Latest Advocacy News

June 18, 2009

DEVIN NUNES

Member of Congress

June 16, 2009

Action Needed: Oppose Federal Cap And Trade Program

The federal government is trying to put a cap on the amount of carbon dioxide that businesses can emit, in order to reduce global warming.
 

Businesses will be forced to purchase "emissions permits" regulating how much carbon they can emit.

The Fresno Chamber opposes HR 2454, The American Clean Energy and Security Act, which is currently under consideration by the House of Representatives.

This legislation, which is referred to as Cap and Trade, will drive up the cost of doing business, leading to more workplace reductions and higher prices for consumers.

Click here to submit your letter of opposition.

June 9, 2009

Action Needed: Urge Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer To Oppose Expanding Federal Control of U.S. Waters

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer is trying to push a legislative proposal, S. 787, through the United States Senate that will expand the Clean Water Restoration Act and put more costly federal regulations on every river, lake, stream, canal and waterway in the United States.

The Fresno Chamber opposes S. 787  which will go before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee tomorrow for a vote.

S. 787 threatens business, agriculture, small communities and manufacturing companies by giving the EPA control over your property and water. It will eliminate the requirement that the Corps and EPA limit their jurisdiction to “navigable” waters and instead give those agencies control over all waters of the US or “activities” affecting those waters. The Clean Water Restoration Act is nothing more than a massive land and water grab. We can’t afford to let this legislation pass.

Action 1: Please call the following elected officials today and urge them not to move this legislation forward:

Senator Barbara Boxer at (559) 497-5109

Senator Dianne Feinstein at (559) 485-7430

Action 2: Although this legislation has not yet made it to the House of Representative, it likely will if passed by the Senate. So please also call the following elected officials too, and urge them to not to support S. 787:
 

Congressmen Devin Nunes at (559) 323-5235

Congressman George Radanovich at (559) 449-2490

Congressman Jim Costa at (559) 495-1620

Action 3: Click here to submit your letter of opposition on S. 787

(Left to Right) Doris Fischer, Assemblymember Mike Villines and Sieg Fischer at a brief ceremony in the Chamber's board room last week.
 

May 27, 2009

Chamber Board Member Receives Business of the Year Award

After co-founding the Valley Yellow Pages more than 20 years ago, President and CEO Sieg Fischer was recognized for his service with the 2009 Small Business of the Year award for the 29th Assembly District.

Assemblymember Mike Villines honored Fischer and his wife, Doris, at a brief ceremony in the Chamber's board room last week.
 

"Thanks to the efforts of Sieg and his employees, the Valley Yellow Pages has become an indispensable source of information for our region," Villines said. "The active involvement of Sieg and his company in our community has made the Valley stronger, making them an ideal choice to earn this year's honor."
 

Fischer co-founded the Valley Yellow Pages to provide an alternative in northern California's phone book industry, which was then controlled by a huge monopoly. The Valley Yellow Pages quickly grew from a staff of just 15 employees based in Fresno to the more than 700 employees it now has scattered throughout California. Fischer's company publishes more than 7.7 million directories in 46 markets in the central and northern parts of the state.
 

At the ceremony, Villines presented Fischer with a framed resolution honoring him and his company. Fischer said he was so grateful for everyone who supported him over the years, especially his wife and the company's 700 employees.
 

"Without their patronage, this award would not have been possible," he said.

"I just want to thank them again for helping make our company a true Valley success story."

May 26, 2009

Better Business Act

A new policy that will ensure a more thorough review of projects seeking financial assistance from the city received unanimous support from the Fresno City Council last week.
 

Endorsed by the Fresno Chamber, the Better Business Act will ensure that the city is doing its due diligence before loaning taxpayer money to developers and investors.
 

City Council Member Lee Brand developed the policy, which he presented to the Chamber's Government Affairs Council ahead of last week's vote.
 

Under the policy, each project will undergo a two-phase review process. City staff, with the help of outside consultants, will review business plans, equity, and financial statements. The city manager will provide a recommendation to the City Council based on the thorough analysis.

The Chamber's GAC felt this policy will ensure taxpayer money is being invested wisely. The Chamber spoke in favor of the policy at the City Council meeting.

May 25, 2009

Fresno Chamber Member Wins Statewide Award

Victoria Salisch was recently honored by the California Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding advocacy work in 2008. Victoria, an attorney and owner of Lang, Richert & Patch law firm in Fresno, was recognized for her role in the Chamber’s on-going effort to consolidate public safety services.

“Victoria has proven to be a valuable asset for the Chamber and a strong representative for the business community. She has always taken an active role in leading on issues that are important to the business community, our region and the state,” stated Al Smith, president and chief executive officer of the Fresno Chamber.

Salisch has served on the chamber’s board of directors, the government affairs council, the government outreach committee and the downtown revitalization committee. In 2008, Salisch served as chair of the chamber’s political action committee. She helped the PAC make endorsements in several key races: mayor, city council, school board and state Assembly. Salisch also has taken a lead role in the chamber’s effort to convince the city and county to consolidate public safety services.

