On March 20th, the DC Chamber of Commerce announced the release of its 2009 Public Policy Agenda, an ambitious document outlining the Chamber’s legislative goals and priorities of the current calendar year.
While the Chamber fully intends to continue its advocacy for business-friendly legislation in 2009, the Public Policy Agenda focuses on four crucial issues:
Encouraging fiscally responsible government spending to maintain the city’s financial solvency
Supporting a local economic stimulus package to help businesses survive the economic downturn
Developing and supporting proven educational and workforce development programs that create a qualified workforce
Scrutinizing the imposition of new business fees or taxes that would further burden struggling employers
Bolstered by the dynamic leadership of Barbara B. Lang (DC Chamber President & CEO) and Alex Orfinger (Chair of the 2009 Board of Directors and Publisher of the Washington Business Journal), the Chamber endeavors to foster a climate of cooperation between the public and private sectors, with the ultimate ambition of making our City the best place to live, work and do business.
"The DC Chamber of Commerce encourages and protects our members’ ability to do business," Ms. Lang wrote in the 2009 Public Policy Agenda's introductory letter. “The uncertainty of the national economy paints a sobering picture for 2009 and makes the Chamber’s policy work even more essential… The year, more than most years, we need to encourage our government to take the right steps to encourage the continued strength of local business.”
