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.
Our Chamber's 2020 Legislative Priorities 2020
Our Chamber's Economic Development Priorities
Liability Protections to Businesses Affected by COVID Pandemic
June 22, 2020
The Springfield Chambers wrote Senator Beyer and Representative Lively to ask for support in enacting the employer liability protections needed to balance our state’s
economic recovery alongside public health goals.
Extend Liability Protections to Businesses Affected by COVID Pandemic
June 17, 2020
The Eugene and Springfield chambers have rallied regional public sector partners - City of Eugene, City of Springfield, Lane County, Lane Transit District, Lane Community College and Willamalane – to ask state legislators’ and the Governor’s support for temporary, targeted, and timely liability protection.
Liability Protections Needed to Shield Employers from Litigation Abuse
May 22, 2020
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter on behalf of small business owners to Oregon Representatives: Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Peter DeFazio about the need for support for fair and reasonable small business and employer protections against litigation and penalties during the phased reopening of our state.
Business voices needed in request to delay the Corporate Activity Tax
April 22, 2020
With the signatures of over 300 local area businesses, today the Springfield and Eugene Chambers submitted a letter requesting the delay of the Corporate Activity Tax to Governor Kate Brown and members of the Oregon legislature. Please continue to utilize the form below to submit your name and company in support of delaying the Corporate Activity Tax.
Downtown Springfield Respite Shelter to Springfield City Council
May 4, 2020
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce responds to concerns from downtown business community supporting solutions for the compassionate care of vulnerable populations, while stressing the need to avoid consequences detrimental to the hard-earned revitalization in the downtown Springfield.
Extend and Restore the Original Intent of the CARES Act for Small Business Relief
April 20, 2020
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce issues an appeal to Oregon federal delegation requesting the restoration of original intent of the CARES Act, and expansion of funding for small business assistance through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP.)
READ THE LETTER TO REPRESENTATIVE DEFAZIO
READ THE LETTER TO SENATOR WYDEN
Chamber Board of Directors Endorses LCC Bond
April 15, 2020
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce endorses the Lane Community College Bond Measure that will ensure critical investment in local workforce development and training and improved campus safety and security.
Oregon Primary Elections are May 19, 2020
Oregon residents must be registered to vote 21 calendar days before
an election, which is April 28 for the 2020 primary election. Oregon
residents can check their registration status and register to vote
online at the Secretary of State website or by filling out a voter
registration form and taking it to the county elections office, which in
Lane County is:
Oregon Secretary of State Elections and Voter Information
Lane County Elections and Voter Information
Lane County Elections: 541-682-4234 | Office: 275 W. 10th Avenue, Eugene
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.
We invite each candidate running for local office (opposed or unopposed) to submit their response to a candidate questionnaire. The questions are compiled by the Chamber’s Business Advocacy Council, a diverse group of business and community leaders. The candidate's responses will be published without edit, and can be found by clicking on “responses” following the candidate's name. You can also click on the candidate’s names to go to their campaign pages for more information.
Springfield City Club candidate forums will be streamed on the Springfield City Club Facebook page and available to watch on their YouTube Channel. Eugene City Club candidate forums will be steamed on the City Club of Eugene Facebook Page and made available at a later date.
LCC Bond Measure 20-306 On the May 19, 2020 ballot, the Lane Community College Board will ask voters in its service area to consider a bond. If approved, the $121.5 million measure would fund safety and security updates, seismic retrofitting, expand Health Professions and Workforce Training Programs, and modernize classroom technology throughout the district. Lane Community College is hosting a series of Online Town Halls on: Tuesday April 21st, Thursday April 30th and Saturday May 9th. To learn more about the bond measure, or for more information on the LCC Town Halls, visit their website.
Molina Leadership & Business Development Solutions has been hosting interviews with candidates, which can be found on their Facebook Page.
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.