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The Chamber would like to thank the following sponsors:
Your Chamber, Tackling the Tough Questions Given the limited resources of governments and private contributors, what are the priority areas for support? What can governments do to spur economic development, and what kind of policy and regulatory environment delivers better results in terms of inclusive growth? The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce (MPCC) serves to protect the core values and pillars of business that are needed to ensure the private sector continues to play an active and beneficial role in our communities. Deciphering policies that may produce business value and monitoring legislation that may hinder business is the primary role of the MPCC Government Affairs Committee (GAC). The GAC’s next step is then to inform and proactively support or oppose pending legislation, serving as the voice of the local business community. Entrepreneurship is critical for private sector success. Ease of entry into the marketplace is good for economic development and can be expected to lead to higher productivity and income for entire communities. Many within the business community therefore claim that low levels of regulation create a level playing field for all business which subsequently spurs economic growth and vitality. The question remains; is it the role of local governments to be proactive in creating policies for strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector? Meanwhile, government interaction may be necessary in order to facilitate social programs or increase the competitiveness of business by reducing transaction costs. The questions asked by many in the field of business advocacy include, “What evidence do we have about the link between business regulations, taxes, start-up costs and requirements and economic development? What are the appropriate levels of regulation? What hinders business development? Might securing property rights and lowering barriers stimulate informal entrepreneurs to grow and become competitive?” These are all important questions that your Chamber tackles regularly. The months and years ahead will be challenging for both the public and private sectors. Finding areas for collaboration and partnership are crucial for ensuring business and government continue to have the opportunity to serve and thrive within the communities they serve. For more information on how the Chamber can represent the interests of business to government to support your business, refer to the Government Affairs section of the mpcc.com website or contact Judy Currier at judy@mpcc.com or 831-648-5358.
2009 Candidate Endorsements In 2008, with support of the Board and the general membership, MPCC's Government Affairs Committee ("GAC") took on one of its most important roles, Candidate Endorsement. By endorsing candidates on a local level, we believe we have the ability to encourage those individuals who strongly support business to stand by their commitments to; 1. develop programs to keep existing businesses open and thriving, In 2008, The GAC candidate endorsement committee interviewed and endorsed candidates in the following offices; Marina Mayor & City Council More than a dozen candidates participated in the process, 9 of those were finally endorsed by the Chamber and 6 of those endorsed were successfully elected to their respective offices. Now in November 2009, local elections will be held and once again GAC will take an active role. The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District ("MPWMD") Board of Directors will have two seats available. GAC has always taken an active role in monitoring the water situation on the Peninsula and in the County, and feels strongly that action must be taken swiftly not only to address replenishing the current water supply but also that a long term programs to bring additional water to the area needs to be implemented now. Our communities need individuals on this board who not only share this vision but will work hard to see it realized as quickly as possible. Also scheduled for elections are seats on the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Board. The school district continues to face upcoming challenges to provide a high level of education with budget challenges in these uncertain times. Education is a key component outlined MPCC's Public Policy Statements because we recognize that our educational systems are fundamental to creating and preserving job skills throughout the community and the state. We also believe there is a need expand and improve at all levels, and form cooperative and beneficial partnerships between business and education wherever possible. After the filing dates for these respective offices have closed as required by the County Elections Office, GAC will announce its intentions to interview registered candidates for potential endorsement. A sub-committee, consisting of active GAC members (general Chamber members are also welcome to participate) will conduct a series of interview sessions. Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate to the committee that their platforms specifically align with the goals set forth in MPCC’s Public Policy Statements and show clear support and promotion of business interests on the Monterey Peninsula will be considered for endorsement. The GAC candidate endorsement committee does reserve the right not to endorse any candidates should it so choose. Once again, we look forward to serving our business members and our communities through this worthwhile and most necessary cause.
Help Prevent State Park Closures Close California’s State Parks? What was once unthinkable could happen! Many of you are aware that one California budget-balancing proposal is to close the vast majority of state parks. We have to act now to make sure this doesn't happen to our local State Parks! California’s system of State Parks is an important part of what California is and an important part of who we are as Californians. Monterey County’s State Parks are important to us as residents and important to our industry as part of the attraction for the visitors who help drive our $2 billion + annual travel and tourism economy We must make sure our local State Parks do not close - we can't afford to jeopardize the employment of our workers or the already precarious finances of our local governments. HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP! Contact our State Legislators today and let them know our local State Parks must not close! Our iocal economy simply cannot withstand this additional blow. Make a plea to our local legislators to keep State Parks open and keep our business community healthy. To send a message directly to Assemblymember Anna M. Caballero – this link will take you to a message form at her website: This link will take you to a message form at Assemblymember Bill Monning’s website: Send State Senator Abel Maldonado an e-mail at this address: Here’s a link to the State Parks Foundation website with a ‘contact your legislator’ feature: If you have time, please call, or write or fax each of our legislators a letter. Here are their addresses and phone and fax numbers: The Honorable Anna M. Cabellero The Honorable Bill Monning The Honorable Abel Maldonado Thanks for your help - this is an important issue for the Peninsula business community! |
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