In April of 2004, the Government Relations
Council (GRC) of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
(The Chamber) voted unanimously to track 19 legislative bills that will have
an impact on the Redondo Beach job climate. Each year, the GRC members
review any proposed local, state or federal legislation or issue that might
have ramifications for Redondo Beach businesses. The composition of the GRC
is representative of the general Chamber membership, is open to all members
of the Chamber and meets on the first Friday of each month.
The Chamber communicated its positions on the legislative bills with Senator
Debra Bowen and Assembly Member George Nakano. Both elected officials
received letters on each of the 19 bills tracked by The Chamber.
"We are taking our advocacy efforts to a whole new level," stated GRC Chair
Ann M. Garten. "It is our responsibility to represent the needs of the
business community. Because if we do not do it. who will?" Garten continued.
In September 2003, the Chamber launched this
website solely dedicated to representing the interests of the Redondo Beach
business community. Each of the 19 bills tracked by the Chamber appeared on
the website since March 2004. Redondo Beach Chamber members were able to log
on to this Web site and download a letter of support or opposition on the 19
bills. They faxed those letters back to the Chamber and then letters were
sent to Senator Bowen and Assembly Member Nakano. This way, our legislators
know the Chamber's positions on legislation when they vote.
"Accountability is important," states Mama
Smeltzer, Chamber President and CEO. "Communicating our position on bills
and holding our elected officials accountable to their constituency is our
job," she continues.
Of the Chamber's 19 priority bills, the Chamber lobbied extensively to
OPPOSE 11 bills and SUPPORT another 8 bills. The Chamber's position on each
of the 19 priority bills have been available online since March 2004 at
http://www.redondoadvocacy.biz/bizleg2004.htm
"It is important to communicate to our members the anti-job legislation that
were supported by our local Senator and Assembly Member, because that
impacts our member's bottom lines." stated Smeltzer.
Of the 19 bills tracked by the Chamber, 8 bills
came before Senator Debra Bowen for her vote; 11 bills came before Assembly
Member George Nakano for his vote. Senator Debra Bowen voted for the
Chamber's positions 1 out of 8 times. Assembly Member George Nakano voted
for the Chamber's positions 4 out of 11 times.
Finally, the voting percentage numbers are based on the number of times our
legislators agreed with the Chamber position divided by the number of
opportunities to vote on a particular bill either in committee or on the
Senate or Assembly floor.
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