Caldwell Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

THE MISSION of the Government Affairs Committee is to create a useful working relationship between city, county, state and federal governments and the member businesses of the Caldwell Chamber, with the purpose of collaborating on projects that bring about economic growth and sustainability to the City of Caldwell.

A number of local and state officials participate on this committee to keep their fingers on the pulse of their business constituency.

This committee meets the fourth Thursday of every month at noon, at the Caldwell Chamber office. Please contact the Chamber Office if you are interested in participating. It's a great way to contribute your thoughts, views and perspectives to the development of policies affecting our community.

Caldwell Chamber of Commerce 2010 Legislative Agenda

Senator_John_McGee.pdf

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS NEWS

Scott Gipson

Scott Gipson, Caxton Printers, Committee Chair

ABOUT THE COMMITTEE

Through the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee, you can become an active advocate. The Governmental Affairs Committee is energized to be well informed of pending legislation, engaging on all stages throughout the process. Guided by the committee's mission statement and the year's Legislative Agenda, the Committee will endorse recommendations regarding topics that benefit our economic growth and prosperity, which in some way touches each Caldwell citizen.

The Caldwell Chamber of Commerce encourages you to join our city, county and state elected officials, their representatives, business and Chamber members, in offering another opportunity for you to interact and become informed of present day legislative issues. Legislative advocacy from constituents, businesses and Chamber membership is an essential part in the road to successes.

If you would like to be involved in Governmental Affairs and become active or more active in providing the membership and board with input and/or recommendations on local, county, state and federal legislative issues, please contact your Caldwell Chamber of Commerce at (208) 459-7493, or join us at our monthly meetings at the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, 704 Blaine, Caldwell, 12:00 noon, the fourth Thursday of each month.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Immigration Summit, August 12, 2010
Download Immigration Summit Registration PDF

So many of our Northwest companies depend on legal immigration to support their companies – from software to landscaping, biotech to long-term care, immigrants are an integral part of our history and economic stability. Accordingly, you likely have a number of members who are interested in an important event regarding comprehensive immigration reform coming to Seattle on August 12^th. Attached is a summary of the agenda and information regarding on-line registration.

In a nutshell, this one-day conference will be a strategic planning session for employers of immigrant workers who grasp the urgent need for immigration reform. Although Congress will not likely take up the issue this year, it is increasingly important that the business community be ready to act in 2011 to ensure that ongoing employment needs are met in any proposed reform legislation. Although this summit is taking place in Seattle, it is national in scope and will bring together engaged employers from all over the U.S. to share ideas about how best to advance comprehensive immigration reform in 2011. The event is designed specifically for employers who rely on immigrant workers – highly skilled, lesser skilled, seasonal and agricultural workers so, as you can see, many of your employer companies will be impacted by any future legislation and should be a part of shaping it.

Renee Radcliff Sinclair
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director | Congressional & Public Affairs | Northwest Region
3400 188th Street SW, Suite 403 | Lynnwood, WA 98037
Telephone: (425) 774-8094 Fax: (425) 778-8341
Register for the 2010 Regional Government Affairs Conference
October 6-8 at the Dallas Fairmont

Economic Update Conference Call with Dr. Regalia

What: Economic update conference call
When: Monday, July 12, 3-3:45 p.m. EDT Eastern Time
How: Register now online
Speaker: Dr. Martin Regalia, Senior Vice President, Economic & Tax Policy, Chief Economist, U.S. Chamber
Who: Chambers, associations, and business leaders

Please join us for our members-only conference call on Monday, July 12, 3:00-3:45 p.m. EDT, to hear an update on the state of the economy from the U.S. Chamber's chief economist Dr. Martin Regalia. Register now to receive the dial-in number.

The economy lost almost 8.5 million jobs during the recession. The good news is that over the last five months, the economy has created 982,000 net new jobs, which will help underpin demand and spur additional spending. Unfortunately, even this pace of job creation will be insufficient to reach acceptable levels anytime soon. The agonizing pace has left the unemployed and underemployed discouraged, and has sent panicking politicians looking for quick-fix bills and hasty legislation. Dr. Regalia will help make sense of it all with expert analysis of economic trends.

