Don?t support legislation ? or take other action ? that is anti-business.
The Howard County Chamber of Commerce issued this advice Tuesday to candidates seeking elective office in Howard County.
“Our ability to remain competitive in business and to continue to attract companies with the same successful track record is in jeopardy,” the chamber stated.
That message was part of the 29-page “Issues for Legislative Action 2007 Howard County Chamber of Commerce White Paper on Governmental Affairs.” It was released Tuesday during a chamber breakfast session.
“This is our communication to our elected officials of what our priorities are in legislation” said Joe Mezzanotte, who headed the chamber committee that compiled the white paper.
The chamber?s white paper warns that despite the hoopla surrounding thousands of jobs expected in Howard County, they may not appear if the state and county don?t contain business taxes. Local officials hope to get the jobs in the area through the military?s base realignment and closure process to make military bases more efficient.
“Taxes and fees have a profound impact on business decisions because of where to locate and hire. The private businesses that are likely to follow the Base Realignment and Closure relocations to this area do not need to be headquartered here and civilian employees can choose to commute to our area from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware or the District of Columbia,” the white paper warns.
A big issuefor the chamber is rising health insurance costs.
Health care costs rise between 18 and 25 percent each year, Mezzanotte said.
The chamber was especially critical of the Maryland General Assembly?s attempt to force Wal-Mart, through legislation, to pay a certain amount for employee health care.
“The Chamber opposes any attempt by the Maryland Legislature to expand the Wal-Mart bill,” the white paper states. “Any reforms should spread the responsibility of insurance evenly between government, individuals and business.”
Background
» The 37-year-old Howard County Chamber of Commerce has 750 member businesses, which employ 52,000 workers
