A state Senate committee gave its approval to a bill streamlining the process to approve mergers between phone companies. If approved by the state Assembly, the bill eliminates a requirement that the Public Utilities Commission look at certain impacts of mergers. The bill is sponsored by San Fernando Valley Sen. Alex Padilla. Critics, however, argue that the legislation makes it harder for the commission to evaluate adequately phone-company requests for mergers, the Los Angeles Times reported. “The [commission] should be able to consider all the critical aspects of such a merger or acquisition,” Commission President Michael R. Peevey and member Dian M. Grueneich said in a letter to the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee, according to the Times.

Recycling firm Looney Bins has been acquired by Waste Management, one of the largest waste haulers in the country. Details of the transaction between Pacoima-based Looney Bins and Waste Management, based in Houston, were not disclosed. Looney Bins operates two facilities that recycle construction and demolition material, one near downtown and the other in the East San Fernando Valley. The acquisition allows for Waste Management to expand on the foundation that Looney Bins worked hard to build, said Mike Hammer, President of Looney Bins. “Acquiring Looney Bins and its diversion facilities allows us to provide even greater recycling opportunities for our customers throughout the Southland,” said Larry Metter, Vice President for Waste Management in Los Angeles.

WASHINGTON — Soaring food and fuel costs caused wholesale prices to rise much faster than expected last month, raising the possibility of more sticker shock for consumers and more inflationary pressure for the nation’s economy. The producer price index jumped 1.1% in March from February — nearly triple the 0.4% increase that analysts expected, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. Over the last 12 months, the index was up 6.9%, led by a 20% leap in energy prices and a 5.8% increase for food. “Core” producer prices, which exclude food and energy, rose only a modest 0.2% in March. But that’s small comfort for consumers whose household budgets have been stretched by the rising costs of driving and eating. For the full story visit http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-econ16apr16,1,2722577.story

A hearing takes place next month in which North American Scientific Inc. will appeal The NASDAQ Stock Market’s decision to de-list the company. North American recently received notice from NASDAQ that it was being de-listed because it failed to regain compliance after shares fell below $1. The company had an April 2 deadline to raise the price of its stock. North American’s common stock will remain quoted on The NASDAQ Capital Market pending the outcome of the appeal. But, the Chatsworth-based radiation therapy provider will have to submit a plan to the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel by May 2. According to NASDAQ its panels have historically viewed a near-term reverse stock split as an acceptable definitive plan to resolve a bid price deficiency. North American’s plan will include a one share for five share reverse stock split.

The double feature advertised on the Reseda Theater marquee made Pat Towers’ father laugh out loud when they drove by some 50 years ago: “Friendly Persuasion” and “At Gunpoint.” But the days of double features, or any features at all, at the Reseda Theater have long since faded away, replaced by a graffiti-covered facade that belies Towers’ childhood memories of lazy Saturday afternoons spent inside the darkened theater, enjoying such sci-fi classics as “Godzilla,” “House of Wax” and “It Came From Outer Space.” Back then, the theater was the centerpiece of a thriving community of 30,000, living high off the post-World War II suburban boom. Back then, Reseda’s main street, Sherman Way, had a J.C. Penney department store and a J.J. Newberry’s five and dime, as well as an ice skating rink. Into the 1980s, it was home to the Country Club, a legendary concert venue that showcased punk rock and New Wave bands. For the full story visit http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-reseda16apr16,1,5464783.story

CHATSWORTH – A popular San Fernando Valley park closed since Valentine’s Day will remain fenced off indefinitely after the discovery of more lead in the soil near playgrounds and picnic areas, according to a report obtained by the Daily News. Sealed off with “Do Not Enter” signs, a tall chain-link fence and a security guard, the 80-acre Chatsworth Park South must undergo further testing before officials will allow the public back in. While some tests showed that parts of the park could be reopened, officials say they will await the results of further tests before making a decision. “The safety of our park patrons always comes first, and while we understand having the park closed has been an inconvenience to the community, the testing was mandated by the State of California,” said Los Angeles Recreation and Parks General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri. For the full story visit http://www.dailynews.com/ci_8938764

Sue Carleo, a senior vice chancellor with the Los Angeles Community College District, has been named as the acting president of Los Angeles Valley College. Carleo replaces Tyree Wieder who is retiring in June. Carleo is currently the senior vice chancellor of human resources for the community college district. She previously served as vice president of academic affairs, director of the Center for the Advancement of Business, Labor and Education, and department Chair and Professor of the Family and Consumer Studies department at Valley College. Wider was excited to have Carleo back at Valley College. “Her extensive experience in working with community college faculty and the business community, coupled with her 17 years of experience at Valley College, will be a tremendous asset to the college,” Wieder said. A new president is expected to start on Jan. 1.

Food chain Baja Fresh Mexican Grill announced April 15 that its future immediate franchise growth would focus on New York City, Boston and Atlanta. The drive for the Thousand Oaks-based franchise to expand in these markets is being spearheaded by James Walker, Chief Development Officer for Baja Fresh. “We feel that our demographic target matches perfectly with the demographics in these three markets,” Walker stated. “We would plan to have multiple locations signed and construction begun before the end of 2008. We are in the process of interviewing interested franchise candidates from these markets.” Expansion within in New York, Boston and Atlanta will feature a new smaller foot print and a less expensive prototype. This is designed to increase speed of service. Of the change, Walker stated. “Our new Speedline prototype is a perfect match for markets where real estate is at a premium.”

