Business advocacy a priority for chamber

Northern Nevada Business Weekly readers comprise a broad variety of businesses and industries, yet we share two important qualities in common. First, we care deeply about our region and its economic vitality. Second, our businesses and our livelihoods are greatly affected by government policies.

Everything from the taxes and fees that businesses pay, to our access to quality education, affordable energy, high-quality health care and a viable transportation system, are influenced by government policies.

Northern Nevada has a well-earned reputation as being an excellent place to do business. But we cannot take that status for granted. Our ability to grow our companies, create jobs, endure periodic economic downturns, and promote economic development depends on sound policies. Such policies are possible when business leaders' views are heard and considered as part of the policy-making process.

That is why business advocacy is one of the most important priorities at the Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce, Northern Nevada's largest business organization. As the 2009 chairman of the Chamber, I understand the relationship between a strong community, government and business.

The Reno Sparks Chamber is the only broad-based business group in Northern Nevada with an active business advocacy program and a full-time lobbyist advancing businesses' views before state, county and local officials. As chamber board member Tim Ruffin of Colliers International says,

"Too often, business is thought of as this faceless entity with infinitely deep pockets. We need a voice to emphasize the importance of a business-friendly environment and the financial impact of healthy businesses in Northern Nevada. The Reno Sparks Chamber is that voice."

Furthermore, unlike most states, Nevada has no state Chamber of Commerce advocating for pro-business policies statewide. That makes our work all the more important. The chamber reminds policymakers that businesses small and large drive the Nevada economy and generate societal wealth, and that we all have a shared interest in fostering a positive business climate.

This year, the Nevada Legislature is considering many bills that affect businesses. During the first two months of this Legislative session, the chamber testified 18 times, on a range of business issues. The chamber draws its policy positions from a document called the Agenda for Economic Vitality in Nevada, which was written by a committee of chamber members. It has been distributed in booklet form to all legislators, and is available 24/7 on our Web site, www.RenoSparksChamber.org.

As in most states, Nevada legislators are faced with difficult budget decisions this year. Given the severity of the recession, the chamber urges legislators to make substantial progress on SAGE Commission recommendations, public employee benefits reforms, collection of outstanding fees and fines, adoption of a spending cap, and prevailing wage reform, before asking businesses to pay higher taxes. Making state government more efficient in these ways should reduce long-term pressure on the education budget, which is very important, because K-12 education and higher education are extremely critical priorities for

Nevada and its future. The chamber opposes taxes that punitively target selected industries; and opposes

costly new tax regimes, such as an income tax on business, gross receipts tax, or weight-distance tax.

Another major issue for employers is health care. A number of bills have been introduced in Carson City that could increase the cost of health benefits. The chamber opposes mandates, which drive up costs and drive down health coverage. We also oppose a bill to roll back the clock on the medical malpractice reforms enacted in 2003. Our state already ranks near the bottom of national rankings in the number of physicians, per capita, and we must ensure the quality of health-care services without encouraging doctors to leave the state. The chamber is heavily involved in helping employers understand the implications of health-care reform, and will host its Second Annual Health Care Forum on Oct. 8 in Reno. We encourage and welcome your attendance.

To champion solutions to traffic congestion, the Chamber helped win ballot passage of RTC-5 by Washoe County voters last November, and is now pressing for the Legislature to pass the measure, which will create 3,000 new construction jobs. The measure would index the county fuel tax for inflation, thereby providing

funds for much-needed highway and road construction and revitalization.

Businesses depend on reliable access to affordable energy as well, and the chamber supports sensible energy policies. Michael Yackira, the president and chief executive officer of NV Energy, will discuss

Nevada's Energy Future at the Reno Sparks Chamber's next luncheon on May 15 in Reno.

The chamber believes that when policymakers and business leaders share information and perspectives, sensible solutions are more likely to emerge. The chamber brings businesspeople and policymakers together in Public Policy Forums, which allow for dialogue in small-group settings, where ideas can be exchanged and relationships can be developed. These forums, which are open only to members of the Reno Sparks Chamber, have featured such officials as Gov. Jim Gibbons, Sen. John Ensign, Rep. Dean Heller, Mayors Bob Cashell and Geno Martini, Washoe County Council member Kitty Jung, Reno Councilwoman Jessica Sferrazza, NDOT Director Susan Martinovich, Reno Develop-ment Director Mark Lewis, and Dick Castner of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.Advocacy is not the chamber's only focus, of course. Our

Business Success Seminars have helped more than 700 local businesspeople cope with the economic downturn and sharpen their business skills and knowledge. We are working with partner groups to encourage tourism and economic development. The chamber develops local leaders, makes countless business referrals, and employs membership representatives who help members increase their visibility, generate leads and sales, and pursue their unique business objectives. But business advocacy is an extremely important function at any full-service chamber of commerce, and it's a responsibility we take seriously.

Call the Reno Sparks Chamber at 775-337-3030 to discuss the policy issues that affect your company, and how the chamber can advance your business objectives.

Ralph Hartmann is an associate of Hartmann and Associates, based in Sparks, and the 2009 chairman of the Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce.