CIC Government Affairs Committee Monthly Meetings » Apr 05 2012
Details
The Commerce Industrial Council (CIC) Chamber of Commerce is proud to introduce its
Government Affairs Committee
Advocating for the Issues that Matter to Your Business!
Mission Statement
The CIC Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee provides a non-partisan, local, county, state and federal program that contributes to the creation of a favorable business climate in Commerce and our southeast Los Angeles county region.
The committee meets monthly every first Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM at the chamber offices.
Government Relations
As part of its mission, the CIC Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping influence legislation and public policy to benefit our community and your business. The CIC’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC) serves as a liaison between chamber members and elected officials to ensure the voice of business is represented at local, state and federal levels. Each year the GAC unveils legislative priorities, which are based on survey results of members’ concerns and issues for the upcoming legislative session.
The goals of the GAC are to protect and strengthen government resources and programs impacting the local economy, pursue the development of infrastructure that encourages business growth, and encourage a cooperative spirit with local governments. The Chamber’s GAC serves as a constant “watch dog” over proposed legislation that will affect business, and communicates its positions to legislators and members. This committee acts as an advocate for pro-business policies and legislation that promote economic growth.
In addition, the GAC aggressively addresses issues before the City that impact the business community such as planning, zoning, business licensing, regulating practices, taxation and street beautification, as well as business issues on the local, county, state, and federal levels.
We look out for you so you can get on with business.
From grassroots efforts to advocating for local, state and federal public policy, we’re working to make Commerce a better place to live, work and do business. Last year alone, we defeated new initiatives, helped improve state infrastructure, battled rising health care costs and fought lawsuit abuse.
Our goal is three-fold: to promote Commerce businesses, protect our private sector from excessive government mandates, and prepare the state for a prosperous future. The Chamber’s legislative staff and member leaders work together through the GAC and policy committees to monitor, draft and review public policy.
Grassroots
Through our GAC, we work with local groups and business leaders to provide a network of advocacy on behalf of Commerce business and to gain valuable insight into the issues; and sometimes a specific issue demands action through our coalitions.
Chamber in Action!
The Chamber continues to work on several key legislative initiatives. Contact the Chamber at (323) 728-7222, to learn about recent pro-business legislative issues that the Chamber is an advocate for.
Featuring
GET INVOLVED
At the CIC Chamber, we know that nobody knows California business better than the people who live and work in it each day. Because of this, we’ve created a number of ways to get involved in the issues most important to you.
CIC Chamber members can participate in Government Affairs Committee, where they help develop Chamber policy and guide our advocacy team in supporting or opposing proposed legislation and regulations that impact the way you operate your business.
COALITIONS
From water quality to ergonomics, sometimes a specific issue comes along that demands attention. Through the Chamber’s issue-based coalitions, members have a vehicle for direct action. Each coalition is an opportunity for industry peers and concerned individuals to gain strength in numbers.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP!
You can join the Chamber to encourage legislative support by mailing a similar letter to the legislative leadership and/or to your local legislators. If you would like, you can use the CIC Chamber’s legislative roster below for contact information. Please keep in mind these are elected officials that represent the City of Commerce, amongst other cities in their respective district. For more assistance, contact the Chamber at (323) 728-7222.
BECOME A CIC CHAMBER MEMBER TODAY!
In an economic downturn, a Chamber membership is one of the best investments you can make. We’re one of the region’s largest pro-business advocacy groups, leading the charge locally, at the State Capitol, and at the U.S. Capitol to combat expensive government mandates, job-killing bills, new taxes and excessive regulations.
Our policy teams evaluate hundreds of legislative proposals in California every year, and we sound the alarm when there is a threat to your ability to do business. Policymakers listen to us because we speak for nearly 1,800 businesses that employ significant workforce. The Chamber also helps companies protect themselves from costly fines and lawsuits through a full spectrum of employment law resources.
We’re a loud and effective voice. Through targeted advocacy efforts, we’ve prevented hundreds of job-killing proposals from becoming law. But without membership support, our not-for-profit organization can’t continue the good fight. Unchecked, lawmakers are left to impose even more unfair restrictions and financial burdens.
Give us your input; we’ll give you a voice.
If you have any questions about our membership levels or would like to become a member, please e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or contact the chamber at (323) 728-7222.
Your voice counts. Here is your chance to make a difference.
