Purpose for Legislative Policy Platform
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most broadly based business representative in Simi Valley. One of the Chamber’s major roles is to develop policies and practices in order to guide strong pro-business legislative and local policy representation on behalf of our membership. The Chamber seeks to foster collaboration with policy-makers and to advocate for policies promoting a friendlier business climate.
The practices and implementation of these policies will enhance the base of private enterprise by directly improving the economic climate essential for all businesses to prosper and is critical to improving the quality of life.
This platform provides guidance to the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce for analysis and review in the development of positions on legislation and other public policy issues. It will also guide the Simi Valley Chamber’s position on legislative issues with the Tri-County Chamber Alliance, California Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and local government.
The Process:
The board of directors should take positions on legislative matters, with input provided by the Tri-County Chamber Alliance and LAF. Previous policy positions are still in effect until such time as a new position is taken or there is a change in policy.
Whenever appropriate, the Chamber will endeavor to invite input from both sides of an issue. In all cases, action should be guided by the policy platform that follows.
The Simi Valley Chamber Board, upon approval of this Legislative Policy Platform instructs staff to utilize this platform when speaking (or writing, for ex. a letter) on behalf of the Chamber regarding a particular policy. Those policies not held within this guideline, will be brought forth to the Board of Directors at the next scheduled meeting for discussion.
2021 Policy Platform
EDUCATION
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce supports a results-oriented approach to public higher education and workforce training to support a growing need for a well trained workforce.
EMPLOYMENT AND JOBS
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce is committed to pursuing policies that create and retain good paying jobs and strengthen the local area’s economy.
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
HEALTH CARE
INFRASTRUCTURE
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce supports policies, legislation and projects that encourage continuing improvement in California’s infrastructure, support growth and stimulate the economy.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The Simi Valley Chamber recognizes the importance of the continued development of international trade.
ENVIRONMENTAL BALANCE
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce opposes government environmental regulations that represent a burden not only for industry, but also for the community, decrease job growth and business expansion, and impose higher costs of goods.
TAXES AND FEES ON BUSINESS
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce aims to examine and monitor changes to taxes, fees and assessments affecting business by all governmental agencies. Oppose changes that unduly burden business, and support changes that encourage economic stability and business development, including:
LEGAL REFORM AND PROTECTION
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce aims to examine and monitor changes to the judicial system, or litigation and arbitration rules. Oppose changes that make it more difficult to exercise businesses’ rights or increase the cost of dispute resolution. Support changes that make it easier or more economical for businesses to exercise their legal rights.
STATE GOVERNANCE
CITY GOVERNANCE
Support Community Development with emphasis on, but not limited to, the following issues:
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most broadly based business representative in Simi Valley. One of the Chamber’s major roles is to develop policies and practices in order to guide strong pro-business legislative and local policy representation on behalf of our membership. The Chamber seeks to foster collaboration with policy-makers and to advocate for policies promoting a friendlier business climate.
The practices and implementation of these policies will enhance the base of private enterprise by directly improving the economic climate essential for all businesses to prosper and is critical to improving the quality of life.
This platform provides guidance to the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce for analysis and review in the development of positions on legislation and other public policy issues. It will also guide the Simi Valley Chamber’s position on legislative issues with the Tri-County Chamber Alliance, California Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and local government.
The Process:
The board of directors should take positions on legislative matters, with input provided by the Tri-County Chamber Alliance and LAF. Previous policy positions are still in effect until such time as a new position is taken or there is a change in policy.
Whenever appropriate, the Chamber will endeavor to invite input from both sides of an issue. In all cases, action should be guided by the policy platform that follows.
The Simi Valley Chamber Board, upon approval of this Legislative Policy Platform instructs staff to utilize this platform when speaking (or writing, for ex. a letter) on behalf of the Chamber regarding a particular policy. Those policies not held within this guideline, will be brought forth to the Board of Directors at the next scheduled meeting for discussion.
2021 Policy Platform
EDUCATION
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce supports a results-oriented approach to public higher education and workforce training to support a growing need for a well trained workforce.
- Support legislation that increases graduation rates and workforce readiness, and promotes career technical education.
EMPLOYMENT AND JOBS
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce is committed to pursuing policies that create and retain good paying jobs and strengthen the local area’s economy.
- Minimum Wage- Oppose arbitrary increases in the California State minimum wage that exceed the federal standard and formulas that tie the minimum wage to an index.
- Flexible Work Week – Preserve and support wage and hour rules that base overtime on a 40-hour workweek rather than on an eight-hour workday.
