Government & Community

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber combines its community issues and government affairs program under one department that works closely with all departments of the chamber and with external organizations aligned with the Chamber.

Every year, the Chamber issues its advocacy agenda for key priorities in the community. This agenda is developed with key community partners that include the Port of Tacoma, Economic Development Board, University of Washington Tacoma, McChord Air Force Base, Fort Lewis, City of Tacoma, Pierce County, major employers in the region, and small businesses. In many cases, the Chamber will develop a specific agenda for local, state, and federal issues (e.g. the TEACH agenda for state legislative goals).

The Chamber maintains and enhances existing relationships with elected officials and key government officials like:

• Local city council members
• Local mayors, city managers throughout Pierce County
• Tacoma Public Utility Director
• TPU Board members
• Pierce County Council members
• Pierce County Executive
• State legislators
• Governor Gregoire
• Congressional members

The Chamber provides resources, background and data to advocate on behalf of its positions in the various governmental bodies and officials. In addition, the Chamber works directly with its members to build grassroots advocacy.

The committee and project tasks forces of the government affairs department include:

• Public Affairs Council (monthly)
• Regional Access & Mobility Partnership (monthly)
• Washington-to-Washington, D.C. Trip (annual)
• Public Officials Reception
• Candidates Reception (annual)
• Leadership Tacoma-Pierce County, a 14-week program (annual)

The procedures for agenda and issues development at the Chamber has resulted in successful consensus building within the Chamber's membership and other external organizations. The Chamber staff meets with and listens to key community and business organization in order to formulate a legislative policy that is inclusive of the overall business community at the local, state and federal levels.

City Government
The Chamber's chief concern is the development of the best possible business climate to allow for economic growth of existing businesses, the creation of new economic development and providing balance for Tacoma and Pierce County as we move into the future.

Issues concerning city governments are handled on a case-by-case basis usually, as many ordinances and regulations have impacts on the business community and the economic climate of the region.

County Government
County issues are focused primarily on transportation, land use and criminal justice. The Chamber CEO uses a process known as the Regional Access & Mobility Partnership (RAMP) to make determinations on priorities with members and outside organizations.
 
RAMP is a regional coalition that includes business, labor public and private organizations and citizens dedicated to improving mobility in the South Sound region and Washington state.

RAMP is co-chaired by the Pierce County Executive and Port of Tacoma Executive Director in cooperation with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. Its mission is to ensure a healthy regional economy associated with the development of an effective, efficient transportation system and the resources to sustain it. The Chamber also maintains a RAMP blog, detailing the latest in regional transportation issues.

State/Federal Issues
At the state and federal level, the Chamber has captured its core values in written form following a process of approval that involves the Chamber's Board of Directors, Executive Board, Public Affairs Council, and its members. Each of these groups provides guidance to the staff on the importance of issues especially in regard to pending legislation in the state's capital or Congress.

In both cases, the Chamber arranges for its members to meet directly with their elected officials in Olympia and Washington, D.C. to discuss issues of importance and build stronger relationships between our organization and those members.

Business Organization Partnerships
The Chamber is also an active member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Washington Businesses.