One of the ways the Chamber works to support our diverse business community is through representing the interests of business with government and political action.

The Chamber has a very active Governmental Affairs Committee that meets the 4th Thursday of the month at the Chamber at 4:00 p.m. This Committee is proactive in addressing governmental affairs and legislative issues that relate to business through input into the City's new Zoning ordinances, letting our members know about laws that will affect them, and most importantly by taking a stand either for or against issues that can relate to the health of your business.

Our relationship with the City is one of mutual respect, with the understanding that the Chamber will always advocate for the business community.

CHAMBER REPRESENTS BUSINESS INTEREST WITH GOVERNMENT
Your Chamber is constantly working “behind the scenes” for your benefit. Your Success Is Our Business, so we work diligently to keep an eye on “bad for business” legislation, requesting modifications or completely opposing those that we think will make doing business harder for you. We also look for legislation that will help your business grow and support those bills. By sending letters, making phone calls, educating the public and our members on the effects of these bills and donating money to “pro-business” candidates, we impact your ability to do business here.

SUPPORTED STATE PROPOSITIONS

March 2004
Proposition 57 - Economic Recovery Bond Act
Proposition 58 – Balanced Budget

November 2004
Proposition 64 - Limitations on Enforcement of Unfair Business Competition Laws. Californians to Stop Shakedown Lawsuits - Stops lawsuits that do not have actual plaintiffs.
Proposition 65 - Local Government Funds and Revenues. State Mandates. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Local Taxpayers and Public Safety Act – protects local government monies
Proposition 71: California Stem Cell Research & Cures Initiative
Proposition 72- Repeal of SB2: Health Care Initiative that created mandatory employee health care benefits program for employers with 20 or more employees

CURRENT STATE LEGISLATION

Support:

SB 1939 (Speier) Tourism: Provides funds to support tourism marketing.

SB 595 (Johnson) Unemployment Insurance: Bill institutes polices to cut down on unemployment fraud.

Oppose:

AB 2832 (Lieber) – Minimum Wage Increase

SB 1809 ( Dunn) – Labor Code Private Attorneys Act of 2004 “Sue Your Boss”: Tries but does not address frivolous lawsuits and huge fines put into place by SB 796.

SB 1903 (Florez) Unemployment Compensation benefits: locked out workers; Provides unemployment benefits to locked out workers regardless of whether a labor dispute is taking place.

SB 584 (Alacon) Advertising: non-English language speakers: Increases the requirements to provide language translations to consumers within various industries that advertise in other languages.

The Chamber supported and continues to support worker’s compensation reform, and has voted to support the Exposition Line for the Westside.

To learn how you can have a more active role in affecting legislation, call the Chamber offices. We have a Governmental Affairs Committee & Legislative Committee that meet regularly to address these issues.