For Immediate Release

Contact:
Scott Alevy
(619) 544-1360
Lisa Gesner
(619) 544-1381

March 27, 2008


The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce's popular Congressional Luncheon, sponsored by BAE Systems, was held yesterday, Wednesday, March 26, 2008. Nearly 500 attendees had the opportunity to dialogue on regional issues with Congress members Susan Davis, Bob Filner and Duncan Hunter through real-time question and answer polling.

Dennis Morgigno, Channel 4 San Diego, moderated the event. The interactive program provided interesting insight into how the opinions of congressional and local business leaders agree or differ on issues such as water conservation, arts funding, career technical education and cross-border efficiency.

On the topic of water conservation, most (74 percent of the audience and all three Congress members) seemed to agree that supporting new technologies and existing infrastructure is a better solution than rationing water for businesses and individuals. Most also seemed to agree that tax incentive programs and rebates for those using new "green" technology should exist. Both the audience and Congress members were split, however, on the issue of healthcare reform, with 21 percent of the audience supporting legislation at the federal level to cover the uninsured, and 38 percent supporting a market based model for healthcare.

In other news, the Chamber's Board of Directors met today, Thursday, March 27, 2008, and took supporting positions on AB 2127, a bill allowing flexible work schedules in businesses with less than 25 employees, and on SB 1539, a bill to revise meal period requirements under Section 512 of the Labor Code. The Board also voiced a strong commitment to support the recommendations of the Chamber's Public Policy committees to develop a plan identifying potential solutions to the countywide aggregate shortage, and to raise public awareness about the issue.

Founded in 1870, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization with the goal of promoting the business interests of its more than 3,000 member companies, while increasing the international region's prosperity.