Over the past few months, our Legislative Action and Economic Development Committees as well as our Board of Directors have been hard at work evaluating state and local ballot measures. The measures we express an opinion on cover a wide variety of issues and showcase the Chamber’s values across topics including economic equity, education and taxes.
Hear more from our Director of Governmental Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern, as she offers clarification on ballot measures and what else to expect this election season.
As California tries to move from a reliance on fossil fuels to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, there is a concern that renewable energy alone will not be enough to meet the state’s rising power demand during extreme weather.
Back in 2016, PG&E announced plans to close Diablo Canyon nuclear plant under the belief there would be sufficient renewable electricity to make up for the loss by the 2025 closure date, but that now does not look likely. The California Legislature has just taken the first step toward the possibility of extending Diablo’s life.
The Inclusionary Housing Ordinance is on the July 19 SLO City Council meeting agenda and we are asking you to join the Chamber as we advocate for a more holistic approach that will better serve the future of San Luis Obispo.
Learn more about the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and what you can do from our Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern.
Get informed and get involved.
One of the most visible ways that our community has changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is the addition of parklets to our downtown. While it started as a temporary program, last summer, we supported the City Council’s unanimous direction to formalize this option for businesses to take their service outdoors.
The City has released their draft guide for parklets moving forward, and we are excited about a lot of it. We will continue to advocate for an ideal parklet program that will enhance our vibrant downtown and business economy.
Hear more from our Director of Governmental Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern, about the Parklet Program and the upcoming 2022 Primary Election.
When we imagine the future of San Luis Obispo, we see a place that ignites creativity, celebrates diversity and spurs innovation; a place where people work together from across the region to tackle shared challenges, drive economic growth and preserve our natural resources.
This is a vision that won’t be achieved by accident — it takes planning, collaboration, innovation and flexibility to help shape the community we love and beyond our voices, one of the most important tools we have to crystallize all of these high level ideas and bring them into tactical reality is our General Plan.
Hear more from our Director of Governmental Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern, about the upcoming 2022 Primary Election and the City of SLO’s Annual Report on the General Plan.
One major legislative and societal issue where we all have an opportunity to make a difference is homelessness.
The Chamber’s Economic Vision is rooted in the idea that human issues are business issues. People without homes are not separate from us. They are our neighbors, they are part of our community, and we are charged with being part of the solution.
We will be advocating in upcoming months for collaborative solutions that will take both immediate needs and long term solutions into account in order to create a San Luis Obispo that is welcoming for everyone, regardless of housing status. Hear more from our director of governmental affairs, Molly Kern, on what you need to know and how to get involved in solutions for our community.
Every election year brings a surplus of new information along with some confusion, and this year is no exception. If anything, the continued uncertainty over redistricting has only added to the murkiness.
Watch as Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern, offers some much needed clarification on who will be voting when and what else to expect this election year.
Every week we spend countless hours immersed in information gathering, sharing and discussing issues that affect our members and the community as a whole. Continual dialogue with local decision makers and advocates, diligent tracking of legislative issues, and an amazing volunteer and committee approach enables us to effectively advocate for and serve as the voice of the business community.
Through our legislative work, the SLO Chamber tracks and analyzes key issues that impact local businesses from taxes and fees, to open space and climate action.
Hear more from our director of governmental affairs, Molly Kern, about what you can expect this coming year and how to get involved on issues that matter to you.
Every ten years, we must redraw the lines that determine which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together when it comes to electing their County supervisor.
It is more important than ever that the business community, not just partisan interests, are heard in this process as it sets the table for conversations on topics like economic development, housing and homelessness, the closure of Diablo Canyon and the transition of the Oceano Dunes.
Join us to support the Chamber-crafted SLO County 2030 map which builds on existing industry clusters, geography and cultural factors to move our economy forward.
Email the Board of Supervisors by Monday, November 29 to share your support or reach out to molly@slochamber.org with any questions.
Each of the vibrant communities in our region has its own distinct charm. And while it’s natural to focus on one’s own neighborhood or town, there is a better way. Working together—with trust, humility and goodwill—we can help each other tackle shared challenges across our region and harness opportunities to preserve and enhance our collective quality of life.
