2007 Public Policy Agenda

Under Jim Lazarus’ direction, the Chamber is vigorously pursuing six key initiatives to improve the city¹s business vitality:

GOOD GOVERNMENT
The Chamber is working with the Mayor’s Office, individual city supervisors and civic organizations to amend the Charter to prevent ordinances from going directly to the ballot without public hearings, amendments and the possibility of board action, while protecting the city’s unique initiative provisions.

SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS & THE VOICE OF BUSINESS
The Chamber’s public policy agenda is focused on helping San Francisco businesses thrive by educating legislators on the unintentional, but often deleterious effects of government-imposed employer mandates that can threaten the very survival of small, local businesses. The Chamber continues to amplify the voice of business, making business concerns heard at City Hall by ensuring that small and larger businesses alike are represented on the leadership boards and decision-making committees that shape and influence public policy.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS & PLANNING
The Chamber and our partnering business associations reached a settlement with the Controller’s Office to ensure implementation of Prop I, which requires the city to prepare a long-term economic plan and to analyze proposed legislation for its economic impacts. The Chamber continues to monitor the city’s compliance with Prop I.

BUSINESS TAXES
The Chamber is working with the Board of Supervisors to study revenue-neutral alternatives to the city’s current business tax system that are fair and equitable and will not hinder economic development and job growth.

HEALTH CARE
Chamber President & CEO Steve Falk serves on the Mayor’s Universal Health Care Council.  The city’s Health Access Plan (HAP) is scheduled to be operational in 2008. In the meantime, the Chamber continues to seek alternative funding that would relieve the funding mandate on city businesses. (The plan is now in litigation.) On the state front, the Chamber’s Health Care Committee is reviewing the various plans introduced.

PAID-SICK-LEAVE MANDATE
Last November, San Francisco voters approved Prop F, which mandates that employers provide paid sick leave to employees. The Chamber was effective in convincing the Board of Supervisors to delay full implementation until the city can issue compliance guidelines, and is working to help draft those regulations. Businesses now have an additional 120 days to get up to speed on the requirements of the new mandate.

MOVING FORWARD
In addition to our focus on the six key initiatives, the Chamber will continue to champion major projects, including the Transbay Terminal, high-speed rail, and a new cruise-ship terminal. All are critical to the city’s development and will provide thousands of jobs in San Francisco. Together we embark on a new era of growth, renewed optimism and new prosperity.

Jim Lazarus, senior vice president/public policy jlazarus@sfchamber.com  415.352.8810