Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Legislative Agenda:
January 21, 2009 

1. Office of Hispano Affairs:
   The AHCC supports the creation of a NM OFFICE OF HISPANO AFFAIRS. The Chamber has supported this legislation over the past two years. 

2. Tax Increment Development District (TIDDS):
   The AHCC supports economic development measures, including Tax Increment Development Districts (TIDDs). TIDDs are an economic development tool that will attract new small businesses and industries, provide new jobs and better access to education for the Hispanic community, and others, and increase the revenues and tax base to local and state governments.
   
   This issue is more important now due to the economy in that developers need incentives more than ever to develop large parcels. Additionally, this has passed at the local and state level relative to Mesa Del Sol, and other developers want that same treatment from their local and state governments.

3. Other Legislation:
   AHCC in conjunction with other business organizations take the following positions:
   
   Supports regulatory reform legislation that creates a consistent and predictable regulatory system that protects the states citizens, allows for the success of its business community, and encourages economic development. 
   
   Opposes change in New Mexico tax law, whether to provide revenues for current or additional government programs, that primarily target businesses or place an undue burden on business growth including, but not limited to, an increase in the gross receipts tax rate, since that increases the pyramiding problem, or requiring combined corporate income tax filing since that would remove an economic development incentive used to attract businesses to the state.
   
   Supports funding for public education in New Mexico at the appropriate level. We encourage public / private partnerships and studies to improve the efficiency of our educational institutions. We oppose the proposed 1% increase in the gross receipts tax as an avenue for additional funding pending an explanation on how the funding will be utilized, the expected results are articulated, and how the expected results will be measured, in particular as it pertains to the Hispanic student population. 
   
   Supports maximizing and optimizing the use of federal funds (particularly Medicaid, SCHIP, Medicare Advantage and SCI) to cover more New Mexican businesses and individuals. 
   
   Supports complete, transparent and timely pre-election reporting by all organizations of expenditures which appear to be designed to influence the outcome of elections. Included should be expenditures for advertising criticizing or promoting a particular candidate or candidates whether or not accompanied by a request for a vote for or against that candidate. Also supports appropriate limits on campaign contributions by individuals and organizations.
   
   Opposes state immigration policy that places any additional burdens on New Mexico employers. Supports comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level that ensures an adequate supply of legal employees to all US businesses. We also support the passage of the DREAN act which offers immigrant students graduating from a U.S. high school in state tuition and other appropriate services to enhance their education.

4. Opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act (Card Check Bill):
   The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce opposes the Employee Free Choice Act; also known as the Card Check bill. If passed this legislation would allow unions to bypass secret-ballot elections. Instead of a private election with a secret ballot overseen by an impartial federal board, union organizers would be required to gather signatures from more than 50 percent of the employees in a workplace or bargaining unit, a system known as "card-check." If this practice were to become law, the union would provide the information to the National Labor Relations Board, the union would be certified and the employer would be obligated to enter into collective bargaining – all without a secret ballot election from the workers. Employee decisions on unionization would be made in front of union organizers greatly increasing the opportunity for coercion and pressure, from both sides, in the union organizing process.
   
   This bill will also amend collective bargaining law so that when a union is recognized for the first time government arbitrators will set all the terms and conditions of the union contract unless the union and the employer can meet unrealistic timelines. Today, the law requires that the parties bargain in good faith and recognizes that the union, representing workers, and the employer are in the best position to determine whether an agreement is acceptable and whether compromising on one goal in order to achieve another is acceptable. The Card Check Bill's mandatory interest arbitration provisions would remove any incentive for the employer or the union to adopt realistic bargaining positions, as each would be posturing for the arbitrator, and would give the arbitrator control of the most basic business decisions. It would also deny employees the right to vote on ratification of the contract.
   
   The Card Check Bill would also increase penalties for employers, but not for unions or others, who violate union organizing laws. The legislation is also opposed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
   
   The existing law discourages unions from organizing small businesses. The Card Check bill would make small businesses a much easier target for union organizers; in certain cases without an employer being aware that their employees are being organized until after the bargaining unit is established and that union is certified.