2008 Position Statements
SAWS Rate Adjustment
The Chamber supports San Antonio Water System's proposal for 2009 rate increases for its water service fee, water supply fee, and waste water fee that together would result in a total increase for the average SAWS bill of 4.8 percent. The proposed rate increases will permit SAWS to finance the capital costs of its water system facilities, the costs of diversification of its water resources, and essential waste water infrastructure. SAWS has a demonstrated history of reducing its operating costs per customer,
and the utility continues to implement effective water conservation strategies. Therefore, in recognition of SAWS essential needs and its commitments to the community, The Chamber supports the requested rate increases. In connection with the proposed increase, The Chamber recommends that the City and SAWS tie the rate increase to accountability measures that ensure progress on the implementation of projects diversifying our water resources, increasing water capacity and improving existing infrastructure.
Submitted By: Public Affairs Council
Approval Date: 11-25-2008
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Haven for Hope
The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the construction of Haven for Hope which will help reduce homelessness in the San Antonio area by providing people the resources, skills and assistance necessary to become self-sufficient in a manner that is both efficient and cost-effective.
REASONS FOR SUPPORT:
1. Haven for Hope will help curb homelessness by providing many critical services at one location.
2. Having multiple agencies and services in one location will save money and be more effective in helping homeless individuals.
3. Surrounding neighborhoods will benefit from the redevelopment of abandoned buildings.
Submitted By: Central Business Council
Approval Date: 10-23-2008
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City Manager's Proposed City Budget
The Chamber supports the City Manager’s proposed City Budget that maximizes resources to satisfy the City’s basic needs. The City should continue its efforts to be fiscally responsible and focus on basic services. We concur with the City Manager’s recommendations to 1) add additional funding for basic City services; 2) increase the reserve fund to 9 percent; 3) provide at least $4 million using one-time resources for the Economic Development Fund; and 4) continue to support Chamber endorsed
organizations such as BioMed SA, San Antonio Mobility Coalition and the San Antonio Sports Foundation. Lastly, The Chamber encourages the City’s continued long-range planning for growth and infrastructure for our community.
Submitted By: Public Affairs Council
Approval Date: 08-28-2008
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100 Year Anniversary of Military Aviation
In order to create national recognition for Fort Sam Houston as the birthplace of military aviation on March 2, 1910, The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce urges local, state, and national leaders (government, business, and education) to combine their resources and produce promotional materials to commemorate the one hundred year anniversary, and help distinguish San Antonio as an international center of aerospace and aviation. Commemorative items can include: state wide year / day recognition, the commissioning
of a commemorative US postage stamp, commemorative Texas license plates, and any other recommendations.
Submitted By: Military Affairs Committee
Approval Date: 07-21-2008
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SA to DC 2008 Federal Agenda
On May 22, 2008, the Board of Directors of The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce adopted the following legislative agenda:
AIR QUALITY
• Allow an early planning protocol for the San Antonio region similar to the region’s prior Early Action Compact agreement
EDUCATION
• Close the $1.1 Billion gap in authorized versus appropriated funds for No Child Left Behind
• Increase appropriated FY 2009 Impact Aid funds from $82.21 million to at least the President’s FY 2008 estimate of $88.35 million
• Provide more local discretion to implement No Child Left Behind standards
• Realign No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in order to clarify that IDEA take precedence with regard to Special Education standards under federal law
HEALTH CARE & BIOSCIENCE
• Provide $5,636,350 for diabetes research and the South Texas Obesity and Chronic Disease Program and increase federal funding for the “317 Immunization Grant Program” by 15%
• Support the identification of San Antonio as a ready and capable community for initiation of a demonstration program to implement a regional Electronic Health Care Record (EHR)
• Require IT contractors to adhere to a standardized format and architecture for EHRs utilized by federally-contracted health care providers
• Support use of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement incentives to health care entities that invest in information technology efforts that meet federal requirements and specifications
• Support the establishment and funding of the National Trauma Institute (NTI)
• Support the construction of the National Bio-and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in San Antonio
• Oppose the bipartisan Leahy/Hatch-Berman/Smith Patent Reform Act of 2007
IMMIGRATION
• Develop a bilateral approach to facilitate communication and cooperation between the Unites States and Mexico in creating and implementing new immigration policy with shared responsibility
• Promote circularity and trade cooperation for those with the desire to work in the United States
• Support a Comprehensive Guest Worker Program with Optional Vehicle for Citizenship
• Discourage any enforcement of immigration law not associated and led by the federal government, support efforts to adequately fund and protect our borders from illegal border crossings and facilitate expediting legal border crossings
• Discourage any immigration policy that hinders business, discriminates against Mexicans and Mexican-Americans or poses a threat to human rights
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
• Support the enforcement of laws governing the patent & trademark process
• Support an increase in the number of HB1 Visas in order to meet the immediate workforce needs of the Information Technology Industry
• Update the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in order to remain current with internet business practices
• Make the current Internet Tax Moratorium permanent
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
• Support the approval and implementation of pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Korea and Panama
• Reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to allow the United States to negotiate and conclude new free trade agreements in an efficient and timely manner
