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| The mission of the Government Affairs Committee of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce is to review pending legislation and regulations for their impact on business and develop positions that will enhance economic growth. The committee also develops programs that inform and encourage members to participate in the Chamber's government affairs initiatives. |
Current Year's Legislative Agenda/Principles |
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Click on the specific item for further details on items which will be of focus for the coming legislative session and fiscal year for local and county governments.
LOCAL
COUNTY
STATE
- Economic Development
- Energy
- Immigration
- Lawsuit Reform
- Taxation
- Transportation
- Water
- Workforce Development
- Workers’ Compensation
You can join the Chamber to encourage legislative support by mailing a similar letter to the legislative leadership and/or to your local legislators. If you would like, you can use the Chamber's Legislative Roster for contact information.
The Committee encourages elected officials to work with the business community to bolster the economy and improve our global competitiveness. We encourage cooperation and partnerships among government, education, business and civic groups. Each year your Chamber's Government Affairs Committee outlines goals and objectives based on the following guidelines.
The issues addressed by the Government Affairs Committee are those that:
- Involve or pertain to the business community as a whole;
- Impact more than a substantial portion of the Chamber membership;
- Influence the overall economic development of the area;
- Impact an entire business sector such as manufacturing, services or tourism/retail;
- Impact the entire business climate.
Public positions and support statements will be given when the issues meet the above guidelines. For those issues that don't meet the above guidelines, we offer assistance by providing appropriate networking contacts with other stakeholder organizations, government agencies, representatives or community leaders.
Let's face it, government affects your life every day and government actions can have a detrimental affect on your business. Talking to your elected officials about issues important to you and your business is vital to your continued ability to prosper and it is easier than you think. Your elected officials are anxious to hear from you, their business constituent. They often vote on legislation based on constituent input. Here are some practical tips on how to become a more active advocate for your business and the Newcastle region.
How to Contact Officials:
It is impossible for lawmakers to know how every piece of legislation they vote on will affect your business. A well-written letter or a detailed phone call will often help them understand the implications of pending legislation. Lawmakers may be reached by U.S. Mail, e-mail or by fax. To reach them by e-mail, follow the links indicated by their names in the Legislative Roster and access their web page. Here are some tips on writing a persuasive letter or calling:
- Traditionally, state and federal legislators are addressed as "The Honorable..." and the Governor is addressed as "His/Her Excellency..." in any written correspondence. The only address needed for federal legislators (Congress) is "U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515" or "United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510."
When writing state legislators, use this format (same format for US Congressional Delegation):
The Honorable (Name)
Position (State Senator or State Representative)
"Oklahoma State House of Representatives" (or "Oklahoma State Senate")
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room ____________
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Dear Representative (or Senator) (Name)__________:
- If possible, write your letter on your company's letterhead. Try to keep it to one page - anything longer may be ignored.
- When you write or speak to officials, be persuasive and concise. Get right to the point. Let them know if you favor or oppose the legislation and why. Let them know what you would like them to do - oppose the legislation, vote in support of it, or propose an amendment and ask for a reply that clearly states what action the member plans to take. You've taken the time to contact your elected official and you're entitled to know where he/she stands. Remind them that you are following the issue closely.
- Be specific in your letter or phone call. Identify the specific bill you are writing or calling about, using the official bill numbers (Example: House Bill 1000 or HB 1000). Thousands of bills are filed in the state legislature and in Congress each year. The bill number will help the legislator know which bill you mean. As a rule, never write about more than one issue per letter. Write a second letter if necessary if you want to include more.
- Be friendly and polite but businesslike. Make sure you are organized and know all your facts. You should cover your position, the opposing arguments, and the reason your position is better for your business and their legislative district. Do not ramble.
- Explain who you are, what business you represent, and what you and your business do. If you are a constituent and voter in their district then make sure to mention it. Talk about your business's role in the community and how many people you employ - remember your employees are voters! Emphasize what you and your business provide to the local community - private investment, contributions and support to local community groups, number of local employees... etc.
- Use facts to bolster your position, provide specific examples of how a piece of legislation or a regulation impacts your business, your employees, and the region. The more local you make the argument, the more persuasive it will be.
- Mention your membership in the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce. This connection will reinforce the message that the Chamber staff will be delivering in future meetings.
Newcastle Chamber of Commerce