Chamber forms panel for government affairs

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 23, 2001

A government affairs committee has been reactivated by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce to give local business people political clout.

Tuesday, January 23, 2001

A government affairs committee has been reactivated by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce to give local business people political clout.

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"There are all kinds of issues affecting business," Sandy Forstner, executive director of the chamber, said. Issues of local importance include taxes, work force and parking, Forstner added.

The group had its initial meeting last week and is in the process of determining its direction. The committee will fulfill an educational and advocacy role for business in connection with government affairs.

Forstner said that the committee might host events such as seminars and send out information of interest to business people on issues related to government on the state, city and county level.

"It’s our political arm," Forstner said of the panel, adding that members of the committee would refer information to the chamber’s board for any position the organization might take.

The chamber has had a government affairs committee in the past, however, it has been inactive for a couple of years, Forstner said. The committee’s nine members will meet on a regular basis, probably once a month.

The group now is setting up a structure to be responsive to chamber members’ needs. The panel will formulate positions to present to the chamber’s board for adoption.

Committee members are expected to schedule meetings with area legislators to talk with them first hand on current issues such as health care, property tax reform and work force. The group also will lobby legislators for bills the chamber decides it supports.