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CCA Left Out

As one of the “voices” of the business community that was not mentioned in the Business Journal’s recent series of articles exploring why the L.A. business community lacks a voice (“Why Business Lacks a Voice,” Nov. 24), we offer the following observations.

While it is true that the business community often speaks with many voices, we have come together on a number of issues that impact all businesses, regardless of size or location in the city. The Central City Association (CCA) was a leader in the successful effort to bring a new sports arena to our city. CCA has organized effective business coalitions to ensure appropriate recognition of job and economic impacts from potentially anti-business initiatives like the business license tax surcharge; the housing linkage fee; the proposed L.A. city trip reduction ordinance; the proposed video display terminal legislation; the street vending ordinance; and the service worker retention ordinance. CCA also initiated the business community’s opposition to the living wage ordinance.

In forming these business coalitions, CCA reached out to small and minority-owned businesses and tried to engage them in the policy debate. But as your articles aptly pointed out, entrepreneurs are often unable to take time away from their businesses to fight City Hall.

The Central City Association has been the leading advocate for business in City Hall for many years. When you decide to take another look at the effectiveness of business associations in Los Angeles, we hope that you will review the record of the CCA. We are proud of our advocacy on behalf of the business community and look forward to an opportunity to share with you our many achievements.

KAREN L. HATHAWAY

Chairwoman

Central City Association of Los Angeles

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