Mission
The mission of the Government Affairs Division of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce is to influence the development of public policy to create regional opportunities for employment, business growth and market development.
Government Affairs
The Government Affairs Division of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce tracks issues which affect the Fremont and Tri-City business communities and maintains a continuing dialogue with legislators and key staff at all levels of government-federal, state, county and city.
The Government Affairs Division stays in constant communication and often works in collaboration with agencies such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Alameda County Transportation Authority, and the Association of Bay Area Governments. We also partner with other business organizations, such as Joint Venture Silicon Valley, the Economic Development Alliance for Business, the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, and the California and United States Chambers of Commerce, and our region’s neighboring chambers, in an ongoing effort to protect our member’s interests.
By overseeing the Chamber’s educational initiatives and working closely with the local school board and educational leaders from all levels – grade school to community colleges and universities – our advocacy efforts helps drive improvements that will result in a more skilled and employable workforce, now and in the future.
Priorities
The mission of the Government Affairs Division of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce is to influence the development of public policy to create regional opportunities for employment, business growth and market development.
Government Affairs
The Government Affairs Division of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce tracks issues which affect the Fremont and Tri-City business communities and maintains a continuing dialogue with legislators and key staff at all levels of government-federal, state, county and city.
The Government Affairs Division stays in constant communication and often works in collaboration with agencies such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Alameda County Transportation Authority, and the Association of Bay Area Governments. We also partner with other business organizations, such as Joint Venture Silicon Valley, the Economic Development Alliance for Business, the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, and the California and United States Chambers of Commerce, and our region’s neighboring chambers, in an ongoing effort to protect our member’s interests.
By overseeing the Chamber’s educational initiatives and working closely with the local school board and educational leaders from all levels – grade school to community colleges and universities – our advocacy efforts helps drive improvements that will result in a more skilled and employable workforce, now and in the future.
Priorities
- Overriding message: Foster a business environment that encourages business development, expansion and retention
Be proactive rather than reactive
Make California more competitive with other states - Live within budget; set aside rainy day fund
- Reduce business tax burden:
#1 priority: Reduce business taxes
#2 priority: Create incentives and tax credits designed to retain and attract business (e.g., tax credits for capital investment and job expansion - Focus on infrastructure (e.g., transportation); “economic expansion follows infrastructure”
- Keep local dollars local (i.e., no state takeaways from cities and counties)
- Have a well-defined and streamlined business approval/permitting process (including CEQA reform)
- Consider business impact of proposed legislation
Differentiate levels of monitoring, reporting, regulation based on size of business, type of business - Reduce and simplify regulations
- Simplify reporting requirements; eliminate redundant reporting to multiple agencies
- Reduce bureaucracy (consolidate depts, commissions, agencies with similar functions)
- Increase sunshining of legislation (user-friendly public comment period, no ‘gut and amend’ sneak-throughs)
- Periodically review legislated fees, taxes, regulations and programs to assess effectiveness and ongoing need
- Invest in workforce training and retraining (including junior colleges and Regional Occupational Programs)
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