Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce

Commentary

Living Wage has brought good competition to Los Angeles International Airport

L.A.'s Living Wage Ordinance Isn't a Job Killer

September 21, 2011

Despite the dire warnings of former Mayor Richard Riordan, the L.A. Chamber of Commerce and many other business organizations, which opposed requiring airport contractors to pay a living wage, competition for LAX food concessions is more vigorous than ever. More proof that businesses and good wages and benefits for workers can coexist.

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The Chamber of Commerce Does Not Care About Unemployment

July 11, 2011

Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce held its "Jobs For America Summit". Consider it part of a continuing campaign to convince the American public that the organization cares about something other than the profits of its largest donors. (It doesn’t.)

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Chamber of Commerce, Wrong Again

May 19, 2011

The California Chamber of Commerce released its hit list of so-called "job killer" bills. Like every year, they oppose every proposal to protect consumers, workers and the environment from irresponsible business practices, or raise revenues to fund public services, or support middle and working class families. 

They were wrong before and they are wrong now.

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US Capitol building

Darrel Issa’s Government Handover

January 05, 2011

By Donald Cohen and Peter Dreier. Posted on Huffington Post. January 5, 2011.

Newly emboldened as chair of the House’s key investigative committee, California Cong. Darrell Issa, the conservative Republican, sent letters to more than 150 business lobby groups, asking them to identify government rules that they want eliminated.

Issa wants to hand the government over to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a who’s who of corporate America. The new Republican Congress is their opportunity to get rid of those pesky environmental laws, consumer product safety laws and even rules to prevent another Wall St. financial train wreck.

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Cry Wolf Quotes

The vast majority of accidents result from human failings. No amount of legislation against employers is going to stop an employee who decides to take a short cut in his job or to shed his steel-toed shoes or safety helmet.

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Chamber of Commerce magazine, Nation’s Business. April, 1968.
04/01/1968 | Full Details | Law(s): Occupational Safety and Health Act

It is our belief that consumers will not be effectively served by establishing an expensive new bureaucracy to assume the Congressional function of overseeing the existing agencies.

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Lawrence Kraus, executive of the Consumer Affairs Committee of Chamber of Commerce, Testimony, Legislation and Military Operations Subcommittee of the House Government Operations Committee,Chamber of Commerce Presentations to Congress.
10/09/1973 | Full Details | Law(s): General: Consumer

This fight's not over… The best-intentioned employer isn't going to be able to figure out [the standards], even if he has hundreds of lawyers. It's like getting your arms around a bowl of Jell-O.

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Randy Johnson, a vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The Los Angeles Times.
11/23/1999 | Full Details | Law(s): Ergonomics Standard (2000), Occupational Safety and Health Act, Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Are you aware than the Consumer Product Safety Commission is capable of ruining a business through a mere editorial oversight—and it has.

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Richard Lesher, Chamber of Commerce Publications, 1975
01/01/1975 | Full Details | Law(s): Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
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Backgrounders & Briefs

Industry Repeats Itself on Financial Reform

As the nation approaches the first anniversary of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law, opponents are claiming that the new measure is extraordinarily damaging, especially to Main Street. But industry’s alarmist rhetoric bears striking resemblance to the last time it faced sweeping new safeguards: during the New Deal reforms. The parallels between the language used both then and now are detailed in a report released today by Public Citizen and the Cry Wolf Project.

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Resources

U.S. Chamber Watch is a watchdog organization focused on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's agenda and influence.

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