Earlier this week, more than 60 BizFed leaders joined more than 180 Los Angeles-area business leaders for the annual ACCESS DC advocacy trip organized by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and chaired by Gilbert Ivey, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and BizFed Chair-elect.
| Over the course of three days of meetings with officials in Congress, the White House, and key cabinet departments, we participated in meetings and discussions with a senior national leaders, including: U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez; Senator Dianne Feinstein; House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy; US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews; Valeria Jarrett, Special Advisor to the President; Ambassador Michael Froman, U.S. Trade Representative, and many others.Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti led the delegation of LA-area business leaders and was joined by LA City Councilmembers Mitch Englander, Nury Martinez, andBob Blumenfield, Glendale City Councilmember and MWD Director Laura Friedman, Glendale City Councilmember and Metro Board Member Ara Najarian, and a number of MWD Directors other regional leaders.
Congressman Javier Becerrajoined us for part of a special dinner we held for about 30 BizFed leaders on Monday evening. On Tuesday, during a special reception with California’s Congressional Delegation, we enjoyed spending some time with US Representatives Brad Sherman, Grace Napolitano, Alan Lowenthal, Janice Hahn, and Judy Chu. |
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TRADE: No Rules? China’s Rules? Or America’s Rules?
US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrewsmet with BizFed leaders prior to the formal start of ACCESS DC to discuss the need for Trade Promotion Authority and the importance of critical free trade agreements. The point business leaders must drive home with Members of Congress and others is: “It’s either no rules, China’s rules, or America’s rules.” During the White House briefing the following day, Ambassador Michael Froman, the U.S. Trade Representative, reinforced this critical point and urged us to help educate people on this issue. |
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| ENERGY: Balancing Job Growth with Environmental ComplianceBizFed Board Member Susan Sifuentes-Trigueros, Southern California Gas Company, and David Englin, BizFed Executive Vice President, were co-leaders of ACCESS DC’s Energy and Environmental Sustainability Team. During a series of meetings with congressional offices, they drove home our region’s need for diverse energy sources, investments in renewables and new technologies, and support for revitalization of the Los Angeles River.
The Chief Counsel of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee — the senior Senate attorney responsible for drafting energy legislation — was especially interested in our message about the public health effects of poverty and took strong note of the fact that the EPA’s new ozone rules will make it impossible for Southern California to be in compliance despite our continued national leadership on energy efficiency, renewal energy, and environmental standards. |
TRANSPORTATION: Investing in Ports, Airports, and Infrastructure
US Secretary of Labor Thomas Perezset the stage on transportation by highlighting the critical role the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach play in our nation’s global goods movement network. In particular, he strongly commended Los Angeles MayorEric Garcetti and Gene Seroka, Director of the Port of Los Angeles, for their leadership in ending the recent labor dispute that threatened our national goods movement system. There was a critical discussion about raising the cieling on the 15-year-old Passenger Facility Charge for airports to keep up with growing traffic demands and major infrastructure projects. Port leaders noted that the trade through our ports generate roughly $300 million annually in Harbor Maintenance Tax, but our ports do not yet get any of that back to reinvest. Rep. Janice Hahn discussed her legislation to promote the connection between ports and freight rail to enhance goods movement. |
