Chamber of Commerce Daily News
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Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) Releases Report Calling for Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Reform
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) released a new report on Tuesday outlining the need to reform how taxpayer money is used to fund third-party advocacy organizations and private contract lobbyists. While businesses and homeowners are faced with some of the highest property taxes in the nation, local governments are funding private groups to lobby state government for even more taxing and regulatory power.
The new report – Local (Out Of) Control – aims to help taxpayers understand how their money is used by local government.
“Even though Wisconsin has the fifth-highest property taxes in the country, Wisconsin businesses and homeowners are still facing an ever-increasing tax burden from local governments,” said Corydon Fish, WMC General Counsel and Director of Tax, Transportation and Legal Affairs. “It is especially unsettling that local governments fund private advocacy organizations and contract lobbyists that are not accountable to voters to push unpopular policies – like more taxing authority – at the state level.”
WMC’s report shows taxpayer-funded lobbying by local governments has become a big business in Wisconsin. In fact, during the 2017-18 legislative session, local government groups funded by tax dollars spent more than $5 million lobbying state government – in many cases for policies to raise taxes.
It also outlines how local governments subvert the democratic process by funding third-party associations – not subject to open meetings or public records laws – to lobby for policies that are not popular with the general taxpaying public. Some of these private third-party lobbyists even draw benefits from the Wisconsin Retirement System while doing so.
“Reforms to this process are desperately needed to protect local taxpayers,” added Fish. “Taxpayers should know their local governments are working on their behalf, not working against them to implement higher taxes or increased regulations. A more open and transparent system is needed.”
WMC urges policymakers to approve legislation that would prohibit local governments from using taxpayer dollars to pay for third-party advocacy organizations and private lobbyists. The report also recommends legislation that would prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars for issue advocacy campaigns, and prohibit third-party lobbyists from receiving state pension and health care benefits.
To read the full report, please click here.
Now Accepting Nominations For The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2020 First Citizen
The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce First Citizen Award is presented to an individual who is widely recognized as an influential leader and role model in the Peninsula business community.
The awardee must be a person of strong character and integrity who has leveraged his/her time, talents and resources toward the betterment of the Virginia Peninsula community.
To nominate an individual for the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce First Citizen Award, please complete the nomination form via the following link: bit.ly/2020FirstCitizenNominationForm. Nominations will be collected until Friday, December 13, 2019.
Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce Community Resource Guide & Business Directory
The Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce 2019 Community Guide is available at the Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Robert Moses and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
#FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!)
Gratitude grounds us in the goodness of God's grace. -Bob Holmes
Mississippi Main Street hires Jennifer Prather
Prather has served as the Director of Main Street and Tourism for The Greater Starkville Development Partnership since 2017 and has also served as the interim Chief Executive Officer for the past year. As director, Prather has focused on the development and implementation of programs and campaigns to establish and promote Starkville as a premier destination in the state of Mississippi.
As the MMSA Director of Community Development, Prather will serve as the direct liaison between MMSA and 53 member communities, coordinating and supervising all Main Street member organizations and working with each community on their program service needs.
An Olive Branch native, Prather attended Mississippi State University and began her career with the Partnership in 2005. After later working in the MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships, and then the Global Leadership Continuum at MSU, Prather ventured back to the Partnership as the Special Events and Projects Coordinator in 2013.
Prather has served on the executive boards of both Starkville Young Professionals and the Starkville chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi.
Prather currently serves on the board of directors for the Mississippi Tourism Association and was named a “Rising Star Under 35” professional in 2018 by the Starkville Daily News.
Prather will be based in Starkville but traveling the entire state with her new position. Read more: Mississippi Business
#BestChamber practices: Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber: #ChamberofAction
#ChamberofAction!
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Lake County chamber names new executive director
A familiar face is returning to lead the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Shaunese Teamer, who was chamber's executive director form 2011-2013, was recently appointed to the position by the chamber's board of directors.
Teamer has more than 25 years of marketing and public relations experience, working with both nonprofit and commercial clients in developing community outreach initiatives and strategic marketing campaigns.
She returns to the chamber after serving as director of revenue and development for public television station WYCC in Chicago. Her experience also includes working at World Communications Inc., the parent company of Chicago public television station WTTW Channel 11, where she served as manager of community outreach and national publicity and advertising sales manager. Teamer was responsible for coordinating innovative membership campaigns, as well as developing national publicity strategies for a wide range of television network programming.
She also held positions at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Executive and Information Services Division, responsible for coordinating CME member meetings and preparing opening day stock market quotes for the trading floor.
Teamer led numerous marketing campaigns for television productions and in 2016 won a Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for WYCC for the documentary, "Chicago's True Nature: The Forest Preserves of Cook County."
She holds a BA degree in broadcast communications from Columbia College Chicago.
