Preamble for Legislative Policy Platform The Alhambra Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most broadly based business representative in the city of Alhambra. One of the Chamber's major roles is to develop and utilize policies and practices that will provide outstanding pro-business legislative and local policy representation to our membership. The practices and implementation of these policies will enhance the base of private enterprise by directly improving the economic climate essential for all businesses to prosper and is critical to improving the quality of life. This platform provides guidance to the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce for analysis and review in the development of positions on legislation and other public policy issues. The Process: The Governmental Affairs Committee is empowered by the authority of the Board of Directors to take positions on relevant legislative matters without the formal approval of the full Board of Directors, or the Executive Committee with the concurrence of the President and/or Executive Director. If timing permits, positions on legislative matters maybe referred for a direct vote of the Board of Directors, or via e-mails, fax or phone ballots, following input from the Executive Committee and/or the Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC). The Chamber will endeavor to invite input from both sides of an issue. In all cases, such actions should be guided by the policy platform which follows. Policy Platform The Chamber is the largest and most broadly based business representative in Alhambra. It is the Chamber's role to create, develop and utilize cutting-edge policies and practices that will provide outstanding pro-business legislative and local policy representation to our membership. The practice and implementation of these policies will enhance the base of private enterprise by directly improving the economic climate essential for all business to prosper and is critical to improving the quality of life. This platform provides direction to the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce in the development of positions on legislation and other public policy issues: Facilitate a market-based economy with emphasis on the following issues: • Curtailment of frivolous litigation • Promote efficiency in government • Encourage quality development, redevelopment and business retention Eliminate excessive regulation with emphasis on the following: • Reform workers' compensation laws to reduce costs to businesses • Reduce laws and regulations which impose an undue burden on private business and property • Oppose duplicative and overlapping jurisdictions among regulatory agencies • Oppose labor issues which impose undue burden on businesses • Oppose unnecessary state and local tax increases affecting Alhambra businesses Improve infrastructure with emphasis on the following issues: • Maintain existing infrastructure to meet present needs • Promote infrastructure necessary to support reasonable growth • Encourage efficient, cost effective, and intelligent allocation and use of transportation dollars • Encourage policies that provide for a safer, more livable community • Support Growth which stimulates the economy