SA to DC

Board Approves the 2012 Federal Agenda

2012-01-30T06:48:00.001-08:00

After months of discussion with industry, business, education and other community leaders, The Chamber’s legislative committee presented the 2012 Federal Agenda, which the board approved at the December meeting.

The Agenda is prepared ahead of the annual SA to DC trip, scheduled for February 26-28, 2012, and helps to outline the year’s priorities in addressing federal issues. This year, the Agenda includes priorities in 17 areas including: aerospace, community development, energy and environment, health care and biosciences, higher education, hospitality and tourism, information technology, immigration and homeland security, labor, manufacturing, military affairs, public education, regulatory reform, small business, transportation, water, and workforce.

The SA to DC trip is one of the largest advocacy groups to annually visit Washington, D.C. from any major metropolitan city, and helps the community send a powerful message to our legislators that our community and business leaders are unified in our priorities for federal issues.

Click here to read the 2012 Federal Agenda

Planning to come to SA to DC 2012?

2012-01-27T13:06:00.000-08:00

The 2012 SA to DC trip is shaping up to be one of the most exciting we have planned in years. A special treat will be a dinner, sponsored by one of our Board members, BCFS, featuring a presentation from Ari Fleisher, President George W. Bush's press secretary. More speakers are being confirmed as this is being published, so stay tuned and you can be the first to know.

Report from the 2011 SA to DC Trip

2011-02-16T14:37:00.000-08:00

Over 110 business leaders traveled to Washington, DC last week sharing one voice to advocate for the needs of San Antonio, and to hear from legislators and agency officials regarding a number of issues including health care, international trade, cybersecurity, education, transportation, immigration and military issues. This is the 33rd year that The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce organized the annual trip to Washington. The Chamber now partners with the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Free Trade Alliance on the trip.

Karen Tumulty, Washington Post columnist and national political correspondent, began the SA to DC presentations by discussing the current political climate in Washington. She told the participants that the next few months will be a key time to watch Senate leaders such as Mitch McConnell.

“Washington has responded to the last election with a sharp eye on the Republican party and the number of new conservatives that have arrived,” Tumulty said. Tumulty also explained that many Democratic Senators will be up for re-election in the next big election, and there will be opportunity for Republican leaders to influence them on key votes.

This year’s schedule was packed with briefings from key Washington leaders including U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; Congressmen Charlie Gonzalez, Henry Cuellar, Lamar Smith, Francisco Canseco; Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, former Director of the CIA and NSA, General (Ret.) Michael Hayden; and Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.

Discovery of the Cyber World Likened to Discovery of Americas

2011-02-15T14:30:00.000-08:00

According to General (Ret.) Michael Hayden, former Director of the CIA and NSA, the online world will bring about changes in history not unlike the European discovery of the “New World.” General Hayden told SA to DC participants that he recently addressed a convention of cyber experts and used the discovery illustration to emphasize the importance of knowing the power of, and the risks of, the new domain that is forming.

General Hayden said that cybersecurity is a continually evolving space, and the American people need to realize that oversight and security on their personal networks and cyber-stored information is a good thing, even if it comes at the cost of some privacy. As such, he believes that the U.S. will eventually have to move to a new version of the internet; one that is very different, from the current version we use, but much more secure.

General Hayden visited San Antonio in December 2010, where he heard briefings from The Chamber’s Information Technology committee about the various cybersecurity initiatives that are happening in San Antonio. He applauded local cyber leaders for their work and how they are helping secure information not only for the government, but for corporations. He reminded the group that some companies are larger than many developed countries, and they regularly experience attacks, giving the example of Google most recently. Because it affects everyone, he encouraged all business and elected leaders to learn about this “new world” of cyber.

The Chamber sent a large delegation of information technology experts to Washington for SA to DC to learn from the Pentagon about opportunities for growing our cyber security assets in San Antonio. Additionally, the IT experts briefed elected leaders on the capabilities of the cyber companies currently located in the Alamo City.

