LEGISLATIVE ACTION TEAM
2012 GOALS

Opportunity Statement:  Businesses working together through the Chamber to advocate for their regional needs and issues at all levels of government including city, county, tribal, port, State and Federal.

1.  Maintain situational awareness on legislative issues that affect business in our area.  Mobilize as need to support pro-business issues.

2.  Continue to develop position papers on issues assigned by the Chamber president through the advocacy flow chart process.

3.  Utilize the “ad-hoc group format” as needed to support local business and/or government agencies.

4.  Continue the quarterly meetings at an IBO Luncheon which focus on each of the different levels of government that impact each of us.  Provide, in this forum, the opportunity for dialog as well as information.

5.  Continue to hold candidate forums early in the election cycle, also utilizing the WBC Luncheon, with questions from the membership that focus on business issues.

6. Develop a system to filter proposed legislation, utilizing associations and other information sources, to allow the Chamber to participate in bills that can significantly impact business and our area.

7. Stay well connected to our state, county and city governments.

8.  Continue our lobbyist fund-raising efforts for the remainder of 2011 and 2012.  ($6,000 per year, $500 per month)

9. The State Legislators will meet for a maximum of 35 days in February of 2012.  We will monitor these proceedings and respond as necessary, if necessary.

10. Coos County BOC elections are looming.  The Chamber needs to do the following:
-           Identify and secure viable candidates for available seats
-           Provide election support to our candidates with public education, media leverage and grass root efforts
-           Create platforms for public scrutiny of candidates

Coos County Structure must change and the Chamber must assist in educating the public and driving this change.