- Living Wage – Oppose government mandated “living wage” programs that exceed the federal minimum wage standard.
- Labor Code Changes – Oppose government mandated programs that negatively affect business. Support government mandated programs that encourage business retention in the region.
- Worker’s Compensation – Monitor rules/regulations that increase costs to employers and oppose any rules/regulations that unduly burden business
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
- Support reasonable and efficient regulations proposed to improve safety in the workplace; oppose rules and regulations that unnecessarily burden business.
- Oppose agency hearing and appeal process changes that impede protection of employer rights.
HEALTH CARE
- Oppose mandates that penalize employers and negatively affect business.
- Oppose measures that place an excessive burden on the General Fund, increase Medi-Cal costs or impair the private insurance market.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce supports policies, legislation and projects that encourage continuing improvement in California’s infrastructure, support growth and stimulate the economy.
- Transportation – Support long term, stable funding sources from all levels of government to maintain, repair, and increase transportation infrastructure to provide mobility for goods and people by all modes of transportation on our highways, streets, railways, and ports.
- Transportation Security – Monitor TSA security-screening regulations placed on shipments of goods and cargo. Support regulations that are necessary to national security and safety but oppose those that unduly burden business and unreasonably interfere with commerce.
- Water and Wastewater – Support a long-term, comprehensive water plan that includes new supply, storage and conveyance elements. Support legislation and policies that encourage realistic, fair and consistent discharge requirements on large and small business owners. Oppose legislation that puts an unfair burden on business with regards to sewer water and waste water management.
- Energy – Support legislation and policies that encourage a reliable source of consistent, affordable and diverse energy supply, including renewable sources.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The Simi Valley Chamber recognizes the importance of the continued development of international trade.
- Support policies that promote the expansion of free and fair trade wherever possible, as it relates to our membership.
- Monitor and support steps to help grow California businesses and foster new business to California.
ENVIRONMENTAL BALANCE
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce opposes government environmental regulations that represent a burden not only for industry, but also for the community, decrease job growth and business expansion, and impose higher costs of goods.
- Support measures that achieve state mandated targets while maintaining the competitiveness of California business.
- Chemicals - Monitor rules/regulations that pertain to chemicals in products, food, water and air, and oppose any over-regulation that burdens or creates uncertainty for business.
- Alternative Fuels: Support investigation into future use of alternative fuels (such as LNG).
- Green House Gas - Monitor green house gas emissions issues, including implementation of a cap & trade program and oppose any over- regulation that would be a burden to business.
- Sustainability - Support and promote sustainable codes and laws that leverage incentives to businesses, oppose penalties or burdensome restrictions that impede business growth and prosperity.
- Environmental Review - Support measures that expedite and streamline the environmental approval process.
TAXES AND FEES ON BUSINESS
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce aims to examine and monitor changes to taxes, fees and assessments affecting business by all governmental agencies. Oppose changes that unduly burden business, and support changes that encourage economic stability and business development, including:
- State and local tax increases affecting the Simi Valley business community in particular, and the state economy in general
- Efforts to secure tax credits for targeted work training programs
- Efforts to privatize government services/public contracts
- Ensures that regulations on business are kept to a minimum and do not put Simi Valley businesses at a competitive disadvantage
- Oppose overregulation in legislation so as to not to overburden a business or unduly increase the costs of goods and services
- Support legislation that incentivizes investments in research and development or securing new equipment
LEGAL REFORM AND PROTECTION
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce aims to examine and monitor changes to the judicial system, or litigation and arbitration rules. Oppose changes that make it more difficult to exercise businesses’ rights or increase the cost of dispute resolution. Support changes that make it easier or more economical for businesses to exercise their legal rights.
STATE GOVERNANCE
- Budget Process – Support efforts to promote long-term fiscal stability through reform of the state budget process.
- Redistricting – Support changes that result in more equitable representation of citizens by elected officials.
- Reorganization – Support changes that achieve economic and efficient administration and oversight of state services.
- Ensures that government focuses on the functions meant for government to do, and view the private sector as a resource
- Encourage all levels of government and legislators to cooperate to streamline and reduce unnecessary regulations
CITY GOVERNANCE
Support Community Development with emphasis on, but not limited to, the following issues:
- City ordinances that affect business promotion.
- Review of city fees and charges on business.
- Zoning Ordinances and Development Fees that provide for a stable economy
- Support the growth of existing businesses, attract new businesses to Simi Valley and enhance the quality of life of all residents.