government affairs

GWNC PUBLIC POLICY

A Proactive Approach
Over the years, the Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce has taken on the role of educator in the political arena. Rather than take strong positions on many issues, the Chamber provided forums, newsletter articles, candidate profiles and special mailings to its members to keep them aware of issues of importance to the business community.

In recent years, however, the Chamber has found that occasional endorsement of a political action was necessary to truly support the needs of the business community. Special tools were put in place, such as FAX polls, to enable the Board of Directors to quickly respond to political issues of importance to the community.

Today, the role of the government in business is changing rapidly. In order for the Chamber to respond just as rapidly, this Legislative Policy Manual has been developed to lay a foundation for action. It is intended to provide a broad philosophy of action that will guide the Governmental Affairs Committee and the Board of Directors toward proactive leadership in the political arena. In addition, the Chamber Home Page provides information of interest to the membership, www.watertownny.com

A Philosophy of Political Action
The Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce will take positions on key political issues facing the local business community. The Board of Directors will endorse these positions. The Governmental Affairs Committee and the Board of Directors will be prudent in their decisions, taking into consideration as much of the membership opinion as possible before taking a public position. It is inevitable, however, that positions taken by the Chamber will not be universally endorsed by Chamber members. Additionally, we will encourage Chamber members to be active in the political process. We do not endorse political candidates.

ISSUESS AND SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENATIONS
Economic Growth
Well-planned business and community growth, development and stability are essential to the economic health of a community. The Chamber strongly supports responsible economic and community growth in Watertown, Jefferson County and the North Country through comprehensive development planning. The Chamber is supportive of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies Plan.

Environment and Quality of Life
A sound environment enhances the quality of life in a community and adds to the well being of businesses. The Chamber strives to balance business needs with sound environmental protection.

Tourism
We recognize that tourism is an important part of economic development. The Chamber supports responsible tourism initiatives that are consistent with the Jefferson County Overall Economic Development Plan/Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies and our quality of life.

Utilities
The Chamber must be involved in utility regulation because water, sewer, electrical, telecommunications and other services serve as the infrastructure for a successful business community. The Chamber strongly supports cooperation between all utilities, seeking to provide reasonable and quality service to the community.

Transportation
Transportation is a key component of economic growth. The Chamber strongly supports maintenance of existing highways and ports, improved air and rail service, and exploration of additional and/or alternative transportation systems in the North Country when it enhances, benefits, and/or improves access to local businesses.

Education
High quality schools produce high quality workers. The Chamber supports educational legislation and workforce development initiatives that improve the quality of education standards and improve public/private cooperation between business and education.

Taxes
The Chamber strongly supports reasonable corporate and individual tax systems that create a truly competitive business environment at the Federal, State and local level.

Employer: Employee Relations
The Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce believes that the issue of safety, health, employee benefits and other work-related concerns can best be addressed by the employer and the employee in the context of the individual workplace. The marketplace recognizes the diversity of the employees and the businesses and supports creative solutions to particular needs.

Health Care
The Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce believes that business sponsored health plans should not be viewed as the sole vehicle for solving problems of access, affordability and escalating costs. Whenever possible the Chamber supports free market solutions to health care issues.

Employment
The Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce encourages growth of employment opportunities, which provide fair wages in the North Country, and seeks to reduce unemployment.

Agriculture
The Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce supports the farming and forestry industry in Jefferson County, and works to sustain and promote agriculture in the region.

Fort Drum
The Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce is strongly supportive of the continued utilization and expansion of Fort Drum, and will actively work to promote the interests of the installation.

US/Canadian Border
The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce recognizes the importance of the balance between border security and the flow of goods and people across our US/CAN international border. The Chamber supports legislation and initiatives that strive to keep this balance intact.

WESTERN HEMPHISPHERE TRAVEL INTIATIVE (WHTI) 2/6/07
In 2006, Congress provided the Department of State (DOS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with an alternative date for the implementation of new land border crossing requirements. This new provision (included in the conference report for Homeland Security Appropriations) delays implementation of the proposed Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative from January 1, 2008 to June 1, 2009.  It requires the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to certify to Congress that several standards are met before implementing the Passport Card system. These include: 

•  Ensuring that agreed upon technology for Passport Cards meets certain security standards.
• Sharing the technology with the governments of Canada and Mexico.
• Justifying the fee set for the Passport Card.
• Developing an alternative procedure for certain groups of children traveling across the border.
• Installing all necessary technological infrastructures at the ports of entry to process the cards and train U.S. agents in all aspects of the new technology.
• Making the Passport Card available for international land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean and Bermuda.
• Establishing a unified implementation date for all sea and land borders. 

The states along the US-Canadian Border have been actively lobbying to slow this process down because of the lack of understanding about the negative economic impact WHTI will have on not only the border states, but on the entire US economy.  Legislators from Maine to Washington are working to change the Departments of State and Homeland Security regulations to:

• Extend the WHTI implementation deadline (until September 15, 2009)
• Require that DHS and State develop a plan to re-admit into the country spontaneous U.S. travelers who do not possess a passport or an acceptable alternative document. 
• Vastly expand expedited traveler programs such as NEXUS and FAST. 
• Cap the cost of the North American Travel Card (the “PASS card” or “passport card”) at $20. 
• Require DHS and State to complete a cost-benefit analysis of their final WHTI plan before implementation. 
• Exempt children younger than 16 from the WHTI documentary requirements.For more information on WHTI, click here