We invite you to come to New Caney where you can visit the “Old Sawmill Town” and step back in time and experience East Montgomery County history.
Craft vendors, food concessions, historical displays, old timey pictures, live music on the grandstand outdoors, carnvial games, school choirs performing on the inside stage, rock wall, petting zoo, wagon rides, and tournament competitions - sack races, bucket relays, and more. We are partnering with our local schools, library and fire departments for a fun filled day for our community.
Located at the EMCID Compex on Hwy 59, just north of Community Drive.
Free Admission & Free Parking at the High School next door.
Booth space: 10x20 $25, 20x20 $50, 20x30 $75 and up.
Deadline to Register: March 30th
Craft/Arts/Retail/Non-Profit/Churches
Call today,reserve your space!!
**seeking entertainers (singers & bands) looking for chance to perform**
Registration forms online or call 281-354-0051
www.communitychamber.com
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Chamber’s role in politics
Recently there have been issues that have arisen in our area and various people have asked why the Chamber hasn’t taken a stand. First let me explain that your Chamber is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Service tax code. With that tax status there are certain laws that govern how the Chamber can participate in issues such as partisan political campaigns and other issues. First and foremost the Chamber cannot endorse an individual political candidate for any office.
Often times, as has been the case in the last several elections, there have been more than one Chamber member running for a particular position. As you can understand it is vitally important that the Chamber remain neutral in such situations. With regard to issues such as school bond referendums, college bond referendums and road bond referendums and other issues that are for the good of the community the Chamber will often pass resolutions in support of or against such referendums. Resolutions in support of both the New Caney ISD, Splendora ISD and Conroe ISD bond referendums were passed, as well as the Lone Star College System referendum. Construction of new facilities at all those entities is underway at this time. This past December the Chamber Board passed a resolution with respect to a federal bill that would allow unions to be formed without employees having the right to hold a secret ballot vote. This issue would be crippling to our small business members and to the country as a whole. The Chamber has passed resolutions saluting the success of New Caney ISD in achieving TEA Recognized status, the career of Dr. Linda Stegall upon her retirement from Lone Star College-Kingwood and numerous other issues important to East Montgomery County.
The Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee and Education Committee review issues that come to their attention and after review and discussion they make recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Board will then consider each issue and take any action necessary. If a resolution is passed it is then sent to the media and to the appropriate entity that may be dealing with that issue. If it is a school bond or road bond referendum that is being supported we would ask that the media let the public know that the Chamber is supporting such an issue.
The mission of the Chamber is “To promote the economic well being and quality of life of East Montgomery County” and we take that mission very seriously. We encourage you as individual citizens to exercise your right as a citizen and to support the issues that you deem appropriate.
With respect to the recent issues in New Caney ISD, the Chamber has enjoyed a very productive and cooperative relationship with the district and the Superintendent and truly appreciates the support shown to the Chamber during the last ten plus years. The Chamber will continue to work with the district and the administrator that will be hired. When and where the Chamber can join you in those issues we will.
Often times, as has been the case in the last several elections, there have been more than one Chamber member running for a particular position. As you can understand it is vitally important that the Chamber remain neutral in such situations. With regard to issues such as school bond referendums, college bond referendums and road bond referendums and other issues that are for the good of the community the Chamber will often pass resolutions in support of or against such referendums. Resolutions in support of both the New Caney ISD, Splendora ISD and Conroe ISD bond referendums were passed, as well as the Lone Star College System referendum. Construction of new facilities at all those entities is underway at this time. This past December the Chamber Board passed a resolution with respect to a federal bill that would allow unions to be formed without employees having the right to hold a secret ballot vote. This issue would be crippling to our small business members and to the country as a whole. The Chamber has passed resolutions saluting the success of New Caney ISD in achieving TEA Recognized status, the career of Dr. Linda Stegall upon her retirement from Lone Star College-Kingwood and numerous other issues important to East Montgomery County.
The Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee and Education Committee review issues that come to their attention and after review and discussion they make recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Board will then consider each issue and take any action necessary. If a resolution is passed it is then sent to the media and to the appropriate entity that may be dealing with that issue. If it is a school bond or road bond referendum that is being supported we would ask that the media let the public know that the Chamber is supporting such an issue.
The mission of the Chamber is “To promote the economic well being and quality of life of East Montgomery County” and we take that mission very seriously. We encourage you as individual citizens to exercise your right as a citizen and to support the issues that you deem appropriate.
With respect to the recent issues in New Caney ISD, the Chamber has enjoyed a very productive and cooperative relationship with the district and the Superintendent and truly appreciates the support shown to the Chamber during the last ten plus years. The Chamber will continue to work with the district and the administrator that will be hired. When and where the Chamber can join you in those issues we will.
Issues before the 81st Legislature
There are many important issues that face those representing us in Austin during the 81st legislative session. In reading through the Texas Association of Business (TAB) legislative update there are several key issues that stood out. (The following information items are TAB’s position on these issues, not the Chamber’s.)
· Texas has the second highest number of employees in the labor force (of any state).
· Forty percent of all new jobs created in the US in 2007 were created in Texas.
· Texas is the number one exporting state in the nation.
Economic Development
· Texas needs to support state-appropriated economic development funds for rural areas.
· Support tax incentives to encourage business participation in education initiatives.
· Support healthy economic growth by promoting the production of adequate supplies of all forms of energy at competitive prices.
Education and Workforce
· Support career and technology education in conjunction with community colleges.
· Create flexibility for school districts in the requirement that grades K through 4 is comprised of no more than 23 students to one teacher, allowing school districts to use the 23:1 mandate as a district average.
· Support education at the community college level as an important contributor to training students for jobs in the workforce.
· Support measures that give school districts the flexibility to meet the needs of their students.
· Support increased funding for the Skills Development Program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Employment Relations
· Oppose legislation that would erode employment-at-will as a right for all Texas employers and employees.
· Oppose efforts to modify the Family Medical Leave Act.
· Support efforts to keep Texas a right-to-work state and oppose agency shop legislation.
Environmental Quality
· Support activities for teachers and students that promote a balanced perspective in environmental education based on sound science.
· Support legislation to limit intrusion by federal agencies in the state’s implementation of delegated environmental programs.
· Support streamlining of the permitting process to ensure that businesses can maintain and enhance environmental compliance and at the same time minimize roadblocks that result in expensive procedural delays.
· Support legislation that encourages more voluntary environmental program activities.
General Business
· Oppose legislation that restricts the ability of private parties to contract.
· Support reforms that would prevent uninsured motorists from collecting pain and suffering damages if they are in an accident with an insured driver.
· Support the recording of legislative votes during and after floor debate in the Texas Legislature.
Health Care
· Oppose any measure that increases costs for Texas employers and their employees and families.
· Support legislation to promote consumer-directed health care models. Encourage employers to be more involved in their health, and encourage education of employers and employees on actual health care costs and fees.
· Empower employees and consumers with information regarding the cost and quality of health care services to allow consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
Taxes and Spending
· Support state policies and programs that maximize the receipt and use of federal matching and other funds for state purposes.
· Support an exemption from the franchise (margin) tax of all flow-through funds that are mandated by contract to be distributed to other entities.
· Support reinstating the research and development tax credit (provided under the previous franchise tax) and allowing it to be carried forward.
· Oppose the imposition of a gross receipts tax.
· Support elimination or reduction of local inventory taxes.
· Maintain franchise (margin) tax relief for small business.
Tort Reform
· Oppose attempts to amend current law to extend statutes of limitations or timetables for filing a lawsuit.
· Protect legislative reforms enacted to address rising medical malpractice insurance costs.
Transportation
· Support improved highways, ports of entry and other infrastructures that facilitate trade, tourism and other cross-border traffic between Texas and Mexico.
· Support limitations on the use of motor fuel taxes, except for the constitutionally-required percentage used to fund our educational system, by reducing diversions to the fullest extent.
· Support the construction of toll roads where appropriate. Users will directly pay for the new roads, and tolls will be dedicated solely to maintenance and new construction.
