rigid state funding formulas have long constrained schools across the state, but current budget cuts are ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 BizFed members worked hard to help boost California’s bid for federal Race to the Top education funds. The news this week on the two winners – and the reviewers’ comments on California’s application – may be enlightening and useful.

As you know, California will be applying again this summer for the second round of funding as is eligible for up to $700 million of the $3.4 billion that will be available – so reviewers’ comments will be particularly key in efforts to increase the state’s chances this next time around.

Included here are some excerpts and highlights from the U.S. Department ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 Los Angeles County Business Federation strongly commends California lawmakers for passage this week of key homebuyer tax-credit and green-tech legislation that will help provide a significant and much-needed boost to the state’s economy. 

The $200 million in new state tax credits for home buyers - split among those buying a home for the first time and anyone buying a newly constructed home – will stimulate the crucial housing industry and help create thousands of jobs at a time of staggering unemployment in regions such as Los Angeles County. The state Franchise Tax Board estimates more than 30,000 homeowners could get the ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 In the past eight months, more than 10,000 workers have been hired by LA County businesses and agencies for $2.00 an hour - and some at NO cost – using Federal Stimulus funds to help stabilize and grow your business and put people back to work. Jodi Wilia just started at BizFed through this program! 

NEW to help you get started from our meetings with Supervisors Ridley-Thomas and Knabe: The county now is offering FREE Webinars every Wednesday through April 28 with details on the program and how YOUR business can benefit. Go to www.employmentstimulus.org  and click the “More Info” button to ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 With Los Angeles County struggling with double-digit unemployment, BizFed last week took a significant step toward aggressively working for a more business-friendly environment to spur jobs and help all of our communities thrive in this new decade.

The BizFed Board unanimously voted Tuesday 2/16/2010 to be one of a handful of key “champions” of the first comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan in LA County’s history.

The plan - developed through a yearlong broad, consensus-building process by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. - was formally endorsed by all five county Supervisors in late December. This week, LAEDC delivered copies of the ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 Join the BizFed Public Pension Crisis Forum, Thurs 2/25 at 2pm-3pm

A 60-minute Conference Call-in with supporting emailed reference materials for your own use and ability to spread the word quickly.

As you read in today's LA Times Business section article, many of the Public Employee Labor Unions have begun their own critical information campaign on this topic to fend off the dose of reality every single taxpayer is getting hit with.

We need to get the correct intel out now!  

How it Affects YOU and Your Business: Reduced city services. Strained municipalities – and possible bankruptcies. Higher ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 BizFed has joined with Central City Association, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and VICA to express strong support for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the City Council’s efforts to address the city’s public pension crisis. Below is the letter that was sent Jan. 14, 2010.

 Dear Mayor and Honorable City Councilmembers:  

On behalf of our organizations, we write to express our strong support for your efforts to address the city’s public pension crisis. Los Angeles has an opportunity to be a national leader in fiscal responsibility by acting quickly and boldly to fix this system.  

As ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:30 I am writing to urge you, your colleagues and employees to join Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic (FAST) and support FAST’s mission to implement fast-term traffic solutions to get Los Angeles moving again.  

In these challenging economic times, our elected officials need to know that there are thousands of people who also agree that fixing Los Angeles’ traffic gridlock and protecting our transit dollars are crucial in order to get our economy back on track.  

Joining FAST will ensure that these traffic-relief options ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:29 Distinguished California lawmakers: 

On behalf of BizFed (The Los Angeles County Business Federation), I am writing to respectfully urge you to take immediate action to help solve California’s increasingly critical water crisis.  

It is imperative that crucial decisions need to swiftly be made in the state Capitol on water issues related to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta that will affect us all.  

California’s primary Delta water system - built for a population of 18 million and now serving nearly 30 million – is now strained to the breaking point, is seismically vulnerable and needs to be upgraded immediately. 

After years of delays, California ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:29 Dear Governor Schwarzenegger, 

On behalf of BizFed (The Los Angeles County Business Federation), we are writing to respectfully urge you to sign Assembly Bill 332, which will help expand quality work-based learning programs for students and create the stronger workforce that California needs in the 21st Century. 

Students at all achievement levels deserve access to rigorous, engaging learning environments. We must educate a more highly-trained, flexible workforce with skill sets that allow them to transition to different careers throughout their working lives.

They must also be able to apply their knowledge in ways that allow them to collaborate with other people and ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:29 Dear Insurance Commissioner Poizner,

I am writing to urge you to oppose any significant increases in the benchmark for Workers’ Compensation rates at such a critical time for businesses already struggling with the worst economic crisis in more than 80 years.

Since California deregulated the workers' compensation market in 1993, significant progress has been made in reducing this major cost for business. Any significant increase now would seriously undermine all the gains that have been made in the past 15 years and further threaten an already tenuous economic recovery for the state.

