GA/TC Co-Chair and Principal of Braly Law Firm, Hunt Braly, opened the committee by outlining the goal of the Chamber Briefing-to engage the Santa Clarita Valley business community and update them on issues the Chamber is addressing. The next meeting will be held in September; the Chamber’s GA/TC will be dark in August.

GA/TC Co-Chair and Ex. Dir. of the Golden State Gateway Coalition, Victor Lindenheim, led the conversation on transportation, updating everyone on the 3.5% increase over the current gas tax amount (which he noted that BOE Member George Runner opposed), the groundbreaking of the AV Metrolink line at the Burbank airport and rush hour commute comparisons across the nation-noting that 10% of Californians commute more than an hour each day-every work day. Lindenheim also talked about the new Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, and was optimistic about working with his office regarding Santa Clarita issues.

Sarah Tyndall, Field Representative for state Senator Steve Knight (R-Antelope Valley), said there are still two bills of his in the Assembly-which should see action before the end of the legislative session in late August. Sarah also noted that Senator Knight will be holding his second Town Hall meeting on July 25th at Santa Clarita City Council chamber from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Kara Seward, District Director for state Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), noted that the Senate is still in session and Pavley has several bills she is working on. Seward also mentioned an upcoming Grants Workshop on July 19^th at Santa Clarita City Hall she is sponsoring with Senator Knight from 10 a.m. to Noon.

Assemblymember Scott Wilk attended and spoke largely on the state budget, saying it is “not really balanced” and expressed his disagreement with the Governor and majority party on Enterprise Zones and student funding formulas. Wilk closed with an invite to his July 30^th Town Hall meeting on the Accountability Care Act (ACA). Implementation of ACA, referred to by some as “Obamacare,” will have an immediate and lasting effect on healthcare in the Golden State. The main speaker will be Charles Rosen, Immediate Past President of the California Healthcare Underwriters Association. Wilk is a member of the CA State Assembly Committee on Health.

David Perry, Field Deputy for Supervisor Michael Antonovich, noted that the Supervisor was now termed-out of his MTA chairmanship-but not before upgrading the MTA fleet with a $263 million purchase. Perry brought up a motion by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and concerns over mandated local worker hire programs projects of $5 million. You can click here for the motion. He also noted that “Round 2” of the Storm Water Tax (also known as the “Clean Water, Clean Beaches” measure) has begun and urged everyone to keep an eye on things.

Ian Pari, Senior Traffic Engineer for the City of Santa Clarita, provided an update on the Newhall Roundabout-which is set to break ground on July 23^rd at 10 a.m. He noted that he has met with all businesses to be impacted by the construction and all work should be finished by early next year. Both KHTS 1220 AM and the Signal covered the event.

Jeffrey Payne, Construction Manager for the SR 126 Interchange Improvement Project, discussed the many benefits related to the project, including: Improved traffic flow and safety; Reduced travel times; Enhanced access to the Valencia Commerce Center; Creating 1,600 temporary jobs; and 7,000 permanent jobs.

Payne noted the following traffic impacts: (1) No long-term road closures; (2) Re-routing of traffic when necessary; and (3) Access to properties within project limits will be maintained during construction. The project completion is 2016. Click here for more information.

Source: Headington Media Group

The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest in the state, has launched a new outreach and advocacy effort called ” The Chamber Minute.” It will be used as a way to involve and galvanize the business community around issues, concerns and challenges facing the valley.