Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Election Day Summary

The 2020 election year has been nothing short of eventful, crucial, and history-making. A record number of voters cast their votes during the November 3rd election. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce fought for the business community to enhance the voice of employers. We took positions on six local and state measures resulting in over an 80 percent success rate in voters agreeing with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce business voice. The Chamber also endorsed three candidates for local elections and is pleased that Mark Ridley Thomas will be sworn in as a member of the Los Angeles City Council this December. Although some ballots are still being counted, we can confirm that the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce effectively made the business voice heard.

City Measures the Hollywood Chamber Took Positions On

Measure RR (LAUSD Bond), Chamber Supported, Measure Passed – WIN
Voters authorized a $7 billion bond to continue school construction and technology upgrade projects, ensuring that students in our community have access to quality education options. Investing in our future workforce is of the utmost importance.

State Ballot Measures the Hollywood Chamber Took Positions On

Proposition 15 (Split Roll Tax), Chamber Opposed, Measure Failed – WIN
This measure, if passed once all votes are counted, would repeal property tax protections granted under Prop 13 in 1978. Prop 15 would require most commercial and industrial properties to be taxed based on their market value rather than their purchase price. Business are already facing enough challenges and this measure would have been detrimental to small businesses if passed.

Proposition 19 (Property Tax Transfers et al.), Chamber Supported, Measure Passed – WIN
This state ballot measure will allow homeowners who are over 55, disabled persons, or victims of natural disaster to take a portion of their property tax base when buying a new home. It would also limit homeowners of inherited properties from keeping the original lower property tax payments. If passed after all votes have been counted, revenue will be directed to wildfire agencies and counties. The Chamber is happy to see the outcome for this measure trending favorably as it will alleviate some of the housing crisis and provide relief to survivors of disaster.

Proposition 21 (Rent Control), Chamber Opposed, Measure Failed – WIN
This initiative would have repealed and replaced the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act passed in 1995. This measure would have allowed local government to establish rent control on certain housing units and would allow landlords to only increase rental rates by 15 percent during the first three years after a tenant vacates the property. The Chamber is happy to see this measures failure as it would have exacerbated the housing crisis and only provide a temporary band aid at the expense of property owners.

Proposition 22 (App-Based Drivers as Independent Contractors), Chamber Supported, Measure Passed – WIN
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce advocated heavily in support of this measure and is delighted at its passage. Prop 22 will allow app-based drivers to be considered Independent Contractors instead of employees, a direct response to the consequences imposed by Assembly Bill 5 last year. This measure has saved thousands of jobs and keeps work hours flexible for community members.

Proposition 16 (Reinstating Affirmative Action), Chamber Supported, Measure Failed
The Chamber is disappointed in the failure of Prop 16, as it would have allowed for affirmative action in public employment, public education, and public contracting. Allowing race, gender, and ethnicity to be factors in admission and hiring decisions would have ensured equal opportunity is provided to marginalized communities.

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Candidate Endorsements

Mark Ridley Thomas, Los Angeles City Council District 10
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that endorsed candidate Mark Ridley Thomas won the election to represent District 10, encompassing parts of Downtown Los Angeles. He beat opponent Grace Yoo in a landslide victory.

David Ryu, Los Angeles City Council District 4
Councilmember Ryu lost re-election to Nithya Raman, an urban planner by trade. Councilmember Ryu was seeking to be re-elected for his second term representing a part of Hollywood but was unseated by Nithya Raman with an estimated 7,000 votes. The Chamber looks forward to working with the Councilmember-elect in the near future.

Herb J Wesson Jr., Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 2nd District
Herb Wesson Jr. lost his campaign to represent the 2nd District to Holly Mitchell, current State Senator in the California State Legislature, by over 130,000 votes. We thank Mr. Wesson for all he has done for the Los Angeles community.

The following Hollywood area Representatives have been re-elected another term in their legislative office:
Richard Bloom, 50th Assembly District
Laura Friedman, 43rd Assembly District
Adam Schiff, 28th Congressional District

Hollywood Chamber Supports Reinstatement of Comprehensive CARE+ Cleanups Citywide

A motion was introduced by Councilmember Buscaino to reinstate comprehensive CARE+ cleanups on a citywide level. If passed, the Department of Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) would be authorized to remove homeless encampments while essential wrap around services for those experiencing homelessness would be provided. CARE+ cleanups are a necessity to keep infection rates down and provide mental health services to those experiencing homelessness. Read the letter of support submitted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce here. To participate in the Action Alert and tell Council you support the reinstatement of CARE+ cleanups click here. The City Council is expected to take up this motion in Council session next week.

Ordinance to Prohibit Sheltering in Public Rights-of-Way, Outside of Nearby Shelters

A motion to amend multiple sections of the Los Angeles Municipal Code and a draft ordinance were discussed in City Council during a Special Hearing on Wednesday to (after the postage of signage) ban sitting, sleeping, or lying within up to 500 feet of a designated freeway overpass, underpass, ramp, tunnel, or pedestrian subway which impedes access to critical route provided by the infrastructure. The motion would also prohibit sheltering within 500 feet of certain supportive services locations. The Council heard passionate public comment and discussed the matter for numerous hours, ultimately deciding to continue the motion for hearing on November 24th. The Hollywood Chamber submitted a letter this week in strong support of this motion. This policy is intended to serve as a mechanism to encourage more communities to support A Bridge Home facilities. In areas where services are provided, this tool will be used as a way to deter the individuals seeking help does not fall back into old habits. Read the letter of support submitted by the Chamber here.

