Purpose
Our Chamber serves as the voice of our business community on local, state, and federal regulatory and governmental issues that affect businesses. The Governmental Affairs programs at the Chamber are designed to: (1) educate and involve Chamber members and business representatives in the government legislative process through committee involvement and (2) mobilize members and business representatives to contact public officials concerning legislation supported by the Chamber.  Two committees, Local Governmental Affairs and State Governmental Affairs, meet regularly.

Local Governmental Affairs

The Local Governmental Affairs Committee meets on a monthly basis to discuss and take action on topical issues of interest to the Chamber membership. Committee presentations and discussions include: 

North Carolina Utilities de-regulation;
Efforts to reduce juvenile crime;
Service provided by cable TV companies;
County Schools Long Range Plan;
City of Wilmington long range development plans.

Recurring Committee projects include:
Preparation of Televised Candidate Forum for elections for New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, Wilmington City Council and New Hanover County School Board.

Coordination of the Community Education Task Force which provides presentations throughout the community to support advocacy efforts toward County Schools and Community College Bond Referendums.

Process:
The Committee discusses topical issues and recommends Chamber action and involvement to the Board of Directors. Committee members assume responsibility for monitoring status of specific projects.

Congressman Mike McIntyre and former Chamber of Commerce Chairman Bob Hoover at the Business Issues Conference in Washington, D.C.

State Governmental Affairs

The State Governmental Affairs Committee meets each month during the General Assembly Session. The Committee conducts a survey of the entire Chamber membership concerning potential issues of interest to be included in the Chamber's Legislative Agenda For Business. The Legislative Agenda sets forth the Chamber position on specific issues for support by the General Assembly that affect the community and Chamber membership.   Click here to view the 2008 Legislative Agenda for Business.

Process:
The Committee meets with members of the New Hanover Delegation throughout the General Assembly Session to monitor legislative action on the Chamber's Legislative Agenda and report progress to the Chamber membership. When required, the Committee requests Chamber Board of Directors and membership involvement to advocate Legislature support for a particular issue. The Committee also makes personal visits to the General Assembly leadership in Raleigh during the Legislature's Session.

Opportunities:
Chamber members may participate in the State and Governmental Affairs Committees, attend special briefings on legislative issues and participate in the annual Business Issues Conference hosted by the North Carolina Delegation in Washington, D.C.

Governmental Affairs:
Chamber of Commerce 2007 State Legislative Agenda for Business

Cape Fear Council of Governments
Chartered by the North Carolina General Assemble as the lead regional organization serving Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender Counties.

Local Government Websites:
New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Wilmington City Council

State Government Website:
North Carolina General Assembly

The New Hanover County delegation includes three Representatives and one Senator in the North Carolina General Assembly:
Senator Julia Boseman
Representative Carolyn H. Justice
Representative Daniel F. McComas
Representative Sandra Spaulding Hughes

Federal Government Websites:
U.S. House of Representatives
   Congressman Mike McIntyre
U.S. Senate
   Senator Richard Burr
   Kay Hagan