In VICA’s last column, we called on Santa to help us in our advocacy endeavors. This month, we have taken matters back into our own hands. In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions and annual goals, VICA announces its 11 Legislative Priorities for 2011. Released earlier this month, the list includes the top federal, state and local public policy issues that will receive special attention from VICA during the upcoming year. However, going against the notorious tradition of resolutions, VICA will stick to and follow through on these important items. Of the 11 priorities that were vetted by the board of directors, executive committee and membership, five are local issues that have been on VICA’s radar for years. VICA plans to make 2011 the year that the business community sees its hard work and commitment finally pay off. VICA will take a leadership role in the following local public policy areas during the upcoming year: Business tax reform in the City of Los Angeles, including the elimination of the business tax. VICA has been an advocate of business tax reform for decades. Reforming the city’s business tax system and eliminating the gross receipts tax would actually increase revenue for the city through additional investments in the local economy. Streamline the City of Los Angeles’ land use permitting process including supporting the city assigning a single point of contact for each project above a particular threshold. No one will argue that the city’s planning and permitting process is daunting. The case manager model, where one assigned person guides projects though the process, has been used successfully in other Southern California cities. Assist with the planning process for the $1 billion in funding for the 405 Corridor Mass Transit project through the Sepulveda Pass (part of 30/10 plan). The 405 freeway is an important artery for the Valley and businesses lose hours of productivity each day due to traffic. A mass transit project through the Sepulveda Pass is necessary to ease congestion in the region and the business community must have a voice in the process. Push for the re-instatement of a Metro Valley Transit Zone that would foster a greater connection between Metro and the community it serves in the San Fernando Valley and to improve the quality of service to Metro constituents. This local voice in transportation planning is crucial for the efficient and effective use of resources. The creation of a collections sheriff as a single point of contact for billings and collections within the City of Los Angeles. VICA has been closely following L.A. City collections issues since then-Controller Laura Chick’s 2007 audit that found the city was barely collecting 50 percent of its debts. Little action has been taken since the audit was completed and a follow-up audit by Controller Wendy Greuel in 2010 found that the collection rate had only improved by 1 percent. VICA understands that these priorities are a significant undertaking but, at the same time, knows the importance of achieving these goals. Being at the forefront of many of these issues for several years, VICA is uniquely positioned to take the lead on these central policy issues. The business community deserves to see action in these areas and VICA will lead the charge. What would you like to see the business community make a priority in 2011? E-mail your responses or thoughts about the column to [email protected]