Since 2005, Salisch has served on committees that have examined how the city and county can keep public safety costs under control merging some functions. She serves on the Joint Powers Authority — a governance model selected by city and county officials to help move the consolidation forward. She also has spent time in Sacramento helping the Greater Fresno Chamber take an active role in legislation by testifying before policy committees, writing letters to the editor and sending letters to legislators.

May 12, 2009

Action Needed: Urge Senator Dianne Feinstein To Oppose The Employee Free Choice Act

Senator Dianne Feinstein is proposing a compromise to the Employee Free Choice Act that would use mail-in ballots to preserve the secret ballot.
 

Her proposal would replace the card-check provision, which would allow workers to unionize if a majority signed authorization cards. But the mail-in ballot is in no way a compromise.
 

Mail-in ballots would still subject employees to harassment and intimidation from union organizers. Because the majority of union organizers confront workers at their homes, mail-in ballots are not better than sign-up cards at protecting workers from intimidation.

Click here to sign a letter urging Senator Feinstein to Oppose S. 560, Employee Free Choice Act.

May 12, 2009

Congressman Nunes' Efforts on Water Crisis Gains National Media Attention

As part of Fresno Congressman Devin Nunes' effort to increase national awareness concerning our region’s water crisis, he has conducted extensive outreach to gain the attention of our nation’s leading news outlets.

Sean Hannity of the Fox News Channel outlines in this seven minute segment a representation of the current situation.

May 7, 2009

Action Needed: Help Defeat Two Anti-Jobs Proposals

AB 1000 mandates that all employers provide paid sick leave to an employee after seven days of work in a calendar year to care for the employee’s own illness, or to provide care to a sick child, spouse, domestic partner or other relative. The mandate would extend to all employers and all employees, as specified. There are no exceptions. The provisions of this bill will impact all employers, large and small, regardless of the level of sick leave currently provided.

April 23, 2009

Get Out The Vote: May 19th Special Election Will Protect Our Economy

The Fresno Chamber is supporting Propositions 1A, 1D, 1E and 1F on the May 19 special statewide election ballot. The Chamber supports these propositions because they will help protect the long-term economic vitality of California and Fresno.

While the budget compromise reached earlier this year was not the perfect solution, it did cut government spending and made some progress toward reducing the deficit. The Fresno Chamber believes the majority of the state propositions, particularly Proposition 1A, will decrease the pressure to increase taxes during future economic downturns.

Proposition 1B did not receive the Chamber’s support because it takes money out of a “rainy day” fund that the Chamber believes should be preserved for difficult budget times. The Chamber did not take a position on Proposition 1C.

The Fresno Chamber urges you to support Propositions 1A, 1D, 1E and 1F. Please share this information with your employees and neighbors. These propositions will help protect out local economy.

April 21, 2009

Action Needed: Help The Chamber Reform The Meal Period Law

SB 287 will provide clarity and guidance for compliance with and enforcement of meal-period laws and regulations. It offers a comprehensive solution that will serve employers and employees across all industries regardless of the size or union status of an employer’s workforce.

It does so by clarifying an employer’s obligation to provide meal breaks and the ability to enter into agreements for on-duty meal periods in appropriate situations, and authorizes labor and management to negotiate for meal period provisions in collective bargaining agreements.

April 17, 2009

A Special Message From Fresno Area Congressman Devin Nunes

Dear Friends,

As you probably know, Interior Secretary Salazar was recently in California.  During his visit, he failed to travel south to witness first-hand the critical water shortages our communities face.  In doing so, he ignored the devastation and human suffering associated with our present situation. 

As President Obama’s senior official in charge of federal water policy, the Secretary has either failed to grasp the severity of our situation or chosen not to acknowledge it.  Instead, he used the occasion of his visit to announce a $260 million giveaway for pork projects throughout the state– projects that offer us no meaningful assistance.

What we need is water and I believe it is time for the people of our communities to demand action.  Below is a statement I released today concerning the Secretary’s action.

Sincerely,

DEVIN NUNES

Member of Congress

No more excuses.  We want action.

“Radical environmentalists have declared war on the people of the San Joaquin Valley.  Whether we accept the conflict or ignore it, war is being raged nonetheless.  And the enemy is winning, thanks to the cozy relationship they enjoy with the Democratic Party. 

This political arrangement, whereby green activists control large portions of the Democratic Party’s agenda, has effectively neutered Democrat lawmakers when it comes to the California water crisis.  Indeed, it is the reason Democrat Party leaders have refused to offer immediate solutions to the crisis. 

