Current Positions

2010 Legislative Agenda

The Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce works on behalf of its members to advocate to elected officials at the federal, state and local government levels for:

I.          A positive business climate

II.         Fiscally responsible policies that promote government efficiency and provide for essential services

III.       Adequate infrastructure that is maintained and expanded to fit the needs of  a healthy economy

IV.       Policies and programs that sustain a high quality of life for the community

I.          POSITIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE

A. ECONOMIC VITALITY

• Promote in-fill city centric development to reuse our existing land. Zoning needs to keep a balance among housing, retail and industrial uses to support the local tax base and avoid sales tax leakage. The Gateways Redevelopment Area will be the main tool for future development of the City of Santa Rosa.
• Businesses in Sonoma County often start as start-up, grow to mid-size and then sell to a large firm out of the area or they plateau at mid-size levels. The Chamber will support early and mid-sized businesses through mentoring and retention programs so that they remain in Sonoma County.
• Simultaneously, the City and the County must attract a mix of small and medium sized businesses from around the Bay Area through active programs that include a variety of economic incentives.

B. PLANNING

• The City and the County General Plans and zoning ordinances need to have a mix of housing, retail and industrial/commercial spaces to promote a balanced economy and tax base. Policies should support building within our urban growth boundaries allowing appropriate densities that are consistent with zoning and the general plans.
• Ordinances should have enough flexibility to allow routine changes that allow businesses to thrive and be an asset to the community.
• City and County permitting agencies should promote customer service by streamlining access to information, reducing turnaround time and setting up ombudsmen functions.

C. EMPLOYMENT AND JOB TRAINING

The Chamber will use these principles to evaluate legislation or regulations for employment:

• Cost to both Santa Rosa-area businesses and local governments.
• The local business community's ability to sustain available and skilled workforce to meet production and customer service needs.
• Terms of employment and mandated programs should reflect the quality and quantity of work, experience and skill.

The Chamber intends to partner with other organizations on these issues when such partnership will enhance the success of an action, particularly at the State or Federal level.

II. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

The current system is broken at all levels as spending far exceeds projected revenues. We welcome, support and will actively work for appropriate reforms.

PRINCIPLES

• Most government expenditures, particularly at local level, are for personnel. With an eye to maintaining competitiveness in the employment marketplace, government agencies must focus on containing costs for salaries and benefits, particularly pensions and appropriate employment levels.
• We support efforts to promote efficiency, such as outsourcing of services, flexible procurement policies and innovative uses of technology.
• The tax burden should not fall disproportionately on specific groups, but should be broad-based and shared by the community at large. Fees should reflect costs that are closely tied to a specific nexus and should not be used to finance other goals or programs.
• Deficit spending should be avoided. Bonds and long term borrowing are appropriate for long term infrastructure investments, but not for financing short term gaps.

III. INFRASTRUCTURE

A. WATER

Sufficient, safe water supplies are crucial to support public health and safety, economic vitality, agricultural sustainability, and habitat viability.  Santa Rosa's sustainability, economy and quality of life are at risk without sufficient, safe water supplies.  The Santa Rosa Chamber advocates the following principles for the development and support of integrated water resource policies: 

PRINCIPLES

      Safe, Reliable Water Supply

• Support initiatives that will assure safe reliable water supplies sufficient to meet our growing needs and provide resources to assure adequate water and wastewater infrastructure.

       Improved Supply and Use Opportunities

• Support initiatives that recognize our arid cyclical climate and take full advantage of diverse water resource opportunities.
• Support investments in new technologies and alternative methods that allow public agencies flexibility in financing infrastructure and delivery of water.
• Support programs and policies that provide incentives for conservation and increase public awareness of water supply constraints and solutions.

      Environmentally Responsible Solutions

• Support initiatives that move toward resolving environmental water issues in a manner that is practicable and achievable, using science-based solutions that balance environmental stewardship, human sustainability and economic vitality.
• Support laws to allow water infrastructure projects, water supply and water quality initiatives to move forward while concurrently protecting species and habitats.