• Advocate the benefits of NAFTA such as the growth of the United States economy, the promises of continued growth and jobs, the benefits to middle America and the environment
• Support the cross border trucking provisions of NAFTA, determine the next actions to ensure the continuation of the cross-border trucking demonstration program, explore the opportunity for private carriers to be excluded from the pilot program and be given full access to the NAFTA trucking provisions
MILITARY
• Reauthorize the SBA's Veterans' Entrepreneurial Development Programs
• Reauthorize Loan Programs under the Small Business Act, including 504 and Micro loan programs operated by the South Texas Business Fund within the Economic Development Department
• Support current and future Congressional authorizations and appropriations to support implementation of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 directives and actions
• Support extension of Military Construction (MILCON) Exchange Authority to the end of 2011
• Support the redevelopment of Brooks City-Base
SMALL BUSINESS
• Provide sole source and set aside procedures for SDVOSBs equal to the sole source procedures which currently exist in FAR Part 19 for Section 8(a) contractors and include provisions within S. 2300 which equal the SDVOSB sole source provisions in HR 3867 and equate the SDVOSB sole source contracting procedures with that of the Section 8(a) program
• Secure $5 million in FY 09 funding for the San Antonio Defense Technology Cluster (DTC)
• Increase the availability of capital from private and public entities for small businesses and start-ups and provide an extension of Section 179 Small Business Expensing
• Reauthorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) and its small and minority business programs and assist small and minority businesses in competing for federal contracts
• Increase access and choice in healthcare programs through the encouragement of creative, market-driven options to address the disproportionate number of uninsured
• Support Small Business Assistance in the form of tax credits and purchasing pools for small businesses that offer employee benefits and provide workplace wellness programs for employees
TRANSPORTATION
• Prevent the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) from going into deficit by 2009
• Expedite and fully fund access to corridors impacted by BRAC
• Obtain an appropriations earmark of $7 million for costs associated with first year of developing and constructing VIA Bus Rapid Transit Project
• Secure 2009 appropriations totaling $8,900,000 for modernization of VIA’s bus fleet and bus facility
• Secure adequate federal funding to implement the proposed Austin-San Antonio Inter-City Regional Passenger Rail Project
WATER
• Secure $14,700,000 in FY 2009 appropriations for the San Antonio River Improvements Project and secure Congressional authorization allowing design and construction project work in advance of the Corps or allowing for local funds to be advanced to cover the federal share of the project in order to support the optimum project schedule; and in either case to receive reimbursement for costs paid beyond the non-Federal share
• Secure a $3,000,000 plus-up to fund the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Implementation Program process for two years
• Secure $5,000,000 to construct wastewater infrastructure in San Antonio for concrete and clay mains over 40 years old, and in poor structural condition
• Oppose provisions in HR 5577 that will remove the water and wastewater utility exemption from the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism (CFATS) program
IMPLEMENTATION: The Chamber will communicate these positions to appropriate Federal leaders, the media, and The Chamber membership through publication in the SA to DC XXX Federal Agenda, The Advocate, The Chamber Today, media releases and The Chamber’s web site.
Submitted By: Program Councils
Approval Date: 05-22-2008
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Westside Development Corporation
The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce supports the Westside Development Corporation’s (WDC) mission of revitalizing the Westside of San Antonio and encourages the business community to support these efforts. The Chamber also strongly encourages members of City Council to appoint members of the commercial real estate community familiar with the Westside area as board members of the Westside Development Corporation.
Submitted By: Area Business Councils
Approval Date: 04-24-2008
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Workforce Marketing Initiative
In order to attract professional and skilled workers from throughout the United States, The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce recommends that local leaders (City, County, business, education and workforce development) combine their resources to produce marketing materials to brand San Antonio as a great place to live, citing the excellent weather, stable real estate market, and abundance of good paying jobs relative to a low cost of living.
Submitted By: Economic Development Council
Approval Date: 04-24-2008
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SAISD Fiscal Responsibility
The Chamber supports the San Antonio Independent School District’s effort to expedite its four-year fiscal plan and reduce costs through greater efficiencies in programs, facilities and personnel costs. We recognize the fiscal constraints on SAISD brought on by the new state funding formula and declining student enrollment. It is also important that the district supplement its fund balance to state-recommended levels for fiscal stability. As the district works to meet its facility use policy, we urge the
district to involve its Facility Oversight Committee. Lastly, we encourage the district to make decisions that will foster an environment for excellence in education and reduce student dropout rates.
Submitted By: Public Affairs
Approval Date: 01-24-2008
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Venue Tax Extension
The Chamber supports the extension of the Bexar County venue tax to assist in financing the projects identified by the Bexar County Commissioners’ Court. The Chamber believes financing the projects is consistent with the criteria and recommendations of the Chamber’s 2007 Pathway to a Great City Blue Ribbon Task Force and will enhance the quality of life for San Antonio residents and visitors. The Chamber urges the Bexar County Commissioner’s Court to retire the debt as soon as possible and believe
that a Citizen’s Oversight Committee should be identified immediately providing accountability and ensuring quality and timely projects. Lastly, we strongly encourage the Court to use local companies to the extent possible for the development of the venue tax projects.
Submitted By: Public Affairs
Approval Date: 01-24-2008
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