While the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce does not march in lockstep with the California Chamber of Commerce, the two organizations most often fight side-by-side on the same job preservation battlefield.
That's why when the state chamber produces a list of what it terms "Job Killers" among proposed state legislation, we are wise to pay attention. Being largely a small business community, we fear, as our "big brother" Chamber does, that the jobs we save may be our own!
Thus, it is wise for our members at all levels to spend a little time defending themselves. How? Most simply by making sure they know what can hurt them, and relaying that information in no uncertain terms to their elected representatives in the state legislature, specifically state Sen. Mark Wyland and Assemblyman Rockey Chavez. The good news here is that both gentlemen are strongly aligned with business interests and very supportive.
So while it is good to check in with Wyland and Chavez, it is even more important to let those individuals promoting job killing bills know what is on your mind. It is easy to check what's up by going to www.calchamber.com to read the Job Killer list. You'll find a link on the home page. Find proposed bills that might specifically have an adverse effect on your business or your employees. You won't have to look far!
Then, and here is the important part, speak up. Our monthly Government Affairs Committee is blessed by the presence of staff representatives of each of our elected officials. They tell us that sounding off can make a difference. And it is easier to do than ever before, not even requiring a "forever" postage stamp.
For example, while Sen. Wyland provides three addresses to access his office, he also gives you a direct email link. That kind of accessibility defines democracy. However, for contentious bills, and to reach a wider legislative audience, consider going back to the California Chamber website and accessing its "Grassroots Action Center." Here, you can click on a link to legislators sponsoring a bill that you don't like (or like!) and be given the option of communicating with that person, along with a variety of other elected and state officials.
The site does it all for you, including, if you want, sending your letter to local newspapers. Less distasteful than licking an envelope! For those who need a little more inspiration and motivation, here are descriptions of a random sampling of this year's job killer bills:
•AB 5 (Ammiano; D-San Francisco) Increased Exposure to Frivolous Litigation. Frivolousness should be saved for the weekend!
•SB 626 (Beall; D?San Jose) Massive Workers' Compensation Cost Increase. It would be enough to make you sick of working.
•AB 953 (Ammiano; D-San Francisco) Increases CEQA Litigation. This is for those of you who think environmental review doesn't take long enough!
•SB 529 (Leno; D-San Francisco) Disposable Fast-Food Container Ban. Yeah. That's working so well in Solana Beach.
Don't think because not one of more than 30 job killer bills is sponsored by a Republican legislator that this is a partisan issue. Small business owners come in all flavors, denominations and political persuasions. There's more, so go ahead and log on.
You can read 'em and weep or you can read 'em and act.
Charest can be reached at
[email protected]
That's why when the state chamber produces a list of what it terms "Job Killers" among proposed state legislation, we are wise to pay attention. Being largely a small business community, we fear, as our "big brother" Chamber does, that the jobs we save may be our own!
Thus, it is wise for our members at all levels to spend a little time defending themselves. How? Most simply by making sure they know what can hurt them, and relaying that information in no uncertain terms to their elected representatives in the state legislature, specifically state Sen. Mark Wyland and Assemblyman Rockey Chavez. The good news here is that both gentlemen are strongly aligned with business interests and very supportive.
So while it is good to check in with Wyland and Chavez, it is even more important to let those individuals promoting job killing bills know what is on your mind. It is easy to check what's up by going to www.calchamber.com to read the Job Killer list. You'll find a link on the home page. Find proposed bills that might specifically have an adverse effect on your business or your employees. You won't have to look far!
Then, and here is the important part, speak up. Our monthly Government Affairs Committee is blessed by the presence of staff representatives of each of our elected officials. They tell us that sounding off can make a difference. And it is easier to do than ever before, not even requiring a "forever" postage stamp.
For example, while Sen. Wyland provides three addresses to access his office, he also gives you a direct email link. That kind of accessibility defines democracy. However, for contentious bills, and to reach a wider legislative audience, consider going back to the California Chamber website and accessing its "Grassroots Action Center." Here, you can click on a link to legislators sponsoring a bill that you don't like (or like!) and be given the option of communicating with that person, along with a variety of other elected and state officials.
The site does it all for you, including, if you want, sending your letter to local newspapers. Less distasteful than licking an envelope! For those who need a little more inspiration and motivation, here are descriptions of a random sampling of this year's job killer bills:
•AB 5 (Ammiano; D-San Francisco) Increased Exposure to Frivolous Litigation. Frivolousness should be saved for the weekend!
•SB 626 (Beall; D?San Jose) Massive Workers' Compensation Cost Increase. It would be enough to make you sick of working.
•AB 953 (Ammiano; D-San Francisco) Increases CEQA Litigation. This is for those of you who think environmental review doesn't take long enough!
•SB 529 (Leno; D-San Francisco) Disposable Fast-Food Container Ban. Yeah. That's working so well in Solana Beach.
Don't think because not one of more than 30 job killer bills is sponsored by a Republican legislator that this is a partisan issue. Small business owners come in all flavors, denominations and political persuasions. There's more, so go ahead and log on.
You can read 'em and weep or you can read 'em and act.
Charest can be reached at
[email protected]