Survival of any member-based organization depends on their relevance to their members. Members judge relevance by the value they get from the organization in exchange for their investment. Survey after survey from around the country indicates that investors in chambers of commerce expect the organization to advocate on their behalf especially in the public policy arena.
Chambers of commerce in the United States operate almost exclusively as non-profit entities under Section 501 (c) (6) of the IRS Tax Code. Unlike charities, organized under Section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS Tax Code, chambers of commerce have the authority under state and federal tax rules to represent their stakeholders in public policy issues. They may lobby and take positions on actual or proposed legislation, subject to local, state and federal laws.
Public policy interests of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce are focused on the economy and achieving specific chamber goals.
Chief among the economic interest include support for the free enterprise system. Dr. Milton Friedman once said, “The great virtue of a free market system is that it does not care what color people are; it does not care what their religion is; it only cares whether they can produce something you want to buy. It is the most effective system we have discovered to enable people who hate one another to deal with one another and help one another.”
It is the greatest wealth producer in the history of mankind and, when unencumbered by excessive regulation, produces a higher standard of living and more economic equality for people than any other economic system. This is because free markets reward people for making decisions that produce value for themselves and others.
The challenge is that government planners make their living, for the most part, by creating regulations that, they believe, serve to protect people from themselves. The Greater Killeen Chamber believes that most people are capable of making decisions in their own personal interest. In other words, most individuals should be free to protect themselves.
The free market system is the economic backbone of our nation. And, it is the economic backbone of local businesses that drive stability and prosperity. Chamber investors expect this organization to help safeguard their businesses by confronting bad laws and regulations and supporting good laws and regulations. So, it falls to this chamber of commerce, and others around the country, to intervene on behalf of free markets on an almost constant basis.
Accomplishment of many chamber goals, which are embodied in the Plan of Work, are dependent, in many cases, on successful public policy efforts. The Chamber cannot protect and grow Fort Hood, for example, without engaging those responsible for this nation’s defense. The Chamber needs access to those who make decisions affecting Fort Hood. It falls to the Chamber to make the case effectively to them, based on facts, so that Fort Hood thrives.
If Fort Hood and the region offer an effective and efficient investment for the U.S. Army, those investments should increase. On the other hand, if the installation or region is deficient in some regard so that Fort Hood is not a good investment choice for the Army, it falls to regional leaders, working in concert with those who run the installation, to resolve the deficiency. All the Chamber seeks is a level playing field.
It is through this organization’s public policy efforts that leaders work with others to facilitate the creation of a public education system that works in partnership with the business community to prepare students to be successful in the workplace. This is in everyone’s interest. In fact, it is imperative if we are to compete in a global economy.
Nor can we produce collaborative, cost-effective solutions to regional infrastructure challenges without robust public policy programs. As our state and region continues to grow, many of the challenges and opportunities of the future will come in the area of infrastructure—things like highways and water. It is through the relationships created in public policy that large local and regional infrastructure projects can be accomplished. The creation of Interstate 14, which will attract private investment and grow jobs, comes to mind.
Effective public policy will lead to productive public-private partnerships. This will lead to sustained economic growth and economic vitality over the long haul.
A critical element to all of this, and a by-product of good public policy, is the election of business-minded individuals to office who are knowledgeable of the community’s needs. Well-qualified elected officials at all levels can develop equitable tax and fee structures, regulations and administrative procedures that serve to promote positive economic growth in the region.
Whether the issues are national, state or regional, the trend among those aiming to influence and change policy is unquestionably toward greater reliance on effective grass roots lobbying, built around networks of motivated, local, allied organization.
Former U.S. House Majority Leader Tip O’Neill was right. “All politics is local.” Selling ideas on Main Street is at least as important as selling them in Austin or Washington DC.
Written by John Crutchfield, President/CEO, Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
Published in the Greater Killeen Business Quarterly 2016 Newcomer’s Guide