Advocacy

The Tigard Chamber of Commerce’s is focused on providing opportunities for consistent and sustainable long-term business growth by promoting public policy, rules and laws that support a healthy business and employment climate. We advocate with government on behalf of business, leveraging the voice of our members.

2022 Business Advocacy Agenda

We are guided by the following objectives:

  • Preserve  the competitive enterprise system of business by creating a better understanding and appreciation of the importance of a strong economy, promoting intelligent business and public opinion regarding local, state, and national legislative and political affairs.
  • Prevent  policies which are detrimental to business, creating a greater appreciation of the value of competitive business.
  • Promote  healthy communities by: promoting economic programs designed to strengthen and expand the income potential of all classes of business, and opportunities for employment.

Other Guidelines Include:

  • The use of taxes should be fair and equitable in providing services and programs that benefit the economic growth and the health and welfare of citizens.
  • Reasonable regulations are necessary to a growing economy, unreasonable ones stifle growth and opportunity.
  • Governmental policy needs to promote economic opportunity.
  • As a general rule, overall government expenditures should not grow at rates greater than populations and inflation, or rates exceeding growth in income.
  • Government must look for more efficient ways to provide services to maintain quality government within cost restraints.
  • Making efforts to educate and inform public officials and media about the impact potential decisions could have on the area economy.

We want to hear from you the business community about city, county and state legislative issues.  Please be sure to call or email markgrat@TriMet.org if you see anything you believe the Tigard Chamber GAPP should be aware of.

Committees

Government Affairs & Public Policy (GAPP)

The GAPP Committee reviews and takes positions on a range of business related legislation and issues that align with the board-approved Business Advocacy Agenda.

Committee meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.. Details can be found on the Tigard Chamber calendar.

GAPP Members

Tom Markgraf – TriMet, Committee Chair
Debi Mollahan – Tigard Chamber CEO
Megan De Salvo – Edge One Media, Past Board Chair
Tom Engel – Vantage Point HR, Board Chair Elect
Jessica Love – Tigard Chamber of Commerce
Tom Anderson – Tigard Real Estate 
John Cook – John L Cook CPA
Kim Haughn – TVF&R, Board Member – Non Voting
Troy Gagliano – PGE – Non Voting
Heidi Lueb – Tigard City Council President – Non Voting

Interested in joining the GAPP Committee? Contact Debi Mollahan for details. Members are voted on by the Tigard Chamber Board of Directors. 

Candidate Endorsement Committee (CEC)

CEC is a non-partisan, fair and equitable process focused on reviewing the qualifications and platforms of candidates in order to endorse those most likely to support business and Tigard Chamber goals, thus increasing the likelihood of pro-business candidates being elected to local offices.

The Candidate Endorsement Committee promotes a vibrant business environment by endorsing candidates who support sound public policy that strengthens the business community and the free enterprise system.

CEC Members

Megan De Salvo – Edge One Media and Past Board Chair
Michelle Cheney – Health Care Business Solutions & Board Chair
Tom Markgraf – TriMet & GAPP Committee Chair
Tom Engel – Vantage Point HR & Board Chair Elect 
Debi Mollahan – Tigard Chamber CEO, Non-Voting