Senators Hutchison and Cornyn Address SA to DC Participants

2011-02-15T14:23:00.000-08:00

An annual highlight of the SA to DC trip is to hear from U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn. Both Senator Hutchison and Senator Cornyn warned that the nation’s growing national debt is not sustainable, and everyone on Capitol Hill will be focused on finding ways to lower government spending.

Senator Hutchison spoke to the SA to DC delegation Feb. 6 and specifically addressed the issue of immigration. She is convinced there will not be any “comprehensive” immigration bill, but rather the Congress must address the issue in pieces. Senator Hutchison also commented that the first priority for her is passing a DREAM Act that has been revised. Additionally, she said that she would support expanding the perimeter rule of the FAA, which could potentially allow for flights from Washington National Airport to San Antonio International Airport. Another bill she will be proposing would eliminate the cap on health savings plans and would expand the plan to once again include the cost of non-prescription drugs.

Senator Cornyn spoke to the group on Feb. 9 and addressed budgetary issues facing our nation and the current status of the health care reform bill. He stressed that his primary concern is the out-of-control spending at the federal level. Additionally, he agreed with Senator Hutchison that a comprehensive immigration bill would not be passed, but that the issues should be addressed in steps.

Senator Cornyn was asked a question about how troop drawdown in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would help lower budget expenditures. He responded that no department, including the Department of Defense, will be exempt from cuts, however we need to keep our eyes on every part of the world where we continue to see national threats.

From left to right: Chamber Chair-Elect Jim Greenwood, Vice President Governmental Affairs at Valero Energy Corp.; Chamber Chairman Sam Dawson, CEO of Pape-Dawson Engineers; U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison; and Chamber President and CEO Richard Perez

From left to right: Sonya McDonald, Senior Vice President for Market Development at Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union; and U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Highway Administrator Wants U.S. to Think Multimodal

2011-02-15T14:21:00.000-08:00

Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez told SA to DC participants that the administration is encouraging cities and metropolitan areas to plan multimodal when talking about transportation. He said that the country needs to consider all transportation methods when moving people and products around the country.

One area that may see particular emphasis from the Obama Administration is the marine highway as a way to increase opportunities for moving more products using waterways. Mendez also hopes that we will invest heavily in rail.

Mendez noted that all regionally, different modes of transportation will be needed because all regions are not the same. The Federal Highway Administration is considering each area’s specific needs, their overall culture/environment and what works in a particular regions when trying to meet the needs of national transport.

The Chamber brought a large delegation to Washington in hopes of helping secure more funding for regional projects, specifically as is planned by VIA Metropolitan Transit. Many members of the VIA board attended the SA to DC trip.

Mayor and County Judge join SA to DC delegation at Mexican Embassy Meeting

2010-03-24T06:29:00.000-07:00

by Adrianna Garcia

The Honorable Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio and the Honorable Nelson W. Wolff, Bexar County Judge joined Chamber leaders today to discuss the importance of US-Mexico relations. Topics covered included regulatory standards on cross-border trading, trucking, and congestion on the bridges. Immigration Reform was another topic of conversation and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping with much-needed business relationships crucial to moving forward. In this photo, the mayor presents the Mexican Embassy representatives with a commemorative gift.

Meetings With Capitol Hill Offices Successful

2010-03-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

by Adrianna Garcia

Eddie Aldrete, 2011 SAHCC Chair and Trey Jacobson, SAHCC Executive Board Member led visits to Capitol Hill offices. The Hispanic Chamber and the Greater Chamber held meetings with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison's office, and Juan Sepulveda, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Education Excellence for Hispanics. These resulted in productive discussion that generated further interest in issues that pertain to credit unions, TARP funding, additional access to capital, and more transparency in government contracts resulting from the stimulus package. Increased lending to small businesses was advocated for and encouraged by all offices. Constant communication between small business, proposals for solutions and options, and comments on laws are encouraged from all Chamber members. Comprehensive Immigration Reform and educating a more prepared workforce were two other important topics of discussion.

