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Heated Discussions at Legislative Preview Breakfast
Maybe it was the chill in the air, or the fact that election day is near, but panelists at this morning's annual Legislative Preview Breakfast were not afraid to use some tough talk discussing policy.
Moderator Cheryl Brown, from Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC led the discussion with panelists including Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary, Senator Gail Bates, Delegate Terri Hill, Christopher Summers from the MD Public Policy Institute, Cailey Locklair Tolle from the MD Retail Association and Ruth Toomey from the MD Tourism Council.
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There was some agreement among the panelists on the first topic, 2019 budget priorities, where most agreed that funding education was extremely important. Brown then asked the panelists about issues of Labor and Employment, and when the topic of raising the Minimum Wage to $15 came up, things got a bit heated. Summers and Tolle spoke about the potential unintended effects of raising the minimum wage including employers cutting hours and hiring fewer people, but Summers also mentioned that the issue is popular among candidates because it gets them votes. Delegate Atterbeary took issue with that statement saying that she and other elected officials advocate for policies they believe would help their constituents, not just to get a checked box on election day.
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The panelists discussed everything from transportation priorities to handling the recommendations of the Kirwan Commission, but the last topic was health. Brown asked the panelists about what the legislature can do to try to address the opioid crisis. There was agreement from the elected officials that it was certainly an issue that will have to be dealt with this session, but Locklair Tolle commented that as someone representing the interests of pharmacies, she would like to see solutions that were not solely focused on legal prescriptions for opioids, but rather, advocated for e-prescriptions, which she says would help eliminate illegal prescriptions.
The panelists were each passionate in their responses throughout the event and we thank all of them for participating and helping continue the important dialogue we facilitate among our members and the Howard County business community. As always, thank you to our generous partners and sponsors, including the premier sponsor of today's breakfast, BGE, for their support. For more information about the Chamber's advocacy efforts, head to
www.howardchamber.com/advocacy.
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2019 Issues for Legislative Action Brief Released
Attendees of this morning's Legislative Preview Breakfast were the first to get a look at our annual Issues for Legislative Action Brief. The Brief lays out several policy areas the Chamber will monitor in 2019, including legislation that we will be very active in advocating for or against. The Chamber will advocate for modifications to Paid Sick Leave, and any legislation supporting a minimum wage increase. The Chamber will also be closely watching issues surrounding education and workforce development, public transportation, budget and taxation and zoning and land use regulations.
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Chamber Members Share Concerns with Senator Cardin
Thank you to all of our members who were able to attend this week's meeting with Senator Ben Cardin, hosted by Sparksoft Corporation. Chamber Board Chair Elect, Chuck Phillips, welcomed the group of about 20 members and then after introductions from everyone, people began sharing their concerns with Senator Cardin.
Many of the attendees, just like the vast majority of Chamber members, were representing small businesses, so several of the concerns raised were related to issues small businesses experience. Several attendees described problems accessing funding and others also said the process of qualifying for and competing for government contracts is too cumbersome and often cost prohibitive. Senator Cardin listened and made notes on these issues saying he would see what could be done to alleviate some of these issues unique to small businesses.
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Chamber Heading to Portugal in 2019!
If you traveled with us to beautiful Iceland this year, you might still be feeling a little jet lag, but we've got something to get you energized! The Chamber is officially heading to Portugal for our 2019 Trip and we couldn't be more excited! Join us for an 8-Day Journey, departing November 8, 2019, to discover and explore all that Portugal has to offer.
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Visit us at TEDCO's Entrepreneur Expo
The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), is holding their
2018 Entrepreneur Expo next week, October 30th, and Chamber President Leonardo McClarty and Director of Membership, Ronny Nadiv will be manning our booth (#41) and would love to talk with you about maximizing the benefits of your Chamber membership.
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2018 ANNUAL CHAMBER PARTNERS
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2019 Annual Partnerships Now Available
Without the support of our Annual Partners, whose logos appear above, we would not be able to continue to grow and advocate for our members. Whether you are a a current Annual Partner or not, we are now offering 2019 Annual Partnerships that help you maximize your exposure while ensuring the support this program needs.
You can see all of the available options and pricing for the
2019 Annual Partnerships here. Please contact
Leonardo McClarty at
443-878-1234 or by email
[email protected] to talk about the packages that would best fit your businesses' needs and priorities.
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We are so proud to welcome the following new Chamber members this week!
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The following organizations joined the HCCC this week in history!
- Arbonne International - 35 Years
- Whiteford, Taylor & Preston L.L.P. - 20 Years
- Vytex Corporation - 14 Years
- Ashton-Group Services, LLC - 6 Years
- Figure Savers Weight Loss Center - 5 Years
- Eos Commercial Landscape Services, LLC - 3 Years
- Next Day Floors - 3 Years
- Office Depot, Inc. - 3 Years
- St. John's Parish Day School - 3 Years
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Construction Now Underway at New Howard Co. Innovation Center
Congratulations to our Strategic Alliance Partners, the Howard County Economic Development Authority, on the start of construction of the new Howard County Innovation Center on Columbia Gateway Drive. Our own Director of Membership, Ronny Nadiv, was on hand for the ceremonial wall breaking by Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman.
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Howard Bank Celebrates New Columbia Location
Congratulations to Howard Bank on the ribbon cutting ceremony at their newest Columbia location! Chamber Director of Membership, Ronny Nadiv, was on hand to give Howard Bank representatives their certificate and help with the ribbon cutting itself. For more information about Howard Bank's locations, click
here.
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Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny Expanding Firm
Congratulations to Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC who has just announced that the attorneys and staff from Farrell & Gunderson, LLC will be joining its practice starting in November.
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Offit Kurman's Largest Office Set to be in New York City
Maple Lawn based Offit Kurman's latest announced affiliation with Manhattan law firm Salon Marrow Dyckman Newman & Broudy LLP will put the firm's largest office in New York City.
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Come Celebrate with Moyer & Sons Moving & Storage
They are a long standing family run business, but are new to the Chamber! Come join us as we welcome Moyer & Sons Moving & Storage with a ribbon cutting ceremony!
November 13, 2018 - 1 - 2PM
6675 Amberton Drive #11
Elkridge, MD 21075
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Location Changed for Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan Workshop
Due to overwhelming response, the location for the final public workshop on the Ellicott City Master Plan on October 25 has been changed. The workshop will now be held in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
TONIGHT!!! - October 25, 2018 - 7PM
Banneker Room, George Howard Building
3430 Court House Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
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4th Annual Howard Co. Veterans Day Parade Looking For Vendors
The Columbia Association, Howard County Veterans Foundation and the Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families are looking for vendors, food trucks and participants for the upcoming
4th Annual Howard County Veterans Day Parade to be held on
Sunday, November 11th at 9:30AM from Merriweather Post Pavilion to the future site of the Howard County Veterans Monument at Lake Kittamaqundi.
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2018 Howie Award Nominations Now Open
Do you know someone who creates, teaches or supports the arts in Howard County and deserves to be recognized for their contributions to the community? Nominate them for the Howard County Arts Council's 2018 Howie Awards for Outstanding Artist, Outstanding Arts Educator or Outstanding Arts Supporter (Business or Individual). Nominations due by
October 30th.
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