Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce

Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce

2013 Legislative Agenda

As the voice of business in the region, the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce is committed to a competitive and vibrant business environment. A healthy business climate, which leads to a better quality of life for our community is at the core of the Chamber’s existence. One of the biggest impacts the Chamber can have in shaping and influencing the business climate is to engage in the legislative process. The Chamber’s value to you, our members, is to be informed on public policy issues and advocate to protect and encourage business prosperity in our region.

Committed to Business Advocacy, the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce presents its 2013 Legislative Agenda:

1.  “Advocacy in Action”

Implement procedures to ensure the long-term success of the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce in tackling Business Advocacy issues important to the region’s business community.

·  Educate and inform the business community on important public policy issues

·  Facilitate communication between the business community, elected state representatives, and state agencies

·  Survey business members to determine issues of concern

·  Evaluate representatives’ legislative agendas

·  Advocate on behalf of the business community

·  Engage the business community in the public policy process through grass root efforts

2.  Economic Development

Aggressively advocate for legislation that supports the region’s efforts to attract quality businesses, industry and jobs, and aids in the expansion of existing businesses, industry, and jobs.

State:

·  Support legislation to lower the personal and corporate tax burden and put a hold on property taxes

·  Support the development of public/private capital venture funds

·  Support the streamlining of regulations and timelines for permitting deadlines

·  Support cost efficient energy

·  Promote investment in the transportation infrastructure

Federal:

·  Reduce the National debt and deficit

·  Enter agreements that boost trade in U.S. goods and services globally and ensure fair treatment of U.S. companies

·  Encourage foreign investment in America

·  Reform taxation so that the U.S. is globally competitive

3.  Education and Workforce Development

Back educational legislation that enhances the progress of the region’s economy thru advancing a world-class, quality education that 1) produces graduates ready to compete globally and with the skill sets needed to enter the workforce, and 2) provides skills training for displaced workers and the advancement of the current workforce.

Local:

·  Connect K-12, technical colleges, and employers to meet current and future employment needs

·  Support resources for partnerships between K-12 and manufacturing to showcase future careers

·  Enhance school districts’ accountability through transparency and open communication within the community

State:

·  K-12 education must be adequately funded and run efficiently with measures of accountability to the taxpayers, providers and students

·  Recognize and reward efficiency and success in education

4.  Governance

Support the actions of government that contribute to a reliable, stable and predictable environment necessary to spur the development and expansion of private enterprise for the betterment of individual and community welfare.

Local:

·  Implement a Candidate Development Program for local, non-partisan offices

·  Engage business community in dialog with local government officials and elected representatives

State:

·  Support a balanced biennium-budget

·  Follow legislative voting and hold elected officials accountable

Federal:

·  Support transparency of information

·  Control spending and taxation and lower the deficit