When it comes to public policy and advocacy, your Chamber speaks out loudly, clearly and regularly on behalf of member businesses on issues impacting the vibrancy of our community. Once again this year, The Chamber is partnering with other regional chambers of commerce to develop a set of legislative positions. These positions include:

Health Care
Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)
Energy
Immigration
Transportation

Health Care 
The impact of the new health care legislation is still being determined. Regardless of the positive or negative aspects of the legislation, Congress needs to continue to work to control costs in this legislation.
 

Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)
Chambers of commerce across the United States value their workforce. We acknowledge that the economy is changing and that the workforce must adapt to those changes in order to keep the American economy competitive. A skilled workforce is what makes the American economy strong. Because we greatly value our workforce, we oppose the Employee Free Choice Act.

Energy
We support alternative energy and energy independence for America. However, we believe the provisions of the Cap and Trade Legislation, Renewable Portfolio Standard and other similar measures are harmful to our region’s economy.

Immigration
Immigration is an issue best resolved at the federal level. A series of statewide measures will only confuse the issue. Area chambers do not support illegal workers. We believe a series of measures to address the problem be passed at the federal level.

Transportation
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) has been extended until the end of 2010. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, an estimated 34,000-plus jobs will be created for every $1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure. We believe that should convince most anyone that roads and highways are about job creation and should be a priority during these strained economic times, and Congress should move forward with a new highway bill.

If you would like to provide comment on any of these federal priorities, contact Sheri Miller Story, director of public policy, 574.234.0051, x312, or smillerstory@sjchamber.org.