Also, you're invited to attend the Chamber's Jobs for America Summit 2010 in Washington, DC on July 14. This event will bring together thought leaders and decision makers to analyze the state of our nation's job market, evaluate the role of government in creating an environment in which the private sector can thrive, and outline policies needed to generate jobs, accelerate economic growth, and bolster our free enterprise system. Sign up today for this complimentary event.

Please contact us at federation@uschamber.com or 1-888-732-5228 with questions.

Sincerely,
Rob Engstrom
Vice President

U.S. Chamber of Commerce | 1615 H Street, NW | Washington, DC 20062-2000
www.uschamber.com | www.chamberpost.com

Renee Radcliff Sinclair

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director | Congressional & Public Affairs | Northwest Region

3400 188th Street SW, Suite 403 | Lynnwood, WA 98037

Telephone: (425) 774-8094 Fax: (425) 778-8341

Mobile: (206) 714-9888

Register for the 2010 Regional Government Affairs Conference

October 6-8 at the Dallas Fairmont

Caldwell Chamber of Commerce Legislative Conference Call 3/04/2010

Legislators: Senator John McGee, Representative Darrell Bolz, Representative Pat Takasugi

Updates on Chamber priority list:

GARVEE: Expect a vote on ITD budget as well as a separate vote on GARVEE

funding. Senator McGee hopes for a combined vote. Several separate motions

floating around that will be considered by JFAC. All of planned Canyon County

work will be done and is currently funded (to Franklin in Nampa). Long term

issue is to get funding to continue to Exit 29 in Caldwell. That will be more

difficult to convince legislators of that need but as Treasure Valley and Caldwell

grows, need will continue. Cost to expand from Franklin in Nampa to Exit 29 is

$160 million.

Question: Any discussion on Meridian Interchange? Because ITD and the

Connecting Idaho partners have done such a good job, combined with low

prices, the State is able to do most of the original GARVEE bonding for under

$900 million. That leaves $80-$100 million that has already been approved but

haven’t allocated. For about $50 million, ITD can fix Meridian interchange and

have four lanes all the way to the Connector.

Urban Renewal: Six bills in House Revenue and Taxation. Still being considered

by a subcommittee. Unsure of what will come out.

Revenue Sharing: No news yet.

Consolidation: Still being considered part of the Governor’s Task Force on

Transportation. Senator McGee holding informational hearings to discuss this

issue.

Education Funding: Budget came out of JFAC yesterday. Incorporated most of

what stakeholders put into the bill and agreed to. There is an addition of intent

language declaring a statewide financial emergency so the districts can open up

the teaching contracts for renegotiation. The House supports this language and

the Senate might oppose. Once legislation comes out of JFAC, those bills

traditionally are not amended. Amendments could be introduced this year or

the Senate could defeat the entire bill, sending it back to JFAC. This issue alone

could delay the end of the session.

EMS Bill: Reform of EMS/Ambulance services in the state. A lot of discussion

over past few years. Senator Lodge has asked groups to gather together and

reach consensus. Idaho Association of Counties supports this legislation. A

hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday. Still some negotiation going on so

unsure of whether vote will occur just yet.

Internet Tax: Senate voted to give State of Idaho a seat at the table in the

process and discussions. This was not a vote to expand the sales tax to internet

purchases. In order to implement, Idaho would need a major revision of existing

tax codes first.

Charter Schools: Legislation to expand charter schools for special needs

children. Legislation was sent to the amending order. Both conflicting

amendments failed so unclear where the bill lies at this point. Luna had hoped

for legislation allowing more charter schools in order to receive Race to the Top

funding. Idaho was not selected in the first round of funding from the federal

government.

Landfills: New technology for lined landfills (Bioreactor). Might encourage locals

to switch over to lined with this new technology.

Rules: Representative Takasugi pursuing legislation addressing how rules are

promulgated. He is looking for suggestions and anyone that has had issue with

specific agency’s rulemaking process. He will start drafting legislation this

summer.

Leadership hoping to sine die March 26. This date will depend upon education

funding bill.

Next Government Affairs Committee Meeting will be held on May 27th

12Noon at Franklin Building Supply.

Conference calls to continue as needed throughout the legislative session.