      Funding/Project Delivery

• Support initiatives that promote beneficiary-based funding for water-supply allocations, development of expanded supplies, and infrastructure restoration and expansion.
• Support water supply, wastewater and flood management infrastructure initiatives that provide broad-based and innovative funding solutions and encourage public/private partnerships.

 B. TRANSPORTATION

• To convey people, goods and services, the Chamber supports the maintenance and further development of an integrated multi-modal transportation system, which includes road and highway infrastructure, rail, air service, efficient transit systems, water transit, bikeways and pedestrian walkways.
• The Chamber will encourage and support regional and local cooperation between and among jurisdictions to achieve the safest and greatest mobility for its businesses and citizens at the most reasonable cost.

C. ENERGY

• The region needs adequate infrastructure to accommodate future demand for electricity and natural gas and the sources of energy need to reduce green-house gas emissions. Renewable energy, such as geothermal, solar or wind can make a greater contribution over time and Santa Rosa can position itself as a champion for "green" industries.
• Conservation has the greatest immediate payoff. We support efforts to promote energy and water conservation, and water use and reuse, if implemented in a cost-efficient manner that takes into account commercially available technologies. We support government efforts to retrofit existing home stock and establish "green building" standards for new construction.

IV. QUALITY OF COMMUNITY LIFE

A. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY - CHALLENGE OF GLOBAL WARMING

Chamber role: To provide leadership in the drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while considering the interests of Chamber members, their employees, and the community.

1. Encourage Practical GHG Reduction Leadership

Participate actively in efforts by the City of Santa Rosa to demonstrate GHG reduction leadership by encouraging local development of state-of-the art technologies, using creative but practical implementation strategies, and developing aggressive finance mechanisms and incentives.

2. Advocate Policies that Keep Jobs in Santa Rosa & Achieve Global Emission Reductions

Ensure that GHG reduction measures do not force businesses to leave the area or expand elsewhere.

3. Encourage Green House Gas Reduction as Good Business

Promote incentive programs for businesses to reduce energy consumption, use green energy, conserve water, minimize vehicle miles traveled, and otherwise reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Support Cost-Effective & Technologically Feasible Measures

Support measures to reduce emissions that are scientifically valid, technologically feasible, measurable, and cost effective. Initial use of voluntary programs before imposing mandatory requirements should be strongly considered.

5. Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled

In recognition of the contribution of car trips to green house gas emissions, promote local job creation, telecommuting and alternative work schedules, and expanded transit alternatives.

B. HEALTH CARE - Reform Principles

The current health care system is flawed and levies direct and indirect burdens on businesses. Principles that should be included in federal or state heath care proposals.

      1.   Universal Coverage

• a) Health Care is society's responsibility and the burden for financing it should be spread throughout all sectors.
• b) Coverage must be available to all, primarily using private insurers.
• c) Strong and enforceable individual/group mandates - everyone must have insurance and insurers must be prepared to write policies based on general criteria and not disqualify individuals for pre-existing conditions.
• d) For low-income individuals, a solution should provide, as appropriate, for individual subsidies while continuing to maintain Medi-Cal for certain low income groups, Healthy Kids programs and the network of community clinics.
• e) Adequate reimbursement rates must be provided for Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Healthy Kids patients.

      2.   Prevention

• a) Many chronic diseases can be prevented, or the impact mitigated, through education and prevention programs. Any plan should also place a strong emphasis on healthy lifestyles.
• b) Consumers should be educated and informed on the proper use and need for facilities such as clinics, urgent care centers, and emergency rooms.
• c) The education and prevention programs should also use mid-level practitioners, such as Physician Assistants.

      3.   Cost Management

• a) Consumer choice and responsibility should be emphasized.
• b) Costs and billings should be transparent and understandable.
• c) Information technology and computerization should be thoroughly integrated into the delivery system as a way to reduce costs and limit mistakes.