HOW TO CONTACT OFFICIALS:
It is impossible for lawmakers to know how every piece of legislation they vote on will affect your business. A well-written letter or a detailed phone call will often help them understand the implications of pending legislation. Lawmakers may be reached by U.S. Mail, e-mail or by fax. To reach them by e-mail, follow the links indicated by their names in the Legislative Roster and access their web page. Here are some tips on writing a persuasive letter or calling:
Traditionally, state and federal legislators are addressed as “The Honorable…” and the Governor is addressed as “His/Her Excellency…” in any written correspondence. The only address needed for federal legislators (Congress) is “U.S. House of Representative, Washington, D.C. 20515” or “United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510.” The address for state legislators and the governor is “State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814.”
When writing legislators, use this format:
The Honorable (Name)
Position (U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, State Senator, or State Representative)
State Capitol, Room ____________
Sacramento, CA/Washington, D.C. ZipCode
Dear Representative (or Senator) (Name)__________:
* If possible, write your letter on your company’s letterhead. Try to keep it to one page - anything longer may be ignored.
* When you write or speak to officials, be persuasive and concise. Get right to the point. Let them know if you favor or oppose the legislation and why. Let them know what you would like them to do - oppose the legislation, vote in support of it, or propose an amendment and ask for a reply that clearly states what action the member plans to take. You’ve taken the time to contact your elected official and you’re entitled to know where he/she stands. Remind them that you are following the issue closely.
* Be specific in your letter or phone call. Identify the specific bill you are writing or calling about, using the official bill numbers (Example: House Bill/Resolution 1000 or HB/HR 1000). Thousands of bills are filed in the state legislature and in Congress each year. The bill number will help the legislator know which bill you mean. As a rule, never write about more than one issue per letter. Write a second letter if necessary if you want to include more.
* Be friendly and polite but businesslike. Make sure you are organized and know all your facts. You should cover your position, the opposing arguments, and the reason your position is better for your business and their legislative district. Do not ramble.
* Explain who you are, what business you represent, and what you and your business do. If you are a constituent and voter in their district then make sure to mention it. Talk about your business’s role in the community and how many people you employ - remember your employees are voters! Emphasize what you and your business provide to the local community - private investment, contributions and support to local community groups, number of local employees… etc.
* Use facts to bolster your position, provide specific examples of how a piece of legislation or a regulation impacts your business, your employees, and the region. The more local you make the argument, the more persuasive it will be.
* Mention your membership in the Commerce Industrial Council Chamber of Commerce. This connection will reinforce the message that the Chamber staff will be delivering in future meetings.
Current Districts represented by the City of Commerce
34TH US CONGRESSIONAL
30TH STATE SENATE
50TH STATE ASSEMBLY
1ST SUPERVISORIAL
4TH BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
CITY OF COMMERCE
LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MONTEBELLO UNIFIED SCHOOL
METROPOLITAN WATER DIST SO CAL
CENTRAL BASIN MUNI WATER
CENTRAL BASIN MUNI WATER DIV 3
WATER REPL DIST OF SO CAL
WATER REPL DIST OF SO CAL DIV 4
GREATER L A COUNTY VECTOR CNTL
METRO TRANSPORTATION
LA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL
* New Districts (Based on Adopted 2011 Redistricting Boundaries)
40TH US CONGRESSIONAL
32ND ST SENATE
58TH STATE ASSEMBLY
1ST SUPERVISORIAL
3RD BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
* Elected representatives for New Districts will be elected in June And November 2012 elections
Who Are My Elected Officials? Find out who our area elected officials are below!
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ELECTED OFFICIALS
U.S. President Barack Obama (D)
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Tel: (202) 456-1414
Website: http://www.whitehouse.gov
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D)
The White House
c/o Office of the U.S. Vice President
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Tel: (202) 456-1414
Website: http://www.whitehouse.gov
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
U.S. Senators for California
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D)
Washington, DC Office:
331 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3841
Fax: (202) 228-3954
Los Angeles Office:
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 915
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 914-7300
Fax: (310) 914-7318
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D)
Washington, DC Office:
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3553
Los Angeles Office:
312 N. Spring St. Suite 1748
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 894-5000
Fax: (202) 224-0357
U.S. Representative
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D) - 34th District
U.S. Congresswoman
Washington, D.C., Office:
2330 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-1766
Fax: (202) 226-0350
District Office:
255 E. Temple St., Ste. 1860
Los Angeles, CA 90012-3334
Phone: (213) 628-9230
Fax: (213) 628-8578
The multicultural 34th Congressional district contains metropolitan downtown Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, Little Tokyo, Pico Union, and portions of Chinatown, Filipinotown, and Westlake. The suburban portions of the district include the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, Downey, Bellflower, and Vernon and the unincorporated areas of East Los Angeles, Walnut Park and Florence.
CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATIVE ROSTER
Constitutional Officers
There are eight statewide Constitutional Officers: the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Controller, State Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. These officers are all elected at the same time in a General Election and may be re-elected to a maximum of two four-year terms.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor. In the event of a vacancy in both the offices of the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, the succession order is as follows: first, the last duly elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate; second, the last duly elected Speaker of the Assembly; third, the Secretary of State; fourth, the Attorney General; fifth, the State Treasurer; and lastly, the State Controller.
GOVERNOR
Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 558-3160
Website: http://gov.ca.gov
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Gavin Newsom
State Capitol, Room 1114
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 445-8994
Fax: (916) 323-4998
Website: http://www.ltg.ca.gov
SECRETARY OF STATE
Debra Bowen
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 653-7244
Fax: (916) 653-4620
Website: http://www.sos.ca.gov
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Kamala D. Harris
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
1300 “I” Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Telephone: (916) 445-9555
Fax: (916) 323-5341
Website: http://www.ag.ca.gov
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
STATE CONTROLLER
John Chiang
300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1850
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 942850
Sacramento, CA 94250
Telephone: (916) 445-2636
Fax: (916) 322-4404
Website: http://www.sco.ca.gov
STATE TREASURER
Bill Lockyer
915 Capitol Mall, Room 110
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 942809
Sacramento, CA 94209-0001
Telephone: (916) 653-2995
Fax: (916) 653-3125
Website: http://www.treasurer.ca.gov
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Dave Jones
DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1700
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 492-3500
Consumer Hotline: 1-800-927-HELP (4357) or
(213) 897-8921 (outside CA)
Fax: (916) 445-5280
Website: http://www.insurance.ca.gov
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Tom Torlakson
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
1430 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing Address: 1430 N Street, Suite 5602
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 319-0800
Fax: (916) 319-0100
Website: http://www.cde.ca.gov
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
Kristine Cazadd, (Interim) Executive Director
450 N Street, MIC 73
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 942879
Sacramento, CA 94279
Telephone: (916) 327-4975
Fax: (916) 324-2586
Website: http://www.boe.ca.gov
Created in 1879 by a constitutional amendment, the Board of Equalization administers sales and use taxes, special taxes, the State’s tax appellate program, and oversees the property tax assessment. In 2005-06, taxes
and fees administered by the Board yielded nearly $53 billion to provide essential services for the people of California.
The Board’s four regional members are elected at the same time and in the same manner as the statewide constitutional officers. The fifth member is the State Controller, who serves in an ex-officio capacity. To reach our area’s regional board member, please see below.
Jerome E. Horton, District 4
Monterey Park Office:
1100 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 203
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Telephone: (323) 980-1221
Fax: (323) 980-1236
Sacramento Office:
450 N Street, MIC:72
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 445-4154
Fax: (916) 323-2869
CA State Senator
State Senator Ron Calderon (D-Montebello)
Senate District 30
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 5066
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4030
Fax: (916) 327-8755
District Office
400 N. Montebello Blvd., Suite 100
Montebello, CA 90640
Phone: (323) 890-2790
Fax: (323) 890-2795
Presently, Senator Calderon proudly represents the cities of: Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Huntington Park, La Mirada, Los Angeles, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, South Gate, Whittier, East La Mirada, East Los Angeles, Florence-Graham, Hacienda Heights, South Whittier and West Whittier. (This will be subject to change once new Senate District lines become official.)
In August 2011, Calderon announced he would be running for congress in the newly redrawn California’s 38th congressional district. He currently represents around 70% of the new CD in the State Senate for the past four years. He will face U.S. Congresswoman Linda Sánchez in the Democratic primary.
Find My Representative
Find Legislation
CA State Assemblymember
State Assemblymember Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens)
Assembly District 50
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0050
Tel: (916) 319-2050
Fax: (916) 319-2150
District Office:
12132 South Garfield Avenue
South Gate, CA 90280
Tel: (562) 529-3250
Fax: (562) 529-3255
Presently, Assemblyman Lara proudly represents the cities of: Bell, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Downey, Lynwood, South Gate, and the unincorporated communities of Florence-Graham and Walnut Park.. (This will be subject to change once new Assembly District lines become official.)
Lara is a candidate for the California Senate in 2012, seeking the 33rd district seat.
Find My Representative
Find Legislation
Located at Member Business
Commerce Industrial Council - Chamber of Commerce, The
6055 E Washington Blvd #120
(323) 728-7222
www.industrialcouncil.org/
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