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Public Policy

Mission

The Nashoba Valley Public Policy Committee is dedicated to influencing the development of local, state and federal laws and policies in support of the Chamber’s mission. The Committee advocates for public policies that promote job growth, business expansion and new market opportunities, while opposing government actions that would have the opposite effect. The Committee also serves as a resource to the membership, providing information on important issues, opportunities to advocate on their own behalf, and direct contact with elected officials, candidates for public office and policymakers.

NVCoC 2019 Policy Agenda

Strengthening Small Businesses

  • Increases to the minimum wage must be limited. Significant hikes limit the ability of employers to create new jobs. Maintaining the current rate would ensure state businesses remain competitive.
  • To support potential entrepreneurs and make Massachusetts an attractive point of entry, we fully embrace Governor Charlie Baker’s initiative to reduce the Secretary of State’s filing fee to form limited liability corporations.
  • Recently, unemployed workers in Massachusetts received the highest benefits across the nation, heightening costs for small businesses.
  • Financing fledgling businesses and entrepreneurs keeps the Commonwealth competitive in a nationwide playing field. We will strive to forge more public-private partnerships and increase micro-lending in order to energize new business.
  • It is imperative to protect small businesses from the high cost of health coverage for their employees. Limiting rate increases, benefits, and other burdensome mandates will be priorities as we help businesses address employee needs.

Keeping Massachusetts Competitive

  • Elected leaders on Beacon Hill must expand transit and infrastructure investments beyond Greater Boston to make sure the entire Commonwealth is on a level playing field.
  • More than ever before, broadband and high speed internet are crucial aspects in running a successful business. Small businesses and residents in our community should have a variety of broadband and high speed internet providers from which to choose.
  • Efforts to augment the commercial tax base create business-friendly environments. It is our hope to lessen the tax burden on residents and businesses alike.
  • The tourism market is worthy of more private investments and partnerships. To that end, we intend to push lawmakers and other officials to further stimulate those endeavors at the state and local level.
  • Reducing regulatory fetter and simplifying the process of opening the doors of a new endeavor are absolute musts for attracting and developing businesses. We will accordingly push for less red tape as well as speed-to-market strategies.

Transportation

  • Economic growth demands adequate accommodations, and Route 2 is inadequate when reduced from a four-lane to a two-lane highway. Therefore, we will review options to widen the highway and remove bottlenecks for expanded traffic.
  • The region’s employees need to get to work, and the region needs routes and schedules to help them do so. In addition to establishing as many transportation options as possible, we will advocate for multiuse trails for foot traffic as well.
  • Investment in public infrastructure is a critical component of community health and economic prosperity. We will push for expeditious improvements to public resources in the communities we serve at both the state and local levels.

Manufacturing

  • In the continued spirit of retaining manufacturers, we will strive to  remove the present Inventory Tax, as it inhibits growth and hinders competition for regional manufacturers.

Education

  • We will advocate for increased investments in education and education alternatives to make sure students receive the foundation they need for the economy of the future.
  • Students must grow into competitive members of the labor force. To realize
    that objective, we will place our  education system at the foundation of our efforts to improve our regional economy.

 

Our chamber is about building better businesses, and that is through smarter government policies that respect employers for the work they do in creating and sustaining jobs.

 

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