Advocacy from L.A. to Sacramento

by Maria S. Salinas

It’s early in the year, but the Chamber has hit the ground running to ensure the business community is heard in Sacramento. Our advocacy efforts have been strategic and effective, with both business and community in mind as the California State Legislature began hearing and voting on far-reaching legislation early in the session. 

In the first month of the year, we have seen proposed legislation which would have resulted in billions of new taxes, burdening businesses and residents alike. The Chamber worked tirelessly to oppose two bills in particular, a single payer legislation (AB 1400) bill and a proposal threatening local control on air quality (SB 342). Because of the Chamber’s efforts, both of those bills failed to pass, providing a win for the business community and those who rely on the jobs they provide.

Educating residents and legislators on the impacts of these bills on their communities was essential in our advocacy efforts to defeat this legislation, in addition to the many who called their legislators and expressed concerns. These proposals did not pass their respective houses and will not move forward, at least for now, because of what we accomplished together, reminding us of how vital it is to engage in civic discourse. 

With reasoned and sound positions, the L.A. Area Chamber continues to be diligent, persistent, and effective in advocating for policies which enable us to protect the jobs which provide for many families struggling to recover from the pandemic.  

Sign up to receive the Chamber’s Policy Updates here. Read our statement on AB 1400 here.