Advocacy & Elections
Most Recent News/Updates:
Springfield Chamber Endorses Public Safety Ballot Measure 20-327
Springfield Chamber Submits Public Testimony Advocating on Behalf of Best and Highest Use of Proposed Room Tax (TRT) Increase
Springfield Chamber Joins Coalition Advocating for Energy Choice
Springfield Chamber Endorses Public Safety Ballot Measure 20-327
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce supports renewal of the local option levy for Springfield jail and police services and encourages constituents vote "Yes" on Ballot Measure 20-327 in November.
Springfield Chamber Submits Public Testimony Advocating on Behalf of Best and Highest Use of Proposed Room Tax (TRT) Increase
Springfield Chamber Joins Coalition Advocating for Energy Choice
The City of Eugene is considering a ban on natural gas and other fossil fuel infrastructure in newly constructed buildings. Businesses report grave concerns that such policy will limit their ability to operate locally or remain competitive in other markets.
Eugene and Springfield Chambers of Commerce Release Statement Following Business Survey Findings
The City of Eugene is considering a ban on natural gas and other fossil fuel infrastructure in
newly constructed local buildings.
Recognizing the significant impact this could have immediately and in the future for local
businesses, the Eugene and Springfield Chambers of Commerce together developed and
administered a survey of their members to measure business community sentiment on these
issues and the impacts such policies could have on local organizations, jobs, and families.
Springfield Chamber Submits Testimony to Oregon Department of Forestry on Western Oregon Habitat Conservation Plan
I offer this perspective as a supplement to our testimony submitted May 31st, 2022, asking for a more thorough analysis of impacts the Habitat Conservation Plan proposal will have on rural Oregon, and a process more inclusive of local business, industry, and taxing districts. We ask that you consider the ramifications of regulations posed on one sector impact Oregon businesses, families, and communities.
Springfield Chamber Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Western Oregon State Forest Habitat Conservation Plan
I write to express concerns that the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) draft Habitat Conservation Plan(HCP) and the associated draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) would increase the environmental and economic harm our communities and forests have faced over the past several decades, all of which were exacerbated by the 2020 Labor Day Wildfires from which we are still struggling to recover. We hope a better path forward can be found and we are reliant on your leadership to enable this.
Springfield Chamber Comments on Main Street Safety Project
Investing in road infrastructure, commuter and public safety, and quality of place enhancements has its merits, but should not come at the expense of small and medium-sized enterprises, the foundation of our economic strength, resilience, and opportunity.
Springfield and Eugene Chambers Issue Joint Statement to Eugene City Council on Potential New Construction Natural Gas Limitations
The IPCC is clear, our global climate is warming and as a country and society we must take action to slow the impacts of climate change. Locally, we implore you to consider and implement policies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a way that does not compromise the delicate ecosystem on which we’ve built our society – a local economy that provides jobs which pay for housing, food, clothing, and other necessities; a local economy that funds the infrastructure we rely on such as public education, roads, sewers, and even climate policy implementation.
Springfield Chamber Submits Testimony on Oregon Redistricting
Appeal for reasonable revisions to OR-OSHA COVID-19 Permanent Standard Draft Rules
OR-OSHA should be providing workers and local businesses with certainty, not layering new regulations on local employers nearly 14 months into the pandemic that pose barriers to already challenging economic recovery efforts.
Coalition Letter Urging Extension of PPP Deadline
March 3, 2021
The Springfield Area Chamber joins 12 Oregon chambers of commerce in support of letter to congress urging extension of the Paycheck Protection Program deadline.
ILR Leads Letter Urging Congress to Pass COVID-19 Liability Protections
February 1, 2021
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce signed on to the Institute for Legal Reform's letter to Congress urging members to consider targeted and temporary liability protections in the next COVID relief package.
Appeal for Small Business Remedy and Relief
12/15/20
The Springfield Chambers wrote a letter to Governor Kate Brown and Lane County representatives to the Oregon legislature to recognize the critical role small business plays in sustaining our state’s economy and to prioritize substantial remedies for small business employers.
Chamber Calls for City Council's Focus on Business Recovery
9/4/20
Read letter to the council here
Engage with your Springfield Area Chamber Advocacy Team
The Springfield Chamber advocates and works with elected representatives around issues, policy, and legislation of impact and interest to our members at all levels of government. The 2020 Legislative Priorities reflect our commitment to members and to the Springfield Area Chamber’s mission: fostering a prosperous community by strengthening, representing, and promoting business. We encourage our members to stay informed and engaged with the Chamber and elected officials as we pursue these state-wide legislative priorities.
The Mayor and City Council
make up the legislative branch of Springfield’s City government. Each
of the six members of the City Council is elected by citywide vote and
represents an area of town called a ward. The Mayor is also elected by
citywide vote. The Mayor and City Council members serve without pay as
volunteers for four-year terms. They set City policy and make decisions
regarding ordinances and resolutions, authorizing contracts, setting
City goals, and adopting the City’s annual budget. The Mayor and City
Council also appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, Municipal Court
Judges, and many residents to serve on advisory committees. The Mayor
and City Council guide the City staff to provide the highest quality,
lowest cost service to the residents of Springfield.
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce strongly encourages
engagement between elected officials and chamber members as a way to
inform and to be informed on issues of interest and impact to the
chamber community. Local non-partisan elections are a great opportunity
to deepen our understanding of each other. While the Chamber will not be
making any candidate endorsements, we seek to inform our members and
voters by engaging in dialogue with those interested in serving and
representing our community.
2022 Spring Primary Elections - Candidate Questionnaires
- Lane County Board of Commissioners
- District 1 - Coming Soon
- District 2 - Read Here
- District 5 - Read Here
- Springfield City Council
Damien Pitts appointed to Springfield City Council Representing Ward 1
In a unanimous decision, Springfield City Councilors Monday, March 1st, selected Damien Pitts to represent Ward 1 on the council.
Request to be added to a chamber news or committee mail list:
- Chamber news/information: contact info@springfield-chamber.org for guidance and questions.
Government Issues Committee and Business Advocacy Council Liaison:
- Contact: Max Molzahn, Membership Development Manager Max@springfield-chamber.org
Economic Development Committee and Government Issues Committee Liaison:
- Contact: Dani Thompson, Economic Development Specialist Dani@springfield-chamber.org
Attend the Chamber’s Government Issues Committee
- Meetings are every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7:00-8:00am at the Hilton Garden Inn, Springfield/Eugene and are open to all Springfield Chamber members. Contact: Max Molzahn, Membership Development Manager and GIC Liaison for information or to sign up for mail list Max@springfield-chamber.org
Attend the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee
- Contact: Dani Thompson, Economic Development Specialist for information or to sign up for mail list Dani@springfield-chamber.org
Access your Member Benefits with the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce
Because your Springfield Chamber holds a membership with the OSCC Springfield Chamber members not only are assured representation but extended access to state-wide policy resources, information, and expert legislative counsel. To learn more visit: https://www.oregonchamber.org/
Sign up for Advocacy in Action Alerts from the Oregon State Chamber. A valuable tool that will keep you up to date on legislative issues and make it easy to contact your state legislators.
Visit the Springfield Chamber’s Online News Source.
- Weekly updates during the Oregon legislative sessions are posted on The Bottom Line.