C.   EDUCATION

One of the cornerstones of a successful business is a well-educated and trained workforce. Communities with strong educational systems also attract higher quality employees, which further enhance business success.

• The Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce will speak to the implications of local and statewide public policy related to education and build relationships with local educational leaders so as to assist them in making decisions that further student performance.
• The Chamber also recognizes that one of the top issues facing our schools is not only the achievement of all students, but particularly the achievement of the English Learner sub-group, which is the fastest growing sub-group of all students in Sonoma County. The Chamber recognizes that English Language Learners are an asset to the community, and understands the importance of ensuring that English Language Learner students are well-educated, as they are large component of the future workforce.
• The Chamber understands that student achievement is more easily attained with parental involvement, and supports businesses that encourage their employees to be involved in their child's education.

The Chamber will support efforts of the Santa Rosa City School Board, Sonoma County Office of Education, Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State University, community-based organizations, and other educational groups which aim to improve local public education to the point where all Santa Rosa schools are among the top-rated schools in California.

D. IMMIGRATION - Principles for Immigration Reform

The Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce supports an approach to immigration reform that,

• Strengthens border security and protects the American people from those seeking to enter our country who could physically or financially harm this country, or its individual members.
• Provides an earned pathway to legalization, including but not limited to citizenship, for the estimated 11-12 million undocumented residents, including approximately 7 million workers, already in the country - not amnesty, but rather a strong regimen of steps, including paying a fine, learning English and American civics, and demonstrating that they have been law-abiding, employed contributors to our society.
• Establishes a process to reject (and eject) undocumented workers currently in this country who are engaged in criminal activity, or who do not contribute to society.
• Establishes a guest worker program that provides the workers we need for a growing economy and an aging society, especially in occupations where it can be shown that Americans are either unavailable or don't want to perform these tasks.
• Expands the H-1B visa program to encourage skilled workers with specialized knowledge with a bachelor's degree or its equivalent and increases the number of H-2B visas for low skilled workers on a temporary basis.
• Strengthens the L Visa program to allow easier transfer of executives from international companies
• Decreases visa process bureaucracy to encourage business professionals, academics, international students, and technically advanced individuals to work in the US.
• Creates a workable verification system, supported by the federal government as part of its fundamental border and homeland security responsibilities - so that employers can simply, accurately and fairly determine the legal status of potential employees.
• Creates a reasonable enforcement procedure and penalty assessment .

E.  AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce supports the creation and maintenance of a housing stock that is affordable to people of all ages, abilities and levels of income. It encourages the development of strategies that create a mix of housing types and densities, including mixed use, multifamily and second units.

The Chamber supports the exploration and implementation of strategies that will assist in the development of affordable housing. These may include creative funding options, density bonuses and other incentives, public/private partnerships and the elimination of regulatory conflicts or constraints in public policy. Funding strategies should be comprehensive and incorporate the participation of the entire community that will benefit from a wide range of housing options.

PRINCIPLES

• A healthy economy is supported by a reasonable jobs/housing balance.
• Local housing should be available for local workers and the next generation.
• Home ownership develops an economic commitment to the community.
• Well-maintained, reasonably-priced rental housing is an important component of housing options in a community and is the only way to meet our very low-income ABAG requirements.
• A variety of housing types contributes to the attractiveness and character of a community.
• Support from the Chamber and other concerned organizations, for good affordable housing projects, should be demonstrated visibly and consistently before public agencies considering such projects.
• Ongoing services should not be funded with onetime fees.
• The economic principle of supply and demand does, and will, affect the cost and number of housing units built.
• Growth control and inclusionary zoning measures impact the availability and cost of housing.

F. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Earthquakes and wildfires are among the real dangers that can impact our community, business, homes and lifestyles.  Recognizing the need to prepare for such disasters is key to our future. We encourage and promote programs that will help our citizens and businesses get the tools and training they need to be prepared when disaster strikes.