91.1 F
San Fernando
Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024

UCC Mid-Year Update: Issues on the Front Burner

I am always a little puzzled when I wonder why businesses do not belong to their local Chamber of Commerce? San Fernando Valley businesses especially puzzle me because not only do they receive all of the benefits that joining their local Chamber gives them but they also automatically become a member of United Chambers of Commerce just by joining their local Chamber. That my friends, is truly a win-win-win business partnership. You and your business win by joining a local Chamber and becoming a member of United Chambers, your local Chamber wins because they have you as a new member and we all win because strength is in the numbers and united we are “The Voice of Valley Business.” Your local Chamber provides you with the tools and opportunities to make your business more successful. You can be involved as much or as little as you want but they are always working on your behalf. The same is true for United Chambers. The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley & Region is a coalition of 29 business organizations, including 22 Chambers of Commerce and together we represent over 20,400 businesses which provide over 384,000 jobs. We work and fight everyday for businesses. We work to bring together Valley Chambers and businesses to give a broader voice to our business community on the issues we face everyday. United Chambers also provides education, information and the resources that Chambers and businesses need to succeed. We also encourage and recognize business leaders in our communities. United Chambers is the only Valley organization of its kind that brings together all of these business organizations and their individual business members to fight for Valley businesses success and prosperity. We not only fight for your businesses success locally through city and county government but we also fight for all businesses through our state and federal advocacy program. We make an annual trip to Sacramento to meet, hear and share our views with the governor’s staff, state officials and legislators. We foster the relationships with government and other agencies that will help our members and their business members prosper. We fight for your business every day on the issues that matter most to you. With our strength in numbers and our united voice, we are a force to be reckoned with and we are looked to as a leader for fighting and solving Valley business issues. So what has United Chambers done for business lately? United Chambers has fought to support: – The re-organization of LAUSD into smaller units for a better education for our youth – Public/private partnerships for transportation projects – Funding for I-405 HOV Lane project – Keeping the SFV County Fair in the San Fernando Valley – The Taylor Yard land use issue – Eminent domain reforms – To keep the SFV Federal Census District status – The expansion of the Orange Line to Chatsworth – Federal trade agreements with Peru – Funds for anti-gang intervention programs – The expansion of Holy Cross Medical Center as a regional resource – Workers’ Comp reforms United Chambers has fought against: – The spread of the Living Wage Ordinance to hotels on the Century Corridor – Unions taking away an employee’s secret ballot and free choice to vote on unionization – Universal healthcare – Healthcare re-forms on the backs of businesses – Workers’ comp increases – The statute of limitations for filings against employers – Credit card/debit card mandated fees against businesses – Mandated renewable fuel standards that conflict with AB 32 rules – Penalties against employers for misclassification of Independent Contractors – More employer liabilities for employee leave – Charging container fees that would penalize our local ports Through our informational and educational programs we have addressed business opportunities through the Mayor’s Business Team, the Explorer Program, Trade Missions with Mexico and the Valley Economic Development Center. Other programs have included: the LA River Revitalization Plan, the Living Wage Ordinance, Healthcare Reform proposals, Federal and State funding for Transportation, Anti-Gang Projects, I-405 Carpool Lane, Eminent Domain, the Orange Line expansion and how businesses can deal with vagrancy, vendors and graffiti. One of the ways we help businesses network valley-wide, is through our monthly General Assembly meetings and our Mega Mixer which drew over 500 business leaders this year. We also have held special events such as: a 3rd District School Board Candidate Forum, a 7th District City Council Candidate Forum with the Southern Regional Association of Realtors, a Forum on the Reforms & Politics of Healthcare and a Special Update from Senator George Runner, Assemblyman Mike Feuer and Assemblyman Cameron Smyth on the happenings in Sacramento. United Chambers also encourages our members to be leaders in business and their communities by honoring businesses and business leaders at our Annual Small Business Awards Breakfast and our Annual Installation Dinner. Our Board of Directors represents businesses and Chambers from throughout the Valley and they are always looking at ways to help businesses succeed. Since 1977, United Chambers has strived to work for businesses in the Valley and that tradition is still alive and well. United Chambers of Commerce is on the move. We are increasing our benefits to our Chambers and their business members, while increasing our presence in the legislative and business worlds. Visit our website at www.UnitedChambers.org, join your local Chamber and become part of “The Voice of Valley Business.” Debi Schultze is president & CEO of United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley & Region.

Featured Articles

Related Articles