The special relationship between green activists and the Democratic Party is why Secretary Salazar’s offer to spend $260 million on useless water projects was entirely predictable.  The Secretary has been boxed-in by radicals in the environmental movement.  For Secretary Salazar to offer meaningful help, turning on the Delta pumps for example, he would have to exhibit a level of political courage that no longer exists in the Democratic Party.  Predictably, he didn’t.  Instead, he added insult to injury by flushing hundreds of millions of dollars into the ocean, along with our precious water.  During his visit to California, the Secretary didn’t even bother to visit the devastated region of the Southern San Joaquin Valley. 

My message to President Obama, Secretary Salazar, and other leaders at the state and federal level has been consistent and it has been clear.  Meaningful relief for the people of the San Joaquin Valley means restoring the flow of water today, not ten years from now.  Meaningful relief means action today, not the promise of action at some distant point in the future. 

As I have said many times, the solutions are far less complicated than some would have you believe.  Democratic leaders need to take whatever action is necessary to immediately restore Delta pumping to historic levels.  They must expedite the construction of a canal to bypass the sensitive Delta eco-system and deliver long-term water security to our region.  And finally, Democrats must re-visit the San Joaquin River settlement to prevent the Westside crisis from occurring on the Eastside of the valley. 

Don’t let community activists and Democrat leaders fool you.  Ignore what they say and hold them accountable for what they do.  Their words won’t deliver an ounce of water to our dry region.  Only their actions, through legislation, can do that.”

April 3, 2009

Take Action: Stop The Proposed 24% Workers Compensation Rate Increase

he Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau is recommending a 24% increase in the benchmark rate for workers’ compensation insurance policies.

Given the current economic climate, it is unreasonable to turn back the clock on changes made to the workers’ compensation system in 2004. Those changes saved California employers $40 billion and increase in rates today will have a dramatic negative impact on our economy making it difficult for businesses to hire employees.

Employee Free Choice Act Press Conference at the Fresno Chamber. (Left to Right) Fresno Chamber Government Affairs Council Chair Ruth Evans, Congressman Devin Nunes, State Senator Dave Cogdill, Congressman George Radanovich, Fresno Chamber Government Affairs Council Member Brian Domingos, Fresno City Councilmember Paul Caprioglio and Fresno Chamber Government Affairs Council Vice Chair Rick Whitsell.

March 31, 2009

Fresno Chamber Takes Action Opposing Employee Free Choice Act

The Fresno Chamber presented more than 125 cards signed by members opposed to the Employee Free Choice Act to our federal congressional representatives at a press conference on Friday.

Fresno-area Congressmen Devin Nunes and George Radanovich said they will take the cards back to Washington D.C. to help in the fight against the proposed legislation.
They also thanked the Chamber for taking action and encouraged members to continue its effort.

"This is very serious legislation," Nunes said. "It sounds like something free, but all it does is allow unions to organize. I think what the Chamber is doing here today is critical. We have to continue to get the message out about this legislation."
 

Senator Dave Cogdill and Fresno City Council Member Paul Caprioglio also attended Friday's press conference.
 

You can help stop this legislation from moving forward in the House of Representatives and Senate by click on each of the links below:

March 31, 2009

City Council Approves Fresno Chamber Effort To Give Small Business Incentives

Fresno Chamber’s push to get a small business component included in the City’s Local Preference Ordinance was embraced by the City Council on Tuesday. The council unanimously approved giving small businesses a competitive edge when bidding on city contracts.

Local small businesses will now have “preference” when competing against out of town companies for procurement opportunities within the city. This will ensure that tax dollars remain in the local economy and help struggling businesses stay afloat during these difficult economic times.

March 25, 2009

Action Needed: Help The Chamber Reform The Meal Period Law

SB 287 will provide clarity and guidance for compliance with and enforcement of meal-period laws and regulations. It offers a comprehensive solution that will serve employers and employees across all industries regardless of the size or union status of an employer’s workforce. It does so by clarifying an employer’s obligation to provide meal breaks and the ability to enter into agreements for on-duty meal periods in appropriate situations, and authorizes labor and management to negotiate for meal period provisions in collective bargaining agreements.

March 24, 2009

Fresno Chamber-Supported Independent Police Auditor Gains City Council Approval

The Chamber's support proved influential today as the Fresno City Council voted to create the Fresno Chamber-supported Independent Police Auditor (IPA).

Council Members Mike Dages and Henry T. Perea cast the only votes against the IPA. Many of the Council Members, including Mayor Ashley Swearengin, said they appreciated the Chamber's support for the IPA.

Chamber President and CEO Al Smith spoke at the meeting and urged the council to approve the position saying it is a worthwhile venture backed by Police Chief Jerry Dyer. He also stressed the Chamber's concerns about the position costing too much and it becoming another layer of bureaucracy.

March 20, 2009

Action Needed: Protect Secret Ballot Elections for Fresno's Workers

Two Federal proposals, H.R. 1409 and S. 560, would undermine long standing principles of workplace democracy and fairness and result in employees having less ability to determine if they wish to be represented by a union. It does so by allowing unions to collect employee signatures in public-or so-called "card check" and do away with the secret ballot process.

Please submit a letter on EACH proposed law: