Mayor Bass Promised To House 17,000 Angelenos. How Is She Doing?

In her first year in office, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass set a goal to obtain housing for 17,000 unhoused Angelenos. An enormous challenge for any politician, especially in Los Angeles, where the solution remains elusive. During Mayor Bass' first five months in office, at least 4,292 Angelenos have been housed through her Unhoused Program. By December 2023, Mayor Bass hopes to achieve her goal, and updates will be provided to the public on a quarterly basis. To read more, click here.

Gavin Newsom Poised to Play $26 billion Gatekeeper for California Democrats

Democrats are preparing to request that Governor Newsom borrow more than 26 billion dollars to fund mental health treatment, schools, and climate change initiatives. However, the large price tag may be at risk, as the added financial debt will require voter approval pending a 2/3 vote by the legislature. Historically, California voters have rejected any additional financial debt imposed by the state. The governor and others are weighing a complex set of political calculations as proposals advance in the Legislature, including whether to target the March primary ballot, when turnout will be lower and skew more conservative, or a crowded November ballot where a cluster of initiatives will compete for voters’ attention.

Lawmakers will have till November to make a decision. To read more, click here.

On July 24, over 1,000 cooks, room attendants, dishwashers, servers, bellmen, and front desk agents at The Beverly Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, and Fairmont Century Plaza went on strike. After the strike by the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Union in recent months over cost-of-living wages, this is the third major strike by a member of California's workforce in the last month.

The union representing hotel workers, Unite Here Local 11, also filed a notice of intent with the city to circulate a proposed ballot measure. This requires a dramatic wage increase for Beverly Hills hotel workers. To read more, click here.

Where are people going to live?’ Californians Will Vote (a third time) on Rent Control

The California Secretary of State’s Office last week announced an AIDS Healthcare Foundation initiative to repeal the 1995 Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act had gathered enough signatures to be eligible for the November 2024 ballot. This marks the third time in four elections the Foundation has appealed to Californians to end the law. Californians in 2018 and 2020 struck down similar rent control ballot measures following expensive opposition campaigns from real estate and landlord interest groups.

The California Apartment Association (CAA) opposes the measure saying it would drastically slow the construction of affordable housing and contribute to the state’s homelessness crisis. An estimate of the measures fiscal impact by the Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance said the measure had the potential to reduce state and local revenues in the high tens of millions of dollars per year over time. To read more, click here.

Attend our Next GAC Meeting on August 10

Please attend the Chamber’s next Government Affairs Committee meeting on Thursday, August 10 at 4 PM at the Chamber office. We will have a fresh slate of important issues to discuss!

Attendance is complimentary for Chamber members. To register, please click here or Contact: Greg Sefain, Economic Development Manager; [email protected]   

UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS 

8.2     Economic Development Council Lunch | 12 - 1:30 PM @ Crustacean 
8.10   Government Affairs Committee Meeting | 4 - 5 PM @ Chamber Boardroom 
8.11   August Networking Breakfast | 8:30 - 10 AM @ Chamber Boardroom
8.15   Women's Business Network Meeting | 4:30 - 5:30 PM @ Chamber Boardroom 
8.22   Get To Know Your Chamber | 8:30 - 10 AM @ Chamber Boardroom 
8.23   August Chairman's Circle Networking Luncheon | 12 - 1:30 PM @ Il Fornaio
8.23   Shining a Light on Alzheimer's | Panel Discussion & Networking Event | 5:30 - 7:30 PM

@ Chamber Boardroom 

9.6     Health & Wellness Committee Meeting | 8 - 9 AM
9.14   Young Professionals Network Committee Meeting | 2 - 3 PM
9.14   Chairman's Circle Experience - SoFi Stadium Dine & Tour | 3:30 - 7 @ SoFi Stadium  
9.27   An Evening with the Mayor: State of the City Address | 4:30 - 7 PM

@ Greystone Mansion Formal Gardens

View the full BHCC Calendar here