In a couple of days one of the most dreadful local elections in recent memory will come to an end. It has been marked by negative campaigning, uncontested races for Congressional and General Assembly seats, and by a Senate campaign that failed to ignite very much enthusiasm. There have been bond referenda, in which some failed to campaign until the last week or so (Heritage Harbor bond) and still others failed to campaign at all (Constitutional Convention).
When it all ends, little will have changed. And that also means the plight of the business community. Business issues were virtually ignored in this campaign, mainly because the business community has failed to impress the candidates or political parties that taking a stand on important business issues will translate into support at the polls.
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The end of the election also marks the beginning of a new General Assembly season. It is in these several weeks before the session that legislative proposals begin to develop, strategies are determined, and support for issues or constituencies courted.
The business community is at a distinct disadvantage because it is underrepresented in the General Assembly, and has among the weakest lobbying efforts of any special interest group. That’s not to say the Chambers of Commerce and related bodies don’t do their job, but the rank and file business owners are absent during the General Assembly debates. It is understandable. Small business owners need to tend to the business at hand, making sure that first their company is operating successfully. That too often means being the cook, the waiter, and the dishwasher.
But leaving the legislative debate to others usually results in disappointment over the results. Lobbying efforts are often not sufficient enough to win key issues, or not enough information is disseminated to help legislators understand the importance of certain business issues.
Legislators who are not business people themselves need to have an understanding of what it’s like to operate a small business.
The business community should look upon this period, and this General Assembly as an opportunity to gain greater recognition of business issues, and a more significant presence at the State House.
We have said many times before that it would serve the business community well if business owners would invite their legislators to regularly tour their businesses and begin to understand the relationship between your economic success and the financial security of their constituents who work in your business. Let the legislator see first hand how government’s actions can help or hinder a business.
This is not to be critical of legislators. They come from their own perspectives — very few with a business perspective — and are subject to lobbying efforts from various constituencies. It is difficult for them to respond to a community whose lobbying efforts usually pale in comparison to others.
So while this may have been a lackluster election, it doesn’t mean that the upcoming General Assembly session cannot be a vibrant one, paying close attention to the business issues that will improve the business climate in our state.
It is up to you to assure that this legislative session is one in which business issues get a fair hearing.