Workers’ Compensation
· Support accountability measures for providers within the workers’ compensation system.
· Support cost-effective health and safety measures.
· Oppose legislation that imposes new laws or regulations on employers that are non-subscribers to workers’ compensation.
· Support measures to increase the efficiency in the operation and administration of the Texas Department of Insurance.
There are many other issues that will be addressed during the 81st legislative session. The Chamber encourages you to do your own research on these and many other topics that will be brought before the legislature.
· Texas has the second highest number of employees in the labor force (of any state).
· Forty percent of all new jobs created in the US in 2007 were created in Texas.
· Texas is the number one exporting state in the nation.
Economic Development
· Texas needs to support state-appropriated economic development funds for rural areas.
· Support tax incentives to encourage business participation in education initiatives.
· Support healthy economic growth by promoting the production of adequate supplies of all forms of energy at competitive prices.
Education and Workforce
· Support career and technology education in conjunction with community colleges.
· Create flexibility for school districts in the requirement that grades K through 4 is comprised of no more than 23 students to one teacher, allowing school districts to use the 23:1 mandate as a district average.
· Support education at the community college level as an important contributor to training students for jobs in the workforce.
· Support measures that give school districts the flexibility to meet the needs of their students.
· Support increased funding for the Skills Development Program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Employment Relations
· Oppose legislation that would erode employment-at-will as a right for all Texas employers and employees.
· Oppose efforts to modify the Family Medical Leave Act.
· Support efforts to keep Texas a right-to-work state and oppose agency shop legislation.
Environmental Quality
· Support activities for teachers and students that promote a balanced perspective in environmental education based on sound science.
· Support legislation to limit intrusion by federal agencies in the state’s implementation of delegated environmental programs.
· Support streamlining of the permitting process to ensure that businesses can maintain and enhance environmental compliance and at the same time minimize roadblocks that result in expensive procedural delays.
· Support legislation that encourages more voluntary environmental program activities.
General Business
· Oppose legislation that restricts the ability of private parties to contract.
· Support reforms that would prevent uninsured motorists from collecting pain and suffering damages if they are in an accident with an insured driver.
· Support the recording of legislative votes during and after floor debate in the Texas Legislature.
Health Care
· Oppose any measure that increases costs for Texas employers and their employees and families.
· Support legislation to promote consumer-directed health care models. Encourage employers to be more involved in their health, and encourage education of employers and employees on actual health care costs and fees.
· Empower employees and consumers with information regarding the cost and quality of health care services to allow consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
Taxes and Spending
· Support state policies and programs that maximize the receipt and use of federal matching and other funds for state purposes.
· Support an exemption from the franchise (margin) tax of all flow-through funds that are mandated by contract to be distributed to other entities.
· Support reinstating the research and development tax credit (provided under the previous franchise tax) and allowing it to be carried forward.
· Oppose the imposition of a gross receipts tax.
· Support elimination or reduction of local inventory taxes.
· Maintain franchise (margin) tax relief for small business.
Tort Reform
· Oppose attempts to amend current law to extend statutes of limitations or timetables for filing a lawsuit.
· Protect legislative reforms enacted to address rising medical malpractice insurance costs.
Transportation
· Support improved highways, ports of entry and other infrastructures that facilitate trade, tourism and other cross-border traffic between Texas and Mexico.
· Support limitations on the use of motor fuel taxes, except for the constitutionally-required percentage used to fund our educational system, by reducing diversions to the fullest extent.
· Support the construction of toll roads where appropriate. Users will directly pay for the new roads, and tolls will be dedicated solely to maintenance and new construction.
Workers’ Compensation
· Support accountability measures for providers within the workers’ compensation system.
· Support cost-effective health and safety measures.
· Oppose legislation that imposes new laws or regulations on employers that are non-subscribers to workers’ compensation.
· Support measures to increase the efficiency in the operation and administration of the Texas Department of Insurance.
There are many other issues that will be addressed during the 81st legislative session. The Chamber encourages you to do your own research on these and many other topics that will be brought before the legislature.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
