Back to Home Page Economic Vision Document The legislative process SLO City Council City Goals Solar farm tour County Events Ordinance     SLO Chamber Advocacy Influencing legislation and economics on behalf of our members. Helping to develop public policy that follows the Chamber's vision of a balanced and prosperous economy. The Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Department has a two-fold goal. First, through our Legislative Division, we track and analyze key issues and programs that impact business and take positions on those issues that the Board decides merit our attention and advocacy. Second, the Economic Division implements policies in our Economic Vision Document and creates strategies to enhance and maintain a vital economy in San Luis Obispo. Our committee and task force structure, as illustrated below, is designed to provide opportunities for our volunteers to study and discuss pertinent issues and to make recommendations to the Board. Upon Board approval, we then move forward with advocacy. Economic Development Purpose: Works to enhance the economic vitality of the city. Legislative Council Purpose: A forum to analyze "hot topics." Tourism Council Purpose: Develops ways to strengthen the economic impact of tourism. Issues Evaluation Purpose: Analyzes and evaluates near-term issues; assists in developing Chamber policy.  Water Task Force Purpose: Advocates policies to ensure adequate water resources. Seismic Task Force Purpose: Monitors retrofit of historic buildings. Diversity Committee Purpose: Increases awareness of the business benefits of diversity. Healthcare Task Force Purpose: Analyzes healthcare issues affecting our members. Sustainability & Resources Committee Purpose: Explores the benefits of responsible use of resources for the business community. Technology Advocacy Committee Explores the benefits of responsible use of resources for the business community. Contacting Your Elected Official: Some Protocols E-Mail your Elected Official Use the links below to let our elected officials know what they can do to improve the business climate and quality of life in San Luis Obispo. Alerts on particular legislation appear in the weekly Chamber electronic newsletter, the E-Insider. The Chamber is constantly working on your behalf for a better SLO! Letter Writing: Guidelines For An Effective Letter 1. Be Brief 2. Make sure the legislator knows this communication is from a constituent who lives and/or does business in the legislator’s district. 3. Explain how the proposed legislation affects your business and why you support/oppose it. 4. Ask for the legislator’s support or opposition. 5. Keep all communications friendly and respectful. Be sure to thank your legislator for considering your views.  6. Write on your personal or business letterhead if possible. 7. Be sure your exact return address is on the letter, not just the envelope.  Envelopes sometimes get thrown away before the letter is answered. 8. Refer to bill numbers whenever possible.      City Council    Mayor Dave Romero 781-7415 dromero@slocity.org Allen Settle 781-7417 asettle@slocity.org Andrew Carter 781-7114 acarter@slocity.org John Ashbaugh jashbaugh@slocity.org Jan Marx jmarx@slocity.org   Agendas for city council meetings can be viewed at: http://slocity.org/cityclerk/agendas/council.asp   County Board of Supervisors  Katcho "KH" Achadjian kachadjian@co.slo.ca.us Bruce Gibson bgibson@co.slo.ca.us Harry Ovitt hovitt@co.slo.ca.us Jerry Lenthall jlenthall@co.slo.ca.us Jim Patterson jpatterson@co.slo.ca.us Agendas for board of supervisors' meetings can be viewed at: http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/clerk/BoardofSupervisors.htm  Send your comments on the issues listed above or on any other topics to our Director of Governmental Affairs, Ermina Karim. Your input is greatly appreciated.