With the cost of doing business in California – and LA ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:29 Dear Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; Senator Alan Lowenthal; Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield; and Assemblyman Kevin De Leon:

I am writing to urge you to oppose elimination of the state’s CalWORKS program.If the CalWORKS welfare-to-work program is eliminated, $159 million in new federal stimulus money for an expanded LA County work program will be forfeited and evaporate – along with 10,000 jobs.

In this current economic crisis, with unemployment in LA County at more than 12 percent, we cannot afford to jeopardize funding for the county’s Transitional Subsidized Employment programs and CalWORKS entitlements. 

By subsidizing an employer’s costs of the workers, these programs are helping hundreds ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:29 In this time of urgent economic turmoil, Los Angeles County is offering a program that will temporarily subsidize 80 percent or more of the cost of certain employees to help stabilize and grow your business – and put people back to work.

Part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Transitional Subsidized Employment Program (TSE) is receiving $159 million for subsidized employment for CalWORKs participants and has partnered with the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB) for the temporary placement program.

Already, 40,000 are eligible and ready for hire to work under the program. Officials hope to place 10,000 participants in ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:29 http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:29 http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:29 my strong opposition to the proposed federal Employee Free Choice Act, better known as the “Card Check Bill.” I, along with thousands of other business owners and leaders throughout Los Angeles County, believe this legislation seriously threatens workers’ rights to freely choose whether to unionize.

As an important decision maker on this issue, I urge you to stand alongside Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter and remove, from any consideration, the proposal that would force companies to recognize unions if a majority of employees sign cards to join, effectively barring employers from requiring secret-ballot elections. This proposed ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:29
BizFed’s Board of Directors has not taken official action on the budget but did not want to delay hailing its passage on behalf of over 100,000 businesses employing nearly 1.9 million workers that make up the Los Angeles County Business Federation.

“Finally, it is morning in ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:29 http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28
BizFed’s board of directors has voted to oppose the measure, which would cap most commercial development in Santa Monica at 75,000 square feet a year for the next 15 years, and is encouraging its network of over 98,000 members to oppose Measure T on the November ballot.

“After taking time to review the arguments, pro and con, for Measure T, I have decided to oppose it,” ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 LOS ANGELES – This year’s two-month budget stalemate took a heavy toll on businesses around the state. In response, the Los Angeles County Business Federation’s Board of Directors has voted to back Proposition 11 on the November ballot to revise the redistricting formula for California’s lawmakers.

The proposition will take a significant step toward easing such partisan gridlock and boosting legislators’ accountability to voters by taking the power to draw the boundaries of legislative districts from lawmakers themselves and giving it to an independent citizens commission that does not have as its primary goal the protection of incumbents. Tentative results as ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 From Santa Clarita to the South Bay, Santa Monica to Claremont, BizFed is a grass roots alliance of LA County business organizations. Members consist of large trade groups, Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Districts and businesses with anywhere from one to tens of thousands of employees.

STATEWIDE

PROPOSITION 11
BIZFED POSITION: SUPPORTED
VOTERS: SUPPORTED

REDISTRICTING INITIATIVE

YES  4,666,45750.6
 NO  4,567,68949.4

Redistricting ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28
“BizFed strongly supports renewable energy and clean energy initiatives as vital to the state’s future, but Prop. 7 is a poorly written and flawed plan that has unworkable mandates,” said BizFed Chairman, David Fleming. “California is a national leader in clean energy standards ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 LOS ANGELES – BizFed (Los Angeles County Business Federation) today said the Legislature’s proposed state budget was a failed plan that would have continued to perpetuate California’s chronic annual struggles to provide for a balanced budget.

“This legislature’s proposed budget is a sham – it made a mockery of budget stabilization by allowing the rainy day fund to be raided,” said BizFed Chair David Fleming. “If lawmakers don't get tough and commit to a viable long-term budget, we will never get out of this damaging cycle.”

“By supporting the Governor’s ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 I write to express my strong support for S.B. 1646, which will remove the sunset provision on the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s authority to place a $1 fee on every vehicle registered in its jurisdiction. The fee is urgently needed to continue vital clean air research, technology and development in our region.
I, along with thousands of other business owners, leaders, and residents throughout Southern California support the continuance of the $1 fee to help combat the district’s air quality problems. Measured by almost any pollutant, the region has the worst air quality in the nation.

The SCAQMD’s ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 Dear Governor Schwarzenegger

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Business Federation (“BizFed”), I encourage you to sign Assembly Bill 2321. This bill will remove the cap on Los Angeles County’s sales tax to allow voter approval of Measure R, a half-cent increase to fund vitally needed transportation projects in the region.

