|
The Hayward Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most broadly based business representative in the city of Hayward. It's the Chamber's role to create, develop and utilize current policies and practices that will provide outstanding pro-business legislative policy representation to our membership. The practice and implementation of these polices will enhance the base of private enterprise by directly improving the economic climate essential for business to prosper in the Hayward area. This platform provides direction to the Hayward Chamber of Commerce in the development of positions on legislation and on other public policy issues. All the positions taken within this platform stem from the following principles:
*Advocate a market-based economy.
*Promote efficiency in Government at all levels.
*Oppose and eliminate excessive regulation and fees.
*Oppose duplicative and overlapping jurisdiction among regulatory agencies.
*Advocate/promote infrastructure systems.
The Chamber's positions are directed toward ensuring a strong economy for the Hayward area. We seek to promote those public polices that encourage reasonable development and to minimize regulatory burdens at all levels of government, which restrict economic activity.
Education Reform & Workforce Development
An educated workforce is instrumental to the development of the region. Our community must ensure its youth have access to the kind of education which equips them to compete, succeed and contribute to the workforce and economy of the 21st century. This requires implementation of appropriate achievement levels, and performance standards by which to benchmark local educational progress. The business community recognizes the critical contributions of the school system to our economic vitality. If Hayward businesses are to prosper, we must take an active interest in the provision of quality education for the area's youth.
Employee Relations
The cost associated with hiring workers, maintaining a safe workplace and complying with government regulations represent the largest ongoing cost for many Hayward businesses. Throughout the state, businesses struggle with an overburdened worker compensation insurance system, a complex worker classification system, increasing health care costs, expansion of employer liability, and minimum wage increases. These issues continue to increase costs, limit flexibility, confuse both employers and employees and stifle job creation. Throughout the year the Chamber will continue to aggressively address the policies that leave California at a competitive disadvantage.
Health Care
Spending on health care has increased. Employers directly spend thousands of dollars on health care for their employees and contribute, through taxes, a significant amount toward government sponsored programs such as MediCare and MediCal. Business has a significant interest in ensuring that quality health care is accessible and delivered at an affordable price.
Human Resources
The Chamber will continue to support the implementation of welfare reforms that allow individuals to realize their maximum potential. Public policies should encourage individual efforts toward providing one's own economic security through education and support services.
Regulatory Reform & Environmental Balance
The Business community remains inundated with regulations that are often expensive, duplicative, unclear, inconsistent and based on unsubstantiated research. The Chamber supports environmental regulations that are based on complete and legitimate scientific research while taking into account their effect on business.
Taxation & Government Finance
California maintains one of the highest corporate income tax rates in the nation, a full 63.3% higher than the national average. Locally, special assessments, taxes and fees, when considered as a whole represent a considerable added cost for businesses of all sizes. While California relies heavily on its vast natural, human and technological infrastructure to attract new investments, we must also remain competitive where it counts, the bottom line.
The fact that many public services require the cooperation of multiple governmental agencies not only serves to further confuse the general public, but also adds to the cost of government services. Aligning each government service with its most appropriate and efficient provider restores accountability to a complex process and allows for increased quality and lower taxpayer cost.
Transportation
Relieving the ongoing problem of traffic congestion in California will require implementation of a comprehensive plan, tailored to the mobility needs of California's urban areas. Better and more efficient use of the state's street, road and highway system is essential.
A better quality of life happens by design, not by accident. Working together, we can make it happen for Hayward.
EDUCATION *Improve and maintain school facilities to maximize student achievement and further encourage pride in Hayward schools.
*All students enrolled in grade 12 will successfully complete requirements for a high school diploma.
*Reduce the dropout rate for each high school to below 2%.
*Each year all schools shall meet or exceed growth targets on the Academic Performance Index (API) as established by the State of California.
*All students will score at or above grade level on both components of the California Standardized Testing & Reporting Program.
*All high school graduates will meet basic skills requirements and have career opportunities explained.
*At least 90% of graduating students will meet the UC/CSU coursework entrance requirements.
TRANSPORTATION
*I-238 Bypass or its alternative under construction.
*I-238 connector route widening completed.
*I-880/92 interchange upgrades completed.
*Completed Industrial area reliever routes that meet the needs of industrial businesses.
*Improve the maintenance and repair of city streets, and respond quickly with solutions to new traffic problems.
JOBS, HOUSING & LOCAL ECONOMY
*Develop and implement plan for retention and expansion of auto dealerships and/or auto mall.
*Develop downtown hotel & conference center.
*Average 300 new housing starts annually, of which at least one-third are executive homes.
*Two-percent annual growth in new jobs with an emphasis on knowledge based career opportunities.
*Minimum of 5% average growth per year in sales and property tax revenues.
*Make downtown a destination for shopping and retail by creating attractive streetscapes, enhancing pedestrian access, and improving parking facilities.
*Implement an economic plan to retain, expand and attract business and industry with specific strategies to achieve balance for the city¡¦s fiscal viability.
CRIME
*Lowest crime rate among comparable cities with an emphasis on reducing violent crimes by 50% in all major categories.
*Increase police/youth activities in the community as part of a citywide effort to improve youth safety.
*Graffiti-free community.
HEALTH SERVICES
*Provide and maintain access to quality primary and emergency healthcare services to all Hayward residents within 15 minutes travel time.
*Reduce the uninsured rate among citizens of Hayward to below 10% through public finance and public/private partnerships.
*Ensure Hayward receives its annual fair share of countywide funding for indigent health care.
IMAGE, CULTURE, ARTS & RECREATION
*Develop a comprehensive marketing plan for Hayward that emphasizes higher education, a positive business environment and cultural resources.
*Restore funding to HARD.
*Restore the Sunset campus facilities for use as a community center.
*New or enhanced downtown library facility completed with expanded services aimed at creating a community information and activity hub.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
*Elect officials with the leadership, vision and courage to accomplish the above.
Good Government Now! is a political action committee sponsored by the Hayward Chamber of Commerce, and organized to give local business a more active voice in electoral politics.
GGN! endorses candidates for elected office, primarily at the local and regional level, and makes financial contributions to those candidates it endorses.
GGN! endorses political leaders who are committed to the same goals for Hayward's future as the Chamber of Commerce as outlined in Hayward 2010: A Community Vision. To learn more about GGN or to support the fulfillment of Hayward 2010, call Brian Schott @ (510) 247-2041 or e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
Latest News
