A lone voice can easily be ignored. Join the Chamber today and we can make sure you get heard.

​Chambers Are Getting More Politically Involved.  

Our Lobbyist
Fennimore Craig, one of the premier lobbying firms in Arizona, is contracted to work with the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce to support the collective interests of businesses in the West Valley! The Chamber as a 501(c)(6) ** business organization can lobby without jeopardizing its exempt status. This means we can stand up for the business values and principles this county was founded on!

Our registered lobbyist pushes for business friendly policies and a competitive tax environment that attract both new business and high-quality workers. Additionally, they seek to limit government regulations and intrusions that hinder our business community’s ability to meet the needs and demands of consumers and employees.
 
The Survey Results Are In:
Chambers:  Political Action Committees and Endorsements.  
(see the survey to left)
Chambers across the county are getting politically engaged! The Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) asked chamber members to complete a survey to discover which chambers have Political Action Committees (PACs) and make endorsements. This year’s survey garnered responses from 217 different chambers. Combined with data collected from previous years, W.A.C.E. has data from 280 different chambers across the western United States. The Surprise Regional Chamber does not have a political action committee and we do not endorse candidate.  Our Chamber does sponsor candidate forums because we believe people have a right to know what their candidates for public office say about issues that affect our communities. We provide the forums as a public service, and we are privileged and proud to play a role in the democratic process.

What Your Need to Know  about the Chamber and Lobbying:

• 5% of a member’s dues are used for lobbying activities (95% of your dues are tax deductible as a business expense)
• Unlimited lobbying is permitted by chambers
• We influence legislation
• We influence the general public with respect to elections, legislative matters, or referendums
• We influencing high-level executive level government officials with regard to administrative actions
• We may participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. (currently not being done)

**Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code
The section provides for the exemption chambers of commerce, which are not organized for profit and no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. Chambers direct their lobbying efforts at promoting the common economic interests of all commercial enterprises in a community.  In addition, the organization may engage in lobbying that is germane to accomplishing its exempt purpose without jeopardizing its exemption.

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