VICA conference forecasts the “economics of the quality of life”

Article in this week's Sun Community Newspapers (Nov 16-22)

http://www.suncommunitynewspapers.com/index.php?page=studio-city-sun

VICA conference forecasts the “economics of the quality of life”
BY NAZBANOO PAHLAVI

The Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) held its 19th annual business forecast conference on the Economics of the Quality of Life at the Universal Hilton Hotel on November 9.

The half-day event included panels with elected officials, business representatives, professors and community leaders with discussions about workforce education, health care, traffic relief, smart growth, and risk management for business.

The meeting featured John Pitney, Professor of American Politics of Claremont McKenna College, who discussed the current political climate and race for the presidency. Despite Mitt Romney’s popularity in Iowa, Pitney foresees a Rudy Giuliani nomination for the Republican Party.

“This pro-choice, pro-gay rights former mayor of New York, who appeared in a video in drag, mind you, with Donald Trump, was endorsed by Pat Robertson,” Pitney said, as an indication of Giuliani’s widespread appeal.

Shirley Svorney, Chair of the Department of Economics at CSUN, addressed the need for officials to better draw new enterprise to the region.

“Jobs and wealth come from unexpected places,” said Svorney, who noted the benefit of other sources, in addition to the film or healthcare industries that she said have received past preferential treatment in the form of incentives.

Tyree Wieder, President of Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC), moderated a panel on workforce education that featured Monica Garcia, President of LAUSD Board of Education, and Senator Jack Scott, Chair of the CA Senate Committee on Higher Education.

Scott, former president of Pasadena City College, lauded the importance of career technical education in fulfilling students whose needs are unmet by traditional classes. A course in geometry used in the field of construction, for example, provides some students with a relatable hands-on framework to better understand the subject. “If we emphasize that in our high schools, we will reduce our high school dropout rate,” he said.

The panel also included Robert Sainz, Assistant General Manager for the Community Development Department of the City of Los Angeles, who, in partnering with LAVC, met a workforce need – a shortage of 400 MTA bus drivers. A curriculum and bridge program was designed which fully met the demand in about two years.

The topic of universal healthcare coverage on another panel produced a passionate debate on an issue that has created a “white hot political atmosphere,” according to Jot Condie, President and CEO of the California Restaurant Association, who in August proposed a one-cent sales tax to benefit healthcare reform.

Jim Lott, Executive Vice President of the Hospital Association of Southern California, stressed the immediate need for reform with 44% of all hospitals in L.A. County operating under a deficit.

The conference concluded with a luncheon featuring Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who hopes to make the crane — not the long-necked bird, but the long-necked machine used in construction — L.A.’s mascot.

“We want to do something about traffic and housing? Put them together…invest in this town,” said the mayor, who emphasized the need for smart growth.

Villaraigosa touted his recent victory in bringing Mexican tortilla manufacturer Mission Foods to the San Fernando Valley as an example of bringing business to the region.

The mayor also asked for support of the telephone utility replacement tax, which voters must decide on early next year. The measure will ask to replace the telephone utility tax, which puts an excise on cell phones, in the event it will lose legitimacy by the courts due to new IRS laws. The tax, which has helped yield $270 million for the L.A. budget, fuels the equivalent of one-third the Los Angeles Police Department.

The luncheon also featured Dale Bonner, Secretary of California’s Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.