THROUGH CHAMBER VIEW, THE METRO CHAMBER SHARES ITS PERSPECTIVE ON IMPORTANT ISSUES affecting our region's economy and quality of life. The Chamber View is published on Page 2 of the monthly member newsletter, Metro Business. You can comment on a Chamber View. Send to Chamber View Comment

Roger Niello
President & CEO
Sacramento Metro Chamber

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE: Take a special interest in making a difference

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be returning to the state Legislature next month—as part of the Metro Chamber’s one-day advocacy program, State Legislative Summit, that is.

While in elected office I often discussed what I called “The Business Imperative,” the need for business to lobby government. As a matter of self-interest, it is vitally important that a business owner advocate for business-friendly policies.

But I find that of all special interests, business people have the broadest public policy focus. They are concerned not just in prudent regulatory policies, but in a broad array of policies that contribute to day-to-day living—quality education, clean water and air, parks and recreation, to name but a few. They are looking beyond business success, but also at personal quality of life as well as that of their employees.

Also from my experience in elected office, I find the task is larger than supporting or opposing bills. The real challenge is in influencing opinions and attitudes. On that score, no need to look further than the stories surrounding the December announcement of Waste Connections’ departure from Folsom to a suburb of Houston, Texas, and the public reaction of a couple local members of the Legislature.

As Metro Chamber Board Chair John Frisch pointed out in the latest edition of the Metro Business Quarterly, the not unreasonable criticisms of California’s regulatory environment by Waste Connections founder and CEO Ron Middlestadt were met with sharp accusations of disingenuousness. These two local legislators declared that Waste Connections made so much money that they really had no right to complain. Their comments were the rhetorical equivalent of “good riddance.” Reports shed a rude light on the absolute disconnect between the attitudes toward business of some of our elected policy makers and the reality of the regulatory burdens of our state.

To repeat, simply advocating positions on individual bills is not enough. We must try to influence opinions and change attitudes. This is important stuff, and the business community absolutely must be part of the public policy setting process.

I encourage you to come make a difference on March 1 at the state capitol. With you, our voice of influence can then be heard that much louder.