Satellite space re-reseller The Spaceconnection has agreed to acquire the occasional use satellite space segment business of 5DTV. Details of the deal between North Hollywood-based The Spaceconnection and 5DTV were not disclosed. 5DTV provides satellite bandwidth and fibre services in Canada. When the deal closes The Spaceconnection will bring enhanced satellite capacity and customer support to the Canadian customers of 5DTV. The Spaceconnection will maintain an office in Ottawa, Ontario and retain 5DTV sales representatives, said Mike Antonovich, president and CEO of The Spaceconnection.

According to the 2006 Mobility Project by the Reason Foundation, Los Angeles ranked number one among the most congested cities in the U.S., beleaguered by the nation’s worst Travel Time Index (TTI) of 1.75, meaning that driving times during L.A.’s peak traffic hours are 75 percent longer than during off-peak hours. The study projected that, without mitigation, TTI will increase to 1.94 by 2030. It was suggested that the addition of approximately 3,700 new lane-miles, at an estimated cost of $67.7 billion, would be needed to significantly reduce congestion and accommodate expected growth through 2030. Statewide estimates suggest a need for the addition of 13,100 new lane-miles at an estimated cost of $122 billion. When I look at these numbers they appear overwhelming, especially when considering that in 2006 when the voters approved $19.9 billion of bonds to fund much-needed transportation infrastructure, most of us thought that was a huge amount. The fact is that the bonds we approved represent less than 20 percent of the amount that was and is truly needed. Why weren’t we asked to approve $122 billion of transportation infrastructure bonds? The main reason is that California couldn’t afford the additional debt service without a significant increase in taxes or possibly a combination of taxes and user fees. Additionally, with the passage of the package of infrastructure bonds, which totaled more than $30 billion (of which $19.9 represented transportation funds) California substantially maxed out its ability to borrow without endangering its bond ratings which would result in higher interest costs. Traffic conditions in and around Los Angeles certainly aren’t improving. It seems that no matter what time of day or night I use the freeways, traffic is bumper-to-bumper. Even the carpool lanes are experiencing difficulties. Last week there were two days when I needed to drive long distances on the freeways. The first day I thought I could avoid the serious traffic because I was driving my authorized clean air vehicle and was able to use the carpool lane. But instead of avoiding traffic, I experienced the height of irony. As I smugly proceeded to drive in the designated lane, I came to an abrupt stop. There was a multiple car collision in the car pool lane. The second day I thought I was safe because I thought it couldn’t happen on two consecutive days. Guess what? I was wrong. It did. I’m beginning to think that the car pool lanes are where all of the collisions occur. Traffic congestion is not just a nuisance. It is costly and unhealthy. When people are stuck on the freeway their ability to get to work on time is severely hampered. Then, when they finally arrive at work, they are stressed, causing health and productivity issues. Additionally, the more time one spends in traffic, the greater the chance of ill effects from exhaust fumes. Traffic congestion also has a major negative impact on the ability to attract and retain businesses. Californians, especially those in Los Angeles County, have been plagued by traffic congestion for many years. Now, traffic congestion has become a front-burner issue for Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) who recently introduced a package of transportation bills including several designed to provide local control over the sources and uses of transportation funds. It is clear that federal and state transportation funds are not reliable sources for the needs of Los Angeles County and Southern California, in general. It seems that each time new state bond measures are passed to provide these funds, or federal transportation funds are received at the state level, the amounts ultimately received by our localities are far less than anticipated and needed. Assemblymember Feuer’s bills (highlighted below) will enable us to raise our own funds locally for our own benefit. Here are the bills: AB 2321: Existing law authorizes the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to impose (subject to voter approval) a transactions and use tax at the rate of 0.5% for 6 & #733; years or less for the funding of specified transportation-related capital projects or programs. This bill extends the time period from 6 & #733; to 30 years and designates numerous capital projects (consisting of light rail, transit corridors and rapid-ways, highway enhancements, etc.) and capital programs (consisting of grade separations, road resurfacing and reconstruction, soundwall construction, Metrolink capital improvements, etc.). The designated projects are throughout Los Angeles County (only) and must be completed. It is estimated that revenues received over the 30 years will be approximately $30 billion. AB 2558: This bill authorizes MTA to impose a countywide or regional carbon emissions fee (subject to voter approval) to be imposed either as a vehicle fuel tax or a vehicle fee. Fee revenues would be used for public transit and congestion management projects and programs in Los Angeles County. ACA 10: This bill (a constitutional amendment, subject to voter approval) lowers the vote threshold for approval of bonds for local transportation projects from two-thirds popular vote to 55% so that 1/3 (plus 1 vote) of the voters cannot block a local project that is desired by 2/3 (less 1 vote) of the voters. The New York City Council recently voted to urge the New York Legislature to vote in favor of Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to give the City the authority to charge a congestion fee to vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th street. Both the Bloomberg plan and the Feuer bills can be considered methods of “congestion pricing.” I believe that it’s time for us to stop complaining about the congestion problem and to act on it. Perhaps congestion pricing is the best approach and, for us, the Feuer bills may represent the best method. Gregory N. Lippe, CPA, is managing partner of the Woodland Hills-based CPA firm of Lippe, Hellie, Hoffer & Allison, LLP; chairman of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association and a director of First Commerce Bank.