10.7.20 GAC Newsletter - Beverly Hills

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TESTIMONIALS

'The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce has given me wonderful access to the City Leaders and I have the utmost respect for all the individuals involved at the city planning level.'
John Bendheim – President - Bendheim Enterprises, Inc. More Testimonials

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MEMBERSHIP EVENTS RESOURCES

A monthly update from the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce

We have a special fall and election newsletter this month. The past few weeks have been amongst the busiest in recent memory on the advocacy front and our Chamber team is working to support our local business community.

Chamber Election Positions: Please Vote No on Propositions 15 and 21, Yes on Beverly Hills Measure RP

The November election is quickly approaching and the Chamber has taken the following positions:

NO on Proposition 15. Proposition 15 will raise taxes on commercial properties, undoing the protections of Proposition 13 and leading to higher costs for all businesses, including small businesses. At a time when many businesses are struggling to survive, the last thing California needs to be doing is raising taxes on them. Learn more about NO on Proposition 15.

NO on Proposition 21. Proposition 21 would remove restrictions on the ability of cities to impose rent control. Proposition 21 does nothing to increase the supply of housing in California and will make the housing problem worse by discouraging developers from investing in and building new housing. It would also provide increased ability to California’s nearly 500 cities to enact their own rent control rules, leading to a confusing and ineffective patchwork of laws. Learn more about NO on Proposition 21.

YES on Beverly Hills Measure RP. The County of Los Angeles or another entity could seek to raise the sales tax rate in Beverly Hills. Measure RP provides that, if and only if such new taxes are passed, the new sales tax revenue would flow to the City of Beverly Hills. This important measure will ensure that sales tax revenue raised through our businesses will flow back into the local community. Learn more about this Measure here.

Chamber Recommends Second Entrance to Wilshire/Rodeo Subway Station on North Beverly Drive

The City of Beverly Hills is considering three potential options for a second entrance and exit to the Wilshire/Rodeo Subway Station (“North Portal”) being constructed as part of the LA Metro Purple Line Subway Extension.

The Chamber has recommended that the City proceed with a portal on North Beverly Drive. The Chamber believes the North Beverly Drive option will be the most centralized location to access our business district, provide a convenient location to utilize the subway and provide a great amenity for our community. See our press release here.

Chamber Encourages Enactment of Mixed Use Housing Ordinance

The Beverly Hills City Council will be evaluating a potential mixed use housing ordinance at its next meeting on October 13. The Chamber is supportive of creating such an ordinance and has recommended that the City permit increased height and density of such projects on key commercial corridors such as Wilshire Blvd., La Cienega Blvd., and N. Robertson Blvd where there are already buildings of similar height. See our letter to the City here.

California Legislative Session Ends With Important Victories for Businesses

The California Legislative Session has now ended. The Chamber is pleased to report success on several bills it opposed, including:

AB 398 (Chu) – this bill would have opposed a headtax on employees for companies over a certain size but “died” in the legislature.
SB 1399 (Durazo) would have imposed liability in certain situations on clothing retailers for the acts of manufacturers but did not make it through the legislature.
AB 3216 (Kalra) which would have required hotels and other businesses to recall laid off employees in a certain order, was vetoed by Governor Newsom.

Chamber Continues to Oppose LA County “Public Health Councils”

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently voted to proceed with the creation of “Public Health Councils” to report alleged violations of COVID-19 health orders. Following concern from business groups, including our Chamber, about key details of this plan, discussion of the implementation of this item was moved from September 29 to a future date. We encourage all businesses to voice their concerns about this plan here.

Chamber Members:
Attend Our Next Government Affairs Committee Meeting Via Zoom

Please attend our next Government Affairs Committee meeting on Thursday, October 8 at 4 PM via Zoom.

We have an action packed meeting lined up, including:

Presentation on LA Metro’s request for a waiver of the prohibition on work on the Wilshire/Rodeo subway station during the holidays.
An update on key items and the Chamber’s endorsements on the November 2020 election ballot.
Presentation on proposed City of Beverly Hills increases to fees for handling and disposal of solid waste for residents and businesses.
Updates on important developments and laws at the local, state and federal levels.
And much more!

Attendance is complimentary for Chamber members. Click here to register.

Contact: Blair Schlecter, Vice President of Economic Development and Government Affairs; schlecter@beverlyhillschamber.com

Learn why you should attend the next Beverly Hills Chamber Government Affairs Committee Meeting from Vice President of Economic Development & Government Affairs Blair Schlecter and Director of Marketing & Events Alexandria Anderson. Click here to watch.