Congressmen Address SA to DC Delegation

2010-03-23T15:23:00.001-07:00

Congressmen Cuellar, Gonzalez and Rodriguez have given passionate remarks about the need for immigration reform. Each have talked about the need to find a way to find a solution to the issue. The Chamber has issued the federal agenda for immigration reform that it should include a way to encourage more broad use of the E-verify program as well as a reasonable way to have a path to citizenship or permanent residency to undocumented workers that are helping to build the economy. Also the priorities outline the need for border security policy that created an environment of economic strength for the Nothern Hemisphere.

Senators Hutchison and Cornyn Brief the Delegation

2010-03-23T15:00:00.001-07:00

The record breaking SA to DC delegation just heard from Senators Hutchison and Cornyn. They both expressed that they continue to work toward helping San Antonio to find funding for projects important to our community. Most notably, Senator Hutchison reminded the group that because of forward thinking by leaders many years ago to bring Army South to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, we would not be benefitting from becoming the nation's home to all training for military medicine today. The SA to DC trip is about exactly this: to think and discuss what we need to be focused on how to build a better tomorrow. Political debates come and go, but your Chamber will always be aiming for the brightest future we can imagine for the families of San Antonio. Our measure of success for this weeks's trip will be seen 5, 10 and 20 years from now.

Health care bill could have big local impact

2010-03-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

By Elizabeth Allen and Don Finley - Express-News

In Bexar County, where roughly a quarter of the population lacks health insurance, where biomedicine is one of the biggest industries, and where many of its employers are small businesses that can't afford to cover their workers, the weekend passage of a historic health reform bill could mean profound changes — for better and worse, local experts said.

While some in the business community expressed...
Read the story here > > >

Issue Teams Hit Capitol Hill with Umbrellas

2010-03-23T06:27:00.000-07:00

The mood of Washington seemed to take a break the day after the health care debate as a light rain gave a calming effect to the city, and as the San Antonio delgation began to knock on the doors of our Senators and Congressmen.

With umbrellas in hand, your Chamber members are hard at work to be sure that our elected officials are making our elected officials aware of the priorities of our city.

Military Priorities

2010-03-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

The Chamber's SA to DC trip began to address military issues when it began 32 years ago. This year, another large delegation returns to be sure that our ongoing status of "Military City USA" is retained and strengthened.

The 2010 priorities for this year's military delegation is led by David Spencer (Managing General Partner, Texas Intrepid Ventures).

The delegation will communicate our desire to bring the F-35 flight training mission to the 149th Fighter Wing at Lackland Air Force Base. The group will also ask for increased funding for two programs that can address encroachment at Camp Bullis, the Army Compatible Use Buffering Program and for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative.

Additionally, we will share our support for continued funding for Lackland Ambulatory Care Center (MILCON) and request an earmark of $5 million to assist with transferring facilities at Brooks City-Base from a chiller plant system to energy-efficient utility systems.

Bracewell & Giuliani Representatives Give "Washington Political Update"

2010-03-22T06:07:00.001-07:00

Monday morning began with a question and answer session with Susan Molinari (Senior Principal) and Gene Godley (Partner) both with Bracewell & Giuliani about some of the political undercurrents in discussions in Washington. Both bring decades of experience from their work on Capitol Hill.

Susan began by saying that many people are concerned with the growing divisive language that has escalated in Washington during the health care debate. She noted some comments made from both parties that, in her opinion, seem to draw a wider divide in the country.

Gene Godly echoed her remarks in that he hoped that with some issues to come such as education and immigration that many hope there is more bi-partisan discussion. However, he noted that historically, with a super majority of any party in Washington, the parties typically grow apart before they grow together.

Heath Care - SA to DC Federal Agenda

2010-03-21T18:14:00.000-07:00

While Congress and the Senate discuss what will happen with health care in our nation, the health care issue team from San Antonio have brought several key topics that we plan to discuss while we are on Capitol Hill.

