PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES
Los Altos Chamber of Commerce

Statement of Purpose of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce: To encourage and promote business and to stimulate a vibrant economy in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.

Business Advocacy: Los Altos Chamber of CommerceTo identify and analyze issues of interest (and concern) to Los Altos/Los Altos Hills and the business community, recommend to the Board of Directors advocacy positions on those issues that the committee deems appropriate, and communicate the Chamber's viewpoint clearly and strongly to our membership, elected officials, and the community at large.

Filters for Chamber review of issues:
1.  Related to business, commercial and/or economics
2.  Has legislative support/involvement at local, regional, state or federal level
3.  Consistent with the Chamber’s statement of purpose and core functions
4.  Reasonable ability to impact and/or influence outcome

ISSUES:

1. Business/Economic Development – support policies that enhance and encourage the development of a healthy and vibrant economy in Los Altos and the region.  The commercial sector provides jobs, financial and volunteer resources, and financial support to the city/county/state through property and sales tax revenue.
            a. Zoning ordinances/land use decisions
            b. Development process – streamline time and cost
            c. Eminent domain/private property rights
            d. Community growth and change
            e. Building impact fees
            f. Business attraction, retention and growth
            g. Jobs/housing balance
            h.  Professional licensing

 (Participation with Downtown Revitalization Committee, Downtown Zoning Committees and Assemblymember Ira Ruskin’s Small Business Advisory Committee; support of amendments to OAD/CRS zone to allow flexibility of use but develop to CRS standards; support of Pilgrim Haven expansion, March 2009; support of Safeway expansion, Feb. 2008, etc.; support City of Los Altos financial support of Day Worker Center capital campaign, Mar. 2008; supported Prop 98, limiting use of eminent domain, Apr. 2008; supported 100 First Street and 45 Main development projects, June 2007; recommended story poles for 950 San Antonio Road project, Jan. 2007)

2. Budget & Taxation – support responsible budget and taxation policy that allows Los Altos and all California businesses to remain competitive, and preserve necessary services for our businesses and residents; support policies that assist the city, county and state administrations to maintain adequate and balanced budgets without overburdening the business sector.
            a. Sales tax
            b. Use tax
            c. Utility tax
            d. Internet tax
            e. Gas tax
            f. Payroll tax

(supported LOCAL – Leave Our Community Assets Local)

3. Environment – support initiatives that protect natural resources without placing unreasonable mandates that create an undue economic burden or create deterrents to quality business development; encourage the creation of environmentally sound policies.
            a. Energy
            b. Water
            c. Air Quality
            d. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
            e. Land use policies
            f. Storm water

(opposed 25-cent tax on plastic and paper shopping bags, Jan. 2009; opposed Prop 7, Renewable Energy Conservation, Sept. 2008; supported AB 2212, the Santa Clara Water District Enabling Act, Apr.2008; advocated for City of Los Altos to sign the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Act, Dec. 2007; partnered with GreenTown Los Altos to promote the Green Business Program, 2008; opposed Measure A, Santa Clara Co. Land Conservation Initiative, Nov. 2006)

4. Health Care & Human Services – support legislative and regulatory efforts that ensure access to, reasonable affordability, good quality and delivery of health care and health insurance in California; support workplace practices that ensure a productive work environment and do not place undue financial burdens on employers.
            a. Healthcare/Insurance
            b. Worker’s Compensation
            c. Wages & benefits
            d. Overtime/flex-time
            e. Employee benefits/leave policies
            f. Independent contractors
            g. Day workers/immigration

(opposed Employee Free Choice Act, 2009; opposed AB 2716, Mandated Sick Leave, June 2008; supported Santa Clara County Healthy Workers program, Mar. 2008; opposed H.R. 4, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007;supported SB 72XX, offering scheduling flexibility to businesses participating in interruptible energy contracts, July 2001)

5. Education - support reforms in public education that are based on standards, effective assessment of student achievement and returning control over education policy and budgets to local school boards that will allow California public schools to compete more effectively; work with local educational systems and support legislation that provides for a well-trained flexible workforce in the region; support measures that maintain or enhance local academic programs.

(supported Measure H renewing existing parcel tax for LASD, Sept. 2006; supported Measure C, Foothill-DeAnza facilites bond, Apr. 2006 )

6. Transportation – support local, county and state efforts to work together to bring relief to traffic congestion and to advocate for high levels of service while maintaining demands on our transportation system.
            a. Mass transit
            b. Traffic demand management
            c. Traffic mitigation
            d. Local roads/highways
            e. Parking
            f. Bicycle traffic
            g. School transportation

(supported Prop 1A, High Speed Rail, Nov. 2008; opposed Measure B, 1/8 cent sales tax for BART extension, Nov. 2008; opposed Measure A, ½ cent sales tax relating to transportation, Apr. 2006)
           
7.  Good Government and Community Leadership  – support and participate in processes and programs that solve local and regional issues through coalition and consensus building; partner with local chambers when appropriate to develop and coordinate a yearly lobbying trip to Sacramento and fly-ins to Washington DC for Chamber members; oppose government mandates and regulations that impose undue burdens and costs on private business and property; influence public policy through communication with members, their employees and the general public regarding the Chamber’s core objectives of creating a strong local economy, representing the interests of business with government and promoting the community.
            a. Fair and equal representation
            b. Business coalitions
            c. Candidate forums
            d. Lobbying trips

(ACCESS Sacramento, April 2009; Card Check Washington DC fly-in, May 2009; supported Prop. 11, Redistricting, Sept. 2008; Annual State of the Cities event 2007-09; LACF Leadership Education Advancement Program (annually); Volunteer Services at City Hall policy 2009)

8. Additional policies to be considered in the future:
            a. Historic preservation (historic business properties)
            b. Ethics
            c. Pro-Business Leadership/Candidate Endorsement
            d. Public Safety
                                   

                                                            Approved by the Board of Directors 12/17/2009