Adding value for Maryland businesses through our advocacy work

Blog post by Whitney Harmel Whitney Harmel is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Through her career history and past role as chair of the Emerging Leaders United Council, she has over a decade of sales, leadership, and relationship-building experience.

DOWNLOAD THE 2019 LEGISLATIVE REPORT

As the only statewide business advocacy organization, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce worked tirelessly through the 2019 Legislative Session. Our member’s only policy committees and legislative committee, comprised of industry experts, worked side by side with our government affairs team. Together they meticulously broke down and debated each bill that would have an impact on Maryland businesses. Of the 2,497 bills introduced this year, our policy committees reviewed 341 bills and ultimately tracked and testified on 157 bills that had significant foreseeable impacts on Maryland businesses.

The Maryland Chamber’s yearly Legislative Report encompasses each bill that we took a position on, including an explanation of that position and the final status of the bill. The report is a snapshot of the scope of the policies in all the industries that the Maryland Chamber is involved in. The report is a direct reflection of the time, energy, hard work and expertise of our passionate members, advocates and Government Affairs team.

Session may have ended on April 8^th but our work continues year round and the Maryland Chamber team is already looking ahead to next year’s session. We’re working with our legislative committee to create our annual 2020 legislative priorities synopsis, which will be centered around issues including labor and employment, tax, civil liability, and transportation and infrastructure. With over 4,500 Maryland Chamber and federated members in 23 counties and Baltimore City, we represent Maryland businesses from Oakland to Ocean City.

Issues like restrictive scheduling and punitive damages have been at the forefront of our legislative priorities for the past few years and will continue to be in the next legislative session. We rely on our members to share their perspectives, connections and voices so we can advocate on bills that create jobs, reduce onerous regulations and stimulate innovation.

The 2020 session starts in 168 days! Will you be sharing your voice for Maryland businesses next year?

For more information on joining the Maryland Chamber and how you can get involved on our policy committees, email me at wharmel@mdchamber.org

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