Legislative Policy Platform
This Policy Platform is the basis for the Chamber’s Governmental Relations program and its legislative advocacy activities. It was approved by the Board of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce on June 18, 2003.

The Chamber and its policy
The Camarillo Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most broadly based business organization in the Camarillo area. Chamber members include companies and organizations of all sizes and industries. The Camarillo Chamber’s role is to create, develop and utilize cutting-edge policies and practices that will provide outstanding pro-business legislative and policy representation to our membership.

This “Policy Platform” provides direction to the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce in the development of positions on legislation, ballot measures, and other public policy issues; acting on those positions, assessing candidates for public office and monitoring the voting record of elected officials.

The practice and implementation of these policies enhances private enterprise by directly improving the economic climate essential for all business to prosper, and is critical to improving the outstanding quality of life in our community.

The Advocacy Process
The Camarillo Chamber’s Governmental Relations Committee (GRC), or other policy committee as directed by the Board of Directors, reviews proposed legislation, ballot measures, and other issues and reviews candidates for public office. The GRC or its representatives can and will take positions if they are in keeping with this Policy Platform.

Especially sensitive matters or those with divided opinion are recommended to the Camarillo Chamber’s Executive Committee for review, and action, which may choose to recommend positions the Chamber’s Board of Directors for final disposition.

The Politics of Business
Governmental Relations mission statement
The Camarillo Chamber of Commerce governmental relations activities provide a comprehensive, non-partisan federal, state, county and local political program that contributes to a favorable business climate in Camarillo and the Ventura County region.

We make business an equal player
The governmental relations program brings together all sectors of the business community to create a unified and powerful voice for business. We deal with the issues facing business in general so that each individual organization is free to concentrate on the concerns related to that specific business.

Together we have clout
The Camarillo Chamber can be effective in its advocacy on behalf of it members, because it has strong membership support from a wide variety of businesses, large and small. We can have clout with elected officials and on various issues by keeping Chamber members and the community informed, mobilizing members to take action, and by providing member input to all levels of government.
The Camarillo Chamber advocates for business interests
The Camarillo Chamber maintains relationships with elected officials, providing them with critical information on business issues, and by advocacy efforts at federal, state, county and local levels, directly and through business alliances the Camarillo Chamber has formed.

Issue: Agriculture is a significant part of the overall economy of Ventura County and will continue to be, particularly with the approval of the S.O.A R. (Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources) initiative, which restricts the conversion of farmland to others uses. Ventura County farms face increasing expense in the areas of land, water, fuel, electric power and labor. Ventura County leaders need to help Ventura County agriculture remain competitive.

Labor force concerns. The Chamber will support the ability of the agriculture industry to provide affordable housing to their labor force.

Water supply. Support long-term comprehensive water planning by each water district, which includes new or sufficient supply, storage and conveyance elements and pricing structure for agricultural water.

Level playing field. In order for Ventura county agriculture to remain profitable in a world marketplace, Chamber will support reforms that achieve a balanced approach between environmental protection and agriculture operations, and regulatory measures that are weighted using cost/benefit and economic impact analysis.
Education and Workforce Preparedness
Issue: A recent survey conducted by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce confirms that a qualified, educated, and skilled labor force is paramount to the success of most local businesses.

The Camarillo Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting interaction with school districts/institutions and businesses in an effort to match educational programs with the demands of the labor force in Ventura County.

Intern programs. The Chamber supports tax incentives for businesses providing intern programs

Local control. Support locally determined priorities and local implementation of programs for attaining statewide academic standards. Support cooperative action among educators, the business community, parents and community organizations as to education goals and priorities.

Adult education, training and retraining. Support adult education and vocational training and retraining through incentive-based public and private sector programs.

Technology and culture. Support the offering of new technology, foreign language education, music and arts throughout the educational system.

CSUCI support. Camarillo has a successful high tech sector, but related higher education is lacking. Chamber will support and encourage funding of University-level programs that broaden the job base in the Camarillo area, including the support of programs to offer science and technology education at California State University Channel Islands if appropriate.

Housing and Development
Issue: New construction and well-planned development have long been economic engines for the region, supporting both business and personal prosperity. There are many City and County policies that control the development boundary of the City of Camarillo. The Chamber of Commerce will enhance these policies by taking an active roll in reviewing any proposed changes that could impact the production of a variety of housing types so that Camarillo continues to improve both the commercial and residential diversity that is vital to a healthy business climate. As the City matures and approaches build-out, the planning model must be refined to encourage the most efficient and compatible use of the remaining lands and redevelopment opportunities.

Adequate housing is a significant factor in new business recruitment and job retention. Local business leaders seeking to attract a qualified work force frequently cite housing affordability as a concern.

Work Force Housing. Chamber will work with the City of Camarillo to review and support housing choices that can accommodate a diverse workforce consistent with the Housing Element. Encourage low and moderate-income housing in particular that would meet the identified needs of the Housing Element (of the City’s General Plan).

Local Control. Support local authority for land use decisions, rather than state or federal policies that would prescribe housing criterion. Maintain a vigilant review of local, State and Federal legislation that would impact the ability to produce housing and supporting development. Actively respond to such legislation.

Infill/Brownfield Development. Support legislation removing the barriers to housing development in existing urban areas.

Prevailing Wage laws. Oppose laws that mandate use of “prevailing wages” on any government assisted development. These laws run counter to the goals of sustainable development and affordable workforce housing and they have a negative impact on City and County budgets.

