Government Affairs

 
The General Assembly Session is underway, and each week John Easter, our Senior Vice President of Government and Community Affairs, will give member subscribers a brief overview of the major events of the week; a summary chart showing bills that the Chamber specifically supports or opposes; and categorized lists of all the bills he is tracking. 

To sign up to receive his weekly updates, inquire here.

The 2013 public policy priorities were approved by the Chamber's Board of Directors after considering extensive input from member businesses. The three main items -- transportation funding, education and workforce development, and early childhood investment -- reflect the overall issue priorities identified through member surveys.

To view the Chamber's full 2013 Public Policy Agenda, click here.

To view the Chamber's Weekly Position Summary during the 2013 General Assembly session, click here.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION FORUM

Thanks to all who contributed to the Regional Transportation Forum on September 21st, hosted by the Greater Richmond Chamber and Building America's Future and featuring former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton. The group discussed the need and options for investing in transportation infrastructure on the local, state and federal levels, with a panel discussion among Sen. John Watkins, Sen. George Barker and Del. John O'Bannon. 

The Forum was held in conjunction with the Urban Crescent initiative, which believes that a modern, efficient, multimodal transportation system is essential to the Commonwealth and is intrinsically tied to continued economic growth, development, job creation and the ability to compete in the global economy.

   Forum Materials:     

     Slide presentation and audience response results 

     Virginia's Urban Crescent Document

     Connaughton-Rendell Editorial - Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/18/12

     Building America's Future website


Audience Polling Results (Summary)

THE FACTS:
Our transportation infrastructure is in grave crisis due to lack of funding.Nationally, we invest only 1.7% of GDP in transportation; China is investing 9%. Virginia will completely run out of money for new transportation construction by 2017.

Failure to invest in transportation has already caused Virginia to lose its top business ranking; without new investment, the problem will get much worse. Our economic vitality requires this issue be addressed now. The Greater Richmond Chamber is working with other Chambers in the state to present a strong business voice emphasizing the need for investment in transportation infrastructure.

 

Hosted by:

Government Affairs Committee Volunteers

The Chamber's Government Affairs Committee has established five subcommittees that will develop and implement our advocacy program and public policy agenda: Education/Workforce, Economic Development/Business Promotion, Regulatory Reform/Taxation, Transportation, and Healthcare.  Chamber members who are interested in serving on these subcommittees should contact John Easter, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Affairs, at john.easter@grcc.com.