The SA to DC Health Care team is led by Dr. Brian Herman, Vice President for research and Professor, Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Herman, joined by others representing the interestes of our health care industry in San Antonio are first focused on appropriately implementing the health care reform coming from our lawmakers.

Next, our leaders will give their support for the implementation of Health Information Technology to improve the efficiency of health care delivery, they will support the extension of enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentages used to determine the amount of federal matching funds for state Medicaid expenditures and the delegation will ask for our legislators' support in finding a permanent fix for the Sustainable Growth Rate formula.

Next, the delegation will ask for increased funding for Health Resources and Services Administration's Title VII Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill, which is a $330 million investment that provides grants to educational institutions to train primary health care professionals to assist the underserved and to address the nation's health workforce shortage.

Another critical need in San Antonio is for more nurses, and nursing education. Therefore, the delegation will ask our legislators to increase funding for Nursing Workforce Development programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration under Title VII of the Public Health Service Act.

As with all positions on these topics, these priorities for health care were developed through extensive discussion that came from members of The Chamber's Health Care Committee. This committee has representatives from our hospitals, educational institutions, research organizations, bioscience companies and others who are impacted by and related to the health care industry.

Just in Time

2010-03-21T11:21:00.001-07:00

The SA to DC delegation arrived just a few minutes ago, about an hour after the Health Care discussion started on the Hill. While our group doesn't address this health care plan directly, we do hope to bring home some funding that will create and keep jobs in our region.

San Antonio Sends More than 100 Business and Elected Leaders to Washington, DC

2010-03-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

A record number of business and community leaders from San Antonio are gearing up for The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s 32nd Annual SA to DC trip March 21-24. And the timing could not be more critical.

Participants have scheduled small group visits with legislators and members of the administration regarding 12 issues that are identified as priority for San Antonio. Priorities for this year are: aerospace, air quality, bioscience, education, health care, immigration, information technology, international trade, military, small business, transportation and water.

“What makes this trip so impactful is that lawmakers hear a unified voice from our city on critical issues that face our community,” said Chamber President and CEO Richard Perez.

Key individuals attending this year’s event include Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, and City Manager Sheryl Sculley. The business community will be represented by CEOs, Presidents, local Superintendents and other executives from the area’s largest industry sectors.

The 2010 Legislative Agenda is full of topics that can shape the future of San Antonio in many areas. A complete legislative agenda, schedule and list of participants is available and being updated daily online at The Chamber’s SA to DC web site. The SA to DC trip is produced in partnership with the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Schedule highlights:
Monday, March 22
• “Washington Political Update” presented by former Congressional Representatives Jim Chapman and Susan Molinari (Bracewell & Giuliani)
• visit to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and briefing by US Chamber President, Tom Donohue
• a group representing San Antonio’s military affairs interests will visit the Pentagon
• reception at the Canadian Embassy

Tuesday, March 23
• presentation on national security by the former Director of the National Security Agency and Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Michael Hayden, USAF Gen. (ret)
• briefing on cyber security from Dr. Peter Fonash, Chief Technology Officer, Cyber Security and Communications, Department of Homeland Security
• discussion on the challenges in the Washington DC school district by Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of Washington, DC Schools

Wednesday, March 24• briefing from the Federal Highway Administrator, Victor M. Mendez

Record Numbers Registered for SA to DC

2010-03-11T14:17:00.000-08:00

Business leaders are signing up in record numbers for the SA to DC trip which is scheduled for March 21-24, 2010.

While the economy is struggling to slowly recover, your Chamber is focusing efforts on getting key messages to our legislators about keeping San Antonio jobs, air quality, water, transportation, education, immigration and health care reform, support for our military, and strengthening key industries such as bioscience, information technology, aerospace and tourism.

View the 2010 Federal Agenda on the SA to DC web site.

We will post ongoing information, photos, video and documents on this blog that will keep you up to date on all that we have going on.

If you still want to register - click here for the information.