Governmental Issues Council
Overview
The mission of the Governmental Issues Council is to improve the business climate of Sarasota County by influencing the development and implementation of public policy at the federal, state and local levels.
The Government Issues Council (GIC) does this by:
- Researching and developing public policy on key business climate issues for The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
- Lobbying these positions with various public bodies and monitoring governmental actions.
- Advocating the concerns of the business community to the public.
- Promoting a unified community agenda that fosters a spirit of cooperation in Sarasota County with other chambers, governmental units and interested parties.
To have governing bodies that understand the business perspective on issues, we must encourage qualified people to get appointed and elected to office and promote civic participation.
CHAMBER MEMBER TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESS-APRIL 30
The GIC has two ongoing committees:
City Legislative Issues
This committee is primarily concerned with the City of Sarasota and works closely with other business advocacy organizations with similar goals. Some of the work of the City Issues committee has concentrated on zoning, parking, noise ordinances and affordable housing.
County Legislative Issues
This committee addresses county wide issues, such as zoning, growth management, economic development incentives, Major Employment Center (MEC) Land Use, as outlined in Sarasota County's 2050 Plan, assuring an adequate supply of potable water, and an effective transportation system.
Issues
Transportation remains a primary focus of The Chamber. To that end, the Transportation Strategic Action Team was created in 2007 and currently has five top priorities:
- Working with the Florida Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Planning Organization to secure funding for Sarasota County Transportation projects through the advance payment/reimbursement system.
- Working to improve and increase Sarasota County's bonding authority for capital projects.
- Working to secure additional Federal funding for area transportation projects.
- Working with Sarasota County to maximize the efficiency of capital improvement budgets and transportation spending.
- Monitoring the transportation projects funded through the 1-cent surtax to insure maximum mobility and capacity improvements.
Current efforts are centered on:
- Honore - 2/4 Lane Issue
- North/South Alternatives (partner with Venice)
- 301 Advance Reimbursement Opportunities
- Venice By-Pass (federal funding opportunities)
- Citizen Advisory Committee for the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA)
The GIC is monitoring the signature gathering process for the "Hometown Democracy" issue. This proposed Constitutional amendment would take comprehensive land use planning authority away from local elected officials and require a voter referendum on any/all comprehensive plan changes. The Chamber is concerned that this proposal would make Florida's economy uncompetitive, cost jobs, adversely affect our quality of life and create a costly and unmanageable election process.
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce believes it is time for property tax reform that provides greater equity for business, non-homesteaders, landlords and first-time home buyers. We will monitor and report to our members all information about the various property tax proposals under consideration.
The GIC also has an ongoing campaign to encourage everyone to exercise their RIGHT TO VOTE! It is your opportunity to have your voice heard.
If you aren't registered to vote, please do so as soon as possible. The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections website can help you with registration, election calendar(s), absentee voting, finding your voting precinct, and much more.
Upcoming 2008 Elections:
- Holiday Park & Rec District/Tri-Par Estates Park and Rec District - Register by February 11 to Vote on March 11
- Town of Longboat Key General Election - Register by February 19 to Vote on March 18
- Primary Election - Register by July 28 to Vote by August 26
- General Election - Register by October 6 to Vote by November 4
