Advocating for a Business-Friendly Region - A Bold Voice for Business
August 15, 2018
by Maria S. Salinas
The Chamber has a long tradition of advocating on behalf of the L.A. region and its business community. But there’s more work to be done to promote a truly business-friendly L.A. We are well positioned to convene business leaders and come together to proactively define a pro-business agenda. And, to maintain an open dialogue with with policy makers to make our business concerns heard.
With our institutional history in developing and growing the economic drivers in Southern California, the Chamber has the expertise to be a strong voice for business. One of the first major victories by Chamber leaders was to convince the federal government to select the San Pedro Bay as a site for harbor and trade; today, we continue the dedication to infrastructure by securing billions to fulfill the promises of Measure R, Measure M and LAX modernization. As our economy evolves with emerging sectors in technology, health care, biotechnology and the next generation of innovation, we are committed to help drive their growth and prosperity.
For Southern California to maintain our economic competitiveness, we must harness the input of a wide-range of voices who have a stake in a prosperous region where all residents can thrive. I look forward to working with businesses of all sizes, elected officials, educational institutions and strategic partners to tackle our most pressing policy challenges. From housing, homelessness and infrastructure, to education and workforce development, the Chamber’s voice must be bold on the issues that impact the success of this region and the people who call it home.
At the heart of our broader policy agenda though, my goal is to elevate our advocacy to help businesses strengthen their foundations. Easing the tax and regulatory burden on our businesses seeking to grow and hire; ensuring businesses have the necessary talent for a 21st century workforce; facilitating access to capital and contractual opportunities. One of my first steps will be to partner with our new Governor on ideas to boost business and investment in the Golden State.
California, and Los Angeles in particular, will always attract the adventure seekers, the innovators and the entrepreneurs. Like the gold miners from generations ago, businesses will continue to flock to our state to seek their fortune. We must devise creative solutions to policy issues and foster a business environment conducive to success for employers and employees alike.
That’s the Business Perspective.
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