Home Issues Federal Legislative Fly In

October 1, 2007

Ontario Chamber Builds Key Relationships In Washington

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with the U.S. Chamber and Congressmen Joe Baca, David Dreier, Gary Miller, and Ken Calvert. The trip jumpstarts the Chamber’s 2008 legislative agenda and planning process in representing the interests of business with government. The Chamber will focus on three main legislative issues in 2008: healthcare, international trade, and transportation.

“We invested time and resources to build a lasting relationship with key policymakers that impact the economic vitality of our region,” said Mark Smiley, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber. “The Chamber is charged by its businesses with representing the Ontario business community with government and are looking for ways to improve our business climate so we can create more jobs,” Smiley continued.

The Chamber has developed a plan to form strategic partnerships with local businesses and the U.S. Chamber in order to build and sustain a bipartisan coalition. The Chamber will ensure Ontario businesses have access to information and decision makers impacting its 2008 legislative priorities.

“We are focused on providing Ontario businesses with the tools to act on legislative issues important to their ability to do business in our community,” stated Bob Cruz, Chair of the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. “The Chamber is committed to engaging our businesses in the legislative process,” stated Cruz.

Additionally, the Chamber met with key business leaders and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and developed an action plan on the Chamber’s legislative priorities:

The Chamber will finalize the details of is 2008 legislative priorities in the coming months.

October 1, 2007

Ontario Businesses Meet with Governor Schwarzenegger’s Team in Washington DC

Healthcare, transportation and education were the tops of discussion in a private meeting with Governor Schwarzenegger’s legislative team in Washington DC. The Ontario Chamber met with the Governor’s Washington DC people to discuss issues that impact Ontario business.

“We are committed to working with our Governor and his team in Sacramento and in our nation’s capitol to fight for the interests of our business community,” stated Mark Smiley, President/CEO of the Ontario Chamber. “Working together we can help protect the economic vitality of our region,” Smiley continued.

Ontario business leaders briefed the Governor’s staff on the Chamber concerns regarding the affordability of health care. The Chamber believes the eroding ability for small businesses to afford health insurance will translate into fewer joins in our city and throughout the region. The Governor’s staff remained committed to working with the Chamber in securing federal funding and easing regulations on business as it relates it healthcare.

Ontario business leaders also urged the Governor’s staff to support federal legislation that promotes innovation in the area of reducing congestion on our freeways. The Chamber discussed innovations such the privatization of our transportation system through the expansion of toll roads. The Chamber believes that future funding to ease traffic gridlock is limited. Therefore, the expansion of our toll roads might bring the needed relief in the near future.

“We are impressed with the Governor’s staff in Washington DC,” stated Jennifer Resch-Silvestri, Chairman of the Board. “They are proactive, positive and committed to representing the interests of all Californians. We look forward to working with them to bring positive changes to Ontario and California,” continued Resch-Silvestri.