Hollywood Recreation Center Temporary Homeless Shelter

The Los Angeles City Council Homeless and Poverty Committee approved a motion directing the City Administrative Officer, Department of Engineering, and the Department of Recreation and Parks to generate a report discussing the feasibility of using the Hollywood Recreation Center on Cole Ave. as a temporary homeless shelter. Los Angeles’ homeless population has increased 16 percent from 2019 and requires the utmost attention from our local leaders and community in order to keep these vulnerable individuals safe from infection during the coronavirus pandemic. Read the letter of support submitted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce here.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues efforts to oppose the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors plan to institute a Public Health Councils Program that business owners must implement in efforts to combat COVID-19. Chamber Policy Staff has participated in multiple conversations with the Supervisors and their staff to ensure that the business voice is fully represented during the creation of the guidelines. The Hollywood Chamber has also joined a coalition of local business advocacy organizations to request the following amendments to the ordinance:

• The Public Health Councils Program should only be used as an enforcement program for individual businesses cited for having unresolved compliance issues with Health Officer Orders (HOOs). Public Health Councils should not apply broadly to business sectors or to any business that is meeting County health protocols and/or policies.

• If any program is to be approved, it must be linked to the County of Los Angeles COVID-19 Emergency Order and cease to exist when the order is lifted.

• The business community will help publicize the County’s COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certificate Program for Business Owners and Employees. The business community will help the Health Department by reaching out to individual member companies and urging them to take the voluntary training and self-certify

The Hollywood Chamber’s Board of Directors recently voted to take the following positions on upcoming ballot measures impacting Los Angeles and the Hollywood region:

• SUPPORT Proposition 16: Repeal Proposition 209 Affirmative Action Amendment
• SUPPORT Proposition 19: Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions, and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment
• SUPPORT Proposition 22: App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative
• SUPPORT Measure RR: School Upgrades and Safety Measure

The Board previously voted to OPPOSE Proposition 15: Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government Funding Initiative and Proposition 21: Local Rent Control Initiative.

LA County Public Health Councils Approved by Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors voted to adopt the report from Department of Public Health that would create Public Health Councils to add another enforcement mechanism for employees in the workplace. The Chamber public policy team called in to testify our opposition for this item but were not chosen to speak in the 60 minute public comment period.

Our coalition of business advocacy groups met with the Department of Public Health and numerous Supervisor offices to ask questions and convey our confusion and opposition on this item. It is evident from the report submitted by the Department that their recommendations were strictly based on feedback from the labor community and no business advocacy groups were consulted.

The Department now has a few weeks turn around time to put together this complex public health council program and is on a listening tour with stakeholders to better understand how this can be implemented. The Hollywood Chamber will continue to reach out to the Supervisor offices, as well as the Department of Public Health to ensure that this time around, the report and recommendations reflect all stakeholders.

New “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” Releases Color-Tiered Structure for Reopening CA

Last Friday, Governor Newsom introduced a “Blueprint for a Safer Economy”, establishing a new color-coded system for businesses to re-open and schools to allow in-person instruction that went into effect on Monday. Under the new plan, each county is given a designation of “purple” (widespread), “red” (substantial) “orange” (moderate) or “yellow” (minimal) that measures the spread of COVID-19 and dictates what types of businesses and activities are allowed to open in each county. Los Angeles County is currently designated as “purple” based on the average new cases per day but has a 7-day average of five percent positivity testing rate which falls under the “orange” category. If a county has conflicting data, the designation will be the more restrictive option. Supervisor Janice Hahn announced on Wednesday that the LA County Health Officer Order will be updated to allow hair salons and barber shops to resume indoor operations at 25 percent capacity, although the implementation date is unclear.

It is not confirmed whether malls and other indoor business operations will be permitted with the updates to the Health Officer Order. A county must stay in their current tier for a minimum of three weeks before they are able to move into the less-restrictive tier in which a county must meet that tiers criteria for a minimum of two weeks. To read more on the new color-coded tier system click here.

To read more of the September 3rd 2020 Legislative Update click here.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors continues discussions and negotiations with local stakeholders regarding the Department of Public Health proposal to establish “public health councils” within businesses across the county to monitor compliance and report code violations to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has been actively engaging with supervisor staff and stakeholders expressing extensive concern with the proposal. The Department of Public Health was asked to consult with labor organizations, worker advocates, and business community representatives to create these recommendations. The Department consulted with only 4 business representatives and 18 labor organizations, showing a clear bias. Our coalition is asking the Board of Supervisors to deny the recommendations made by the Department and work with relevant business groups to ensure all stakeholders are consulted.

To read more of the August 27th 2020 Legislative Update click here.