2010 Business and Quality of Life Agenda 

PURPOSE STATEMENT:  The Chamber is actively engaged in local, state and federal policy decisions that support business, fund transportation infrastructure for community development and promote policies that support economic growth. Specifically, the Chamber will advocate for our region’s fair share of state and federal funding for higher education institutions, cultural and tourism attractions, infrastructure and transportation needs, environmental clean up and biosciences research and development.  Locally, the Chamber initiates efforts on economic development and business retention, poverty reduction, diversity advancement, urban redevelopment and promoting tourism and visitor activities in the region.

Click here to view the complete 2010 Business and Quality of Life Agenda

Top 10 Legislative Priorities 2010

EDUCATION AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
Promote state higher education funding formulas that increase the per student allocation for Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, without increasing taxes on Michigan citizens and businesses.

ENVIRONMENTAL 
Support a fair and equitable solution to addressing the problem of air pollution transport across Lake Michigan regarding the EPA’s enforcement of air quality standards in west Michigan while continuing to encourage the region’s businesses to implement environmentally sustainable practices.

HEALTHCARE 
Promote wellness and health improvement activity amongst employees of southwest Michigan employers to reduce their health care costs, and ultimately the overall costs in the region.

REGIONALISM 
Eliminate barriers to consolidation, partnership opportunities, and efficiencies between units of government and educational entities, starting with reforming PA 312.

Support legislation and private initiatives which promote the availability of affordable health insurance and containment of health care costs, and oppose legislation that does not accomplish these goals.

 REGULATIONS AND LEGISLATION 
Support efforts toward a more effective and efficient state government and demand a timely, balanced state budget supported by reforms and available tax revenues.

Actively oppose the federal “Card Check” legislation currently known as EFCA.

TRANSPORTATION
Support continued full funding for Amtrak at the state and federal level to create a Regional Hubs in the Kalamazoo / Battle Creek area to facilitate development of a high-speed rail system in the Midwest, specifically by improving commuter access to Chicago and Detroit.

Support the development of a short- and long-term sustainable, stable funding mechanism for state and local transportation needs as identified by the state’s Transportation Task Force, starting with an increase in the state fuel tax, which allows us to secure critical federal funding.

Click here to view the complete 2010 Business and Quality of Life Agenda