BizFed is encouraging its network of over 93,000 members to support Measure R on the November 4 ballot, as traffic congestion has become a vital concern to the ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 “Residents and businesses are losing billions of dollars a year because our transportation infrastructure is failing to keep pace with our growing population. Measure R is crucial to retaining and attracting new companies and jobs to the region, and ensuring traffic congestion does not sap our economic vitality and quality of life,” said BizFed Chairman, David Fleming.

Nov. 4 election results: ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28  

“No solution will please everyone. But reaching middle ground to get off dead center just has to be done,” said BizFed Chair, David Fleming. “The far left and the far right have not been able to reach this kind of blend of cuts in ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 What They’re Saying…

About The Governor’s Refusal To Sign Bills Until A Budget Is Passed

Elected Officials “Applaud” The Governor’s Necessary Decision To “Draw A Line In The Sand”

Fresno Mayor Alan Autry: “Line In The Sand Drawn By Governor Schwarzenegger Is Clearly An Action That Had To Be Taken.” “California’s broken budget system continues to devastate the lives of millions of Californians. It must be fixed. This line in the sand drawn by Governor Schwarzenegger is clearly an action that had to be taken. Thankfully, we have one leader in Sacramento willing to put personal politics aside and do the right ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 To: Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee

SET FOR HEARING – August 7, 2008

Our members OPPOSE AB 2716, that would unreasonably expand employer’s costs and liability for a new protected and paid sick leave for employees.

AB 2716 mandates that all employers provide paid sick leave to an employee after seven days of work in a calendar year to care for their own illness, or to provide care to a sick child, spouse, domestic partner, other relative, or some other person that they designate. The mandate would extend to all employers and all employees, as specified. ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 Good news today about the defacto construction moratorium in LA and Ventura Counties! Today, Judge Colaw signed a new order that clarifies that the original judgment in the Arcadia II case need not be interpreted by the State Water Resources Control Board as stopping the Board’s authority to process NOIs for coverage under the state General Construction Stormwater Permit. This result comes after a 2-week staff-imposed moratorium where the State Board attorney broadly interpreted the July 2, 2008 Arcadia II judgment and instructed staff to cease processing NOIs and associated ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 Hello BizFed members,

A November Runoff has begun. Even with the millions of dollars and hundreds of volunteers from the unions for Ridley-Thomas he garnered just 5% more of the votes Tuesday. Parks captured 40% of the vote Tuesday vs Ridley-Thomas 45%.

The LA Times article today says it this way:

“Tuesday's contest was a test of labor clout in Los Angeles County politics. The union alliance spent months working to persuade absentee voters to choose Ridley-Thomas and had planned to assign more than 700 workers to get out the ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 One of the most important elections affecting our County happens on June 3rd. The outcome of 2nd District Supervisor’s race is critical to the balance of power on the 5 member Board. Will it be pro-business or pro-labor?

Clearly Bernard Parks is the choice of business – and BizFed.

The Labor Federation, knowing how critical this race has become, is putting $4 million to get their candidate, Mark Ridley-Thomas, elected.

It is imperative that business not become irrelevant. Parks needs our support….$100 ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 Dear BizFed member,

As we discussed at out last board meeting we want to do our part to make sure this vital issue gets on the November ballot.

The Voters First California initiative, sponsored by the Chamber, reached the 746,000 signature milestone last week. This puts the initiative well within reach of qualifying for the November 2008 election. The Secretary of State must receive 694,356 valid signatures by May 15 in order for it to qualify. The bi-partisan effort would create a citizens commission to oversee fair redistricting reform following each census. The Chamber is an original proponent ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28 my strong opposition to the Point of Sale Sidewalk Repair Program C.F. 05-1853. I, along with thousands of other business owners, leaders, and property owners throughout Los Angeles support the adequate funding of infrastructure repair by the city and the funding of the voluntary 50/50 program and expand it to commercial property as well as residential.

As an important decision maker on this issue, it is imperative that you remove, from any consideration, the proposal that would shift liability and responsibility for sidewalk repair to the property or business owner. This is not a viable ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28
“While serving as the Councilman to Los Angeles’ 8th District, and as chair of the City’s Budget Committee, Bernard Parks has demonstrated that he is very capable of supporting and advocating for strong economic policies which incentivize Los Angeles businesses to stay here, expand here and to attract new companies to bring their jobs to our backyard,” said BizFed Chairman, David Fleming.

http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28
More than 1,200 deaths each year can be attributed directly to pollution caused by port operations. We strongly support a CAAP Clean Trucks Program which is the world’s most progressive and far-reaching port environmental clean up plan. It seeks to address these problems by establishing aggressive milestones to significantly reduce greenhouse gasses, retrofitting trucks and dock equipment with ...]]> http://test.bizfed.org/alerts Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:33:28