Advocacy Efforts
At the Chamber, we advocate for the needs of business and ensure that the voice of business is heard.
We do this through:
- getting involved in planning and zoning for the growth of the community
- speaking on behalf of our members at City Council meetings in respect to pro-business issues
- supporting pro-business initiatives (or working to defeat those that are not in the best interest of business)
- polling members on their needs so that we may ensure their voice is heard on the local, state, and federal levels
While we represent a united voice of business for the Alameda area, when members want to add their individual voices to the issues, they can contact their elected officials in the following ways:
The Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance's Legislative Priorities for 2023
The Chamber is focused on driving an aggressive, pro-growth, and principled policy agenda that advances economic development and improves the business climate of the Bay Area for businesses of all sizes and industries. We work with all levels of government, member companies, partners, and stakeholders to ensure Alameda is one of the best places to live, work, and grow a business.
Bills and legislative initiatives supporting the following topics are of interest to the Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance:
Economic Resiliency and Recovery
The Chamber supports policies and legislation that will help struggling businesses and point the California economy toward growth and recovery in a competitive fashion. It will oppose anything that limits business recovery and the encouragement of economic resiliency.
Employment, Talent and Workforce Development
The Chamber supports employment policies that make California and the Bay Area more competitive. It opposes policies that impose burdens on employers and would (potentially) make Alameda a less attractive area for growth, investment, and job creation. These things may include:
- Ensuring workers have the skills to meet demands of the employment sector
- Removing barriers to job creation and hiring
- Encouraging diversity of opportunities in business
Tourism and Economic Development/Growth
The Chamber supports policies and legislation that drive inclusive economic growth and development in California and the Bay Area.
Locally, we are supporting Site A and its development.
Housing / Homelessness
The Chamber supports legislation and policies that help provide greater access to housing. These may include bills that address:
- Housing supply – availability, affordability, and production
- Homelessness
Clean Environmental Policies and Responsible Approach to Climate Change
The Chamber supports energy and environmental policies that result in clean, affordable, and reliable energy consumption by businesses.
Other legislative issues will be addressed as time and resources permit. These may include regulatory and industry policies that drive innovation and technology, a diversified economy, and ensure competitive marketplaces for members.
What Are Legislative Priorities?
Legislative priorities are set each year by the Economic & Government Affairs Committee (EGA) and approved by the Chamber Board. These priorities apply only to the advocacy work done in the legislature.
In addition, the legislative priorities are set by the Committee’s interpretation of what will likely be topical issues in the legislature.
The Committee considers many issues, positions of other business advocacy groups, concerns of members, and stakeholders suggesting Legislative Priorities. In setting priorities, the Committee also considers several factors, the most important of which is focusing Chamber advocacy efforts where they can have the greatest impact for the business community.
Legislative Watch List
Our Legislative Watch List mirrors that of the California Chamber of Commerce currently by supporting these pro-business bills.
Government and Civic Contacts
Local
Alameda City Council
City Hall Address
2263 Santa Clara Avenue Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: (510) 747-7400
County
Alameda County Supervisor
Lena Tam
Oakland Office
1221 Oak St., Ste. 536 Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 272-6693
Fax: (510) 268-8004
Or
District Office
15903 Hesperian Blvd. San Lorenzo, CA 94580
Phone: (510) 278-0367
Fax: (510) 278-0467
Website
State
Governor
Gavin Newsom
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 445-4633
State Senator
Nancy Skinner
State Capitol, Room 5094
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4009
Fax: (916) 651-4909
Or
1515 Clay Street, Suite 200
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 286-1333
Fax: (510) 286-3885
Website
State Assembly Member
Mia Bonta
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0018
Phone: (916) 319-2018
Fax: (916) 319-2118
Or
1515 Clay Street, Ste. 2204
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 286-1670
Fax: (510) 286-1888
Website
National
U.S. Senator
Alex Padilla (D)
B03 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3553
333 Bush Street
Suite 3225
San Francisco, CA 94104
U.S. Senator
Diane Feinstein (D)
331 Hart Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3841
Fax: (202) 228-3954
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 915
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 914-7300
Congresswoman
Barbara Lee (D - 13)
2470 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2661
Fax: (202) 225-9817
Or
1301 Clay Street, Ste. 1000-N
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 763-0370
Fax: (510) 763 - 6538
Website