In light of a recent decision by majority of the SLO County Board of Supervisors to leave the Integrated Waste Management Authority, we want to call attention to Imagine SLO’s We Before Me theme and reiterate our commitment to regionalism.
Hear from our Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern on what we’re doing to work together across jurisdictional boundaries and create better outcomes across the Central Coast.
The recently passed 2021-23 SLO City budget prioritizes direct support to businesses through an allocation of $750,000, funding made possible by the Chamber-supported Measure G sales tax, passed in 2020. Watch as our Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern shares what priorities we’re advocating these funds be directed towards to ensure a positive ripple effect is seen across our local economy.
The City of SLO’s Open SLO program began at the onset of the pandemic and includes street parklets, sidewalk dining, updates to Monterey Street and activations in Mission Plaza as well as throughout downtown SLO. The support for these initiatives has been overwhelming — and on July 20, the SLO City Council discussed the community’s feedback and possibilities for the future of the program. Watch as SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern discusses what we advocated for as part of the continuation of these programs and how they can further serve the community as a whole.
Whether you realize it or not, the simple act of spending your dollars locally goes beyond that one transaction to help create jobs, support other local businesses, and shape the unique character and personality of San Luis. As things start opening up and we begin to return to some of our pre-pandemic habits, SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern reflects on how much our community had done over the last 16 months to come together, support one another and our local business community.
Last week, state and federal governments announced plans to open about 400 square miles of the Pacific Ocean to offshore wind. SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern breaks down this exciting development and explains why the Chamber is supporting a federally funded feasibility study. Learn more about this incredible opportunity below and we look forward to keeping you updated as the project progresses.
Last week, SLO City Council discussed the budget for the next two years which will impact both business owners and residents. SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern points out a few of the most exciting elements that the Chamber is proud to support during our April Good Morning SLO program.
The Chamber has advocated for a renewed focus on addressing the growing challenge of homelessness at both the City and County levels. In the past few weeks, our Board and Legislative Action Committee have identified ways for the business community to support and amplify the great work being done by so many nonprofits in our region. Listen to SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern share more about the community’s response and plans for next steps.
Last week, we saw the passage of California’s $9.6 billion bi-partisan relief package. Listen to SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern break down what it means for individuals and businesses as well as share updates on federal and local financial relief. For most recent updates on the state relief package visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/.
While there has been undoubtedly some silver linings of this past year, it turned out to be so tough. SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern shares what the future months and years will bring for the City and Chamber as the pandemic continues to have overarching influence on each of our lives. Learn more about how the key business community priorities that the Chamber will be advocating for, HERE.
Molly Kern, SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs, celebrates the achievements of recent weeks including City and County housing elements being approved and the community support shown with the passage of SLO Measure G. We are grateful for how the community has stepped up to support each other during this challenging time.
Watch as SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern breaks down what you need to know about certain measures on this year’s ballot. See where we stand on the issues and become a more informed voter by viewing our full 2020 Voter Guide, HERE.
SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern breaks down two of the decisions that will be taking place at the September 1st SLO City Council Meeting. One being the City’s Housing Element and the other, key changes to oversight of Measure G.
SLO Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs Charlene Rosales gets you up to speed on the city’s zoning update and proposed cannabis tax with a reminder to vote in the June 5 primary.
Recently, the San Luis Obispo City Council gave the public further ideas about how they would like the City’s cannabis regulations to look – with many similarities to what the Chamber has recommended
In early August, San Luis Obispo residents will be given the chance to vote on a ballot measure that appears to protect renters and home buyers alike from discrimination – but could actually hurt access to affordable housing. The measure, B-17, calls to repeal the former Rental Housing Inspection program, which has already been repealed, and replace it with a provision entitled “Non-Discrimination in Housing.” This sounds like something that everyone could get behind, but, as is often the case, the details and verbiage used in the measure could leave the city open to costly lawsuits. And this is how affordable housing could be hurt. Affordable housing programs are discriminatory by nature, as they mandate that participants have to make under a certain level of income. http://www.slocity.org/government/municipal-elections