Business Leaders Join Mayor Villaraigosa To Urge Legislature to Pass School Reform Bill

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – Days before Mayor Villaraigosa’s school reform bill faces an important vote in Sacramento, business leaders will join the Mayor at a press conference Friday afternoon and sign a letter urging the California Legislature to pass AB 1381.

This week, Los Angeles’ leading business groups and chambers of commerce announced their support of AB 1381, which will improve accountability, reduce bureaucracy, and increase parental involvement in the LAUSD. Along with the support of teachers, community organizations, and elected officials, these endorsements signal strong local support for AB 1381.

Who: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Gary Toebben, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

Pamela Carradi, Board Chair, United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley

Joel Simon, President, Encino Chamber of Commerce

Gustavo Camacho, Co-founder of the Greater East LA Chamber of Commerce

Business Leaders

What: Press Conference and Letter Signing Ceremony with
Business Groups

When: 2:00 PM, Friday, August 11. 2006

Where: Mayor’s Press Conference Room

City Hall, 3rd floor

200 N. Spring Street

In June, AB 1381 passed in the Senate Education Committee by a vote of 7-1. The bill heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday and must pass through both houses before the end of the session on August 31st.

For more information, visit: http://www.excellenceinlaschools.com/