Changes in the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce staff have led to a different way of lobbying for the city’s interests.

Former chamber lobbyist Tim Holverson resigned in early January after accepting a job as the director of governmental affairs and strategic alliances with the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors.

Since his departure, the chamber has been able to do most of its state lobbying through legislators and has sent some members to testify before committees, the chamber’s interim president and chief executive Jean Milstead said.

Instead of hiring a new lobbyist, Milstead said the chamber plans to have its new CEO take over lobbying responsibilities. The chamber has been searching for someone to fill the position since former CEO Bill Sepic left in November 2002 for a job in Michigan.

“Most of the CEO candidates we’ve interviewed feel that’s a vital position, and by knowing what’s going on in the Legislature they will be able to be more active at a local level,” Milstead said.

In the meantime, the chamber has taken care of lobbying for local issues at the state level by keeping in contact with legislators. Some chamber volunteers have testified before committees to prevent or promote bills, such as a bill that would eliminate sales tax exemptions on some business services.

The chamber decides what issues to concentrate on in its platform by looking at the results of its public policy survey. Milstead said this year the top issues were education and economic development.

“Until Kansas solves its budget woes, I don’t see how more funding can be provided,” Milstead said.

Locally, many of the chamber’s issues are uncertain. Constructing an interchange at Kansas Highway 10 and 15th Street and building a second downtown parking garage will probably be considered next year due to a lack of city money for 2003.

A living wage is expected to be debated during the rest of 2003. Milstead said the chamber will continue to oppose a living wage ordinance and instead urge city leaders to let the market determine appropriate wage rates.

Ernie Cummings, vice chair of the Government and Community Affairs committee for the chamber, said the focus locally was always to get companies offering jobs with bigger salaries and higher qualifications.

“We’re not going out there looking for $8-an-hour jobs,” Cummings said. “We’re trying to attract quality jobs that need highly educated employees, of which Lawrence has a large population.”