Business Must Actively Engage Local Legislators

For years California’s business community has complained that Sacramento is killing jobs and business in the state.  While that may be true, business needs to only look in the mirror to see the problem.  Businesses by and large are very apathetic in nature.  We complain a lot, but we really do not organize and present compelling arguments to our legislators.  Business groups do not, as a rule, march into Sacramento and picket at the Capitol building.   Perhaps they should and then just perhaps Sacramento would listen.

Most business owners tell us that they are too busy running their business to take on many issues that really affect them.   Although I understand the time constraints that business owners face each day, advocacy doesn’t have to be all that time consuming.  Often times a letter or a phone call to a legislator will make a difference.  

Case in point, many groups met with Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod regarding the recent health care legislation.   Our group met with her several times over the last year.  We all told her about our own businesses and how we couldn’t afford for the state to add another mandate on employers.  Well you know what, her “No” vote on that critical piece of legislation saved California business owners millions of dollars.  It also stopped the state from creating another bureaucratic nightmare that the state would not be able to fund.  Since the state is not able to balance their own budget, I really do not want them in charge of my health care. 

Speaking of Senator McLeod, we provided her with information on Cafeteria Plans, which are plans that allow employees to pay unreimbursed medical expenses with pre-tax dollars.  Without a lot of fanfare or credit, the Senator was one of the few democrats to actually vote “Yes” on legislation offering tax credits to employers who offer these plans to employees.  I am sure that we helped to educate her on our position and it worked. 

Bottom line is the Senator and I have agreed to disagree many times.  I have not always been pleased with the way the she votes, but I can tell you that I let her know my opinion.  She was elected by the voters to serve us, not the other way around.  Keep that in mind, when you read about bills or legislation that would hurt your business.   If a business advocacy group asks you to take action and write a letter or make a phone call, do it.  That few minutes could change a mind and a vote.  One vote can and often does make a big difference.