Advocacy in Action

Promoting a Business Friendly Environment

We put advocacy into action working for our members. The West Coast Chamber serves as the region's advocate for business at the local, state and federal levels, representing the combined strength of our diverse industry sectors.

We listen carefully to your concerns and find ways to make connections and facilitate conversations on key issues that impact our community.

We call this "Advocacy in Action".

Upcoming Advocacy in Action Programs:

In the Know Local Updates with City Managers: Monday, October 19, 2020
Public Policy: Issues That Matter: Friday, November 13, 2020
Capitol Connections featuring State Legislators: Monday, November 16, 2020

Vote-2020-Red-white-and-blue-for-Advocacy-Page-1000x210

Voter Information

November 3, 2020 Michigan Secretary of State Allegan County Ottawa County City of Holland City of Zeeland

November 3, 2020

State and Local Voter Information

Michigan Secretary of State

Allegan County

Ottawa County

City of Holland

City of Zeeland

Ballot Proposals

Michigan Proposals Proposal 1 - Use of State and Local Park Funds Proposal 2 - Search Warrant for Electronic Data

Michigan Proposals

Proposal 1 - Use of State and Local Park Funds

A proposed constitutional amendment to allow money from oil and gas mining on state- owned lands to continue to be collected in state funds for land protection and creation and maintenance of parks, nature areas, and public recreation facilities; and to describe how money in those state funds can be spent.

This proposed constitutional amendment would:

Allow the State Parks Endowment Fund to continue receiving money from sales of oil and gas from state-owned lands to improve, maintain and purchase land for State parks, and for Fund administration, until its balance reaches $800,000,000.

Require subsequent oil and gas revenue from state-owned lands to go into the Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Require at least 20% of Endowment Fund annual spending go toward State park improvement.

Require at least 25% of Trust Fund annual spending go toward parks and public recreation areas and at least 25% toward land conservation.

Proposal 2 - Search Warrant for Electronic Data

A proposed constitutional amendment to require a search warrant in order to access a person’s electronic data or electronic communications

This proposed constitutional amendment would:

Prohibit unreasonable searches or seizures of a person’s electronic data and electronic communications.

Require a search warrant to access a person’s electronic data or electronic communications, under the same conditions currently required for the government to obtain a search warrant to search a person’s house or seize a person’s things.

Election Resources

Websites with detailed information about the Michigan 2020 Ballot Measures.

Citizens Research Council of Michigan

Click Here

Ballotpedia

Click Here

Advocacy Programs

Capitol Connections Programs give our members the chance to dialog with our community's state and federal legislators.

Public Policy: Issues that Matter vigorously studies issues and identifies, prioritizes and recommends policy to our Board of Directors.

Special Legislative Programs allow our members to hear from our U.S. Senators and Representatives, and stay on top of important business and civic priorities.

Advocacy Partners

As a part of the West Michigan Chamber Coalition (WMCC), we lend our voice to that of the Grand Rapids, Muskegon Lakeshore, and Grand Haven/Spring Lake/Ferrysburg Chambers of Commerce. The WMCC speaks with a voice of over 6,000 members when lobbying legislators in Lansing on behalf of West Michigan business. The WMCC and its members will also participate in advancing the directives of the Regional Policy Forum.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, and advocates for pro-business policies that create jobs and grow our economy. Key issues range from smart tax policy and regulatory relief to legal reform and trade promotion.We are recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a 5-Star Accredited Chamber.

Advocacy in Action Guide

Contact Elected Officials

Why Advocacy Matters: A Message for People Who Aren't Into Politics

Advocacy in Action is not about “politics”, it’s about getting our members’ concerns and feedback to the people who’ve been elected to represent us in Lansing and Washington DC. It’s not political, it’s personal.

When we talk about “connecting” people, the first image that may come to mind is a networking event. While the Chamber certainly has ample networking opportunities for businesses of all shapes and sizes, our idea of “connecting” is broader than that.