Human Resources and Business Operations
Issue: Government policies must acknowledge that the interests of business and industry are those of employees: More and higher paid jobs are good for the regional economy. Employers currently struggle with the cost of doing business. Chamber will support legislation that reduces legal burdens on business and will oppose legislation that unnecessarily drives up the costs.

Mandated “living wage”. Oppose government mandated “living wage” programs that exceed the federal minimum wage standard.

Minimum wage conformity. Oppose increases in the California state minimum wage that exceed the federal standard and formulas that tie minimum wage increases to an index.

Workers’ Compensation Reform. Support reform of the workers’ compensation system and policies to reduce fraud and abuse. Support limits on the ability of workers to receive benefits for non-work related injuries and other conditions.

Mandated benefits. Oppose state-imposed benefit mandates that penalize the employer.

Overtime pay. Support wage and hour rules that allow flex time and base overtime on a 40-hour workweek rather that on eight hours per day.

Regulatory controls. Discourage any legislation that might result in unnecessary tighter state-mandated regulatory controls on businesses including nonprofits.

Infrastructure
Issue: Public infrastructure is necessary and provides the foundation for increased capital investment and improved quality of life.
Land Use. Support policies that keep land use decision-making authority with local government.

Communications. Chamber will support a uniform state policy that encourages continued investment in the telecommunications industry and improves access to broadband Internet connections.

Water. Support a long-term, comprehensive water plan that includes new supply, storage, and conveyance elements.
Transportation. Support long-term, stable federal, state, county and local funding sources for road and highway improvements.
Energy. Business cannot conduct business with a reliable source of consistent and affordable energy supply. Chamber will support legislation that encourages those goals.

International Trade
Issue: Recognizing the importance of the continued development of international trade to Camarillo area businesses, the Camarillo Chamber supports policies that promote the expansion of free and fair trade and related investment.

Support market access. Support fair and equitable market access for California products.

Encourage competitiveness. Support the elimination of disincentives that impede the international competitiveness of U.S., California and local businesses.

Social Service Systems
Issue: The nonprofit sector continues to demonstrate significant growth in Camarillo and Ventura County. According to a study conducted by the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County there were 1,300 nonprofits in the county in 1999; today that number has increased to more than 2,700 nonprofit organizations.

The Chamber supports the unique and important role nonprofits have in our community because the overall quality of life is greatly enhanced for Camarillo residents, businesses and companies through critical health and human services provided by nonprofits.

Charitable giving. Support legislation that provides increased charitable giving tax incentives in support of fund-raising efforts and legislation that provides tax incentives for increased business in-kind support for nonprofits.

Nonprofit funding. Discourage state budget reductions that will negatively impact necessary funding for nonprofits.

Support of youth and seniors organizations. Support legislation that encourages youth and seniors organizations.

Military
Issue. Military has a major economic impact on the local economy and supports a wide range of business activity. However, NBVC has been under threat of closure by the BRAC process for the past 10 years. With approximately 18,000 employees the Navy is by far the largest employer in the County. The nearly 9,000 civilian employees make a tremendous contribution to the nation’s military capability; most of these civilian jobs are scientists and engineers in high-tech research/development and test/evaluation positions. Revenue generated by NBVC amounts to over $1.1 billion in direct revenue and amounts to $1.8 billion including indirect revenue to the local economy.

Support of base. The Camarillo Chamber of Commerce will work to promote NBVC, to retain and boost the activities and programs hosted at the Base. In particular, the Chamber will strongly support efforts in the 2003-2005 BRAC process to maintain the entire mission of NBVC in Ventura County.

Taxation & Government Finance
Issue: More than ever before, the State of California will be turning to business in a desperate effort to generate additional revenue sources. While there is a crucial need to balance the state’s budget, there are differing views as to whether the deficit is a result of revenue or spending issues.

A healthy and prosperous business climate can assure the generation of corporate and individual income and sales taxes, thus contributing to revenues at the federal, state and local levels.

Oppose additional taxes on business. Examine and monitor changes/additions to fees and assessments affecting business that are imposed by state, federal and local governments, and opposed them as appropriate.

Privatize. Encourage efforts to privatize government services and use private contracts to fulfill government programs.

Protect designated tax revenues. Support the maintenance of designated tax revenues to designated sources so they are not lost in the general funds of government entities.

Sales tax sharing. Monitor sales tax sharing (reallocation) proposals and oppose them if they threaten the tax base of Camarillo.

Tax credits. Support business-related tax credit incentives that benefit the community and business in general.

State budget. Support a timely completion of the State budget as dictated by law and support the development of a long-term state budget plan.

Tourism
Issue: Tourism brings revenue to Camarillo area businesses from outside the area and provides sales and transient occupancy tax revenue to the City. Tourism growth will help support existing businesses, particularly restaurants, lodging and retail. That means continuing prosperity, jobs and growth to meet market demand. To enhance tourism related business it is appropriate to promote those activities and increase the awareness to consumers of Camarillo as a tourist destination.

Support additional tourism services in Camarillo. Additional hotel facilities would bring more business to Camarillo—retail, restaurants, and services—and would produce significant additional employment and tax revenue for the City. More services create a “critical mass” that increases business to many businesses from tourist spending and from reduction of retail leakage (capturing more local shopping revenue).

Local tourism investment. Support investment by the City of Camarillo and other governmental entities into infrastructure that enhances the tourism appeal of Camarillo and into programs that promote tourism to Camarillo. And support efforts by the City of Camarillo to bring a full-service hotel, plus additional market-appropriate restaurants and retail businesses to Camarillo.

State tourism investment. Support California state programs that encourage tourism development and promote California tourism in a competitive national and worldwide market.