Three area elected officials want to hear from Ventura County business owners and local leaders who have concerns about the impact of regulations at a special meeting to be held March 5 in Santa Paula.
Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, State Senator Tony Strickland and State Senator George Runner will be at Santa Paula City Hall from 8 to 9:30 a.m. At the meeting local businesses will have the opportunity to provide testimony to the state representatives about the impacts of California’s regulatory climate. According to a flyer, the event is a “legislative hearing on the over-regulation and over-taxation of California businesses,” and those who wish to provide testimony are asked to contact Matthew Guthrie, 306-8886.
Audra Strickland and Runner represent the Santa Clara River Valley. Due to limits they are serving their last term.
Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce Board Chairwoman Nan Drake is looking forward on several levels to the meeting. “It is a very good thing for all businesses to be acquainted with their elected officials in Sacramento, and for them to become sounding boards through a public meeting is incredible, a great opportunity for our local businesses to be heard.... I urge Santa Paula businesses to make a good showing at the hearing and to let our legislators know that we care about our community” and, added Drake, “that we are paying attention to how they are voting.”
“It is always good when elected officials come out and meet with their constituents,” said Steve Smead, the Chamber’s Legislation Committee chairman. “The Chamber is pleased that Santa Paula was picked as the meeting place. With California facing a real budget deficit of over $30 billion, we must seek true government reform to ease the burden on business in California to make it a truly business friendly state.”
Smead said the meeting is being held, “so local business owners can have their concerns heard about the impacts of California regulations on their business.” Such meetings, Smead believes, “are a start to a process that could reform our broken system. The Santa Paula Chamber encourages all business owners to come to the meeting and talk with their elected officials,” and take advantage of “their chance to be heard.”
Audra Strickland has announced she will seek the Board of Supervisor’s seat of Linda Parks, who represents the Thousand Oaks area. Runner has declared himself to be a candidate for the State Board of Equalization. This is the first such town hall meeting for businesses to be held in Santa Paula. The Santa Paula City Hall Council Chamber is located at 970 E. Ventura Street.