News

City redistricting looks promising for Valley
Draft maps are lining up with VICA redistricting goals

The Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission released the first round of new district maps this week. The new lines have been a contentious topic and create considerable changes in representation boundaries. VICA developed three key principles for L.A. redistricting, which are: keeping communities whole, cutting along neighborhood council boundaries if cuts are necessary and allowing only one Valley district to have boarders extend beyond the San Fernando Valley. Based on these goals, the first maps align with VICA’s principles. However, some adjustments are needed to better serve the communities of Reseda, Lake Balboa, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Sun Valley, Mission Hills, Valley Village and North Hills.

Click here to download draft maps.

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VICA opposes new hiring restrictions
Bill would make the unemployed a protected group

The VICA board of directors voted to oppose federal legislation that would bar employers from using current or past employment status in hiring decisions. The bill, House Resolution 2501 (DeLauro) is also known as the Fair Employment Opportunity Act of 2011. In addition to regulating applicant selection criteria, the bill would prohibit an employer or employment agency from posting or publishing job announcements that list unemployment as grounds for disqualification of an applicant. The bill ties employers’ hands in the hiring process and opens them up to costly litigation by allowing individuals who claim discrimination based on employment status to sue for compensatory and punitive damages. Civil action could also be taken against employers by the Secretary of Labor. 



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Local Update: VICA's monthly column in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal

‘Ax the Tax’ movement gaining momentum

A wise small-town politician once said that if a decision is unanimous, you are likely a decade behind. Forward-thinking policies are often some of the most controversial when they are first considered. This is why the recent strides toward business tax reform in the City of Los Angeles, while welcomed, are late to the party. The Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) has been pushing for tax reform in the city for years. The gross receipts tax rate in Los Angeles is 9.5 times higher than the average for other L.A. County cities, and many neighboring communities have no business tax at all. Calls to “ax the tax” in order to attract businesses and spur economic development are a common VICA request. Click here to read the entire column in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.