Teamer also served on the Lake County Community Foundation board; the Lake County Partners micro loan committee; and the North Chicago City Council. In 2012, she was appointed by the Illinois State Board of Education to serve on the Financial Oversight Panel for School District 187, where she served for six years. Read more: Daily Herald
Amy Cloud
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives
acloud@kychamber.com
502-848-8738
A familiar face is returning to lead the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Shaunese Teamer, who was chamber's executive director form 2011-2013, was recently appointed to the position by the chamber's board of directors.
Teamer has more than 25 years of marketing and public relations experience, working with both nonprofit and commercial clients in developing community outreach initiatives and strategic marketing campaigns.
She returns to the chamber after serving as director of revenue and development for public television station WYCC in Chicago. Her experience also includes working at World Communications Inc., the parent company of Chicago public television station WTTW Channel 11, where she served as manager of community outreach and national publicity and advertising sales manager. Teamer was responsible for coordinating innovative membership campaigns, as well as developing national publicity strategies for a wide range of television network programming.
She also held positions at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Executive and Information Services Division, responsible for coordinating CME member meetings and preparing opening day stock market quotes for the trading floor.
Teamer led numerous marketing campaigns for television productions and in 2016 won a Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for WYCC for the documentary, "Chicago's True Nature: The Forest Preserves of Cook County."
She holds a BA degree in broadcast communications from Columbia College Chicago.
Teamer also served on the Lake County Community Foundation board; the Lake County Partners micro loan committee; and the North Chicago City Council. In 2012, she was appointed by the Illinois State Board of Education to serve on the Financial Oversight Panel for School District 187, where she served for six years. Read more: Daily Herald
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) Board Development Training
We want our chamber volunteers to be informed and engaged. Help them be the best support system for you by encouraging them to attend our Board Development Training.
Forward this info to your board members, committee chairs and ambassadors!
KCCE Board Development
AGENDA (tentative)
9:45 Registration
10:00 am Welcome
10:05 am What is a Chamber?
10:15—11:15 am Roles & Responsibilities of Volunteering with a Chamber
11:30—12:30 am Working lunch: Evaluating & Supporting the Chamber Executive
12:45—1:15 pm Chamber Income, Dues & Non-Dues Revenue and Foundation
1:15 – 2:00 pm Framework of Effective Public Policy Work
Register Board Member Here
464 Chenault Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Sincerely,
AGENDA (tentative)
9:45 Registration
10:00 am Welcome
10:05 am What is a Chamber?
10:15—11:15 am Roles & Responsibilities of Volunteering with a Chamber
11:30—12:30 am Working lunch: Evaluating & Supporting the Chamber Executive
12:45—1:15 pm Chamber Income, Dues & Non-Dues Revenue and Foundation
1:15 – 2:00 pm Framework of Effective Public Policy Work
Register Board Member Here
When
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM EST
Add to Calendar
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM EST
Add to Calendar
Where
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce464 Chenault Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Sincerely,
Amy Cloud
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives
acloud@kychamber.com
502-848-8738
Established in 1965, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) is the association of chamber of commerce professionals in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As a not-for-profit division of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the primary goal of KCCE is to serve it membership by providing professional development, networking, resource exchange opportunities and grassroots advocacy.
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Zionsville Chamber names Gutwein new chamber director
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In addition, WELCOME HOME is distributed to local libraries, park districts, municipalities and your local chamber office.
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Don't miss this opportunity to promote your member businesses to new residents ON A MONTHLY BASIS, ALL YEAR LONG!
Mailed monthly to new movers from the previous 30 days!
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Zionsville Chamber names Gutwein new chamber director
The Zionsville Chamber of Commerce has named Allyson Gutwein as its executive director.
She will begin her duties with the chamber in late November.
In the announcement, the chamber board noted that Gutwein comes to the Zionsville Chamber as a familiar face to many, with decades of experience in Boone County.
She most recently was manager of Midwest Jewelers on Main Street in Zionsville. Gutwein is currently serving as a Zionsville Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and previously served as a Boone County Chamber of Commerce Board Member for six years. She was named the Boone County Business Woman of the Year in 2009 by Zonta International.
Gutwein also has served as president of the Indiana University Alumni Club of Boone County.
Gutwein says of her new position, “The Chamber has and will continue to play a unique and dynamic role in the advancement of a positive image for our town and advocacy for our membership," Gutwein said in the announcement. "I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead the chamber in engaging our membership, local government leaders and critical community partners to deliver our shared vision for a prosperous Zionsville.”
Zionsville Chamber Board President Dan Rhodes said that Gutwein will bring an energetic leadership style to the chamber.
"She has experience as an entrepreneur and understands the needs of local business," he said. "Combined with her extensive chamber volunteer experience, Allyson is exceptionally qualified to lead the Zionsville chamber,and we are eager for Allyson to bring her ideas and passion to our members."
The Zionsville Chamber of Commerce represents more than 450 businesses located in or near Zionsville, and is committed to advancing Zionsville’s economic vitality through the education, promotion, and networking of its members. To learn more about the chamber, visit Zionsvillechamber.org. Read more: Zionsville Times Sentinel
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