Valley Industry and Commerce Association

News VICA urges Governor to veto bad bills Legislation would be damaging to business community VICA is urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto eight bills that made it through the Legislature as the regular session closed this week. The legislation puts restrictions on employers, increases costs for businesses and discourages job growth. VICA has requested the Governor veto: AB 482 (Mendoza), AB 1060 (De La Torre), AB 1405 (de Leon), AB 1530 (Skinner), AB 1760 (Blumenfield), SB 330 (Yee), SB 737 (Chesbro) and SB 1272 (Wolk). Schwarzenegger now has 30 days to act on the bills that cleared the session. Legislature passes bills to boost business VICA requests the Governor’s signature on important bills Bills that would provide a boost for business has passed the state Legislature this week as the 2010 regular session came to a close. VICA is encouraging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign 11 pieces of legislation into law. Some of the business benefits included in the bills would improve education, ensure certain commercials are filmed in-state and protect businesses from mid-contract health insurance rate increases. VICA is asking the Governor to sign AB 1759 (Blumenfield), AB 1778 (Lieu), AB 2302 (Fong), AB 2382 (Blumenfield), AB 2531 (Fuentes), AB 2567 (Bradford), AB 2756 (Blumenfield), SB 967 (Correa), SB 1008 (Padilla), SB 1192 (Oropeza) and SB 1440 (Padilla). VICA has moved to new offices, click here to find out how you can help. Read the latest news from VICA in Watch the latest episode of The VICA Show
Events San Fernando Valley Leadership Political Action Committee Reception (sponsored by VICA) Wed., Sept. 15, 6-8 p.m. Home of Stuart and Nicole Waldman Van Nuys RSVP to monique@vica.com Upcoming VICA Events Leaders Forum with Rick Caruso Wed., Sept. 22, noon-1:30 p.m. The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn 4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood RSVP to monique@vica.com or register online VICA After Dark with First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner Wed., September 29, 6-8 p.m. Location TBD RSVP to monique@vica.com or register online Newsmaker Connection with Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield Thurs., Oct. 7, noon-1:30 p.m. VICA Office 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks RSVP to monique@vica.com Business Forecast Conference Thurs., October 28, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Warner Center Marriott 21850 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills (NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION) RSVP to monique@vica.com or click here to download a registration form or purchase individual tickets online. See advertising and exhibit opportunities here. 61st Annual Meeting Thurs., December 9, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Airtel Plaza Hotel 7277 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys RSVP to monique@vica.com Click here for our Valley Business Calendar, which includes VICA Policy Committee information
Advocacy VICA supports collection of online sales tax ‘Amazon tax’ would create level playing field for local retailers The VICA board voted to support the collection of taxes from online purchases. There is currently a loophole that gives out-of-state retailers a competitive advantage over local businesses. These retailers are not required to collect sales tax for online purchases; instead customers are expected to pay when they file their income tax returns. A law forcing these companies to comply with California tax law would improve collections and bring much-needed revenue to the state. It would also level the playing field for local retailers. The extension of California sales tax to online transactions is based on the New York model establishing a nexus through the use of affiliates. The desired outcome is to require out-of-state merchants to collect and remit sales tax on purchases made by, and shipped to, California residents. Review VICA's voting recommendations for the November 2 General Election Click here to read VICA's 12 solutions for a better California Follow business-related bills with VICA's Legislative Tracker
Local Update: VICA's monthly column in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal Collections outsourcing a step in right direction Earlier this month, the City of Los Angeles took an important step in improving its collections practices. At the request of the fire department and City Administrative Office (CAO), the city has entered into six-year contracts with ScanHealth, Inc. (to operate a field data capture system) and Advanced Data Processing, Inc. (for emergency medical service billing and collections). The city’s struggles with uncollected debt are well-documented (and frequently scrutinized by VICA). A recent audit of the city’s billing and collections practices by Controller Wendy Greuel found an overall collection rate of 53 percent, with the fire department collecting only 38 percent of emergency medical services billings. Click here to read the entire column in the *San Fernando Valley Business Journal.*