 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
|
||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
Greater Haywood County Chamber of Commerce 2007 LEGISLATIVE ACTION AGENDA Overview The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce’s 2007 Legislative Action Agenda represents the Chamber’s commitment to creating an improved business climate and quality of life for Haywood County. It addresses top areas of concern for its 630 member businesses. The issues in this agenda are based on feedback received from community stakeholders and the Chamber’s membership. Committee members and staff also offered specific expertise and perspectives in order to thoroughly evaluate these issues and their potential impact on businesses and the community. The Chamber’s Board of Directors adopted the agenda in early 2007, empowering the staff and volunteer leadership to communicate these positions to key policymakers at the local, state and federal levels. The Chamber strongly believes these legislative recommendations will lead to a thriving economy for local businesses and an enhanced quality of life for all citizens. Local
The Chamber supports a balance between intelligent land use planning and a customer service, pro-business mentality on the part of those who implement the land use plan. We support a process to enhance the business community’s understanding of how the plan works as well as a process fostering the business community’s feedback on how to improve the usability of the plan. The Chamber looks forward to assisting in the process that develops a community vision that includes economic interest.
The Chamber supports local passage of a One-Half Cent (1/2 Cent) local sales and use tax referendum. Proceeds will be used for the college’s immediate capital outlay and facility infrastructure improvements over a six-year period. In addition, the Chamber supports and encourages the college and the county to develop a strategic, long-range funding plan for the on-going maintenance and operational needs of college facilities and grounds.
The Chamber supports a coordinated effort on the part of the county and the towns concerning infrastructure planning. Each entity has specific issues and the pooling of knowledge and resources will lead to better accessibility for businesses. The Chamber will work with the county and towns to foster communication and a collaborative planning on issues such as water treatment, sewer services, broadband, etc.
The Chamber supports maximizing the opportunities for the workforce to be able to live comfortably in Haywood County. The Chamber also supports any initiatives to transition homeowners into equity-building homes to grow the long term wealth of residents and expand our local tax base.
The Chamber supports any initiatives to support local businesses. The Chamber believes that there should be more awareness and consideration of local businesses by public and private consumers. State
Medicaid funding should be removed from county governments and moved to the state level. At the same time, the state should find a funding source such as raising the cigarette tax.
The Chamber feels it is essential that the state keep its commitments on flood recovery and that our local politicians stay on top of FEMA and our state’s recovery efforts. Officials need to be tenacious in ensuring that funding commitments are kept especially in regards to flood prevention and early warning. Officials should also work diligently to move more funding to the area if needed. Mandates that come to local governments in response to the flood should be funded.
We support legislation to increase the abilities for small business to provide healthcare for their employees.
The Chamber supports Legislative authority for Haywood County to hold a One-Half (1/2 Cent) local sales and use tax referendum for Haywood Community College’s capital outlay and infrastructure improvements over a six-year period. Current facility conditions require immediate repairs, renovations, and replacements due to deficiencies related to safety, building structure and/or standards of quality and suitability of space for current program needs.
The North Carolina Center for Health and Aging, a medical leadership center for North Carolina, will provide jobs and promote business in WNC. The Center will stimulate entrepreneurship across many sectors of our region’s economy while providing critical services.
The Chamber supports pre-school programs and funding, including the Regional Child Development Center at HCC. We also support Haywood County Schools including ensuring that the lottery brings incremental funding for facilities.
Current law, as interpreted in many cases, creates higher costs for North Carolina employers compared to surrounding states. Legislative reform is needed to balance the interests of workers and employers more equitably. Plaintiffs bar has too much influence on outcomes of cases.
Federal
The Chamber supports the intentions of NCLB but changes are required to ensure maximum effectiveness. We encourage the input of local education experts on changes. Full funding is needed.
The Chamber supports connecting the railway service from Spencer to Knoxville and Asheville to Murphy. This will bring more activity to the area and increase the mobility of our residents.
This will support tourism in the area by increasing the heritage venues and the stature of our region.
We support a long term initiative to improve the environment. We encourage other states to join North Carolina in their efforts for a clean environment.
We support legislation to increase the abilities for small business to provide healthcare for their employees.
|
|
 |
