Government Relations

The mission of the Government Relations and Transportation Committee is to make a bottom-line impact for members by advocating for a favorable business climate through interactive public policy engagement, and providing ongoing representation at, and information about, government at the city, county, state and federal levels.

The greatest value that the Government Relations and Transportation Committee provides is to ensure that the interests of members are heard at the seats of government, and the members are fully aware of proposed and enacted legislation.

The Government Relations and Transportation Committee is actively reviewing the following issues:

• City of Tempe Adaptive Reuse and Fast Track Permit Program
• City of Tempe Transportation Master Plan
• Central Arizona Project “4 cent tax” extension
• City of Tempe Streetcar project
• Craft Brewing Industry legislation
• SRP rate plans update
• Valley Metro contract

There are three primary subcommittees that address statewide, city, and transportation issues. Major deliverables from the Committee include the federal, statewide, and city policy agendas, and recommendations for the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance agenda. The Committee also receives regular updates from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on federal matters.

The Committee is open to any member of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. Regular participants include Public Policy representatives of the members. Any member can bring a topic for discussion to the Committee. The Committee makes recommendations to the Chamber’s Executive Committee, who in turn, make recommendations to the Board of Directors on the positions that the Chamber takes on policy issues. Thus, every issue is fully vetted before the Chamber comes out with a final position.

The Committee meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the Committee, please contact Mary Ann Miller at 480.736.4280 or at maryann@tempechamber.org.

Nigel A.L. Brooks is with TechKnowPartners, LLC.