| UCNH Board Positions Taken for Governmental Legislation Affecting Business |
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Illegal Immigrant Drivers at Sobriety Checkpoints The Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at its January Board meeting took up Los Angeles Police Charlie Beck’s policy about not towing illegal immigrant driver’s cars when stopped at sobriety checkpoints. The Chamber represents 158 members and almost 12,000 employees.
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck has announced that his officers will no longer automatically tow the cars of illegal immigrant drivers stopped at sobriety checkpoints. The policy comes in response to the concerns of Latino civil rights activists who say the impound fees are unfairly costing otherwise hardworking illegal immigrant drivers hundreds of dollars.
Also, unlicensed U.S. Citizens and legal residents stopped at checkpoints will also be allowed “reasonable time” to find someone else to drive their car home.
Being concerned over possibly dangerous reasons for drivers not being licensed, safety of the public and concern for equality of treatment, the Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce recommends that driving without a license is adequately punished by the law.
Modify Statistically, Sadistically Punitive Penalties on Rent Controlled Apartment Buildings The Los Angeles County Tax Assessor’s Office charges approximately 10.5% to approximately 11% penalty for property tax paid just one day late. The City of Los Angeles Office of Finance assesses a 5% penalty for business taxes paid just one day late, and up to 40% if paid during the fifth month after the due date. The City of Los Angeles prohibits apartment owners from charging a late charge of any more than 6% for rent paid late.
But if the owner of a Los Angeles rent controlled (RSO) apartment building does not pay the annual RSO Registration Fee and SCEP (Systematic Code Enforcement Program) Fee by the last day of February, the late penalties are 150% and 200%, respectively. Also, it is illegal for the owner of rental property under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance to collect any rent from tenants at the subject property if he or she does not have an up to date Rent Registration Statement.
Recommend: The Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce recommends that the City of Los Angeles modify late penalties for the Rent Registration and SCEP to not exceed the late penalties on property tax.
Adjusting California Online Poker The California Online Poker Association, an association of 60 California Tribal Governments and Card Clubs is proposing state legislation that would regulate online poker in the State of California.
The proposal is not a matter of favoring or opposing online poker. It would provide strong consumer protection against offshore operators, strict age verification, fair access for existing poker operators, $1.4 billion of tax revenue over 10 years, and create 1,300 jobs.
Imminent Federal legislation threatens to destroy any chance of the state collecting revenue from online poker if California does not act immediately.
Recommends: The Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce supports the proposal by the California Online Poker Association.
Split-Roll Property Taxes The Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in October discussed California's High tax rates and regulations, businesses throughout California are at a disadvantage compared to businesses in other states. The state's budget crisis is scaring some people into looking for more revenue, rather than cutting costs. On target they have is a split-roll for property taxes. Buy limiting property tax based on 1978 values, adjusted by 2 % annual incrses in value, Proposition 13 has saved property owners many billions of dollars. The split-roll concept would allow higher valuations(thus higher property taxes) on commercial and industrial property. The amount of increase would depond on the specifics of any intitiative put on a ballot. A property tax increase imposed through a split-roll concept would increase California's competitive disadvantage with other states. The increased tax would naturally have to be paid by customers ( the public), who might not accept the price increases. History has generally shown that tax rate increases result in reduced revenue. The Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce therefore Strongly Opposes and Vehemently recommends against split-roll property taxes. Business Tax Elimination The Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in October voted to strongly support the Elimination of a Business Tax. Currently it is being studied by a Los Angeles City Council committee and there are hopes to slowly eliminate the business tax over a four-year period. Sidewalk Repair The Board of Directors at the October meeting strongly opposes the Los Angeles City"Point of Sales" Sidewalk Repair putting the total cost of repair of the sidewalk on the property owner. The Board's letter was delivered to the Los Angeles City Public Hearing on this issue held Oct. 19.
Permanent Maximum Individual Income Tax Rate & Maximum Corporate Income Tax Rate The Board of Directors at the September Meeting recommended a permanent maximum individual income tax rate of 25 % and a permanent maximum corporate income tax rate of 15% in order to improve the US economy, reduce unemployment and the federal deficit in a manner that has worked historically.
Solid Waste Franchise The Universal City North Hollywood Board of Directors has taken the following position regarding Solid Waste Franchise at the August meeting. In order to prevent the escalation of waste hauling costs to businesses and apartment owners, the Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce opposed the Solid Waste Franchise Proposal. Permanent Reduction of Tax Rate on Dividends and Capital Gains The Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce supports making permanent the 15 percent maximum tax rate on Qualified Dividends and Capital Gains.
Sewer Fees Increase Opposition While we recognize the need for sewer and storm water maintenance and improvements, we also recognize the affect on costs by excessive public employee benefits and new environmental mandates. Because of impact of those costs, the Universal City North Hollywood chamber of commerce opposes the increased fees and the parcel tax. The bureau of Sanitation is proposing to Proposed Helicopter Regulations Congressman Howard Berman has introduced the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011 . His bill would force the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to restrict helicopter flight paths and set minimum altitudes within 12 months. The Universal City North Hollywood Chamber supports the proposed LA Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act. |
