AHCC STATE POLICY PLATFORM/SCOPE
January 2021

 
Economic Development
Economic Development, particularly that of small businesses and Hispanic-owned businesses and those that serve the Hispanic community, is the core of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce’s (Hispano Chamber) mission. The Hispano Chamber supports policies that help small businesses prosper and scale, including opportunities for government contracting for women and minority-owned businesses as well as policies that incentivize local investments and promote job growth. The Hispano Chamber opposes legislation that could result in a patchwork of local ordinances with different taxes on targeted industries and products.
 
Paid Sick Leave
The Hispano Chamber is promoting a thoughtful approach to a state-wide Paid Time Off bill. We believe that if legislation doesn’t pass at the legislature, there will be continued pressure by the local city councils to pass an onerous local ordinance or another referendum that doesn’t allow for public input. As we all know, viruses and illness are not limited to geographical borders, so a patchwork of municipal ordinances throughout the state is not good policy. Further, it is not good policy to have the financial burden of paid time off be put entirely on the shoulders of small businesses. They are already reeling from the shutdowns the governor has imposed due to the pandemic, a new minimum wage, and the possibility of higher unemployment insurance assessments. Fair policy needs to have skin in the game for all involved, should not be punitive to the business owners, and considers that small businesses require flexibility to operate their businesses successfully. 
 
Public Safety
Public safety is an integral part of a thriving economy. The Hispano Chamber supports policies that protect our families, businesses, and employees.
 
Education and Workforce Development
The Hispano Chamber believes that a well-trained and educated workforce is the foundation for economic development and success for our community and thus, supports policies that provide business and workforce education opportunities as well as programs such as the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship that provide opportunities for higher education to New Mexico students.  The Hispano Chamber also supports the Job Training Incentive Program that offers temporary pay for on-the-job training. The Hispano Chamber supports legislation that provides adequate funding for the education of under-served students, specified in the Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit.
 
Commerce
The Hispano Chamber believes that it should be easy to start and grow a business in New Mexico and therefore supports policies that encourage free trade and commerce that benefits the local community.
 
Energy
New Mexico is rich in energy opportunities, and the Hispano Chamber supports energy policies that support diverse, clean and affordable energy sources for businesses and consumers.
 
Tax
The Hispano Chamber supports tax policies that provide tax breaks and credits as incentives for small businesses that promote continued prosperity and growth for small businesses.
 
Culture
The Hispano Chamber celebrates New Mexico’s rich culture and history and thus supports policies that promote diversity and inclusion as well as well as policies that promote toursim.
 
Infrastructure
The Hispano Chamber supports policies that will provide for improvements in New Mexico’s infrastructure, including roads, broadband, and power, as all are vital for a vibrant small business community.