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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

New in the New Year

Valley Tourism Bureau: It could finally happen. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in November vowed to find $1.8 million in city funds in 2007 to promote the Valley. The City Council, meantime, is expected to release a report in January about how L.A. Inc., the city’s tourism and visitors’ bureau, could work with a Valley bureau. That will likely serve as a road map for how funds will be directed. For the past few years, the Economic Alliance has been paying $80,000 a year to operate the San Fernando Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau, which markets the Valley independently of the rest of the city. Universal Health Insurance: It could be the perfect storm in Sacramento a state Assembly and senate and governor all somewhat on the same page. Schwarzenegger is developing a health care reform proposal while plans are already starting to percolate from the Senate from Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata. Living Wage: The new ordinance that goes into effect this year targeting hotels in the LAX area is already causing a major rift between business interests, city officials and labor groups. Expect another bout in 2007, especially from those in other areas of the city who don’t want the ordinance to expand. Minimum Wage: The California minimum wage goes up to $7.50 per hour starting Jan. 1. It jumps to $8 on Jan. 1, 2008. Blind Justice: It ain’t over yet, but as 2006 drew to a close there were signs that Internet retailers may have to make their web sites accessible to the blind or face large financial penalties. In a case brought against Target in U.S. District Court in Northern California, the court found in favor of allowing the National Federation of the Blind to proceed with a lawsuit charging the retailer with discriminating under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The court stopped short of granting a preliminary injunction that would require Target to modify its web site, and experts believe the decision will certainly be appealed, perhaps up to the United States Supreme Court. But the decision could spell a sea change for Internet retailers, who could be required to install specialized software and take other steps to accommodate those who are sight impaired. “If the Target case becomes law, even for some limited period, every business that sells goods on a website could be subject to an ADA violation,” James Felton, an attorney with Greenberg & Bass, wrote in a paper for the San Fernando Valley Bar Association. ” Much like the lawsuits against restaurants whose compliance with the ADA is substantial but not perfect, the Target case could spawn another wave of similar lawsuits.” Background Checks: A new law going into effect in 2007 requires background checks for professionals in the health care industry including administrators and executives. Scrap That Circular File: Legislation that took effect late last year provides stricter rules for how companies store e-mails and other electronic documents, a ruling likely to increase the administrative headaches in corporate America and provide new business opportunities for those who specialize in managing electronic data. The rules mean companies will have to have systems for retrieving e-mail, instant messages and other electronic correspondence in the event that they are sued and make them available in discovery. Those who routinely copy over backup tapes could be held liable if the data is relevant to lawsuits. The British are Coming: The phrase hasn’t scared anyone in the U.S. for 200 years, but it may well make a few grocers nervous in 2007. Tesco PLC, the grocery behemoth in Britain, plans to open its first U.S. stores on the West Coast this year. Tesco said it is planning to spend nearly $500 million to enter the West Coast market with a new format, modeled after its Express concept and adapted specifically for the American market. Overseas, Tesco Express stores are about 3,000 square feet and carry up to 7,000 lines of fresh produce, wines and spirits and bakery products. In the U.S. its first store, in Glassell Park will be far larger, a reported 32,500 square feet. The world’s third largest retailer is reported to be planning a rollout of some 150 stores in California, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

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