2009 Legislative Agenda Federal Priorities

For a printer friendly version, download a PDF of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Federal Agenda.The Federal Legislative agenda is broken down into the following priorities:

Federal Top Priorities

Oppose Employee Free Choice Act. The Asheville Area Chamber, a chamber of commerce from a right-to-work state, urges Congress to oppose H.R. 800/S. 1041, the “Employee Free Choice Act”
Support policies to reduce the cost of energy and its impact on the environment.
Enact tax credits for small businesses that provide health coverage
Develop innovative and sustainable methods of funding transportation and reauthorize and enhance the federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
Fund WIA, Carl Perkins Act, and No Child Left Behind

Develop innovative and sustainable methods of funding transportation, including a mix of funding methods such as bonds, public-private partnerships, local option revenue, tolls, and new revenue sources
Support funding for the Asheville Transit System in the amount of $7.875 million for three years with $2.625 million/year of this funding going to buses
Reauthorize the Aviation Trust Fund and Aviation Improvement Program (AIP) at the $3.5 - $3.7 billion level
Oppose efforts by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to modify the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighters (ARFF) Standards for Airports.
Fund the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act
Fund, expedite planning and construction of the I-26 Connector Project, including aesthetics
Provide $2 million in funding for the implementation of roadway upgrades recommended in the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Study

Provide full funding of “No Child Left Behind” requirements and seek appropriate changes.
Fund the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act at the $1.7 billion level to aid state and local work-related classes, existing tech prep and career technical education programs, and training.
Support Workforce Investment Act of 1998 Reauthorization (WIA)
Simplify the process of obtaining E-rate (Technology) Funds for public schools and libraries
Support funding requests for UNC Asheville capitol improvement projects

Enact tax credits for small businesses that provide health coverage
Support Small Business Health Plans (SBHPs) that would enable small businesses to purchase health insurance together
Provide appropriate Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement for service providers to mitigate further cost increases to the business community.
Support enabling legislation to base Medicare payments on case mix and hospital performance or clinical outcome.
Provide independent, objective and meaningful oversight and monitoring of State Medicaid and Medicare programs

Support City of Asheville funding requests for energy conservation, traffic signal preemption, a regional public safety training facility, and buses.
Support Momentum Science & Health Adventure Park and the Asheville Art Museum expansion
Restore funding for CDBG and HOME and $1.8 billion for HUD’s competitive homeless assistance programs in FY 2009.
Support the Housing America’s Workforce Act and the creation of a National Housing Trust Fund.
Support funding requests of N.C. Arboretum for $1,750,000 for Outdoor Events Center improvements and $1,750,832 for the Holly Garden Expansion
Expand the North Carolina Child Care Subsidy Program. Support increased federal funding via the Child Care and Development Block Grant, Social Services Block Grant, and Temporary Aid to Needy Families used by Asheville families.
Support the expansion of the ERC broadband and fiber optic network in the region for education, medical and emergency service support.

Oppose Employee Free Choice Act. The Asheville Area Chamber, a chamber of commerce from a right-to-work state, urges Congress to oppose H.R. 800/S. 1041, the “Employee Free Choice Act”
Encourage the support and funding of the Federal Climate Complex, which includes the National Climatic Data Center

Support comprehensive immigration reform which addresses future needs of business for essential workers, impact of potential new laws on businesses and community; strengthens national security, avoids unfunded and cumbersome burdens on employers, creates disincentives for illegal immigration, establishes clear enforceable laws, ensures that U.S. workers are not displaced by foreign workers, expands the H2 Visa Temporary Worker Program as well as the H-1B and L1 visas for professional and highly valued workers; and addresses the backlog and excessive waiting period for citizenship.

Support policies to reduce the cost of energy and its impact on the environment.
Support the development of alternative fuels
Support funding of the new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBC) to help municipalities and local governments to promote energy efficiency and reduce energy usage