Forums define Chamber members’ priorities

Without a voice, it’s hard to be heard.

That’s why people with similar interests form associations. It’s also why these associations lobby school boards, city councils, county commissions, legislators and the governor.

Kansas bankers belong to the Kansas Bankers Assn., teachers belong to Kansas-National Education Assn., realtors belong to the Kansas Realtors Assn.

These associations and dozens more like them ensure their members are heard both in Topeka and in Washington, D.C.

In Lawrence, the Chamber of Commerce speaks for 1,300 area businesses.

“I like to think that what we do is educate,” said Bill Sepic, president and CEO of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

“We provide information both ways,” he said. “By that I mean we provide venues for public officials to come talk to the business community about a particular topic, and we do our best to let them know how the business community feels about things. It goes both ways.”

Issues of interest

To get these conversations going, the chamber this year began sponsoring forums they’re called “Capitol Connections” at the Hereford House restaurant, 4931 W. Sixth St.

The first three hourlong sessions were in February and March. The fourth and final installment begins at 4 p.m. April 19. For reservations, call 865-4411.

At the forums, Lawrence-area legislators comment on a variety of issues and answer questions.

Tim Holverson, the chamber’s vice president in charge of public policy, runs the forums. He tries to steer some of the dialogue toward issues that chamber members, in a December 2001 survey, said they’re most interested in.

According to the poll, the top three issues are:

l Rising costs of health insurance.

l Redistricting plans that would move Lawrence out of the 3rd Congressional District (U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, a Democrat) and into to 2nd Congressional District (U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, a Republican).

l The likelihood of state lawmakers raising taxes without looking for ways to cut costs or increase efficiencies.

“Health insurance and taxes are serious issues that have been around a long time, and that we’ve all heard a lot about,” Holverson said. “But the fact that so many members were concerned about redistricting that was a surprise.”

When chamber members were polled in December 2000, concern over and opposition to Lawrence’s being moved to the 2nd Congressional District posted “a 3-to-1 margin,” Holverson said. A year later, the margin was 5 to 1.

“But health insurance is by far and away the No. 1 concern among chamber members,” Holverson said. “Over 90 percent said it’s important. For an employer, it’s as important as salaries and wages.”

The “Capitol Connection” forums are co-sponsored by Southwestern Bell and the Journal-World.

Appearing in Topeka, too

In addition to the forums, the chamber’s board of directors and its Government Communications Committee keep an eye on state and federal issues likely to affect the local economy.

“The board meets once a month,” Sepic said. “The meetings are open; any member can come.”

Though Sepic and Holverson spend most of their time and energy in Lawrence, they’re both registered statehouse lobbyists.

“We go over there (Topeka) some, but not a lot,” Sepic said. “For our state presence, we partner very strongly with the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry.”

Also, on the first Tuesday of every other month, the chamber sponsors a noon “Talk of the Town” gathering aimed at giving its members a deeper perspective on issues expected to affect Lawrence.

“We had one on the beautification plans for KU, on what drives gas prices and on the living wage movement,” Sepic said. “We try to make sure the information is presented in a way that’s both balanced and nonemotional.

“I think that, overall, we’ve been successful.”